Fabrication of three-dimensional calixarene polymer waveguides using two-photon assisted polymerization

Low-loss three-dimensional (3D) polymer optical waveguide was fabricated using a two-photon assisted polymerization method. Calixarene derivatives were selected as core material with good thermal stability and transparency. To fabricate 3D waveguide, photopolymerizable polymers composed of two types of monomers were used. Core shape was controlled by adjusting an astigmatism of objective lens. Refractive index difference between a core and a cladding was formed by exclusion effect of one monomer. Propagation loss at 1.3 μm wavelength was low, 0.72 dBcm, without using deuterium or fluorine but using hydrogen. Using this technique, 3D 1×3 splitter polymer waveguide was fabricated.