Planar optical waveguide
US6959138B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 16, 2003 |
| Grant date | Oct 25, 2005 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 18, 2023 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02B2006/12164
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An optical waveguide for light transmission and a method for creating a master and for generating an optical waveguide therefrom. The waveguide includes a first polymer layer having at least one optical element formed therein, the first polymer layer having an index of refraction of preferably 1.55 or greater, bonded to a second polymer layer, preferably polypropylene, having an index of refraction of preferably 1.50 or less. Since the refractive index of air is approximately 1.0, the first polymer layer is sandwiched between two layers of low refractive index material. The differences between the indices of refraction cause light projected into the polymer layer to be guided in the polymer layer by total internal reflection. Furthermore, once the optical element has been formed in the first polymer layer, it can be used as a master for generating embossments. The embossments are preferably generated by placing liquid polymer in contact with the master, curing it, and separating the cured polymer embossment from the master.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.