Lightwave Logic Demonstrates Single-Mode Laser Light through Polymer Waveguides

Photonic device and optical polymer material systems developer Lightwave Logic Inc. said it has successfully guided laser light through 16 of its passive, single-mode ridge waveguides made entirely out of advanced organic polymer systems.

In order to achieve high modulator performance, the guided light must remain single-mode throughout the length of its on-chip propagation. The results are a milestone in the company’s development process as it demonstrates the ability to design and fabricate single-mode waveguides, which are a building block of waveguide modulators.

“This is an important step in our device development program, and we can now move forward to demonstrate the ability of these first all-polymer devices to modulate light,” said Tom Zelibor, chairman and CEO of Lightwave Logic. “Our ability to successfully modulate light for longer distance applications in the market can fulfill a tremendous commercial need that we intend to pursue. The end result of this capability will be more ubiquitous 100- and 400-Gbps solutions that the market is demanding."

Unlike multimode fiber, single-mode fiber allows light to travel with less distortion over longer distances and is less expensive. Datacenter and telecommunications applications often require data to be moved at distances greater than 500 m with single-mode light.

"The photonics industry is rapidly becoming aware of polymer photonics as a viable replacement technology that can provide cost effective solutions that can alleviate many technology pain points that threaten the ability to meet the almost endless demand for data at faster speeds, especially for datacenter applications,” Zelibor said.

Lightwave Logic said it will now enter the commercialization process, beginning with passive-waveguide loss measurements, followed by the development and active testing of electro-optic modulators. Utilizing CW input laser light, electro-optic modulators convert digital electrical data into output pulses of light that can be transported across fiber optical communication networks. Active testing is accomplished by applying an electrical signal to a modulator and evaluating the resulting output optical signal.

Lightwave Logic is a development-stage company that produces prototype electro-optic demonstration devices, moving toward commercialization of its high-activity, high-stability organic polymers for applications in electro-optical device markets.