Characterization and optimization of residual layer thickness during UV imprint process for singlemode waveguide fabrication

초록

We report on the fabrication and characterization of a residual layer resulting from UV imprinting of singlemode optical waveguide. We have measured the residual thickness formed from the imprinting process for several-um-size singlemode waveguide fabrication using the parameters of the imprinting pressure, dropped volume, and viscosity of the used polymer. We found that the residual layer thickness is dependent on both the initial polymer volume and process pressure and the initial polymer volume is more critical than process pressure. Viscosity of polymer also affects the residual layer thickness, the lowest residual layer thickness of 29nm is achieved with nano-imprinting resin, 0.3uL volume, and imprint pressure more than 20bar. Even with optical resin, the residual layer thickness of 60nm is achieved with 0.3uL volume and imprinting pressure of 30bar. © 2009 SPIE.