Electro-optic polymers and modulators

Abstract

The devices using Electro-optic (EO) polymers has been demonstrated for high-speed modulators and switching because of its low dispersion, coating quality, inexpensive process. EO polymers itself has been progressing since their first invention some two decades ago, and simultaneously devices using the EO polymers have been demonstrated, corresponding to want from commercial communication system. Since the middle of ninety, active devices have been realized because to fabricate all polymeric waveguide structure in EO polymers has been realized with help of costly dry etching system. All polymeric waveguide still suffer from (1) low optical throughput due to coupling losses; (2) high intrinsic optical loss in EO polymers; and (3) optical-waveguiding instability due to photochemical reaction in EO polymers. Therefore, inexpensive process to solve these problems is needed when the fabricated devices is used in the commercial communication system. In this study, I mention theoretical backgrounds, properties, and then process for device fabrication to solve these precious all polymeric approaches.