Polymeric compositions comprising quantum dots, optical devices comprising these compositions and methods for preparing same

• US 20060208223A1
• Filed: 04/11/2006
• Published: 09/21/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 12/01/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: RPX Corporation
• Original Assignee: Lucent Technologies, Inc. (Nokia Corporation)
• Inventors: Sundar, Vlkram, Chen, Gang, Fuchs, Dan, Olsson, Ylva, Rapaport, Ronen
• Granted Patent: US 7,197,226 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 252/301.360
• CPC Class Codes: B82Y 15/00 Nanotechnology for interacting, sensing or actuating, e.g. quantum dots as markers in protein assays or molecular motors
• CPC Class Codes: B82Y 20/00 Nanooptics, e.g. quantum optics or photonic crystals
• CPC Class Codes: B82Y 30/00 Nanotechnology for materials or surface science, e.g. nanocomposites
• CPC Class Codes: C08L 27/12 containing fluorine atoms
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 1/04 made of organic materials, e.g. plastics G02B1/08 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 1/045 Light guides
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2006/12097 Ridge, rib or the like
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/138 by using polymerisation

Abstract

The present invention relates to a polymeric composition of matter. The composition includes at least one polymer matrix and plurality of quantum dots distributed therein. The polymer may be a perfluorocyclobutane polymer having high optical transmission at telecommunications wavelengths. The quantum dots may include cap compounds to increase the solubility of the quantum dots in the composition. Typical cap compounds include aromatic organic molecules. Optical devices including waveguides may be fabricated from the polymeric compositions of the invention.

Claims

1. A composition of matter, comprising:

a polymer matrix including polymer chains having a plurality of carbon halogen bonds; and

a plurality of quantum dots distributed within the polymer matrix, wherein the quantum dots include at least one organic cap compound including at least one aromatic group.

4. The composition of matter of claim 1, including a polymer chain having at least 10 repeat units and that is cross linked at least twice to at least one of the other polymer chains.

5. The composition of matter of claim 1, wherein the polymer chains include aromatic groups.

7. The composition of matter of claim 1 wherein the polymer matrix includes a number N^A aliphatic carbon-hydrogen bonds and a number N^T total bonds, the ratio N^A/N^T being less than about 0.4.

8. An optical waveguide including the composition of matter of claim 1.

21. The composition of matter of claim 1, in which the organic cap compound includes a halogen.

22. The composition of matter of claim 1, in which the polymer matrix includes a cyclic group having at least 3 carbon atoms.

2-3. -3. (canceled)

6. (canceled)

9. An optical waveguide, comprising:

an optical core including a polymer matrix having polymer chains having a plurality of carbon-halogen fluorine bonds; and

a plurality of quantum dots distributed within the polymer matrix of the optical core.

10. The optical waveguide of claim 9, wherein the waveguide is a one-dimensional waveguide.

11. The optical waveguide of claim 9, wherein the quantum dots are capable of absorbing energy and emitting photoluminescence.

12. The optical waveguide of claim 9, wherein the quantum dots include at least one organic cap compound having at least one aromatic-group.

13. The optical waveguide of claim 9, wherein the polymer includes a number N^A aliphatic carbon-hydrogen bonds and a number N^T total bonds, the ratio N^A/N^T being less than about 0.4.

14. The optical waveguide of claim 9, wherein the polymer chains include aromatic groups.

15-20. -20. (canceled)

23. A composition of matter, comprising:

a polymer matrix including polymer chains having a plurality of carbon-halogen bonds; and

a plurality of quantum dots distributed within the polymer matrix, wherein the polymer chains include aromatic groups.

24. The composition of matter of claim 23, including a polymer chain having at least 10 repeat units and that is cross linked at least twice to at least one of the other polymer chains.

25. The composition of matter of claim 23, wherein the polymer matrix includes a number N^A aliphatic carbon-hydrogen bonds and a number N^T total bonds, the ratio N^A/N^T being less than about 0.4.

26. The composition of matter of claim 23, in which the polymer matrix includes a cyclic group having at least 3 carbon atoms.

27. An optical waveguide including the composition of matter of claim 23.

28. The composition of matter of claim 23, wherein the quantum dots include at least one organic cap compound including at least one aromatic group.

29. The composition of matter of claim 23, in which the organic cap compound includes a halogen.