Abstract: Polymeric optical elements and method for making a polymeric optical elements are provided. The method can include forming a solution by dissolving a polymer in a solvent or melting a polymer to form a liquid. The solution can be filtered with a first filter comprising a pore size of 10 microns or less. The solution can be further filtered with a second filter, wherein the second filter comprises sintered metal. A polymeric optical element can then be formed from the solution.

Abstract: An optical waveguide is provided. The optical waveguide includes a polymer substrate and a lower cladding disposed on the substrate. The lower cladding is a first perhalogenated polymer. The optical waveguide also includes a core disposed on at least a portion of the lower cladding. A method of manufacturing the optical waveguide is also provided.

Abstract: A microresonator is provided that incorporates a composite material comprising a polymer matrix and nanoparticles dispersed therein. The microresonator includes the composite material having a shape that is bounded at least in part by a reflecting surface. The shape of the microresonator allows a discrete electromagnetic frequency to set up a standing wave mode. Advantageously, the polymer matrix comprises at least one halogenated polymer and the dispersed nanoparticles comprise an outer coating layer, which may also comprise a halogenated polymer. Methods for making composite materials and microresonators are also provided. Applications include, for example, active and passive switches, add/drop filters, modulators, isolators, and integrated optical switch array circuits.

Abstract: The present invention provides a polymer blend comprising a general composition including a rare earth element, an elements of Group VIA an elements of Group VA a first fully halogenated organic group a second fully halogenated organic group, and one of a perfluoropolymer, a flouropolymer, and an optical polymer. Methods of forming the polymer blend are also disclosed.

Abstract: A microresonator is provided that incorporates a composite material comprising a polymer matrix and nanoparticles dispersed therein. The microresonator includes the composite material having a shape that is bounded at least in part by a reflecting surface. The shape of the microresonator allows a discrete electromagnetic frequency to set up a standing wave mode. Advantageously, the polymer matrix comprises at least one halogenated polymer and the dispersed nanoparticles comprise an outer coating layer, which may also comprise a halogenated polymer. Methods for making composite materials and microresonators are also provided. Applications include, for example, active and passive switches, add/drop filters, modulators, isolators, and integrated optical switch array circuits.

Abstract: The present invention relates to optical waveguide devices and optical waveguide amplifiers for amplification in a range from 1.5 &mgr;m to about 1.6 &mgr;m wavelength. The present invention also relates to planar optical waveguides, fiber waveguides, and communications systems employing them. The optical waveguide devices according to the present invention comprise a polymer host matrix. Within the polymer host matrix, a plurality of nanoparticles can be incorporated to form a polymer nanocomposite. To obtain amplification in the above-described range, the nanoparticles comprises Erbium. The host matrix itself may comprise composite materials, such as polymer nanocomposites, and further the nanoparticles themselves may comprise composite materials.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a class of random glassy polymer materials, namely nanoporous polymer materials, which contain pores with dimensions ranging from about 1 nm to about 1000 nm. The present invention also discloses a method of making a nanoporous polymer material by controlling the size, shape, volume fraction, and topological features of the pores, which comprises annealing the polymer material at a temperature above its glass transition temperature. The present invention further discloses the use of the resulting nanoporous polymer material to make devices, such as optical devices. For example, the resulting nanoporous polymer can be used to make a planar waveguide that can exhibit an optical loss of less than 0.5 dB/cm.

Abstract: The present invention relates to composite materials comprising a host matrix, and a plurality of magneto-optic nanoparticles within the host matrix, a process of forming a composite material comprising coating a plurality of magneto-optic nanoparticles with at least one polymer layer, and dispersing the plurality of coated nanoparticles into a host matrix material, and thin-film magneto-optic articles, and optical components, such as integrated optical components, as well as optical devices, such as optical rotators, such as Faraday rotators, optical isolators, optical circulators, optical modulators, waveguides, and amplifiers, comprising the composite material according to the present invention.

Abstract: A multifunctional integrated optical waveguide is provided. The planar optical waveguide structure includes an active gain medium for optical amplification, and a passive component(s) (i.e. arrayed waveguide grating, splitter, and tap) for processing the signal (i.e. multiplexing, demultiplexing, monitoring, add-dropping, routing and splits) on a solid substrate.

Abstract: The present invention is related to a process of making an optical polymer, comprising densifying a halogenated polymer by including therein at least one plasticizer in an effective amount so that the resulting optical polymer can exhibit a low optical loss, such as less than 0.5 dB/cm; and an optical polymer made therefrom and its use in optical devices; as well as a process of making an optical polymer film, which can be a substantially microporous free structure and can exhibit a low optical loss.

Abstract: The present invention relates to optical waveguide devices and optical waveguide amplifiers for amplification in a range from 1.27 &mgr;m to about 1.6 &mgr;m wavelength, advantageously for about 1.3 &mgr;m wavelength amplification. The present invention also relates to planar optical waveguides, fiber waveguides, and communications systems employing them. The optical waveguide devices according to the present invention comprise a host matrix including polymers, solvents, crystals, and liquid crystals. Within the host matrix, a plurality of nanoparticles can be mixed to form a nanocomposite. The host matrix itself may comprise composite materials, such as polymer nanocomposites.

Abstract: An optical waveguide assembly is disclosed. The optical waveguide assembly includes having a substrate face, a cladding disposed on the substrate, and a waveguide core disposed within the cladding. The waveguide core has a waveguide core face such that the waveguide core face is aligned with the substrate face. The assembly further comprises a fiber support assembly having a support face in contact with the substrate face and a fiber having a fiber core face optically aligned with the waveguide core face. Non-adhesive means fixedly connects the substrate face to the support face. A method of non-adhesively bonding an optical waveguide to a fiber support is also disclosed.

Abstract: A solid substrate comprising a first major surface, a second major surface juxtaposed from and parallel or substantially parallel to the first major surface, wherein the substrate has a plurality of surface relief structures, located on the substrate between the first and second major surfaces, and extending over the substrate; wherein the solid substrate comprises a host matrix, and at least one nanoparticle within the host matrix.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a composite material comprising a nanoporous polymer matrix and a plurality of nanoparticles dispersed within said matrix, wherein the nanoparticles possess specified thermal properties. The resulting nanoporous polymer nanocomposite is an optical medium with tunable and controllable thermal properties, including the coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE), the thermal conductivity, and the thermooptic coefficient.

Abstract: A composite material that includes a host matrix and a plurality of dispersed nanoparticles within the host matrix. Each of the plurality of nanoparticles may include a halogenated outer coating layer that seals the nanoparticle and prevents agglomeration of the nanoparticles within the host matrix. The invention also includes a process of forming the composite material. Depending on the nanoparticle material, the composite material may have various applications including, but not limited to, optical devices, windowpanes, mirrors, mirror panels, optical lenses, optical lens arrays, optical displays, liquid crystal displays, cathode ray tubes, optical filters, optical components, all these more generally referred to as components.

Abstract: In accordance with the invention, the present invention provides for a polymer comprised of a general composition. The polymer has a first rare earth element, a second rare earth element, one of the elements of Group VIA, one of the elements of Group VA, a first fully halogenated organic group, a second fully halogenated organic group. A method of manufacturing the polymer is also disclosed.

Abstract: A tunable waveguide laser includes a laser cavity with a length of polymer waveguide doped with rare-earth elements and having reflectors at either end. The output wavelength of the waveguide laser depends on the configuration of the reflectors, which are generally optical gratings. Temperature control elements, such as resistive heaters, are used to adjust the temperature of the reflectors. The change in temperature causes a change in the configuration of the reflectors resulting in a shift in output wavelength. The temperature of the reflectors are controlled to achieve a desired output wavelength.

Abstract: In accordance with the invention, the present invention provides for a polymer comprised of a general composition. The polymer has a first rare earth element, a second rare earth element, one of the elements of Group VIA, one of the elements of Group VA, a first fully halogenated organic group, a second fully halogenated organic group. A method of manufacturing the polymer is also disclosed.

Abstract: An optical waveguide assembly is disclosed. The optical waveguide assembly includes having a substrate face, a cladding disposed on the substrate, and a waveguide core disposed within the cladding. The waveguide core has a waveguide core face such that the waveguide core face is aligned with the substrate face. The assembly further comprises a fiber support assembly having a support face in contact with the substrate face and a fiber having a fiber core face optically aligned with the waveguide core face. Non-adhesive means fixedly connects the substrate face to the support face. A method of non-adhesively bonding an optical waveguide to a fiber support is also disclosed.

Abstract: A planar optical waveguide is provided. The waveguide includes a substrate having a top surface, a first end, an opposing second end, and a first channel extending from the first end toward the second end along the top surface. The first channel has a first sidewall extending toward the second end, a second sidewall extending toward the second end, and an endwall engaging the first sidewall and the second sidewall. A cladding layer is disposed on the top surface of the substrate. A core is disposed within the cladding layer. The core has a first end generally co-planar with the endwall and a second end. A method of manufacturing the waveguide and connecting the waveguide to an optical fiber is also provided.