Low-Cost DLW Setup for Fabrication of Photonics-Integrated Circuits
André Moreira, Alessandro Fantoni, Miguel Fernandes, Jorge Fidalgo
TL;DR
This paper presents a low-cost system for making photonic circuits using laser writing, enabling affordable and accessible prototyping for research.
Contribution
A low-cost Direct Laser Writing system for fabricating photonic-integrated circuits is introduced, reducing reliance on expensive infrastructure.
Findings
The system achieves a resolution of 10 µm and successfully patterns structures like waveguides and diffraction grids.
It uses SU-8 photoresist on ITO-covered glass substrates, with a custom user interface and slicer for operational flexibility.
The approach is suitable for academic settings and enables rapid prototyping of photonic-integrated circuits.
Abstract
The development of photonic-integrated circuits (PICs) for data communication, sensing, and quantum computing is hindered by the high complexity and cost of traditional fabrication methods, which rely on expensive equipment, limiting accessibility for research and prototyping. This study introduces a Direct Laser Writing (DLW) system designed as a low-cost alternative, utilizing an XY platform for precise substrate movement and an optical system comprising a collimator and lens to focus the laser beam. Operating on a single layer, the system employs SU-8 photoresist to fabricate polymer-based structures on substrates such as ITO-covered glass. Preparation involves thorough cleaning, spin coating with photoresist, and pre- and post-baking to ensure material stability. This approach reduces dependence on costly infrastructure, making it suitable for academic settings and enabling rapid…
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Taxonomy
TopicsNonlinear Optical Materials Studies · Laser Material Processing Techniques · Semiconductor Lasers and Optical Devices