60 GHz board-to-board optical interconnection using polymer optical buses in conjunction with microprism couplers

Abstract

We have demonstrated for the first time 60 GHz wide-band board-to-board optical interconnection with a signal-to-noise ratio of 22 dB. The total interconnection distance is 55 cm from the input coupling prism to the detector. Board-to-board optical interconnection was realized using microprisms which had a measured coupling bandwidth of more than 250 nm. The graded index of the polymer waveguide allows us to implement such an interconnection scheme on an array of substrates. The elimination of backplane interconnection greatly enhances the interconnection speed. The implementation of a high-speed on-board transceiver in connection with a polymer waveguide lens will generate a fully on-board optical interconnect involving modulation/demodulation.