ABSTRACT
This chapter explains concepts and features of SOLNETs along with materials and processes for Self-Organized Lightwave Network (SOLNET) formation. The fundamental of the SOLNET is the interaction between write beams. This generates the capability to fabricate self-aligned coupling waveguides automatically. The luminescent target in R-SOLNETs can be replaced with a reflective target such as a wavelength filter and a mirror to form R-SOLNETs by a write beam and a reflected write beam from the reflective target. The requirement for PRI materials is that the refractive index increases upon write beam exposure. There are many kinds of Photo-induced refractive-index (PRI) materials for SOLNET formation such as photopolymers, photodefinable materials, photosensitive glass, photosensitive organic/inorganic hybrid materials, photorefractive materials, and third-order nonlinear optical materials. To form R-SOLNETs and LA-SOLNETs, luminescent targets should be deposited just on the core regions of optical device edges. The luminescent targets can be fabricated by the light curing process or the selective deposition process.
