Abstract: Described herein are photo-patternable sol-gel precursors and their methods of preparation. The sol-gel precursors are thermally stable and form compositions that have high refractive indices and low optical loss values. The precursors can be used to make sol-gel compositions that are ideally suited toward optical waveguide applications in the realm of telecommunications wavelengths.

Abstract: Described herein are compositions that are photorefractive upon irradiation by multiple laser wavelengths across the visible light spectrum. Embodiments of the photorefractive composition comprise a polymer, a chromophore, and a sensitizer, wherein the polymer comprises a repeating unit including at least a moiety selected from the group consisting of the formulae (Ia), (Ib) and (Ic), as defined herein. The photorefractive composition can be used in optical devices.

Abstract: Described herein are photo-patternable sol-gel precursors and their methods of preparation. The sol-gel precursors are thermally stable and form compositions that have high refractive indices and low optical loss values. The precursors can be used to make sol-gel compositions that are ideally suited toward optical waveguide applications in the realm of telecommunications wavelengths.

Abstract: A family of bisacenaphthopyrazinoquinoxaline derivatives of formula (I) and (II) is disclosed. These compounds are capable of forming liquid crystal systems that can produce optically isotropic or anisotropic films with desirable optical properties: (I), (II) wherein Ri, R2, Rs, R4, R5 and R& are each independently selected from —H, —SO3M, —OH, —NH2, —Cl, —Br, —I, —NO2, —F, —CF3, —CN, —COOH, —CONH2, alkyl, aryl, alkynyl, alkenyl, alkoxyl, alkylamino, phenoxyl, and phenylamino groups; M is one or more counter ions; j is the number of counter ions associated with the compound; and n is an integer in the range of 1 to S.

Abstract: Described herein are sol-gel compositions, sol-gel composition precursors, and methods of fabricating photo-patterned structures on a substrate. The sol-gel compositions possess a combination of high refractive index and low optical loss, even without incorporating metal oxides or metal alkoxides. The sol-gel compositions are further useful in waveguide fabrication applications, especially at the telecommunication wavelength range of 1300-1600 nm. Furthermore, the fabrication of patterned structures using the sol-gel compositions described herein can be achieved in a variety of substrates, including, for example, silicon-on-silica substrates and molybdenum-on-glass substrates.

Abstract: An optical device composition of the present invention includes a trifluorovinyl group containing polyimide that is crosslinkable and thermally stable after crosslinking. The invention relates to a polyimide composition which provides either passive or active wave-guide optical capabilities. More particularly since the composition comprises a chromophore which shows non-linear optical ability, the composition can be used for an active wave guide material, such as modulator or switching device compositions. Furthermore, the composition may include a trifluorovinyl containing chromophore and polyimide which comprises non-linear optical ability in the matrix polymer system.

Abstract: An optical device composition of the present invention includes a trifluorovinyl group containing polyimide that is crosslinkable and thermally stable after crosslinking. The invention relates to a polyimide composition which provides either passive or active wave-guide optical capabilities. More particularly since the composition comprises a chromophore which shows non-linear optical ability, the composition can be used for an active wave guide material, such as modulator or switching device compositions. Furthermore, the composition may include a trifluorovinyl containing chromophore and polyimide which comprises non-linear optical ability in the matrix polymer system.