Abstract

Multiplexed volume holograms have been realized in optical single-mode waveguides. This technology can be applied to optical interconnects and has many other applications. In addition, devices or systems based on this technology can be realized in a compact and rugged configuration. This presentation provides this technology's basic components, experimental results, and potential uses. Volume holographic materials can be implanted in low-loss optical waveguides in such a way that numerous multiplexed gratings can be fabricated in the same volume. The number of multiplexed channels (related through the Bragg selectivity) and the grating storage (i.e., number of recorded gratings) are limited by the interaction length (T) between hologram and the guided waves rather than the physical thickness of the holographic emulsion (t), where T ≫ t. The combination of multiplexed waveguide grating coupler and multiplexed waveguide holograms has the ability to couple light from free space into several guided waves in the waveguide and then split each of these guided waves in arbitrary directions. This allows the compact packaging of opto-electronics chip planes and optical interconnect planes. Their applications include clock distribution networks, global interchip interconnects, and backplane optical interconnects.

© 1992 Optical Society of America