Abstract: A chemical sensor based on an indicator dye wherein a light transmissive element containing the indicator dye is made of a hygroscopic polymer. The polymer may be, for example, a polyimide or PMMA or other polymer. In an alternative embodiment the light transmissive element is doped with metal nanocolloidal particles. One embodiment may include a reference photodiode and differential amplifier to compensate for the fluctuations of the intensity of the light source. The light source may be pulse modulated. The sensor may include calibration means comprising a reference sample of the chemical to be detected and a precision delivery means. A method of fabricating the polymer and metal nanocolloid is disclosed wherein the nanocolloid is produced by generating a pulsed laser plasma in a suspension of metal particles and an organic solvent and adding the resulting solvent colloid to a solution containing the polymer.

Abstract: Unconventional twisted ?-electron system electro-optic (EO) chromophores/compounds, compositions and related device structures. Crystallographic analysis of several non-limiting chromophores reveals, for instance, large ring-ring dihedral twist angles and a highly charge-separated zwitterionic structure in the ground state, in both solution phase and solid-state.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a flexible film optical waveguide, which is in flexible film form and includes upper and lower cladding layers, each of which is formed of an organic-inorganic hybrid material, and a core layer provided between the upper and lower cladding layers and formed of an organic-inorganic hybrid material having a refractive index higher than that of the organic-inorganic hybrid material of each of the upper and lower cladding layers. In addition, a method of fabricating such a flexible film optical waveguide is also provided.

Abstract: This invention describes methods for fabricating polymer optical waveguides, and polymer optical waveguides themselves wherein at least one of the optical layers is deposited by a two-stage deposition process. In particular, the two-stage deposition process comprises spinning as the second step. Preferably, the polymer optical waveguide comprises a three layer structure comprising a lower cladding layer, a light guiding core layer and an upper cladding layer, supported on a substrate. The invention has particular application to the volume production of polymer optical waveguides on large area substrates.

Abstract: A resin composition includes an aliphatic polyester resin. The resin has carboxyl groups at the end termini of the molecular chain and at least one compound represented by the general formula (I), the compound being added to the resin to cap a part or all of the carboxyl groups at the end termini of the molecular chain of the resin. A process for producing a fiber includes mixing a pellet comprising an aliphatic polyester resin having carboxyl groups at the end termini of the molecular chain with a compound represented by the general formula (I) so that the content of the compound becomes 0.1 to 8% by weight and then melt-spinning the resulting mixture under the conditions of a spinning temperature of 200 to 250 C.°, a melt residence time of 180 to 1800 sec and a spinning rate of 500 to 10000 m/min.

Abstract: An electro-optic waveguide device comprising an electro-optic polymer core and at least one crosslinked polymer clad, wherein the crosslinked polymer clad is comprised of a first constitutional unit derived from a compound having the formula wherein, m=0-6; n=0-1; q=1-3; y=0-3; Ar1 is an aryl or heteroaryl group; and independently at each occurrence p=0-1; R is an alkyl, heteroalkyl, aryl, or heteroaryl group; Ar2 is an aryl or heteroaryl group; and X is a crosslinkable group. The R group may be an alkyl or heteroalkyl group with at least 6 atoms in a straight chain. In some embodiments, the R group is an alkoxy capped oligoalkylene group. Other embodiments include a polymer comprising a first constitutional unit derived from a compound having the formula described above.

Abstract: The preparation of robust, thin film materials with large second-order optical nonlinearities through the covalent self-assembly of chromophoric compositions and innovative use of silyl chemistry.

Abstract: A compound containing a crosslinkable moiety, a curable prepolymer, a blend, and a polymer sheet obtained therefrom, and an optical waveguide for optical interconnection. The compound is represented by the formula below: Ar—H wherein Ar includes a crosslinkable moiety at one end, a moiety selected from the group consisting of —O—, —S—, —COO—, —CO—, —COS—, —SO2—, and —NH—, and one or two repeating units selected from the group consisting of the following repeating units: wherein A in the repeating unit is carbon or nitrogen, and X is hydrogen or halogen. At least one of the core and the cladding in the optical waveguide includes the polymer sheet.

Abstract: The portable telephone has an optical signal transmission section 100 for performing signal transmission between a first casing 101 and a second casing 102 by optical signals. A need for any complex electromagnetic shield structure can be eliminated. There is no occurrence of electromagnetic-wave noise from an optical signal transmission section 100. Thus, electromagnetic-wave noise of the whole portable telephone can be extremely reduced.

Abstract: There are provided polymer optical waveguide forming material, a polymer optical waveguide and a manufacturing method of the polymer optical waveguide which reduces transmission loss with good processability. The polymer optical waveguide forming material is comprised of a polymer containing norbornene-based structural units including a hydroxy group; a photoacid generator for generating acid by irradiation of an actinic ray; and a monomer component polymerized by acid generated by said photoacid generator.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of producing a planar multimode optical waveguide by direct photo-patterning and, more particularly, to an optical waveguide material and a method of producing the same. It is possible to control the refractive index of the optical waveguide, and the optical waveguide has a desirable refractive index distribution throughout different dielectric regions. In the method, it is unnecessary to conduct processes of forming a clad layer and of etching a core layer, thus a production process is simplified. The method comprises coating a photosensitive hybrid material having a refractive index or a volume changed by light radiation, in a thickness of 10 microns or more, and radiating light having a predetermined wavelength onto the coated photosensitive hybrid material to form the multimode optical waveguide due to a change in refractive index of a portion onto which light is radiated.

Abstract: The invention relates to coated optical fibers comprising soft primary coatings and to such primary coatings for protecting glass optical fibers having a sufficient high resistance against cavitation. In particular, the primary coatings have a cavitation strength at which a tenth cavitation appears (?10cav) of at least about 1.0 MPa as measured at a deformation rate of 0.20% min?1 and of at least about 1.4 times their storage modulus at 23° C. The coating preferably shows strain hardening in a relative Mooney plot, preferably has a strain energy release rate Go of about 20 J/m2 or more, and preferably has a low volumetric thermal expansion coefficient. The invention furthermore provides a method and apparatus for measuring the cavitation strength of a primary coating.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an assembly of multiple waveguides which includes a substrate and a plurality of waveguides positioned on said substrate at locations effective to suppress cross-talk between different waveguides. The plurality of waveguides each comprise an elongate array of quantum dots extending between sets of first and second locations on the substrate. The waveguides are positioned to receive: (1) pumped light uniformly applied to the array to produce electron-hole pairs and to enable optical gain and (2) signal light at the first location to trigger an emission from the quantum dot at the first location and transmission of photons along the array to the second location. A light transmission system which includes this assembly as well as methods of making and using the assembly are also disclosed.

Abstract: This invention pertains to optical fiber transmission networks, and is particularly relevant to transmission of high volume of data and voice traffic among different locations. In particular, the improvement teaches improvements to an optical transport system to allow for efficient and flexible network evolution.

Abstract: The present invention relates to condensation products of silicic acid derivatives usable especially in optical waveguides and particularly to a condensation product obtained by condensing a silane diol compound (A) of the general formula (1): R12Si(OR2)2 (1) wherein R1 represents a group having at least one aromatic group and having 6 to 20 carbon atoms, and R2 represents hydrogen (H which may also be a heavy hydrogen D), with a modified silane compound (B) of the general formula (2): R3Si(OR4)3 (2) wherein R3 represents an organic group having at least one C?C double bond; and R4 represents a group of CnH2n+1 (n=a number of 1 or 2), in the molar ratio 1.1 to 1.4:1 [(A):(B)], and to a process for producing the same condensation product, as well as to an optical waveguide device fabricated using the same condensation product.

Abstract: An optical fiber, comprising: (i) a core having a core center and a radius or a width a, (ii) a cladding surrounding the core, and (iii) at least one stress member situated proximate to the fiber core within the cladding, said stress member comprising silica co-doped with F and at least one dopant selected from the list consisting of: GeO2, P2O5, Y2O3, TiO2 and Al2O3, wherein distance b between the stress member and the core center satisfies the following equation: 1?b/a<2.

Abstract: Provided are polymers comprising the condensation product of silicon-containing reactants. Also provided are compositions suitable for use in forming optical waveguides which include such polymers, as well as optical waveguides formed from such polymers. The polymers, compositions and optical waveguides have particular use in the formation of printed wiring boards having electrical and optical functionality.

Abstract: An optical fiber comprising a flame retardant UV light-curable tight-buffer coating coated onto the fiber, wherein said tight-buffer coating is substantially halogen-free, and has a limiting oxygen index of at least about 22%, and wherein said tight-buffer coating is removable from said fiber with a strip-force of less than about 1800 grams when the fiber is upjacketed with said coating at a line speed of at least 300 m/min.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a flexible optical waveguide including a core portion and a cladding layer which has an increment of insertion loss of 0.1 dB or less upon subjecting the waveguide to a 360° bending test at a radius of curvature of 2 mm, as well as an optical module using the flexible optical waveguide. There are provided a flexible optical waveguide having high flexing property, heat resistance and transparency, as well as an optical module using the flexible optical waveguide.

Abstract: A POF (12) comprises a core (65) having a radius of R1, an outer shell (66) and an outermost shell (67). The core (65) includes concentric layers. A first layer (61) is at the periphery side and an nth layer (64) is at the center of the core (65). The refractive index increases from the first layer (61) to the nth layer (64). The refractive index N(r) at a position where a distance r apart in a radius direction from the center of the core (65) having a radius of R1 is satisfied following equations (1) and (2) when the center of a cross-sectional circle of the core (65) has the refractive index of N1, the outermost part of the core (65) has the refractive index of N2, and a refractive index distribution coefficient is shown as g: N(r)=N1[1?2?(r/R1)g]1/2??[Equation (1)] ?=(N12?N22)/(2N12).

Abstract: A resin composition for an optical waveguide is provided, which comprises: an epoxy compound represented by the following general formula (1): wherein m is 0 or a positive integer, n is 0 or a positive integer, R and R? which may be the same or different are each represented by the following formula (2) or (3), wherein c is a positive integer of 1 to 3 and each one of c may be the same or different, and X is represented by the following formula (4): wherein a is an integer of 0 to 2, and b is a positive integer of 1 to 3, and satisfy a condition of a+b=3, and a is 1 to 3 in the epoxy compound represented by the formula (1); and a photoacid generator. The resin composition has a lower viscosity, and is excellent in flexibility and moisture absorption resistance. An optical waveguide produced by employing the resin composition is also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to photo-tunable dopant compositions comprising a photo-reactive chiral compound capable of undergoing a photochemical reaction resulting in the loss of chirality, and a triplet sensitizer. The present invention also relates to a display comprising a substrate, a liquid crystalline layer thereon, wherein the liquid crystalline layer comprises a nematic host, at least one chiral dopant, a photo-reacted compound, and a triplet sensitizer, and at least one transparent conductive layer. The present invention also relates to a method of tuning a cholesteric liquid crystal material comprising providing at least one mesogenic compound, at least one triplet sensitizer, and at least one photo-reactive chiral compound; combining the at least one mesogenic compound, at least one triplet sensitizer, and at least one photo-reactive chiral compound to form a mixture; and irradiating the mixture for a period of time.

Abstract: Using a compound of the following formula (1) makes it possible to provide an optical device having a reduced transmission loss. wherein R1 is an alkyl group having from 1 to 3 carbon atoms and having at least one fluorine atom, and R2 is an alkylene group having 1 or 2 carbon atoms.

Abstract: A light guide (1) formed from an unclad flexible polyurethane fiber produces significant side scattering (2) over distances of up to several meters. The polyurethane fiber is in the form of a solid fiber or a tube and may comprise light scattering particles. The polyurethane fiber may comprise a transparent flexible polyurethane UV resistant outer cladding. Embodiments include illuminated shoe laces, a power cord safety indicator, an illuminated dental suction tube and a dental curing tip.

Abstract: A treatment method for an optical fiber including accommodating an optical fiber inside a treatment chamber; introducing a deuterium containing gas into the treatment chamber; and in a deuterium treatment step, exposing the optical fiber to atmosphere of the deuterium containing gas. In the deuterium treatment step, a deuterium concentration D in the treatment chamber during the deuterium treatment is calculated from an initial value A of a deuterium concentration in the deuterium containing gas inside the treatment chamber, a concentration B of oxygen in an ambient atmosphere of the treatment chamber, and a concentration C of oxygen in the deuterium containing gas inside the treatment chamber, and the deuterium concentration in the treatment chamber is controlled based on the deuterium concentration D calculated. Other gases such as hydrogen containing gas or nitrogen containing gas may also be used according to the invention.

Abstract: A waveguide core made of hydrogel serves as an immobilization matrix having receptor molecules embedded therein.

Abstract: A polysilane composition characterized as containing a polysilane compound and a silicone compound in the ratio (polysilane compound:silicon compound) by weight of 80:20-5:95, and also containing an organic peroxide in the amount of 1-30 parts by weight, based on 100 parts by weight of the polysilane compound and silicone compound, wherein the silicone compound contains 40-100% by weight of a double bond containing silicon compound.

Abstract: There is provided a photosensitive resin composition for forming an optical waveguide which has high shape precision and excellent transmission characteristics under high temperature and high humidity. A composition of the present invention contains (A) a polymer having structures represented by the following general formulae (I) and (2) (in the formulae, each of R1 and R2 is independently a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group having 1 to 12 carbon atoms; R3 is an organic group containing a radical-polymerizable reactive group; X is a single bond or a bivalent organic group; and Y is a non-polymerizable organic group), (B) a compound having at least one ethylenic unsaturated group in the molecule thereof, having a molecular weight below 1,000 and having a boiling point of at least 130° C. at 0.1 MPa, and (C) a photoradical polymerization initiator.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a polymeric composition of matter. The composition includes at least one polymer matrix and plurality of quantum dots distributed therein. The polymer may be a perfluorocyclobutane polymer having high optical transmission at telecommunications wavelengths. The quantum dots may include cap compounds to increase the solubility of the quantum dots in the composition. Typical cap compounds include aromatic organic molecules. Optical devices including waveguides may be fabricated from the polymeric compositions of the invention.

Abstract: An impact resistant waveguide includes a clad surrounding a core. A reinforcing filler is incorporated in a curable silicone composition used to prepare the core, thereby imparting impact resistance to the core. A method of manufacture of the waveguide includes injecting the curable silicone composition into a clad made of silicone elastomeric tubing and thereafter curing the curable silicone composition.

Abstract: An optical amplifier including an optical waveguide layer (for example channel-shaped optical waveguide layer) including Pb1?xLax(ZryTi1?y)1?x/4O3(PLZT: 0<x<0.3, 0<y<1.0) doped with a rare earth element at an amount of 0.2 mol % to 11.0 mol %, the optical waveguide layer (for example channel-shaped optical waveguide layer) being formed as a single crystal film by solid-phase epitaxial growth.

Abstract: A heat-resisting plastic optical fiber which excels in heat resistance and mass production and a manufacturing method thereof. The heat-resisting plastic optical fiber has a core which consists of transparent resin, and clad coated on the outer periphery of the core, which consists of the resin whose refractive index is lower than that of core. Precursor of material for the core material consists of the mixture of a group of monomers which contain polyfunctional monomer and transparent thermoplastic polymer.

Abstract: Fiber optic cable systems and methods incorporating a luminescent compound-containing layer to identify cracks. Exemplary embodiments include a fiber optic cable apparatus including a core for receiving laser light emitted from a VCSEL for the detection of faults in the fiber optic cable, a cladding disposed around the core, the cladding having an index of retraction differential with the core thereby allowing containment of light within the core by total internal reflection within the core, a buffer disposed around the cladding, the buffer capable of receiving LED emitted light for the detection of faults in the fiber optic cable, a braiding layer disposed around the buffer and configured to allow LED light to transmit from the buffer, and a jacket disposed around the braiding layer, the jacket having optical properties to receive LED light transmitted down the buffer in response to VCSEL light having been unsuccessfully transmitted down the core.

Abstract: There is provided a polymer composition comprising 5 to 100% by mass of a unit (A) of a lactone compound represented by a general formula (1) and 0 to 95% by mass of a unit (B) of (meth)acrylate as constitutional units, wherein the unit (A) of a lactone compound comprises a unit of an (S) isomer represented by a general formula (2) and a unit of an (R) isomer represented by a general formula (3) at a mass ratio of from 70/30 to 30/70; and wherein the polymer composition has a total light scattering loss of not more than 100 dB/km. The polymer composition is excellent in heat resistance and transparency.

Abstract: The invention relates to a fiber optic material which comprises a polymer and at least one organic compound introduced therein. Said organic compound is a condensed aromatic ring system having two or more aromatic rings that are isocyclic or heterocyclic, wherein every heteroatom is associated with exactly one ring if the ring is heterocyclic. The fiber optic material according to the invention is preferably used for the core of an optical waveguide.

Abstract: A method of producing opto-electronic cards and printed circuit boards which are adapted to provide for passive alignment of VCSELs to waveguides. Also provided are opto-electronic cards and printed circuit boards which incorporate structure providing for the passive alignment of VCSELs to waveguides.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a flexible film optical waveguide, which is in flexible film form and includes upper and lower cladding layers, each of which is formed of an organic-inorganic hybrid material, and a core layer provided between the upper and lower cladding layers and formed of an organic-inorganic hybrid material having a refractive index higher than that of the organic-inorganic hybrid material of each of the upper and lower cladding layers. In addition, a method of fabricating such a flexible film optical waveguide is also provided.

Abstract: The present invention has an object to provide a photosensitive resin composition for optical waveguide formation, which has low transmission loss and can form a waveguide pattern with high shape accuracy at low cost; an optical waveguide; and a method for producing an optical waveguide. The present invention provides a photosensitive resin composition for optical waveguide formation comprising at least: a polymer containing at least a (meth)acrylate structure unit having an epoxy structure, and a (meth)acrylate structure unit having a lactone structure and/or a vinyl monomer structure unit having an aromatic structure; and a photoacid generator, of which one or both of a core layer and a cladding layer are formed of a cured product.

Abstract: A novel single point leaky waveguide structure and its use as an optical sensor for the detection of particles is disclosed. The waveguide structure is fabricated to increase the overlap of the evanescent field extension from the sensor surface with particles in the bulk solution of a flowing system so as to place most of the volume of the particles within the evanescent field. Increasing the overlap of the evanescent field with the particles and permitting mode propagation along the direction of flow for a few millimetres provides an effective interrogation approach for multiple particle detection in a single flow channel.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a polymeric composition of matter. The composition includes at least one polymer matrix and plurality of quantum dots distributed therein. The polymer may be a perfluorocyclobutane polymer having high optical transmission at telecommunications wavelengths. The quantum dots may include cap compounds to increase the solubility of the quantum dots in the composition. Typical cap compounds include aromatic organic molecules. Optical devices including waveguides may be fabricated from the polymeric compositions of the invention.

Abstract: A polyurethane elastic fiber, containing inorganic compound particles that have an average particle size of 0.5 to 5 mm and that show a refractive index of 1.4 to 1.6, having at least one protruded portion that has a maximum width of 0.5 to 5 ?m, in the fiber surface, per 120-?m length in the fiber axis direction.

Abstract: To provide to a resin composition for an optical packaging material having a coefficient of thermal expansion approximately same as that of quartz and Pyrex (registered trade name) and capable of providing an optical packaging material exhibiting excellent flame retardancy and an optical packaging component, and an optical module and its production method. A molded body, an optical packaging component and an optical module having a low coefficient of thermal expansion and excellent flame retardancy can be obtained using a resin composition for an optical packaging material comprising a resin and inorganic fine particles which are made of a hydrolyzed condensate compound of an alkoxide compound and/or a carboxylic acid salt compound and have an average radius of gyration of 50 nm or smaller.

Abstract: A POF (12) comprises a core (65) having a radius of R1, an outer shell (66) and an outermost shell (67). The core (65) includes concentric layers. A first layer (61) is at the periphery side and an nth layer (64) is at the center of the core (65). The refractive index increases from the first layer (61) to the nth layer (64).

Abstract: Disclosed is an optical waveguide-forming curable resin composition and optical waveguide-forming curable dry film which are capable of forming cured resin articles that have high heat resistance, excellent mechanical strength and high transparency, and possess properties required for forming optical waveguides, such as low thermal expansion, low transmission loss, etc. The present invention provides a curable resin composition for forming an optical waveguide, the composition comprising a hydrolyzable silyl-containing silane-modified epoxy resin (A) having an average of at least one hydrolyzable silyl group and an average of at least one epoxy group per molecule; and a resin (B) having, per molecule, an average of at least one functional group that is reactive with an epoxy group; and an optical waveguide-forming curable dry film formed using the resin composition.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a polymeric composition of matter. The composition includes at least one polymer matrix and plurality of quantum dots distributed therein. The polymer may be a perfluorocyclobutane polymer having high optical transmission at telecommunications wavelengths. The quantum dots may include cap compounds to increase the solubility of the quantum dots in the composition. Typical cap compounds include aromatic organic molecules. Optical devices including waveguides may be fabricated from the polymeric compositions of the invention.

Abstract: An organometallic polymer material is obtained which excels in translucency, shows improved hardness after it is cured and exhibits high reliability at high temperature and high humidity. Characteristically, the organometallic polymer material contains an organometallic polymer having an —M—O—M— bond (M indicates a metal atom), a metal alkoxide having a single hydrolyzable group and/or its hydrolysate and an organic polymer having a urethane bond and a methacryloxy or acryloxy group, and preferably further contains an organic anhydride and/or an organic acid.

Abstract: A biological or chemical optical sensing device comprises at least one planar micro-resonator structure included in a light emitting waveguide, and at least one biological or chemical probe bound to at least a part of the micro-resonator structure, the probe operative to bind specifically and selectively to a respective target substance, whereby the specific and selective binding results in a parameter change in light emitted from the waveguide. In one embodiment, the micro-resonator is linear. In some embodiments, the sensing device is active, the waveguide including at least one photoluminescent material operative to be remotely pumped by a remote optical source, and the parameter change, which may include a spectral change or a quality-factor change, may be remotely read by an optical reader.

Abstract: Materials transparent to terahertz waves are very limited, and it is difficult to obtain the required performance by selecting the material. Further, it is also difficult to search for a novel material. Therefore, by letting a known material transparent to terahertz waves have a photonic crystal structure and controlling the structure, an optical waveguide having the required properties is provided. An optical waveguide for propagation of far-infrared radiation in the terahertz region, which optical waveguide is made of a fluorinated amorphous polymer. Particularly preferred is a polymer having a fluorinated aliphatic ring structure in its main chain, obtained by cyclopolymerization of a fluorinated monomer having at least two polymerizable double bonds.

Abstract: This invention pertains to optical fiber transmission networks, and is particularly relevant to transmission of high volume of data and voice traffic among different locations. In particular, the improvement teaches improvements to an optical transport system to allow for efficient and flexible network evolution.

Abstract: An optical fiber comprising: (i) a silica based passive core having a first index of refraction n1; (ii) a silica based cladding surrounding the core and having a second index of refraction n2, such that n1>n2, said cladding having at least one stress rod and at least one air hole extending longitudinally through the length of said optical fiber; and (iii) wherein said optical fiber supports a single polarization mode or poses polarization maintaining properties within the operating wavelength range.