Abstract

Passive optical components like power splitters and star couplers are key elements in optical communication networks. Fibre optic and integrated optic devices have been investigated intensively over the past years improving their performance to a level which make them suitable for implementation in public communication networks. However, the penetration of those components into a mass market like FTTH is impeded by their high cost level. In the case of integrated optical devices, half of the costs are caused by fibre coupling and packaging. Therefore new technologies are required which have the capability of low cost waveguide fabrication combined with the integration of passive alignment structures for fibres and, possibly, for microoptic and optoelectronic components.

© 1994 Optical Society of America