Channel waveguides of insoluble conjugated polymers

We demonstrate a fast and simple technique of patterning insoluble, nonbleachable, conjugated polymer films into channel waveguides by striploading with photoresist. Two types of coupling gratings were tested for this new system. The coupling parameters, the linear losses and the beam confinement are discussed. This technique makes it possible to explore this class of materials in the field of integrated optics. A new data evaluation method for a more precise measurement of losses in slab waveguides is introduced.