H. Thienpont et al., Plastic microoptical interconnection modules for parallel free-space inter- and intra-MCM data communication, P IEEE, 88(6), 2000, pp. 769-779
We design and fabricate a prototype scalable multichannel free- space inter
connection module with the potential for Tb/s-cm(2) aggregate bit-rate capa
city over inter - and intra-MCM interconnection distances. The component is
fabricated in a high quality optical plastic, PMMA, using deep proton lith
ography, an ion-based rapid prototyping technology. As a feasibility demons
tration, data communication is achieved at 622 Mb/s per channel with a bit
error rate smaller than 10(-13) for 16 channels with an interchannel crosst
alk lower than -22 dB. We perform a sensitivity analysis for misalignments
and fabrication errors and study the fabrication issues of these components
with injection molding techniques. Finally, we provide evidence that these
modules can be mass fabricated with the required precision.