Ray-Tracing Studies on Optical Periscopes Suitable for Out-of-Plane Interconnects on Optical Backplanes

Micro-periscopes suitable for out-of-plane optical interconnects in multi-mode optical waveguide systems are investigated by ray-tracing simulations. Various parameter setups, e.g., curved mirrors and add-on lens systems, were investigated by applying methods of statistical design of experiments, such as fractional factorial design and surface response analysis. The optimum optical net-loss was found to be in the order of magnitude of 3.5 dB for such periscopes. Furthermore, misplacement analysis' for these periscopes were performed in respect to a connection line of two tentative waveguides. The position of a -3 dB loss-line, was found to be as close as 35 ¿m and as far as 70 ¿m parallel to the ideal connection line of the waveguides.