Hybrid optical waveguide devices based on polymers and silica

The hybrid integration of polymer and silica in optical waveguides can yield devices that combine the excellent thermo-optic properties of polymers and the superior passive waveguiding properties of silica. The large difference and opposite sign of the thermo-optic coefficients of both classes of materials can be utilized to create athermal waveguide devices. In addition, it can be utilized in thermo-optic devices to induce local changes in the refractive index with boundaries that are sharply defined by the material interfaces and not by gradual thermal profiles. This can also yield devices with attractive thermo-optic behavior.