Light-Induced Self-Written Polymeric Optical Waveguides for Single-Mode Propagation and for Optical Interconnections

Light-induced self-written (LISW) polymeric optical waveguides were fabricated in a photopolymerizing resin mixture solution using a single-mode optical fiber. In order to realize a straight waveguide core, a pre-UV treatment was performed before core formation. Single-mode propagation of laser light at 1310 nm was realized by appropriately controlling the ratio of the resins in the mixture for the first time. Moreover, optical interconnection between two single-mode fibers was demonstrated based on this technology.