Experimental verification of 3D polymer based 1x4 Y-branch splitters

We present experimental verification of tree-dimensional (3D) 1x4 Y-branch splitter based on IP-Dip polymer as a core and polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) Sylgard 184 as a cladding. The splitter was designed to operate in a wavelength region around 1550 nm. The design parameters of the splitter were optimized according to required optical properties and technological limitations. Based on the simulation results, the 3D Y-branch splitter was realized using direct laser writing lithography. Cladding of the splitter was prepared by PDMS pouring and curing. The measurements were performed by coupling optical signal into the splitter using standard SM fiber. By intensity monitoring of CCD camera we successfully documented splitting of the input optical signal into four output signals.