SBIR-STTR Award

EO polymer modulators have been demonstrated to operate with very low switching voltages (~0.4 V) due to the high activity of EO polymers. EO polymers also utilize spin-on fabrication processes and semiconductor like processes that allow precise device fabrication at high volumes. However, the optical loss in the state-of-the-art EO polymer material is somewhat high (3-4 dB/cm). Lumera is motivated and confident that if selected, we will develop and/or collaborate with University of Washington (UW) scientists to modify the current materials systems to demonstrate and validate EO polymer materials with high EO activity and relatively low optical loss, and develop ultra- linear, multi-sectioned directional couplers incorporating state-of-the-art, stable, high EO coefficient polymers with low optical loss.

Keywords:
Electro-Optic Polymers, Modulators, Linearity, Low Insertion Loss, Low Power Consumption, Directional Couplers.

In Phase II, Lumera will transition the EO polymers, polymers clads, and device processing developed in Phase I to the manufacture of highly linear directional coupler modulators. The ultimate goal will be to economically produce high bandwidth, small chip, stable ultralinear polymer directional coupler modulators with high EO coefficient (r33 of 100-150 pm/V in devices), low driving voltage (ƒ¬ƒnƒ¡ƒnV), and low optical loss (fiber-to-fiber IL of 7-8 dB). A multiple electrode, high linearity directional coupler polymer modulator will be fabricated based on Lumera designs that have analytically demonstrated 120 dB spur free dynamic range (SPFDR). The demonstration of the polymer directional coupler device is feasible as presented in paragraph 3.0 Task 2 of this proposal, which greatly minimizes the risk of achieving the Lumera proposed SBIR goals, and conceivably will accelerate the technology readiness level (TRL) of the devices benefiting DOD users

Keywords:
Development, Fabrication Of Improved Prototypes, Mz And Directional Couplers