Progress in optoelectronic polymers and devices

Optoelelectronic devices based on organic materials are uniquely suited to applications requiring high RF bandwidth. There have been significant advances in lithium niobate technology, but fundamental frequency-sensitivity tradeoffs are generally required in device design. Using a guest-host electro-optic polymer system, we have demonstrated a Mach-Zehnder modulator with a switching voltage of 3.5 V and interaction length of 2.6 cm. Anisotropic V-groove etching for fiber attachment provides a path to low-cost packaging of these devices. Materials and process optimization are expected to enhance device performance, allowing more compact, sensitive devices. Issues related to electro-optic device development are discussed in this paper, and an update on our development of new chromophores for use in electro-optic polymers is given.