Polymer optical couplers for applications in multi-chip modules

Polymer optical waveguides are being used in next generation mixed signal transmitter/receiver module combining photonic and MMIC technologies. Polymer optical couplers have the advantages of flexible chip-to-chip interconnection, low loss, small size, and easy fabrication. A center-fed mode mixing coupler and a hybrid Y-junction coupler are demonstrated and compared. Both types of couplers can be fabricated on low temperature co-fired ceramic incorporating Si and GaAs components as found in standard multi-chip modules.