SBIR Phase II: The Photochemical Generation of Planar Waveguides in Sol-Gel Glasses

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9528490 Mendoza This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project explores a new concept for fabrication of passive and active integrated optic devices in glasses. The approach is direct photolithographic writing of integrated optic devices onto photoactive sol-gel glasses. Phase II will develop and characterize simple integrated optic structures such as 1x2 and 2x2 splitters and directional couplers for use in passive optical telecommunication networks. Both single-mode and multimode couplers will be fabricated with a wide range of splitting and coupling ratios and losses on the order of 0.1 dB/cm. In addition, methods will be developed for automated coupling of input/output (IO) chips to signal-carrying optical fibers using laser fusion. IO chips connected to optical fibers will be encapsulated in polymer resin packages to protect the devices from mechanical and environmental damage. Finally, Alpha-test prototypes will be distributed to industrial laboratories for feedback and guidance in Phase III commercializtion. Potential commercial applications of the sol-gel process are expected in passive optic telecommunication networks, telephony, cable television, video distribution loops, high-bandwidth digital communication, analog signal transmission, sensors, environmental monitoring, and medical dianosis.