Polymer waveguide output coupler

Waveguide output couplers fabricated in Norlund Optical Adhesive (NOA) #81 are investigated. The output coupler is implemented using periodic relief gratings on a planar waveguide. Design theory of the coupler is based ont he perturbation approach. Coupling of light from waveguide propagation modes to output radiation modes is described by coupled mode theory and the transmission line approximation of the perturbed area (grating structure). Using these concepts, gratings can be accurately designed to output a minimum number of modes at desired output angles. Waveguide couplers were designed using these concepts. The couplers were fabricated and analyzed for structural accuracy, output beam accuracy, and output efficiency. Applications for these couplers include databus and clock distribution system interfaces requiring coupling to out-of- plane detectors.