Integrated optical circuit with dense planarized cladding layer
US6768828B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 20, 2003 |
| Grant date | Jul 27, 2004 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 20, 2023 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02B2006/121
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
The integrated optical circuit of the present invention includes a substrate with a first cladding layer. A first core layer having one or more waveguiding elements is formed on the first cladding layer. A second cladding layer surrounds the waveguiding elements of the first core layer; the refractive index of the first and second cladding layers are selected to be less than the refractive index of the waveguiding element(s). Through simultaneous cladding material deposition and cladding material removal, the second cladding layer as deposited is substantially self-planarized, enabling further layers to be positioned on the second cladding layer without necessitating intermediate planarization. Further, the present invention permits planar waveguide cores having submicron core spacings to be covered by a subsequently-deposited cladding layer without cladding gaps, seams or other deleterious cladding defects.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.