Monomode polymer waveguides with integrated mirrors

Low loss monomode polymer waveguides with integrated mirrors for off-plane coupling are realised for applications in optical bus systems. The waveguide and mirror structures are fabricated in PMMA substrates by injection moulding. The microstructured metal mould inserts are prepared by silicon micromachining and electroplating. For polymer waveguide fabrication a new copolymer PFPMA/TeCEA is used as low loss UV-curing waveguide core material. First devices with a waveguide attenuation of 0.21 dB/cm at 1300 nm wavelength and a mirror loss of about 1 dB have been demonstrated.