Sol-Gel-based 1x2 power splitter for a plastic optical fiber

This paper presents a sol-gel based 1×2 power splitter for an optical communication based on the plastic optical fiber. To find out optimum parameters of a power splitter, mode propagation along the splitter was theoretically analyzed using BPM (Beam Propagation Method) and the results show that the distance between two arms at the output port of a splitter should be kept below 100μm in order to increase the output power. The planar lightwave circuit device was fabricated by a nano imprint lithography process followed by a spin coating process. The core size and the length of a power splitter were 230 μm×230 μm and 2 cm, respectively. The measured surface roughness of core/cladding using the AFM (Atomic Force Microscope) was under 100nm. The characteristics of a fabricated power splitter were conducted using an 850nm VCSEL (Vertical Cavity Surface Emission Laser) source and 50:50 power splitting performance was obtained.