Ultra-low-loss acrylate polymers for planar light circuits

We have developed a materials system composed of liquid multifunctional fluorinated acrylate monomers that achieves very low absorption losses within both datacom and telecom wavelength ranges. Identified structure-property relationships have guided the design of polymers that are optimized with respect to their inherent materials properties and their ability to be processed into low-loss optical waveguides. Together these co-developed materials and processes combine to produce waveguides that have propagation losses equivalent to planar glass guides, and significantly reduced polarization dependence and improved thermal response needed for the. performance of thermo-optic devices. Extensive environmental studies have demonstrated robustness well beyond that required for normal operating conditions.