TUNABLE OPTICAL DEVICES FOR A FLEXIBLE INTEGRATED PHOTONIC CIRCUIT

Abstract

We present the development of photonic devices on a flexible polymer polydimethyl-siloxane platform. Employing soft-lithography techniques, we fabricated devices consisting of optical elements such as directional couplers and coupled waveguide arrays. We further demonstrated basic applications of these devices, specifically high precision optical power splitting, and tunable quantum random walks, through controlled mechanical deformations. Coupled with its low cost and high scaling potential, this soft and elastic polymer platform is a well-suited candidate for further development of programmable stress induced photonic integrated circuits.