Freestanding athermal polymer optical waveguide

• US 20030031446A1
• Filed: 08/08/2001
• Published: 02/13/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 08/08/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Photon-X, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Photon-X, Inc.
• Inventors: Takayama, Kazuya, Gao, Renyuan
• Granted Patent: US 6,801,703 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 385/130
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2006/12097 Ridge, rib or the like
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2006/121 Channel; buried or the like
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/132 by deposition of thin films
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/138 by using polymerisation

Abstract

An optical waveguide is disclosed. The waveguide includes a first cladding layer having a first exposed surface portion and a second surface portion generally opposing the first exposed surface portion, and a core disposed on a portion of the second surface portion. The core has a first end and a second end. The waveguide also includes a second cladding layer having a first exposed surface portion and a second surface portion generally opposing the first exposed surface portion. The second surface portion of the second cladding layer is disposed on the core and a remaining portion of the second surface portion of the first cladding layer. An optical waveguide assembly incorporating the optical waveguide and a method of manufacturing the waveguide are also disclosed.

Claims

1. An optical waveguide comprising:

a first cladding layer having a first exposed surface portion and a second surface portion generally opposing the first exposed surface portion;

a core disposed on a portion of the second surface, the core having a first end and a second end; and

a second cladding layer having a first exposed surface portion and a second surface portion generally opposing the first exposed surface portion, the second surface portion of the second cladding layer being disposed on the core and a remaining portion of the second surface portion of the first cladding layer.

2. The optical waveguide according to claim 1, further comprising a first support structure disposed on at least one of the first cladding layer and the second cladding layer, proximate the first end of the core.

3. The optical waveguide according to claim 2, further comprising a second support structure disposed on at least one of the first cladding layer and the second cladding layer, proximate the second end of the core.

4. The optical waveguide according to claim 1, wherein the first cladding layer is a polymer.

5. The optical waveguide according to claim 4, wherein the polymer is a perfluoropolymer.

6. The optical waveguide according to claim 1, wherein the core comprises a straight channel.

7. The optical waveguide according to claim 1, wherein the core comprises a curved channel.

8. The optical waveguide according to claim 1, wherein the first cladding layer comprises a plurality of first cladding layers.

9. The optical waveguide according to claim 1, wherein the second cladding layer comprises a plurality of second cladding layers.

11. The method according to claim 1, wherein engaging at least the first material with the solvent comprises immersing the substrate, the first material and the at least second material into the solvent.

10. A method of manufacturing a waveguide comprising:

providing a substrate;

disposing a first material onto the substrate;

disposing at least a second material onto the first material; and

engaging at least the first material with a solvent, the solvent dissolving the first material and separating the at least second material from the substrate.

12. The method according to claim 10, further comprising, after separating the at least second material from the substrate, fixedly connecting a first support structure to the at least second material, proximate the first end of the core.

13. The method according to claim 12, further comprising, after separating the at least second material from the substrate, fixedly connecting a second support structure to the at least second material, proximate the second end of the core.

14. The method according to claim 10, further comprising, prior to separating the at least second material from the substrate, fixedly connecting a first support structure to the at least second material, proximate the first end of the core.

15. The method according to claim 14, further comprising, prior to separating the at least second material from the substrate, fixedly connecting a second support structure to the at least second material, proximate the second end of the core.

16. The method according to claim 10, wherein disposing the first material comprises disposing a metal.

17. The method according to claim 16, wherein disposing the metal comprises disposing gold.

18. The method according to claim 10, wherein disposing the at least second material comprises disposing a polymer.

19. The method according to claim 18, wherein disposing the polymer comprises disposing a perfluoropolymer.

20. The method according to claim 10, wherein disposing the at least second material comprises disposing a first cladding layer.

21. The method according to claim 10, wherein disposing the at least second material comprises disposing a first cladding layer, a core, and a second cladding layer.

22. An optical waveguide assembly comprising:

an optical waveguide including;

a first cladding layer having a first exposed surface portion and a second surface portion generally opposing the first exposed surface portion;

a core disposed on a portion of the second surface portion, the core having a first end and a second end; and

a second cladding layer having a first exposed surface portion and a second surface portion generally opposing the first exposed surface portion, the second surface portion of the second cladding layer being disposed on the core and a remaining portion of the second surface portion of the first cladding layer;

a first support structure disposed on at least one of the first cladding layer and the second cladding layer, proximate the first end of the core;

a second support structure disposed on at least one of the first cladding layer and the second cladding layer, proximate the second end of the core; and

a support surface engaging each of the first and second support structures.