Integrated Planar Polymer Waveguide For Low-Loss, Low-Crosstalk Optical Signal Routing

A method, comprising:

• forming a first layer adjacent to a substrate, the first layer being formed of a first material having a first index of refraction;
• forming a second layer formed adjacent to the first layer, the second layer being formed of a second material having a second index of refraction that is larger than the first index of refraction;
• forming a third layer adjacent to the second layer, the third layer being formed of a third material having a third index of refraction, the third index of refraction being smaller than the second index of refraction;
• and
• forming a plurality of planar waveguides in the second layer, each planar waveguide having an input on one edge of the second layer and an output on one edge of the second layer such that the input and output are on different line-of sight paths;
• the plurality of planar waveguides being formed such that intersections of the plurality of polymer waveguides occur at approximately right angles and each of the plurality of planar waveguides includes a substantially 90° turn between the input and the output signals;
• wherein the inputs located on edges of the second layer that are opposite one another are offset from each other in a direction that is perpendicular to the direction of the input signal;
• wherein the outputs located on edges of the second layer that are opposite one another are offset from each other in a direction perpendicular to the direction of the output signal.

A plurality of planar waveguides, formed by a process comprising:

• forming a first layer adjacent to a substrate, the first layer being formed of a first material having a first index of refraction;
• forming a second layer formed adjacent to the first layer, the second layer being formed of a second material having a second index of refraction that is larger than the first index of refraction;
• forming a third layer adjacent to the second layer, the third layer being formed of a third material having a third index of refraction, the third index of refraction being smaller than the second index of refraction;
• and
• forming the plurality of planar waveguides in the second layer, each planar waveguide having an input on one edge of the second layer and an output on one edge of the second layer with the input and output are on different line-of sight paths, the plurality of planar waveguides being formed such that intersections of the plurality of polymer waveguides occur at approximately right angles and each of the plurality of planar waveguides includes a substantially 90° turn between the input and the output signals;
• wherein the inputs located on edges of the second layer that are opposite one another are offset from each other in a direction that is perpendicular to the direction of the input signal;
• wherein the outputs located on edges of the second layer that are opposite one another are offset from each other in a direction perpendicular to the direction of the output signal.