Light Sensitive Waveguides Fabricated by Vacuum Assisted Microfluidics

摘要

We report on the fabrication of a light sensitive waveguide via vacuum assisted microfluidic (VAM) soft lithographic technique. UV curable light insensitive waveguides function like typical polymer waveguides with desired mode confinements while the light sensitive waveguides formed by an azobenzene based polymer resin can achieve refractive index modulation through green or blue laser illumination. The refractive index modulation is instant and reversible in the light sensitive waveguide. The VAM technique is used for the fabrication of multi-section waveguides using different resins at the same time which is unique compared to conventional single material waveguide fabrication. The effective fabrication of various waveguide sections with the light sensitive azobenzene based UV curable resin can result in many functional waveguide devices for photonics applications.