Hannover 2016 – wissenschaftliches Programm

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Q: Fachverband Quantenoptik und Photonik

Q 9: Photonics II

Q 9.1: Vortrag

Montag, 29. Februar 2016, 14:30–14:45, f342

Polymer based optics for sensing applications — •Axel Günther, Maher Rezem, Maik Rahlves, and Bernhard Roth — Hannover Centre for Optical Technologies, Leibniz Universität Hannover, Nienburger Str. 17, 30167 Hannover

Integrated polymer photonics is highly relevant to various fields in optical technologies ranging from optical communication to integrated sensor networks. Key components for such devices are optical waveguides with propagation losses lower than 1dB/cm as well as highly efficient coupling structures for light coupling.

We developed a process which allows the realization of fully polymer based low-loss optical waveguides and relies on a hot embossing step to create a micro-structured substrate and cladding layer. In a subsequent doctor blading step, the core material is introduced into the structure. Using a similar process, we also realized integrated grating coupler elements. In addition, to establish rigid and low-loss connections between two optical waveguides or waveguides and laser diodes, we realize all-polymer self-written waveguides (SWW). Here, we use UV curable monomer which is applied to a gap between two optical components such as fibers, waveguides or light sources. Launching UV light through the fiber or the waveguide leads to local polymerization of the monomer at the end facet, which also increases the refractive index locally and acts as a seed point for the SWW.

In the talk we discuss various application scenarios where our process can be utilized to create highly integrated sensing structures for detection of physical quantities or chemical analytes.