Fabrication of single-mode Y-branch waveguides in photosensitive polymer with reduced Y-junction residue

Abstract

Single-mode small-core (?2 ?m 2 ?m) Y-branch waveguide structures in photosensitive polymer have been fabricated. Y-branch waveguides are designed by the beam propagation method and Y-branch waveguides are obtained on development after a cross-linkable negative tone epoxy SU-8 2002 polymer is exposed to UV through a photomask. Optical Adhesive NOA 61 is used as under- and over-clad. The fabrication process is optimized to avoid polymer residue at the Y-junction. The average insertion loss obtained for a 7.2 mm 1 2 device at chip-level is ?13 dB at 1550 nm. 2011 Elsevier GmbH.