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

这个小型企业创新研究（SBIR）二期项目探索了一种制造无源和有源集成光学器件的新概念。该方法是将集成光学器件直接光刻到光活性溶胶-凝胶玻璃上。第二阶段将开发和表征用于无源光通信网络的简单集成光学结构，如1x2和2x2分路器和定向耦合器。单模和多模耦合器将具有广泛的分裂和耦合比，损耗约为0.1 dB/cm。此外，将开发使用激光聚变将输入/输出（IO）芯片自动耦合到携带信号的光纤的方法。连接到光纤的IO芯片将被封装在聚合物树脂封装中，以保护设备免受机械和环境损害。最后，alpha测试原型将分发给工业实验室，以便在第三阶段商业化中获得反馈和指导。溶胶-凝胶工艺的潜在商业应用有望在无源光通信网络、电话、有线电视、视频分发环路、高带宽数字通信、模拟信号传输、传感器、环境监测和医疗诊断中得到应用。

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.