Integrated Polymer Optoelectronic Time Delay Device for an X-band Phased Array Antenna System

A 4-bit polymer optoelectronic true time delay device is demonstrated. The device is composed of monolithically integrated, low loss, passive polymer waveguide delay lines and 2x2 polymer thermo-optic switches. Waveguide junction offsets and air trenches simultaneously reduce the bending loss and device area. Simulations are used to optimize the trench and offset structures for fabrication. The 16 time delays generated by the device are measured to range from 0 to 177 ps in 11.8 ps increments. The packaged device has an insertion loss of 14.5 dB and the delay switching speed is 2 ms. The delays generated by the device are suitable for steering a 1D or 2D sub-array of an X-band phased array antenna system.