Arrayed waveguide gratings based on perfluorocyclobutane polymers for CWDM applications

Compact wavelength-division multiplexers based on arrayed waveguide grating structures have been designed and fabricated for short-haul communication network applications using low-loss perfluorocyclobutane-containing polymers. The devices exhibit high thermal stability and low on-chip losses. The average on-chip loss was < 6 dB, including the fiber-to-chip coupling loss. The output uniformity across five channels was typically 0.5 dB, and the thermal sensitivity of the central wavelength was 0.045 nm/degrees C. Optimization of devices through material properties and fabrication process parameters is discussed.