In January 2002, Omron Corp. introduced a new technology for replicated optical waveguides, called SPICA, or Stacked Polymer optical IC/Advanced. Now the company is ready to unveil its products.
The replicated optical waveguide SPICA is an optical signal-propagating device or waveguide capable of combining/splitting, multiplexing/demultiplexing, and modulating the signal or switching the line. Rather than a conventional semiconductor process using glass, this waveguide manufacturing technique relies on optical waveguide replication technology (fine pattern replication technology) using plastic, resulting in large-scale production that is both cheaper and requires less time, contend company representatives. Compared to the mainstream glass optical waveguide, the operation itself is shortened to 1/3rd and costs are reduced to 1/10th. Furthermore, the replicated optical waveguide has an insertion loss of 0.2dB/cm.
The company will introduce five types of optical waveguide chips later this month at InterOpto: optical transceivers, optical tap couplers, optical couplers, optical switches, and variable optical attenuators.
Omron hopes to begin selling each of the optical waveguide chips within this fiscal year and is actively seeking alliances with other companies to quickly develop businesses centered around the optical devices.
For more information about Omron Corp. (Tokyo), visit the company's Web site at www.omron.com.