Fiber chip coupling and refractive index profile of UV-generated waveguides in PMMA

As an example for a new technology for the fabrication of passive components in polymers a 1:2 splitter has been made in PMMA bulk material. The geometrical structure of the waveguides has been preembossed by a Ni-shim together with precision grooves to hold the silica fibers. The waveguides have been formed by UV-exposure. The refractive index profile has been studied to optimize the depth of the grooves in order to fit the fiber core to the strip waveguide without any further alignment. Insertion loss of the component has been measured.