Abstract

Integrated Optical Fibre (IOF) is a passive optical platform that directly integrates optical fibre to a planar substrate, illustrated in Fig 1(a). It possess advantages associated with optical fibre such a low propagation loss, whilst enabling planar functionality commonplace with integrated optics. Planarization is uniquely achieved through a modified Flame Hydrolysis Deposition (FHD) technique that forms a robust glass alloy between the fibre and substrate. The binding medium is of optical quality and resistant against common solvents, chemicals and elevated temperatures of up to 1000°C. Furthermore as fibre can be brought seamlessly on-off chip there is no need for glues or cumbersome coupling arrangements, which are typically a point of mechanical weakness when monitoring harsh environments.

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