Optical components based on two-photon absorption process in functionalized polymers

We report on the fabrication of basic elements needed in optical circuits in a photopolymerizable resin, using a two-photon absorption (TPA) process to perform a selective polymerization. By taking advantage of the high spatial selectivity of the TPA approach, we can control the value of the local index of refraction in the material and realize permanent optical pathways in the bulk of photopolymerizable matrices. The computer-controlled design of such pathways allows creating optical circuits. As an example of application. optical fibers separated by millimetric distances and placed in arbitrary positions have been connected with moderate losses. Moreover, active components. such as electro-optical Mach-Zehnder interferometers, can be fabricated using photopolymers functionalized with non-linear optical chromophores. in order to be integrated in micro-optical circuits. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.