Integration of polymer-based optical waveguide arrays and micro/nano-photonic devices for optical printed circuit board (O-PCB) application

Abstract

We report, in the form of review, on the results of our study on the fabrication and assembly of polymer-based optical waveguide arrays and micro/nano-photonic devices for optical printed circuit boards (O-PCBs) application. The O-PCBs are designed to perform the functions of transporting, switching, routing and distributing optical signals on flat modular boards, substrates or chips. We have assembled and constructed O-PCBs using optical waveguide arrays and circuits made of polymer materials and have examined their information handling performances. We also designed power beam splitters and waveguide filters using nano-scale photonic band-gap crystals. We discuss scientific and technological issues concerning the processes of miniaturization, interconnection and integration of polymer optical waveguide devices and arrays for the O-PCBs as applicable to board-to-board, chip-to-chip, and intra-chip integration for computers, telecommunications, and transportation systems.