March 3, 2026Open Access

Fabrication of graded-index core polymer optical waveguides enabling low loss with small bend radius (∼1 mm) using high Δ resins

Key Points

Waveguides exhibit bending loss of less than 0.1 dB during a 90° bend, indicating strong optical performance.
The fabrication uses the Mosquito method with a combination of core and cladding resins featuring high refractive index difference.
This material choice enhances optical confinement and supports gradient index profiles for better light propagation.
The findings may enable the creation of more efficient polymer optical devices for compact applications.

Abstract

In this paper, circular graded-index (GI) core polymer optical waveguides are fabricated using the Mosquito method, applying a combination of resins with a high refractive index difference ( Δ ) for their core and cladding materials. Optical properties of the fabricated waveguides are thoroughly evaluated. These waveguides are expected to exhibit strong optical confinement in their cores due to the synergistic effects of the high Δ and GI refractive index profile. Notably, the experimentally fabricated multimode polymer optical waveguides achieve a bending loss of less than 0.1 dB, even under extreme conditions involving a 90° bend with a bend radius as small as 1 mm.

Fabrication of graded-index core polymer optical waveguides enabling low loss with small bend radius (∼1 mm) using high Δ resins

Key Points

Abstract

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