Self-organization of coupling optical waveguides by the "pulling water" effect of write beam reflections in photo-induced refractive-index increase media

To reduce efforts for optical assembly, we developed the reflective self-organized lightwave network (R-SOLNET). In R-SOLNET, optical devices with wavelength filters on their core facets are distributed in photo-induced refractive-index increase (PRI) media such as photo-polymers. Write beams from some devices and reflected write beams from the wavelength filters of the other devices overlap. In the overlap regions, the refractive index increases, pulling the write beams to the wavelength filter locations (the "pulling water" effect). By self-focusing, self-aligned optical waveguide networks are formed between the optical devices. Simulations based on the finite difference time domain method revealed that self-aligned optical waveguides of R-SOLNET are formed between cores with 2-μm and 0.5-μm widths including Y-branching waveguides. Experiments demonstrated that R-SOLNET is formed between an optical fiber and a micro-mirror placed with ~800-μm gap. For angular misalignment of 3o between the optical fiber and the micro-mirror, a bow-shaped R-SOLNET was observed. For lateral misalignment of 30 μm, an S-shaped R-SOLNET was observed. These results suggest that by placing reflective elements in PRI media, optical waveguides can be lead to the elements to form R-SOLNET. This enables self-aligned optical couplings for optoelectronic boards, intra-chip optical circuits, VCSELs/PDs, optical switches, and so on.