Loss mechanisms in polyimide waveguides

Waveguide losses in thin film polyimides using waveguide loss spectroscopy and photothermal deflection spectroscopy as a function of cure cycle and structure were studied. Fluorinated sidegroups on the polyimide backbone lead to decreases in birefringence and absorption. The primary waveguide loss mechanism is absorption, not scattering. Waveguide losses as low as 0.4 dB/cm at 800 nm have been measured. Losses as low as 0.3 dB/cm at 1300 nm can be inferred from the photothermal deflection spectroscopy.