Abstract: This invention provides process embodiments for fabricating polymeric channel or rib optical waveguides.An invention optical waveguide has a channel or rib structure which has a polymer thin film smooth-wall lining on its surfaces to minimize optical loss by scattering of propagating wave energy.The smooth-wall channel waveguide polymeric medium is in combination with polymeric cladding thin films to form a laminated matrix. The polymers in the waveguiding medium and the lining and cladding thin films of the laminated matrix preferably have side chains which exhibit second order nonlinear optical susceptibility, and which can be molecularly oriented by an electric field.

Abstract: This invention provides a thin film waveguide electrooptic intensity modulation device. The thin film waveguide is an isotropic organic medium which exhibits nonlinear optical response. The device is adapted to modulate waveguided radiation by refractive index change commensurate with change in an applied electric field.

Abstract: This invention provides optical devices with an organic nonlinear optical component which is a transparent medium of a wholly aromatic polymer which exhibits a third order nonlinear optical susceptibility .chi..sup.(3) of at least about 1.times.10.sup.-12 esu.Illustrative of an invention embodiment is an ultrafast all-optical gate device with a transparent poly([benzo(1,2-d:4,5-d')bisthiazole-2,6-diyl]-1,4-phenylene) optical component which exhibits a third order nonlinear optical susceptibility .chi..sup.(3) of 10.times.10.sup.-12 esu.

Abstract: This invention provides a thin film waveguide electrooptic intensity modulation device. The thin film waveguide is an isotropic organic medium which exhibits nonlinear optical response. The device is adapted to modulate waveguided radiation by refractive index change commensurate with change in an applied electric field.