Optical coupling for multi-layer printed wiring board by selfwritten waveguide

For the future of optical interconnect, high optical coupling efficiency is required for high density multilayer optical printed wiring board (OPWB). Hence, we propose optical pin as optical coupling devices between surface devices and the multi-layer channel of OPWB using self-written waveguide (SWW) with mask-transfer method. SWW-pin is passively aligned and mask-transfer provides precise positioning between surface device and channel waveguide. This makes these technology is a promising technology for coupling device. A comparison of coupling efficiency of three cases methods is performed-using ray-tracing simulation. The calculation for optical coupling efficiency with vertical pin of -0.05 dB is achieved. The proposed of an easy and sufficient fabrication concept using MTSW method with the application of prism are expected. The vertical pin technologies are anticipated to be useful in the future of high optical coupling devices of the multi-layer and multi-channel waveguides and /or a multi-core optical fiber

New technology to expose core from fiber for optical sensing application

For the future optical sensing application, a simple, fast and cost-effective method to achieve exposed core is required for a good mass production and commercialization. Hence, this paper proposes sensing application with exposed core technology using Self-Written Waveguide (SWW) method. The SWW method uses a UV-curable resin and enables fabrication of an optical channel waveguide. SWW is known as an attractive and useful technique in optical interconnection. This SWW is passively aligned between two fibers from the end of the optical fiber under irradiation UV light. This makes the technology is a reliable exposed core technology for sensing application. A SWW with length of 800 micrometers is fabricated from the end face of the multi-mode optical fiber under irradiation with UV light. Experiment is done under several testing materials with different refractive index. The output optical power is decreasing as the refractive indexes of testing materials are increasing. Simulation is also done using ray-tracing method. From these results, it seems possible to apply this SWW using UV-curable resin in sensing application

Optical sensing by exposed core fiber using self-written waveguide

Recently, the importance of the optical fiber is increasing particularly in sensing application. Thus, this paper proposes optical sensing by exposed core fiber technology using Self-Written Waveguide (SWW) method. SWW method is fabrication of an optical channel waveguide using a UV-curable resin. As a UV light irradiated, A SWW with length of 800 micrometers is aligned between two fibers from the end of the multi-mode optical fiber. A several testing materials with different refractive index are being tested on the SWW. The output optical power is decreasing as the refractive indexes of testing materials are increasing. From these results, this makes the SWW technology is a reliable exposed core technology for sensing application

Optical pin interface for 90-deg optical path conversion coupling to Printed Wiring Board

Special attention has been paid to introduction of 'Optical wiring' in place of conventional 'Metallic wiring' in Printed Wiring Board level. High efficiency and alignment-free coupling between optical wirings and optical devices is a key in this field. This paper introduces a new optical interface applying 'Optical pin' which has an analogy to electrical pins widely used in present electronics boards. Concept of optical pin enabling 90-deg optical path conversion is proposed and a preliminary experiment using a fiber optical pin is introduced. Then a micro optical pin fabricated by Self-Written Waveguide Technology using UV-curable resin is shown

UV-curable resin microlenses on optical pillars for optical interconnect

A unique combination of pillar and microlens is demonstrated to enable easy coupling between VCSEL layers and a multi-layer/channel optical printed wiring board. A number of uniform pillars having a microlens on the top were fabricated on a substrate using UV-curable resin by mask-transfer self-written waveguide and dipping methods. Ray-trace analysis indicated that the focusing characteristics could be controlled by adjusting the pillar height and the microlens radius of curvature. Tolerance coupling efficiency between pillar height and microlens radius of curvature is acceptable. Light propagation measurements showed that uniform power was obtained from all top microlenses of the 3 × 4 pillar array on a slide glass. Studies of the reproducibility of microlens-on-pillar fabrication using the dipping method show a positive outcome. As a result, optical coupling efficiency is expected to be improved in optical interconnect applications

Uv-curable resin microlens on optical pillars for optical interconnect

A unique combination of pillar and microlens is demonstrated to enable easy coupling between VCSEL layers and a multi-layer/channel optical printed wiring board. A number of uniform pillars having a microlens on the top were fabricated on a substrate using UV-curable resin by mask-transfer self-written waveguide and dipping methods. Ray-trace analysis indicated that the focusing characteristics could be controlled by adjusting the pillar height and the microlens radius of curvature. Tolerance coupling efficiency between pillar height and microlens radius of curvature is acceptable. Light propagation measurements showed that uniform power was obtained from all top microlenses of the 3 × 4 pillar array on a slide glass. Studies of the reproducibility of microlens-on-pillar fabrication using the dipping method show a positive outcome. As a result, optical coupling efficiency is expected to be improved in optical interconnect applications