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Optical polymers: critical requirements for optical access applications

Optical access networks currently present some of the most exciting potential applications for integrated photonic devices, in particular those based on polymers. With fiber-to-the-premise (FTTP) initiatives at leading metropolitan area carriers well underway, there is keen interest in the development of low cost, highly integrated components that can withstand an outside plant environment (-40°C to 85°C). As opposed to polymers that have been developed for complex highly integrated optical circuits, polymers suitable for optical access deployment will need to address numerous optoelectronic packaging integration issues, notably alignment with active devices, compatibility with high-volume electronics manufacturing and management of thermal loads. We discuss the critical requirements that optical polymers must meet to address optical access applications, and identify those that can be met by existing technologies and those presenting gaps to be bridged for successful development of optical access components.