Abstract: Optical waveguide structures containing siloxane resin composistions as core materials and a method for preparing the waveguides are disclosed. The siloxane resin compositions can be cured by thermal energy or actinic radiation. In addition, conventional patterning techniques can be used, which makes the present method ideal for practicing on a commercial scale. The optical waveguides of the invention exhibit very low optical losses and are compatible with silicon processing requirements, which makes them useful in integrated circuitry. In addition, the high refractive index contrasts between the siloxane resin core and various claddings, including other siloxane resins, makes the waveguides particularly desirable.

Abstract: Structures and methods for preventing fluorine diffusion from a fluorinated dielectric material having a low dielectric constant are disclosed. Various fluorine diffusion barriers are described, each of which comprises doped or undoped silicon in combination with tantalum, tantalum nitride, tantalum silicide, cobalt, cobalt silicide, or mixtures thereof. Fluorine diffusion from fluorinated dielectrics is stopped by the barriers at temperatures as high as 450° C. In practice, one of the disclosed fluorine diffusion barriers is positioned between a fluorine-containing insulator and a conductive metal interconnect or metal interconnect diffusion barrier, thereby preventing diffusion of the fluorine atoms into the adjacent interconnect/barrier.

Abstract: A method is described for the simultaneous preparation of p-bromophenols and p-benzoquinones, intermediates useful in the preparation of hydroquinones and 4,4′-dihydroxybiphenyls, respectively. Hydroquinones and 4,4′-dihydroxybiphenyls are useful monomers for the preparation of a variety of polymers. The method also comprises reducing the p-benzoquinone to its corresponding hydroquinone in the presence of the p-bromophenol. Limiting the amount of HBr present in the reaction mixture was shown to control the amount of benzoquinone produced. The method also allows for the recycling of many of the reagents used, thereby reducing the cost of producing each monomer.

Abstract: Controllable fiber optic attenuators and attenuation systems are disclosed for controllably extracting optical energy from a fiber optic, and therefore attenuating the optical signal being transmitted through the fiber optic. Material removed from a portion of the fiber optic exposes a side surface through which optical energy can be extracted. The portion of the fiber is suspended between two support points, and a controllable material is formed over the surface for controllably extracting optical energy according to a changeable stimulus applied thereto, which affects the refractive index thereof. In one embodiment, the changeable stimulus is light energy from a light source having a different wavelength from the wavelength of the optical energy of interest.

Abstract: Diaryliodonium salts are disclosed, as well as a method for preparing them, in which one of the aryl groups bonded to the positively-charged iodine ion contains a methyl substituent, and the other one contains a hydroxyl-substituted alkoxy group. The salts are synthesized from (o, m, or p)-iodotoluene, as opposed to iodobenzene, and therefore do not pose a carcinogenic risk. In addition, the present salts are unexpectedly more soluble in most organic solvents, as well as in nonpolar monomers, than the corresponding benzene catalysts. The salts are useful as cationic photoinitiators, cationic thermal initiators (often combined with a cocatalyst, e.g. copper), and as starting materials in the synthesis of urethane-containing iodonium salts.

Abstract: A substrate that is substantially non-wettable to adhesive resin is disclosed. The substrate is coated with a fluorinated silane composition. Preferable fluorosilane compositions include perfluoroalkyl alkylsilanes of Formula III: R5nR6mSiX4−(n+m)  III wherein R5 is a perfluoroalkyl alkyl radical; R6 is alkyl or alkenyl; X is acetoxy, halogen or alkoxy; n is 1 or 2; and m is 0 or 1. The composition is preferably applied in solution and upon evaporation of the solvent, forms a durable, non-wetting, yet well-adhering surface. In a preferred embodiment, the substrate is a chip carrier with enhanced wire bondability for use in the manufacture of a semiconductor device.

Abstract: Novel dye/polymer compositions are disclosed, which when used in connection with fiber optic devices, provide a uniform spectral response across a broadband wavelength region. The dye/polymer compositions contain an infrared absorbing dye having an absorption maximum from about 900 to about 1300 nm. One or more polar olefin copolymers containing monomers derived from polar olefins having an ester, benzene, or halogen substitutent attached, is/are chemically bonded to the dye. Optionally, a detached polar olefin copolymer may be blended with the dye-appended copolymer. Also disclosed is a broadband optical device comprising the novel dye/polymer compositions formed over an optical fiber. Improvements in the uniformity of spectral response and performance are observed across a wavelength band. Variable optical attenuators, switches, shutters, and couplers can be designed which incorporate the dye/polymer compositions. The invention is particularly useful in the 1500-1700 nm wavelength band.

Abstract: Novel attenuators for use in single-channel applications are disclosed. The attenuators include a crosslinked siloxane copolymer composition, prepared by crosslinking a vinyl-terminated dimethylsiloxane-diphenylsiloxane copolymer with a silane crosslinking agent in the presence of a platinum catalyst. The crosslinked copolymer overlies a portion of a side-polished optical fiber or tapered optical fiber. Optical energy propagating through the fiber can be extracted when the refractive index of the crosslinked material is varied about that of the optical fiber. The attenuators are useful in single-channel applications, such as the ever-popular 1310 nm and 1550 nm wavelengths.

Abstract: A method for safely treating and disposing of infectious biomedical waste and other hazardous materials is disclosed. The method involves alkaline hydrolysis of infectious agents contained in regulated medical waste or hazardous waste solutions. The infectious waste is immersed into a highly basic solvent which is then heated. The material containing the infectious agents is allowed to remain within the heated solvent until the hydrolyzable matter is fully digested, thereby forming a sterile solution and sterile solid waste. The sterile soluti and solid waste may then be disposed of through standard means, such as in a sanitary sewage system or local landfill facility. The method also provides for the treatment of lipid soluble hazardous material contained in the regulated medical waste.

Abstract: Novel polymer compositions for controlling or correcting dispersion mismatch between the composition and a side-fiber polished optical fiber are disclosed. The polymer compositions contain an infrared absorbing dye having an absorption maximum from about 900 to about 1200 nm and and a polar olefin copolymer containing monomers which are formed from polar olefins having an ester, benzene, or halogen substitutent attached. A method for controlling the dispersion exhibited by the novel polymer compositions is also disclosed. The method includes forming the polymer composition over an exposed surface of an optical fiber. Dispersion is controlled by controlling the amount of dye present in the polymer composition. Also disclosed is an optical device from which improvements in the uniformity of spectral response and performance are observed across a wavelength band. The optical device includes the polymer composition formed over an optical fiber.

Abstract: A method for safely treating and disposing of infectious biomedical waste and other hazardous materials is disclosed. The method involves alkaline hydrolysis of infectious agents contained in regulated medical waste or hazardous waste solutions. The infectious waste is immersed into a highly basic solvent (>130° C.,>2.79 atm) until the hydrolyzable matter is fully digested, thereby forming a sterile solution and sterile solid waste. The sterile solution and solid waste may then be disposed of through standard means, such as in a sanitary sewage system or local landfill facility. The method also provides for the treatment of lipid soluble hazardous material contained in the regulated medical waste.

Abstract: A method for constructing oxide electrodes for use in an OxFET device is disclosed. The electrodes are formed by first depositing a double layer of conducting perovskite oxides onto an insulating oxide substrate. A resist pattern with the electrode configuration is then defined over the double layer by means of conventional lithography. The top oxide layer is ion milled to a depth preferably beyond the conducting oxide interface, but without reaching the substrate. Chemical etching or RIE is used to remove the part of the lower conductive oxide layer exposed by ion milling without damaging the substrate. Source and drain electrodes are thereby defined, which can be then be used as buried contacts for other perovskites that tend to react with metals. Also disclosed is a field effect transistor structure which includes these source and drain electrodes in a buried channel configuration.

Abstract: Chiral organic polymers doped with or appended by nonlinear optical dyes are disclosed. The use of chiral polymers produces a more stable noncentrosymmetric environment for the dye molecules resulting in unexpectedly long relaxation times as compared with previously used organic polymers. In addition, the NLO/chiral polymer materials exhibit high electro-optical coefficients (r33), high nonlinear optical coefficients (d33), improved long-term thermal stability, and at the same time retain the processing advantages associated with organic polymers. Thus, the present NLO/chiral polymer materials are extremely well-suited for use in second-order nonlinear optical and optoelectronics devices.

Abstract: Novel polymer compositions for controlling or correcting dispersion mismatch between the composition and a side-fiber polished optical fiber are disclosed. The polymer compositions contain an infrared absorbing dye having an absorption maximum from about 900 to about 1200 mn and and a polar olefin copolymer containing monomers which are formed from polar olefins having an ester, benzene, or halogen substituent attached. A method for controlling the dispersion exhibited by the novel polymer compositions is also disclosed. The method includes forming the polymer composition over an exposed surface of an optical fiber. Dispersion is controlled by controlling the amount of dye present in the polymer composition. Also disclosed is an optical device from which improvements in the uniformity of spectral response and performance are observed across a wavelength band. The optical device includes the polymer composition formed over an optical fiber.

Abstract: Optical waveguides prepared by irradiating selected regions of positive photochromic polymeric materials with actinic radiation are disclosed. The photochromic materials undergo an irreversible photochemical change which results in an increase in the refractive index of light-exposed regions. In addition, the materials exhibit negligible second-order polarizability prior to exposure and excellent nonlinear optical properties after exposure and polarization. Thus, the exposed regions are particularly useful as the core in active waveguides for use in second-order nonlinear optical applications, as well as the core in passive waveguides. In addition, a simple two step process is disclosed for forming optical waveguides from the positive photochromic polymers. Optical structures, such as optical integrated circuits, and optical devices which incorporate the waveguides are also disclosed.

Abstract: Novel polymer compositions for controlling or correcting dispersion mismatch between the composition and a side-fiber polished optical fiber are disclosed. The polymer compositions contain an infrared absorbing dye having an absorption maximum from about 900 to about 1200 nm and and a polar olefin copolymer containing monomers which are formed from polar olefins having an ester, benzene, or halogen substitutent attached. A method for controlling the dispersion exhibited by the novel polymer compositions is also disclosed. The method includes forming the polymer composition over an exposed surface of an optical fiber. Dispersion is controlled by controlling the amount of dye present in the polymer composition. Also disclosed is an optical device from which improvements in the uniformity of spectral response and performance are observed across a wavelength band. The optical device includes the polymer composition formed over an optical fiber.

Abstract: Linear polycarbonate polymers are disclosed which contain spirobiindanol derivatives regularly alternating in the polymeric chain with derivatives of dihydroxyaromatic compounds, such as biphenols and bisphenols. These clear spirobiindane-dihydroxyaromatic polycarbonates exhibit high glass transition temperatures and exhibit good mechanical and optical properties. In addition, the alternating polycarbonates are thermally stable and remain ductile even at temperatures greater than 150° C. The polycarbonates are therefore useful in high temperature processing and optical applications. The disclosed polycarbonates exhibit indices of refraction that differ sufficiently from those of randomly distributed SBI/BPA polycarbonates to make them useful in the manufacture of optical waveguides.