Opto-electrical systems having electrical and optical interconnections formed in thin layers with thin-film active devices are disclosed. In one embodiment, optical connections are made between the edge of one substrate and the surface of another substrate with the use of photorefractive materials. In another embodiment, the optical connection is made by separating a optical film from the first substrate and coupling the first substrate and the optical film to separate receptacles located on the second substrate. Film optical link modules employing aspects of the invention are also disclosed.

Systems based on opto-electronic substrates with electrical and optical interconnections and methods for making

An optoreflective structure for reflecting an optical signal following a path defined by an optical waveguide comprising a first cladding layer having a first planar cladding surface; a waveguide disposed on the first cladding layer; and a second cladding layer disposed on the waveduide and having a second planar cladding surface. The first cladding layer, the second cladding layer and the waveguide terminate in a generally dove-tailed structure having a beveled planar surface. An optoreflector is disposed on the beveled planar surface for a changing direction of an optical signal passing through the waveguide. A method for producing an optoreflective structure comprising providing a substrate supporting a first cladding layer having a first planar cladding surface; disposing a waveguide material on the first cladding layer; and forming on the waveguide material a second cladding layer having a second planar cladding surface. The method also comprises forming a beveled planar surface in the first cladding layer, in the waveguide material, and in the second cladding layer; and depositing an optical signal-changing surface on the beveled planar surface.

Single and multilayer waveguides and fabrication process

An optical apparatus including an optical substrate having an embedded waveguide and an optical device adapted to receive light transmitted from an end of the waveguide. The optical apparatus includes a coupling structure for coupling the optical device to the substrate. The coupling structure has a thin metallic layer with an aperture. At least a portion of the optical device is disposed in the aperture. A method for making an optical apparatus comprising forming an optical substrate having a waveguide embedded therein; depositing a metal layer over an end of the waveguide; and depositing a polymeric layer over the metal layer. An aperture is formed in the metal layer and in the polymeric layer by removing a portion of the metal layer and a portion of the polymeric layer disposed over the end of the waveguide. The method for making an optical apparatus also comprises inserting at least a portion of an optical device within the aperture so that the optical device is positioned to receive light from the first end of the waveguide.

Optical coupling structures and the fabrication processes

The invention provides organic optical waveguide devices which employ perfluoropolymeric materials having low optical loss and low birefringence. An optical element has a substrate; a patterned, light transmissive perfluoropolymer core composition; and a light reflecting cladding composition on the pattern of the core. Writing of high-efficiency waveguide gratings is also disclosed.

Optical devices made from radiation curable fluorinated compositions

An apparatus for forming an optical element on the surface of a substrate by ejecting a curable light guide forming liquid from a nozzle onto the substrate and curing the curable light guide forming liquid A waveguide may be formed by moving the nozzle in a linear pattern over the surface of the substrate during ejection of the liquid from the nozzle Curing the liquid may include exposing the liquid to ultraviolet radiation, and the radiation may be applied to only a small portion of the liquid A multilayered waveguide may be formed by ejecting a further light guide forming liquid onto the first and curing it A core and cladding may be formed simultaneously by ejecting core forming liquid from an inner tube and cladding forming liquid from an annulus about the inner tube The waveguide may be formed in a groove, and a splitter may be formed by branching a second waveguide from a first, or by laying out two parallel waveguides and connecting them Apparatus for forming a light guide on a substrate includes an xy movable support for the substrate, and a container having a nozzle, the nozzle being movable in relation to the substrate, and a dispenser to regulate dispensing of liquid from the container Liquid curing radiation may be provided through a source of UV light The nozzle may be formed of a first central tube and a second outer tube disposed about the first central tube to form an annulus between them A microlens may be formed by holding the nozzle stationary during dispensing

Method and apparatus for making optical components by direct dispensing of curable liquid

A structure comprising a layer of polymeric material containing epoxy groups having preselected regions of different degrees of polymerization and different refractive indices; and a method for forming a structure comprising a layer of polymeric material containing epoxy groups having preselected regions of differing degrees of polymerization and differing refractive indices which comprises providing a polymeric material containing epoxy groups on a support and selectively modifying the refractive index in said material.

Polymeric optical waveguides and methods of forming the same

Summary The challenges for introducing optical waveguides into the high performance computer packaging environment are formidable. Polymers may be well suited for meeting this challenge. In this work, progress was shown using an epoxy material vT hich has been fabricated into ridge waveguides which exhibit low propagation loss (0.3 dB/cm at 1.3 jum), high environmental stability (low sensitivity to moisture), have smooth walls (100 nm sidewall roughness), and high temperature stability (275°C). Further work needs to be done on improving the materials set, especially in the area of high temperature stability. This problem is being pursued at this as well as many other laboratories. In addition, low loss, high density optical wiring structures such as sharp corner bends and waveguide intersections were fabricated. References 1. P.K. Tien, R. Ulrich, and RJ. Martin, Appl. Phys. Lett., 14, 291 (1969).2. Two excellent texts reviewing the subject matter are:a) H. Nishihara, M. Haruna, and T. Suhara, Optical Integrated Circuits (McGraw-Hill, New York, 1989).

Polymeric Optical Waveguides

Optical waveguides fabricated from polymers have been receiving increasing attention because the materials and patterning techniques can be compatible with those found in microelectronic chip and package processing.1 Furthermore, polymers are readily formed into films, can form planar structures, can fill gaps, can be made photosensitive, can have their properties engineered, and exhibit nonlinear optical properties. This paper reports progress made in this laboratory on epoxy-based photosensitive polymers for potential use as optical waveguides in a high-performance computer packaging environment.2

Albert Speth

Papers

Polymeric optical waveguides and methods of forming the same

Polymeric Optical Waveguides

Photopatternable epoxy ridge waveguides

Optische Wellenleiter aus Polymermaterial und Herstellungsmethode