Conditioning of flexible substrates for the application of polymer optical waveguides

The printing of polymer optical waveguides is in focus of current topics in research. This publication describes the conditioning of flexible substrates for the spray coat application of polymer optical waveguides by using an Aerosol-Jet. We show the capability of preparing the carrier material by experiments concerning the influence to the surface energy. Lines with hydrophobic behaviour were applied by using a flexographic printing machine to accomplish the basis for creating polymer optical waveguides with high lateral resolution. The subsequent wetting showed a successful self-structuring of the fluid polymer.

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