Functionalized polymer waveguide optical switching devices integrated with visible optical amplifiers based on an organic gain material. (May 2020) - ShangGuan, Lianchao
Abstract: In this work, polymer waveguide based optical switching devices integrated with visible optical amplifying waveguides based on an organic gain material are designed and fabricated. The gain compound is a red emissive oligomer, with good dispersibility in organic polymer matrices. Optical characteristics and thermal stabilities of the active polymer waveguide core and cladding materials are analyzed. Optical gain of the amplifier operating at 650 nm red signal wavelength with 0.1 mW input power is found to be over 3.5 dB under only 1.6 mW pumping power with 532 nm green excitation light. The on-off response time of the integrated thermo-optic switch applied is measured to be 600 μs, with switching extinction ratio of 20 dB and electric switching power of 18.5 mW. The integrated switching device capable of optical gain will be suitable for applications to optical communications at the visible wavelength range involving plastic optical fiber systems. Graphical abstract: The chromophore TCNzC is a fluorene-based oligomer with peripheral carbazole groups capable of giving strong red fluorescence and optical gain. The carbazole groups could enhance the thermal property of the material and would not affect the emissive core thanks to its non-conjugated alkyl chain linkage. The oligomer is a good choice for realizing polymer gain waveguide devices operating at visible wavelength. Polymer optical waveguide switching devices capable of optical amplification at the visible wavelength range is designed and fabricated based on an organic material composed of doping chromophore TCNzC in commercial SU-8 2005 material. An organic-inorganic hybrid material, formed by the grafting of poly(methylmethacrylate) (PMMA) with SiO2 -TiO2 molecular network, is synthesized and used as the waveguide cladding material. The integrated switching device capable of optical gain will be suitable for applications to optical communications at the visible wavelength range involving plastic optical fiber systems. Image 1 Highlights: The chromophore TCNzC capable of giving strong visible optical gain. TCNzC/SU-8 2005 as core and hybrid PMMA as cladding waveguide materials. Polymer waveguide switching devices capable of optical amplification. Functionalized integrated waveguide devices for plastic optical fiber systems.