One-step waveguide and optical circuit writing in photopolymerizable materials processed by two-photon absorption

Two-photon absorption process is known to be a convenient tool to create three-dimensional microstructures in photopolymerizable materials. In this context, we have fabricated stable optical waveguides. The features of these waveguides (in particular, transmission losses) have been compared to the results of numerical simulations. We have also demonstrated the possibility of connecting two optical fibers via a curved guide and to realize Y splitters. The technique allows one to fabricate operational integrated optical circuits in photopolymerizable resins. (c) 2005 American Institute of Physics.