Direct write of optical diffractive elements and planar waveguides with a digital micromirror device based UV photoplotter

A photoplotter, based on a digital micromirror device as real-time reconfigurable mask, is designed to direct-write microstructures in different photosensitive materials. Binary and multilevel elements, such as computer generated holograms with 2, 4 and 8 phase levels and planar optical waveguide structures with tapers and/or long period gratings, are fabricated in a single processing step. Direct parallel write into different photosensitive materials with attractive optical properties is proposed and first results are shown in a commercially available organic–inorganic hybrid material.