Polymer-based optical printed circuit board (O-PCB) as a potential platform for VLSI microphotonic integration

摘要

We introduce the concept of optical printed circuit board (O-PCB) and discuss the issues regarding the miniaturization, interconnection, and integration of polymer-based photonic devices with a view to using it as a potential platform for VLSI microphotonic integration. We present new approaches to miniaturize and integrate some examples of microphotonic devices and examine the considerations regarding the design, fabrication, and characterization for miniaturization and integration for O-PCB application. Devices that we have used for our study include mode conversion adaptors, micro-ring resonator devices, multimode interference devices, arrayed waveguide gratings. Scaling rules are also discussed.