High-performance low-cost fabrication method for integrated polymer optical devices

For all optical path networks there is a need for optical crossconnect systems and switching matrices. Using polymer materials and technologies, not only low cost components but low power consumption devices can be fabricated. We optimize ORMOCER's, a new class of polymer materials, which combine the specific advantages of organic polymers and inorganic glasses, with respect to the need of photonic applications. They exhibit a high thermal stability of up to 250 degrees C and a low optical attenuation of 0.2 dB/cm at 1.3 micrometers and 0.4 dB/cm at 1.55 micrometers .