At Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), researchers have developed a flexible and efficient concept to combine optical components in compact systems. They use a high-resolution 3-D printing process to produce tiny beam-shaping elements directly on optical microchips or fibers and, hence, enable low-loss coupling. This approach replaces complicated positioning processes that represent a high obstacle to many applications today. The scientists present their concept in Nature Photonics.
In view of constantly growing data traffic, communication with light is gaining importance. For many years now, computing centers and worldwide telecommunication networks have been using optical connections for the quick and energy-efficient transmission of large amounts of data. The present challenge in photonics is to miniaturize components and to assemble them in compact and high-performance integrated systems suited for a variety of applications, from information and communication technologies to measurement and sensor technologies, to medical engineering.
In this respect, hybrid systems are of very high interest. They combine a number of optical components with different functions. Hybrid systems offer superior performance and design freedom compared to monolithic integration concepts, for which all components are realized on a chip. Hybrid integration, for instance, allows individual optimization and testing of all components before they are assembled to a more complex system. Setup of optical hybrid systems, however, requires complex and expensive methods for the highly precise alignment of components and low-loss coupling of optical interfaces.
Read more: 3-D nanoprinting facilitates communication with light
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, researchers have developed a flexible and efficient concept to combine optical components in compact systems. They use a high-resolution 3-D printing process to produce tiny beam-shaping elements directly on optical microchips or fibers and, hence, enable low-loss coupling.){kind=link}