Optical waveguide components using fluorinated polyimides

Polyimides are widely used in electronics as heat-resistant organic materials and are now being studied for possible use in optical components. The fluorinated polyimides developed by NTT have high transparency at telecommunication wavelengths, a controllable index of refraction, and high thermal stability, making them suitable for use in optical communication systems. Here, optical components developed using fluorinated polyimides are reviewed, and the relationships between the material characteristics and the device parameters are discussed.© (1999) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.