Free-Space Integrated Optics Realized by Surface-Micromachining

1997 ◽  
Vol 08 (02) ◽  
pp. 283-297 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. C. Wu ◽  
L. Y. Lin ◽  
S. S. Lee ◽  
C. R. King

A surface-micromachined free-space micro-optical bench (FS-MOB) technology has been proposed to monolithically integrate micro-optical elements, optomechanical structures, micropositioners, and microactuators on the same substrate. Novel three-dimensional micro-optical elements have been fabricated by surface-micromachining techniques. The optical axes of these optical elements are parallel to the substrate, which enables the entire free-space optical system to be integrated on a single substrate. Mocro-scale Fresnel lenses, refractive microlenses, mirrors, beam-splitters, gratings, and precision optical mounts have been successfully fabricated and characterized. Integration of micro-optical elements with translation or rotation stages provides on chip optical alignment or optomechanical switching. This new free-space micro-optical bench technology could significantly reduce the size, weight, an cost of most optical systems, and could have a significant impact on optical switching, optical sensing and optical data storage systems as well as packaging of optoelectronic components.

Coatings ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (7) ◽  
pp. 818
Author(s):  
Xuehua Zhang ◽  
Qian Wang ◽  
Shun Liu ◽  
Wei Zhang ◽  
Fangren Hu ◽  
...  

GeO2/organically modified silane (ormosils) organic-inorganic composite films containing azobenzene were prepared by combining sol-gel technology and spin coating method. Optical waveguide properties including the refractive index and thickness of the composite films were characterized by using a prism coupling instrument. Surface morphology and photochemical properties of the composite films were investigated by atomic force microscope and Fourier transform infrared spectrometer. Results indicate that the composite films have smooth and neat surface, and excellent optical waveguide performance. Photo-isomerization properties of the composite films were studied by using a UV–Vis spectrophotometer. Optical switching performance of the composite films was also studied under the alternating exposure of 365 nm ultraviolet light and 410 nm visible light. Finally, strip waveguides and microlens arrays were built in the composite films through a UV soft imprint technique. Based on the above results, we believe that the prepared composite films are promising candidates for micro-nano optics and photonic applications, which would allow directly integrating the optical data storage and optical switching devices onto a single chip.


2017 ◽  
Vol 5 (26) ◽  
pp. 6588-6600 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amin Abdollahi ◽  
Zeinab Alinejad ◽  
Ali Reza Mahdavian

Stimuli-responsive materials based on spiropyran, which show reversible solvatochromism and photochromism under UV irradiation, could be used for advanced devices such as chemical sensors, optical data storage devices, and optical switching displays.


2014 ◽  
Vol 60 (3) ◽  
pp. 259-264 ◽  
Author(s):  
Janusz Mikołajczyk

Abstract The article presents an overview of the work on quantum cascade lasers application in free space optical systems (Free Space Optics - FSO). There are discussed the main issues of the open-space laser communications and their practical construction. Comparative analyses of each FSO technology were performed. Brief description of quantum cascade (QC) lasers and some developments related to the use of these lasers in optical data link are also presented. In summary, the constructed models of FSO links with QC lasers are characterized.


2018 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 73-76
Author(s):  
Donny Royke Wenas ◽  
Cyrke A.N. Bujung

The Disperse Red-1 (DR-1) molecule with its conjugated chain structure is known to offer great potential for photonic device applications, such as optical switching and optical data storage. For the aforementioned device applications, thin film of those molecules must be fabricated satisfying the requirements of having smooth and flat surface, uniform thickness and stable structure as well as attractive optical properties. As a result of this research, DR-1 films have been obtained which exhibit crystalline structure with the molecules deposited in parallel polar orientation perpendicular to the substrate and regular head to tail stacking when the electric field applied larger than 0.59 MV/m. This is understood to be result of the formation of strong hydrogen bonding acting as the anchoring mechanism. In addition, it is shown an increase in the optical refractive index as a result of an increase in the external electric field in the deposition process of the DR-1 films.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Mihai ◽  
F. Sava ◽  
I. D. Simandan ◽  
A. C. Galca ◽  
I. Burducea ◽  
...  

AbstractThe lack of order in amorphous chalcogenides offers them novel properties but also adds increased challenges in the discovery and design of advanced functional materials. The amorphous compositions in the Si–Ge–Te system are of interest for many applications such as optical data storage, optical sensors and Ovonic threshold switches. But an extended exploration of this system is still missing. In this study, magnetron co-sputtering is used for the combinatorial synthesis of thin film libraries, outside the glass formation domain. Compositional, structural and optical properties are investigated and discussed in the framework of topological constraint theory. The materials in the library are classified as stressed-rigid amorphous networks. The bandgap is heavily influenced by the Te content while the near-IR refractive index dependence on Ge concentration shows a minimum, which could be exploited in applications. A transition from a disordered to a more ordered amorphous network at 60 at% Te, is observed. The thermal stability study shows that the formed crystalline phases are dictated by the concentration of Ge and Te. New amorphous compositions in the Si–Ge–Te system were found and their properties explored, thus enabling an informed and rapid material selection and design for applications.


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