Loss mechanisms in polyimide waveguides

Journal Article · Mon Aug 15 04:00:00 EDT 1994 · Journal of Applied Physics; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.357610· OSTI ID:7166532

Kowalczyk, T C; Kosc, T; Singer, K D ^[1]; Cahill, P A; Seager, C H; Meinhardt, M B ^[2]; Beuhler, A J; Wargowski, D A ^[3]

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1. Department of Physics, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio 44106-7079 (United States)
2. Division 1811, Sandia National Laboratories, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87185-0368 (United States)
3. Amoco Research Center, Amoco Chemical Company, Naperville, Illinois 60566 (United States)

Waveguide losses in thin film polyimides using waveguide loss spectroscopy and photothermal deflection spectroscopy as a function of cure cycle and structure were studied. Fluorinated sidegroups on the polyimide backbone lead to decreases in birefringence and absorption. The primary waveguide loss mechanism is absorption, not scattering. Waveguide losses as low as 0.4 dB/cm at 800 nm have been measured. Losses as low as 0.3 dB/cm at 1300 nm can be inferred from the photothermal deflection spectroscopy.

• DOE Contract Number: AC04-94AL85000
• OSTI ID: 7166532
• Journal Information: Journal of Applied Physics; (United States), Journal Name: Journal of Applied Physics; (United States) Vol. 76:4; ISSN JAPIAU; ISSN 0021-8979
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
360606* -- Other Materials-- Physical Properties-- (1992-)
661300 -- Other Aspects of Physical Science-- (1992-)
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
ABSORPTION SPECTRA
BIREFRINGENCE
ENERGY LOSSES
FILMS
LOSSES
OPTICAL PROPERTIES
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
POLYMERS
REFRACTION
SPECTRA
THIN FILMS
WAVEGUIDES