Polymeric Optical Waveguides: An Approach to Different Manufacturing Processes
Source abstract
Abstract
Polymeric optical waveguides represent an essential component in photonic technology thanks to their ability to guide light through controlled structures, enabling applications in telecommunications, sensors, and integrated devices. With the development of new materials and increasingly versatile manufacturing methods, these structures are being integrated into various systems at a rapid pace, while their dimensions are constantly being reduced. This article explores the main fabrication methods for polymeric optical waveguides, such as traditional and maskless photolithography, laser ablation, hot embossing, nanoimprint lithography, the Mosquito method, inkjet printing, aerosol jet printing, and electrohydrodynamic (EHD) printing. The operating principle of each method, the equipment and materials used, and their advantages, limitations, and practical applications are evaluated, in addition to the propagation losses and characterization of the waveguides obtained with each method.
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Research context
OpenAlex topics: Semiconductor Lasers and Optical Devices
SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.
Affiliations
Department of Electrical, Electronic and Communication Engineering, Public University of Navarra, Ed. Los Tejos, Campus Arrosadía s/n, E-31006 Pamplona, Spain
Institute of Smart Cities, Public University of Navarra, Ed. Jerónimo de Ayanz, Campus of Arrosadía s/n, E-31006 Pamplona, Spain
Navarra Institute for Health Research (IdiSNa), Recinto de Complejo Hospitalario de Navarra, C. de Irunlarrea, 3, E-31008 Pamplona, Spain
Funding
Agencia Estatal de Investigación · Gobierno de Navarra
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