Applications of Electro-Optic Polymer Integrated Optic Devices

A decade of research in organic and polymeric nonlinear optical (NLO) materials and devices has now begun to reach fruition. In this paper we will concentrate on the progress that has been made in the application of organic materials, both passive and active, to integrated optic waveguide devices. Similar organic polymers can be used to fabricate passive waveguide devices, such as splitters or filters, and active devices based on the thermo-optic (TO) or the electro-optic (EO) effects. Proof-of-principle experiments have demonstrated that polymer materials offer potential advantages for integrated optics applications in the areas of process, fabrication, and performance. Work has now begun to utilize these advantages in specific applications in a wide variety of industries, including telecom, datacom and CATV. We will first give an introduction to polymeric waveguides, followed by an overview of the current performance achievable with Akzo electro-optic polymers, and then briefly describe how components derived from these materials can be used in specific applications.