Polymer-Based Channel Waveguides with Direct-Laser Writing Technique

In this paper, polymer-based channel waveguides on azo chromophores with direct-laser writing technique is presented. The waveguides were written with a low power continuous-wave 532 nm laser in the absorption spectrum of the polymer. The optical properties of the waveguide were analyzed. The experimental results showed that the written waveguides have Gaussian refractive index profile in the lateral direction. It was shown that the refractive index of the waveguide have linear relation to the writing laser power. From the ATR spectrum we measured a difference of about 0.009 in the index between waveguide and slab which is given by slight angle shift in the coupled modes.