Abstract: The invention pertains to a cross-linkable fluorinated polymer comprising the carbonate moiety having formula (I) wherein n=1-10 and m=0-9. Preferably, the polymer further comprises a cross-linkable moiety derived from a diol selected from (II) and (III) wherein A, A1, and A2 are independently a bond or C1-12 alkylene, or together with the carbon atoms to which they are bonded form a 5- or 6-membered ring; B is independently O or C1-4 alkyl; Q is —CO—C(=E)D, wherein D is H or C1-4 alkyl, and E is C1-6 alkylidene; and each of the alkyl, alkylene, and alkylidene groups may be halogenated. The polymers of the invention can be used in cladding layers or waveguides, in particular for thermo-optical devices.

Abstract: The invention relates to a polymeric waveguide comprising a lanthanide ion-sensitizer complex, characterized in that the lanthanide ion is preferably neodymium(III) ion (Nd3+), ytterbium(III) ion (Yb3+), or erbium(III) ion (Er3+), and the sensitizer absorbs in the 400-1200 nm region, and preferably in the 600-1000 nm region. The invention also relates to an optical device comprising the same.

Abstract: An optical device is disclosed for interleaving or de-interleaving optical channels. A beam splitter combiner provides the function of splitting an incoming beam into two sub-beams which are then fed respectively to a first and second different GT resonator. The GT resonators provide a feedback signal in response to receiving the first and second sub-beams of light, respectively, to the beam splitter/combiner.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a polymeric optical waveguide device, such as an optical switch, splitter, phased array, Mach Zehnder interferometer, or the like, comprising at least one polymer waveguide channel embedded in a polymer cladding, said waveguide channel having a refractive index higher than that of the cladding and comprising at least one bend or curved section at least part of which has a refractive index contrast higher than that in the rest of the waveguide channel. The devices according to the invention are relatively compact.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a cross-linker of the formula wherein n is 0 or 1; m is 0 or 1; R is and R1 is independently OH or —CO—O(hydroxyphenyl), or of the formula with the proviso that 3,4-dihydroxyphenylmaleimide is excluded. The invention further pertains to cross-linked optical polycarbonate and optical articles obtainable by cross-linking a polycarbonate with this cross-linker or with 3,4-dihydroxyphenylmaleimide.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a thermo-optical switch comprising at least one input channel, one output channel, one switching channel, and one heating element, where for at least part of the cross-sections of the switch the position of the heating element has been selected such that the difference in effective refractive index, in the switched state, between two of the output channels in said cross-section is at least 80% of the maximally attainable difference. As a result, the load on the switches can be reduced substantially, increasing their lifespan.

Abstract: The present disclosure pertains to a method for making a hermetically sealed package which includes a housing, a lid and a feedthrough for at least one stripped fiber. The method includes the following steps: 1) placing at least one optical fiber and at least one solder preform between the sealing surface of the lid and the sealing surface of the housing; and 2) sealing the assembly by applying pressure and heat so as to press the fiber (or fibers) into the solder.

Abstract: The invention pertains to an optical switch matrix comprising n input channels, branching means for dividing the input channels up into p branched channels, merging means for merging the p branched channels into m output channels, and optical fibers for connecting the output channels of the branching means with the input channels of the merging means, wherein n, m, and p are natural numbers greater than or equal to 2, and wherein the branching means, the fibers, and the merging means are each attached to a separate substrate or a separate group of substrates. The optical switching matrix according to the invention is very compact and allows efficient use of the materials available for the manufacture thereof.