Method, apparatus and optical interconnect manufactured by 3D printing
US9052481B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 17, 2013 |
| Grant date | Jun 9, 2015 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 17, 2033 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02B2006/1219
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A method of manufacturing an optical interconnect includes 3D printing a plurality of non-intersecting and spaced apart optical waveguides from a material that guides electromagnetic waves in the optical spectrum after being cross-linked or polymerized in a region activated by the 3D printing. At least some of the optical waveguides change direction at least once by about 90°. The method further includes encasing at least each end of the optical waveguides with a material having a lower index of refraction than the material from which the optical waveguides are formed by 3D printing, to secure the optical waveguides. A corresponding 3D printing apparatus is also described.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.