Asymmetric X-junction thermooptic switches based on fluorinated polymer waveguides

Thermooptic 2 x 2 switches based on low-loss fluorinated polymer waveguides have been demonstrated. For the waveguide possessing a low-loss around the 1.55-mu m wavelength, crosslinkable fluorinated poly(arylene ethers) (FPAE) is developed as a core material and perfluorocyclobutane (PFCB) is used as a cladding material. To enhance the fabrication tolerance and to achieve a low switching power, asymmetric X-junctions with a Mach-Zehnder interferometer are exploited for the polymeric waveguide switches. An inverted rib waveguide structure is fabricated by filling up the etched groove on a lower cladding with the core polymer. The switch exhibits a crosstalk of less than -20 dB, a switching power of 10 mW, and an insertion loss of 4.5 dB.