Liquid overclad-encapsulated optical device
First Claim
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1. An optical device comprising:
- an optical path characterized by a refractive index, for propagating a light signal;
an optical modifying element disposed in the optical path for modifying the light signal; and
an overclad liquid having a refractive index less than the refractive index of the optical path disposed between the optical path and the optical modifying element for reducing optical loss of the light signal.
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Abstract
An optical device includes a planar substrate (10) on top of which is deposited a layer of waveguide material (402). A waveguide circuit (404) is etched into the waveguide material (402). A cover (426) selectively encapsulates the substrate (10) around the waveguide circuit (404) while leaving space to provide a gap above the waveguide circuit (404). A liquid material (30) having a lower index of refraction than the waveguide material is filled into the gap above the waveguide circuit (404) such that the liquid acts as an overclad for the waveguide circuit (404).
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. An optical device comprising:
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an optical path characterized by a refractive index, for propagating a light signal;
an optical modifying element disposed in the optical path for modifying the light signal; and
an overclad liquid having a refractive index less than the refractive index of the optical path disposed between the optical path and the optical modifying element for reducing optical loss of the light signal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. An optical device comprising:
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an optical planar substrate;
a waveguide core having a refractive index, the waveguide core disposed on the optical planar substrate for providing an optical path for propagating a light signal;
an optical modifying element optically coupled to the waveguide core for modifying the light signal; and
an overclad liquid having a refractive index less than the refractive index of the waveguide core disposed between the waveguide core and the optical modifying element for reducing optical loss of the light signal.
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10. An optical device comprising:
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a planar substrate;
a layer of waveguide material deposited on the planar substrate, the layer of waveguide material having a waveguide circuit etched into the waveguide material;
a cover for selectively encapsulating the substrate around the waveguide circuit while leaving space to provide a gap above the waveguide circuit; and
a liquid material having a lower index of refraction than the waveguide material filled into the gap above the waveguide circuit such that the liquid acts as an overclad for the waveguide circuit.
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11. A method for fabricating a planar optical device, the method comprising the following steps:
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providing a planar substrate;
depositing a layer of waveguide material onto the planar substrate;
etching a waveguide circuit into the waveguide material;
encapsulating the substrate around the waveguide circuit to provide a gap above the waveguide circuit; and
filling the gap above the waveguide circuit with a liquid material having a lower index of refraction than the waveguide material such that the liquid acts as an overclad for the waveguide circuit. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification