Organic photochromic compositions and method for fabrication of polymer waveguides
US6091879A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 15, 1998 |
| Grant date | Jul 18, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 15, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S430/111
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Optical waveguides prepared by irradiating selected regions of positive photochromic polymeric materials with actinic radiation are disclosed. The photochromic materials undergo an irreversible photochemical change which results in an increase in the refractive index of light-exposed regions. In addition, the materials exhibit negligible second-order polarizability prior to exposure and excellent nonlinear optical properties after exposure and polarization. Thus, the exposed regions are particularly useful as the core in active waveguides for use in second-order nonlinear optical applications, as well as the core in passive waveguides. In addition, a simple two step process is disclosed for forming optical waveguides from the positive photochromic polymers. Optical structures, such as optical integrated circuits, and optical devices which incorporate the waveguides are also disclosed. The optical devices may be used as optical modulators, filters, attenuators, amplifiers, frequency converters, and electric field sensors, as well as in other nonlinear optical applications.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.