IDENTIFICATION OF CRITICAL STRUCTURE/FUNCTION RELATIONSHIPS IN THE PREPARATION OF POLYMER THIN FILMS FOR ELECTRO-OPTIC MODULATOR APPLICATIONS

摘要

Polymeric materials have> recently received increased attention for use as passive and active optical materials.1 In this communication, we report on collaborative research efforts, involving researchers at the Loker anpVSeckman Institutes and at the USG and UCLA Departments oMaectrical Engineering, aimed at developing Integrated electro-pptic modulator devices based on active polymeric waveguides^'6 In particular, we have focused upon (1) the synthesis and incorporation into hardened polymer lattices of chromophores characterized by large |ip (where u. is tho dipole moment and p is the molecufar first tiyperpolarizability) values and (2) the processing of polymeric nonljnear optical materials appropriate for the realization of full integration with VLSI drive electronics and with silica fiber optic transmission lines. The following benchmarks have been achieved. Prototype modulators have been fabricated and shown to suitable for broadband operation from DC to 113 GHz. Evaluation is currently being extended to even high frequencies utilizing a variety of hew electrode designs. Full integration of VLSI electronics with polymeric electro-optic modulators has been demonstrated without the-degradation of performance of either electronic or optical circuitry. Active polymeric waveguides, characterized by electro-optic coefficients in the range 30-50 pm/V and characterized by adequate thermal and chemical stability, have been prepared. Currently, "opto-chips" containing multiple modulators and linearized high speed VLSI circuits are being fabricated and tested.