Substrates for Planar Waveguide

university wafer substrates

Planar Waveguides for Biomedical Device Fabrication

A biomedical technologies startup company requested our help with the following:

We fabricate biomedical tech mainly for detection and diagnosis of pathogens.

One of our projects uses a planar waveguide chip and we need some
processing. We have a 6" silica wafer with an optical waveguide on one side. We need to process it into chips. That requires:

  1. Photolithography (feature size 0.25 milimeters)
  2. Deposition of chrome/gold layer at thickness of 2nm chrome and 35nm gold

Subsequent steps require wafer dicing and polishing but that is optional
for you. Please let me know if you have the capability to carry out the first two steps and what would be the time and cost involved.

Reference #94044 for specs and pricing.

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What are Planar Waveguides?

Planar waveguides are structures used in optics and photonics to guide light or other electromagnetic waves within a plane. Here's a more detailed explanation:

  1. Structure: A planar waveguide typically consists of three layers: a core layer Here is an illustration of a planar waveguide. It shows a cross-sectional view with the three-layer structure: the core layer is highlighted in a different color, illustrating its higher refractive index compared to the cladding layers. The depiction also includes light rays or electromagnetic waves within the core layer, demonstrating the principle of total internal reflection.sandwiched between two cladding layers. The core layer has a higher refractive index than the cladding layers, which is essential for the waveguide's function.

  2. Principle of Operation: The guiding principle behind a planar waveguide is total internal reflection. When light or electromagnetic waves enter the core layer at a certain angle, they get trapped due to the refractive index difference between the core and cladding layers. This causes the waves to reflect internally and propagate along the length of the waveguide.

  3. Applications: Planar waveguides are widely used in integrated optical circuits, sensors, and various photonic devices. They are fundamental in the design of components like optical fibers, splitters, and modulators.

  4. Types: There are different types of planar waveguides, such as slab waveguides, strip waveguides, and rib waveguides, each having unique geometries and applications.

  5. Material: The materials used for constructing planar waveguides can vary, including glass, silicon, polymers, and other semiconductor materials, depending on the intended application and performance requirements.

In summary, planar waveguides are key components in modern optical and photonic systems, enabling efficient and controlled transmission of light within a plane, which is crucial for a variety of technological applications.