Polymer-based hybrid integrated optical photochromic switch

Abstract

This study presents development and characterization of an optical photochromic switch, in which guided signal is controlled by reversible photochromic properties of a polymeric film. The device is a hybrid structure composed of a waveguide fabricated by means of an ionic exchange technique, using (Na+/K+) on a glass substrate and a polymeric thin film deposited on the same glass substrate surface. Polymeric film belongs to spiropirans family, which when radiated by a wavelength within its absorption band displays reversible changes in its optical properties. Two kinds of optical pumping and different pumping wavelengths were studied to operate this device.