Alignment method of polymer waveguide and optical component using fluorescence

We have developed a new method of aligning the optical axes of a polymer waveguide (PWG) and the optical components without monitoring the intensity of light passing through them. A light path can be seen as a fluorescent image from PWG material excited by an incident light without adding any fluorescent dyes. By observing the intensity and shape of such a light path, the optical axes of the input optical components and PWG can be adjusted without monitoring the output power passing through them. This alignment method can be applied to the assembly of a complicated optical system that consists of PWGs and optical components, such as mirrors and microlenses. ©2005 The Japan Society of Applied Physics.