Methods of forming waveguides and waveguides formed therefrom
First Claim
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1. A method of forming an optical waveguide, comprising:
- (a) forming over a substrate a layer of a photodefinable composition comprising at least one material chosen from substituted or unsubstituted polyamides, polyimides, poly(meth)acrylates, polyurethanes, polycarbonates, epoxies, polysiloxanes, polysilsesquioxanes, norbornenes, silicates, and SOL-Gels;
(b) exposing a portion of the layer to actinic radiation;
(c) developing the exposed layer to form a waveguide core structure; and
(d) heating the waveguide core structure to a temperature and for a time effective to reflow the structure such that it becomes at least partially rounded in cross-section.
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Abstract
Provided are methods of forming optical waveguides. The methods involve: (a) forming over a substrate a layer of a photodefinable composition; (b) exposing a portion of the layer to actinic radiation; (c) developing the exposed layer to form a waveguide core structure; and (d) heating the waveguide core structure to a temperature and for a time effective to reflow the structure such that it becomes at least partially rounded in cross-section. Also provided are optical waveguides formed from the described methods and electronic devices including one or more of the optical waveguides.
42 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method of forming an optical waveguide, comprising:
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(a) forming over a substrate a layer of a photodefinable composition comprising at least one material chosen from substituted or unsubstituted polyamides, polyimides, poly(meth)acrylates, polyurethanes, polycarbonates, epoxies, polysiloxanes, polysilsesquioxanes, norbornenes, silicates, and SOL-Gels; (b) exposing a portion of the layer to actinic radiation; (c) developing the exposed layer to form a waveguide core structure; and (d) heating the waveguide core structure to a temperature and for a time effective to reflow the structure such that it becomes at least partially rounded in cross-section. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method of forming an optical waveguide, comprising:
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(a) providing a substrate having on a surface thereof a cladding layer of a material having an index of refraction; (b) forming over a portion of the cladding layer a waveguide core structure comprising at least one material chosen from substituted or unsubstituted polyamides, polyimides, poly(meth)acrylates, polyurethanes, polycarbonates, epoxies, polysiloxanes, polysilsesquioxanes, norbornenes, silicates, and SOL-Gels, and silicon oxides, silicon nitrides, silicon oxynitrides, and doped glasses; and (c) heating the waveguide core structure to a temperature and for a time effective to reflow the structure such that it becomes at least partially rounded in cross-section, wherein the reflowed structure has an index of refraction greater than the index of refraction of the cladding layer. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A method of forming an optical waveguide, comprising:
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(a) providing a substrate having on a surface thereof a cladding layer of a material having a first index of refraction; and (b) forming by printing over a portion of the cladding layer a waveguide core structure having a second index of refraction that is greater than the first index of refraction, wherein the waveguide core structure as printed is at least partially rounded in cross-section. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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Specification