Abstract: A tunable micro-lens and micro-lens array for use in optical communications are disclosed. The micro-lens uses thermo optical material and a temperature controller to adjust the temperature and, hence, the index of refraction of the thermo optical material. In one embodiment, a single temperature controller is used to maintain an array of micro-lenses at a desired temperature. In an alternate embodiment, the individual lenses in an array are separately tunable. The invention may be used with either 2D or 3D lenses, and is well suited for use with existing planar lightwave circuit (PLC) technology.

Abstract: A flexible optical connector suitable for use in an optical backplane for interconnecting optical circuit boards, and methods of making the optical connector, are disclosed. The flexible optical connector comprises a plurality of waveguides on two or more levels providing a plurality of light paths that allow light communication between optical circuit boards. The optical connector can be manufactured separately from the backplane and thereafter mounted on the backplane. The backplane of the present invention may also have a mounting structure for removably retaining and positioning optical circuit board and may, optionally, include electrical traces for providing electrical interconnections between the circuit boards.

Abstract: Optical apparatuses providing optical interconnections among a plurality N of electronic components. One exemplary apparatus comprises a slab waveguide having a core layer that enables light beams to propagate in a plurality of directions, a plurality of N reception ports, and a plurality of N transmission ports, each reception port and each transmission port serving a respective electronic component, and each being optically coupled to the core layer of the slab waveguide. Each transmission port is configured to receive a plurality of light beams from its assigned electronic component and to transmit each received light beam onto the slab waveguide in a direction toward a reception port. Each reception port is configured to receive from the slab waveguide a plurality of light beams transmitted to it from at least two different transmission ports. Light beams within the slab waveguide are permitted to cross paths. Other exemplary embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: Methods of forming lanthanum nickel oxide (LaNiO3) layers with precursor formation solutions are disclosed, along with devices made from such solutions. Also disclosed are methods for making the formation solutions using lanthanum, nickel, and a diol. The present invention enables the manufacture of LaNiO3 layers at low cost, with good resistivity properties, and a surface morphology suitable for interfacing to a ferro-electric material.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for measuring the optical properties of solids, gels, and liquids are disclosed. The apparatuses may be constructed on miniature substrates using conventional semiconductor wafer and packaging processes. The substrates may be mass-produced on wafers, which are then diced to provide individual miniature substrates. High measurement precision, low-manufacturing costs, and other benefits are provided by the present inventions.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to structures and methods of manufacturing such structures for providing optical connections between spaced-apart, opposing surfaces of substrates having optically active areas, that are compatible with semiconductor processing steps. An optical polymer layer is provided between opposing surfaces of a substrate and component or between two substrates to allow optical signals to pass therebetween and to bond the opposing surfaces. In one embodiment, the waveguide is formed from a photosensitive polymer that is patterned, cured and etched to provide the optical connection. In another embodiment, a photobleachable polymer is cured by light through a connected waveguide to provide a waveguide core.

Abstract: An apparatus for attenuating a light signal is disclosed. The apparatus causes optical attenuation in a waveguide, where the waveguide has an input port for receiving a light signal and an output port for output of an attenuated light signal. First, an electric field is generated in at least a portion of the waveguide, such that a first refractive index in that portion of the waveguide is changed to a second refractive index. Next, the light signal in the waveguide is directed from the input port to the output port through the electric field. And lastly, the light signal is attenuated as a function of the electric field. The light signal may be attenuated, for example, by changing the deflection angle, changing the beam collimation width or from emitting part of the light signal from the waveguide before the light signal reaches the output port.

Abstract: A flexible optical connector suitable for use in an optical backplane for interconnecting optical circuit boards, and methods of making the optical connector, are disclosed. The flexible optical connector comprises a plurality of waveguides on two or more levels providing a plurality of light paths that allow light communication between optical circuit boards. The optical connector can be manufactured separately from the backplane and thereafter mounted on the backplane. The backplane of the present invention may also have a mounting structure for removably retaining and positioning optical circuit board and may, optionally, include electrical traces for providing electrical interconnections between the circuit boards.

Abstract: The present invention provides an optical bridge for interconnecting optical networking components and methods of making optical bridges that include a waveguide that are compatible with semiconductor processing steps. The optical bridge of the present invention has less optical losses and is less affected by misalignment that prior art interconnections. The waveguide is formed of a curable optical material that spans optically active areas of two components. In one embodiment of the present invention, one optical component is an optical circuit board and the connected optical component is an electro-optical integrated circuit package containing light emitting or light receiving elements. The method provides a curable optical liquid to the components, bringing the components together to form a continuous optical liquid between the components, and curing the optical liquid.

Abstract: An all-optical one-by-N optical switch is provided that has fewer components, is easier to control and has fewer optical losses that prior art one-by-N optical switches. An optical switch of the present invention includes an active deflection element formed from an electro-optical material to deflect an optical input from a single input to a selected one of N outputs. In one embodiment of the present invention, a single active deflection element at the input deflects an optical signal across a waveguide that commonly connects the N outputs. The N optical outputs include passive optical elements that are aligned with the deflected optical signal to accept a signal and provide it to a selected optical output. The optical switch can either be monolithic, where the optical material are all electro-optical materials, or can be hybrid, having separately formed components, such as the common waveguide, adhered to the substrate on which the optical switch is formed.

Abstract: Substrate optical wavguides having curved major surfaces and methods for making the same are disclosed. In one exemplary embodiment, a photosensitive cladding layer is pattern exposed to actinic radiation through a first gray-scale mask and subsequently developed to define a groove therein having a curved major bottom surface. A layer of photosensitive core material is thereafter formed over the groove, pattern exposed to actinic radiation through a second gray-scale mask, and subsequently developed to define a core element. The core element is disposed within the groove and has a curved major bottom surface and a curved major top surface.

Abstract: The intensity of signals in optical networks can be controlled using a variable optical attenuator (VOA). The present invention is a VOA that is particularly well suited for optical networks, for example to provide channel-by-channel normalization of gain control of wavelength division multiplexed signals. The inventive VOA includes a waveguide having a cladding that includes an electro-optical material and electrodes that produce an electric field within the electro-optical material when a voltage difference is applied to the electrodes. The VOA also includes a layer that is parallel to the core of the waveguide and that optically couples to the core to receive light from the attenuated signal. A power meter receives light from the layer as an indication of the amount of light attenuated from the signal and for controlling the voltage to the electrodes.

Abstract: A tunable micro-lens and micro-lens array for use in optical communications are disclosed. The micro-lens uses thermo optical material and a temperature controller to adjust the temperature and, hence, the index of refraction of the thermo optical material. In one embodiment, a single temperature controller is used to maintain an array of micro-lenses at a desired temperature. In an alternate embodiment, the individual lenses in an array are separately tunable. The invention may be used with either 2D or 3D lenses, and is well suited for use with existing planar lightwave circuit (PLC) technology.

Abstract: A method and system are disclosed for switching at least part of a light signal out of a first waveguide by a Bragg grating formed from an electro-optic effect in the first waveguide. The Bragg grating is created by turning on a series of electrodes on each side of the first waveguide. The electrodes create electric fields in the core of the first waveguide which raise the refractive index in certain regions of the core. When the electric fields are tilted and evenly spaced apart, at least part of a light signal propagating through the waveguide, at a predetermined wavelength, is reflected out of the first waveguide. The reflected light signal can be switched back into a second waveguide by use of another Bragg grating. When the electric fields are off in the first waveguide the light signal, including the part of the light signal having the predetermined wavelength, continues straight on through the Bragg grating area.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for attenuating a light signal. One embodiment includes a method for causing optical attenuation in a waveguide, where the waveguide has an input port for receiving a light signal and an output port for output of an attenuated light signal. First, an electric field is generated in at least a portion of the waveguide, such that a first refractive index in that portion of the waveguide is changed to a second refractive index. Next, the light signal in the waveguide is directed from the input port to the output port through the electric field. And lastly, the light signal is attenuated as a function of the electric field. The light signal may be attenuated, for example, by changing the deflection angle, changing the beam collimation width or from emitting part of the light signal from the waveguide before the light signal reaches the output port.

Abstract: A polyimide resin composition comprising a polyimide resin (A) and at least one 1H-tetrazole (B) selected from the group consisting of 1H-tetrazole, 5,5′-bis-1H-tetrazole, and derivatives thereof, and having an excellent rust preventing effect on copper and copper alloys.

Abstract: A polyimide resin composition comprising a polyimide resin (A) and at least one 1H-tetrazole (B) selected from the group consisting of 1H-tetrazole, 5,5′-bis-1H-tetrazole, and derivatives thereof, and having an excellent rust preventing effect on copper and copper alloys.

Abstract: A method and system are disclosed for switching at least part of a light signal out of a first waveguide by a Bragg grating formed from an electro-optic effect in the first waveguide. The Bragg grating is created by turning on a series of electrodes on each side of the first waveguide. The electrodes create electric fields in the core of the first waveguide which raise the refractive index in certain regions of the core. When the electric fields are tilted and evenly spaced apart, at least part of a light signal propagating through the waveguide, at a predetermined wavelength, is reflected out of the first waveguide. The reflected light signal can be switched back into a second waveguide by use of another Bragg grating. When the electric fields are off in the first waveguide the light signal, including the part of the light signal having the predetermined wavelength, continues straight on through the Bragg grating area.

Abstract: A prism pair is employed as an optical deflecting element. The prism pair is constructed by a slab waveguide, and first and second upper electrodes and first and second lower electrodes arranged on and under the slab waveguide. These electrodes are shaped into a wedge shape (e.g., triangular shape), and change the refractive index of a part of the slab waveguide by utilizing the electrooptic effect to change the propagation direction of light.

Abstract: A prism pair is employed as an optical deflecting element. The prism pair is constructed by a slab waveguide, and first and second upper electrodes and first and second lower electrodes arranged on and under the slab waveguide. These electrodes are shaped into a wedge shape (e.g., triangular shape), and change the refractive index of a part of the slab waveguide by utilizing the electrooptic effect to change the propagation direction of light.