Polymeric optical waveguide films for short-distance optical interconnects

We describe three different applications of polymeric waveguide films as sh ort-distance optical interconnects. We fabricated the waveguide films, whic h were 6.5 cm long and mounted in MT-compatible (MTC) connectors by passive alignment, for MM fiber systems with a 50-mu m diameter graded index (GI) core. The average insertion loss of these devices was approximately 0.6 dB it 0.85-mu m wavelength, We also fabricated waveguide films with a 45 degre es mirror and an MTC connector for use as 90 degrees out-of-plane optical d eflectors, and they exhibited an insertion loss of 1 dB, Two silica planar waveguides for single-mode (SM) fiber systems were also connected by a poly meric waveguide film. Low insertion losses mere obtained in both MM and SM films designed to be employed as bending waveguides, This reveals their goo d potential for use as practical short-distance optical interconnects.