Design And Fabrication of Symmetric Y-Branch POF Splitters Using Planar Waveguide

Optical fiber is crucial for modern communication, overcoming limitations of traditional systems. Wi-Fi 6 addresses network congestion but still faces signal and security issues. Polymer Optical Fiber (POF) is a flexible alternative to copper wire or glass fiber. To implement WDM-POF systems, POF splitters can be fabricated using various techniques such as twisting, moulding or lithography. For this study, POF splitters were developed using a waveguide technique that was engraved on an acrylic block (PMMA) which is called as polymer optical waveguide (POW). The objectives of the study are to design a Y-branched optical splitter device, fabricate the POF splitter design and perform a performance analysis of the device that has various cores with different refractive indexes. Equations are provided to calculate splitters specification such as Y branch angle and taper length. CAD software is used for the design process, then fabrication is done using an engraving machine. OpticStudio software used for simulations and power measurements was carried out. Y-branch 1x2 optical splitters device has been successfully produced and fabricated with a branch angle of 17.5°. The average value of insertion loss with only air as core material for Port 1 is 17.3 dB and Port 2 is 17.1 dB. Based on simulation results with index values from Epo-Tek OG603 and SU-8 epoxy, the device has an Insertion Loss of 3.77 dB and 3.67 dB. Excess Loss is 0.78 dB with a Split/Coupling Ratio near 50:50. However, the fabricated POW devices using Epo-Tek OG603 are having insertion loss from 7dB to 14 dB. This shows that the Y-branch splitter is a successful 3 dB power splitter and can be incorporated in the WDM-POF system network.