Compact optical devices and methods for making the same
First Claim
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1. An optical device comprising:
- a support layer having a top surface and a bottom surface;
a first waveguide segment disposed above the top surface, and having a first end, a second end, and an axis of light propagation spaced above the top surface by a first height;
a second waveguide segment disposed above the top surface, and having a first end, a second end, and an axis of light propagation spaced above the top surface by a second height, the second height being less than the first height;
a third waveguide segment disposed above the top surface, and having a first end, a second end, and an axis of light propagation spaced above the top surface by a third height, the third height being greater than the first height and the second height;
a fourth waveguide segment that couples the second end of the first waveguide segment to the first end of the second waveguide segment;
a fifth waveguide segment that couples the second end of the first waveguide segment to the first end of the third waveguide segment; and
a first electrode disposed adjacent to at least one of the second and third waveguide segments.
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Abstract
Compact optical devices and methods of constructing the same are disclosed. The optical devices are formed with perpendicular orientations to the surface of a supporting layer (e.g., substrate), and have three-dimensional structures rather than planar structures. The optical devices can be formed with high density on supporting layers without the need for several built-up layers. Maintaining the processing temperatures within the cure profiles of polymer optical layers is readily achieved.
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Citations
28 Claims
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1. An optical device comprising:
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a support layer having a top surface and a bottom surface; a first waveguide segment disposed above the top surface, and having a first end, a second end, and an axis of light propagation spaced above the top surface by a first height; a second waveguide segment disposed above the top surface, and having a first end, a second end, and an axis of light propagation spaced above the top surface by a second height, the second height being less than the first height; a third waveguide segment disposed above the top surface, and having a first end, a second end, and an axis of light propagation spaced above the top surface by a third height, the third height being greater than the first height and the second height; a fourth waveguide segment that couples the second end of the first waveguide segment to the first end of the second waveguide segment; a fifth waveguide segment that couples the second end of the first waveguide segment to the first end of the third waveguide segment; and a first electrode disposed adjacent to at least one of the second and third waveguide segments. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 20)
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14. An optical device comprising:
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a support layer having a top surface and a bottom surface; a first waveguide segment disposed above the top surface, and having a first end, a second end, and an axis of light propagation spaced above the top surface by a first height; a second waveguide segment disposed above the top surface, and having a first end, a second end, at least two lateral sides, and an axis of light propagation spaced above the top surface by a second height, the second height being less than the first height; a third waveguide segment disposed above the top surface, and having a first end, a second end, and an axis of light propagation spaced above the top surface by a third height, the third height being greater than the first height and the second height; a fourth waveguide segment that couples the second end of the first waveguide segment to the first end of the second waveguide segment; a fifth waveguide segment that couples the second end of the first waveguide segment to the first end of the third waveguide segment; a first electrode disposed to one lateral side of the second waveguide segment; a first body of cladding material disposed between the first electrode and the second waveguide segment; a second electrode disposed to another lateral side of the second waveguide segment; and a second body of cladding material disposed between the second electrode and the second waveguide segment; and wherein at least one of the second core segment and the first and second bodies cladding material comprises an electro-optic material. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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21. An optical device comprising:
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a support layer having a top surface and a bottom surface; a first waveguide segment disposed above the top surface, and having a first end, a second end, and an axis of light propagation spaced above the top surface by a first height; a second waveguide segment disposed above the top surface, and having a first end, a second end, and an axis of light propagation spaced above the top surface by a second height, the second height being less than the first height; a third waveguide segment disposed above the top surface, and having a first end, a second ends and an axis of light propagation spaced above the top surface by a third height, the third height being greater than the first height and the second height; a fourth waveguide segment that couples the second end of the first waveguide segment to the first end of the second waveguide segment; a fifth waveguide segment that couples the second end of the first waveguide segment to the first end of the third waveguide segment; a first intermediate cladding layer disposed above the second waveguide segment; a second intermediate cladding layer disposed between the third waveguide segment and the first intermediate cladding layer; and a visually-detectable adhesion surface disposed between at least the first and second intermediate cladding layers; and wherein the first intermediate cladding layer and the second waveguide and fourth waveguide segments are formed in a first support layer, wherein the second intermediate cladding layer and the third and fifth waveguide segments are formed in a second support layer, wherein the first waveguide segment is formed in at least one of the first and second support layers, and wherein the first and second support layers are joined together at said interfacial adhesion surface.
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22. A method of forming an optical device comprising the steps of:
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(a) forming a recess in a support layer, the recess having a first tapered end and a second tapered end; (b) forming a first strip of core material such that at least a portion of the first strip is disposed along the recess, the first tapered end, and the second tapered end; (c) forming a first cladding layer over a portion of the first strip of core material that lies within the recess; (d) forming a second strip of core material over the first cladding layer such that the second strip contacts a first portion of the first strip that is disposed over the first tapered end, and contacts a second portion of the first strip that is disposed over the second tapered end. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26)
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27. A method of forming an optical device comprising the steps of:
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(a) forming a first support layer having a top surface, a bottom surface, a first core body disposed between the top and bottom surfaces, a second core body disposed between the top and bottom surfaces, and cladding material disposed around at least a portion of the first and second core bodies, the first core body have a first end, a second end, and an axis of light propagation substantially parallel to the top surface of the first support layer, the second core body having a first end disposed at the second end of the first core body, a second end disposed closer to the top surface than the bottom surface the first support substrate, and an axis of light propagation that is at an angle to the top surface of the first support substrate; (b) forming a second support layer having a top surface, a bottom surface, a third core body disposed between the top and bottom surfaces, a fourth core body disposed between the top and bottom surfaces, and cladding material disposed around at least a portion of the third and fourth core bodies, the third core body have a first end, a second end, and an axis of light propagation substantially parallel to the top surface of the second support layer, the fourth core body having a first end disposed at the second end of the third core body, a second end disposed closer to the top surface than the bottom surface the second support substrate, and an axis of light propagation that is at an angle to the top surface of the second support substrate; (c) forming a fifth core body at the top surface of one of the first and second support layers, the fifth core body having a first end disposed at the second end of one the second or fourth core body; and (d) joining the first and second support layers together at their top surfaces. - View Dependent Claims (28)
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Specification