Abstract: A method of cleaning semiconductor wafers using an acid cleaner followed by an alkaline cleaner to clean contaminants from the materials is provided. The acid cleaner removes substantially all of the metal contaminants while the alkaline cleaner removes substantially all of the non-metal contaminants, such as organics and particulate material.

Abstract: A method of cleaning semiconductor wafers using an acid cleaner followed by an alkaline cleaner to clean contaminants from the materials is provided. The acid cleaner removes substantially all of the metal contaminants while the alkaline cleaner removes substantially all of the non-metal contaminants, such as organics and particulate material.

Abstract: Provided are methods of forming a printed circuit board having optical functionality. The methods involve: (a) providing a first, printed circuit board substrate; (b) forming an optical waveguide structure comprising a clad and a core structure on a second substrate separate from the printed circuit board substrate, wherein the optical waveguide structure comprises a silicon-containing material; (c) separating the optical waveguide structure from the second substrate; and (d) affixing the optical waveguide structure to the printed circuit board substrate. The invention has particular applicability in the electronics and optoelectronics industries for the formation of hybrid printed circuit boards.

Abstract: Optical interface assemblies are provided. The optical interface assemblies include a first portion having a plurality of optical waveguides. The first portion is configured for mating engagement with an optical fiber connector. A second portion is mated to the first portion. The second portion is configured for mating engagement with an electronic substrate that includes an embedded waveguide assembly. The first and second portions are further configured so as to align the plurality of optical waveguides, at a first end of the first portion, with a plurality of corresponding waveguide cores of the embedded waveguide assembly. The first and second portions are further configured so as to align the plurality of optical waveguides, at a second end of the first portion, with a plurality of corresponding optical fibers in the optical fiber connector. Also provided are electronic assemblies and methods for coupling optical fibers with electronic substrate embedded waveguides.

Abstract: Provided is a dry-film suitable for use in forming an optical component. The dry-film includes a carrier substrate having a front surface and a back surface. A non-photoimageable, thermally curable polymeric layer is provided over the front surface of the carrier substrate. The polymeric layer includes a thermally active component and units of the formula (RSiO1.5), wherein R is a substituted or unsubstituted organic group. A protective cover layer is disposed over the front or back surface of the carrier substrate. Also provided are methods of forming optical devices with dry-films. The invention finds particular applicability in the optoelectronics industry.

Abstract: Provided is a dry-film suitable for use in forming an optical component. The dry-film includes a carrier substrate having a front surface and a back surface. A negative-working photoimageable polymeric layer is disposed over the front surface of the carrier substrate, and includes a photoactive component and units of the formula (RSiO1.5), wherein R is a substituted or unsubstituted organic group. In each of the units, R is free of hydroxy groups. The units include units of the formula (R1SiO1.5) and (R2SiO1.5), wherein R1 is a substituted or unsubstituted aliphatic group and R2 is a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic group. A protective cover layer is disposed over the front surface or back surface of the carrier substrate. Also provided are methods of forming optical devices with dry-films. The invention finds particular applicability in the optoelectronics industry.

Abstract: Provided are compositions which include a polymer, having units of the formula (RSiO1.5), wherein R is a substituted or unsubstituted organic group, and a plurality of functional end groups. A first component is provided for altering the solubility of the composition in a dried state upon activation. A second component contains a plurality of functional groups chosen from epoxides, oxetanes, vinyl ethers and combinations thereof. The second component is present in an effective amount to improve flexibility of the composition in a dried state before and after activation. Also provided are flexible optical waveguides, methods of forming flexible optical waveguides and electronic devices that include a flexible optical waveguide.

Abstract: Provided are compositions suitable for use in forming a flexible optical waveguide. The compositions include a polymer, having units of the formula (RSiO1.5), wherein R is a substituted or unsubstituted organic group, and a plurality of functional end groups. A first component is provided for altering the solubility of the composition in a dried state upon activation. A second component contains a plurality of functional groups chosen from hydroxy, amino, thiol, sulphonate ester, carboxylate ester, silyl ester, anhydride, aziridine, methylolmethyl, silyl ether, and combinations thereof. The second component is present in an effective amount to improve flexibility of the composition in a dried state before and after activation. Also provided are flexible optical waveguides, methods of forming flexible optical waveguides and electronic devices that include a flexible optical waveguide.

Abstract: Provided are compositions suitable for use in forming a flexible optical waveguide. The compositions include a polymer that has units of the formula (R1SiO1.5) and (R22SiO), wherein R1 and R2 are the same or different, and are substituted and/or unsubstituted organic groups, and wherein the (R22SiO) units are present in an amount of 14 wt % or more based on the polymer; and a plurality of functional end and/or internal groups. Also included is a component for altering the solubility of the composition upon activation. The solubility of the composition in a dried state is alterable upon activation of the component such that the composition is developable in an aqueous developer solution. Also provided are flexible optical waveguides, methods of forming flexible optical waveguides and electronic devices that include a flexible optical waveguide.

Abstract: Provided are methods of forming optical waveguides. The methods involve: (a) forming over a substrate a layer of a photodefinable composition; (b) exposing a portion of the layer to actinic radiation; (c) developing the exposed layer to form a waveguide core structure; and (d) heating the waveguide core structure to a temperature and for a time effective to reflow the structure such that it becomes at least partially rounded in cross-section. Also provided are optical waveguides formed from the described methods and electronic devices including one or more of the optical waveguides.

Abstract: Provided are photodefinable compositions suitable for use in forming an optical waveguide. The compositions include a silsesquioxane polymer having polymerized units of the formula (R1SiO1.5) and (R2SiO1.5), wherein R1 and R2 are different and are substituted or unsubstituted organic side chain groups and are free of hydroxy groups, and two or more functional end groups, and a photoactive component. The solubility of the silsesquioxane polymer is altered upon exposure to actinic radiation such that the composition is developable in an aqueous developer solution. Also provided are methods of forming an optical waveguide with the inventive compositions, optical waveguides, and electronic devices including one or more optical waveguide.

Abstract: Provided are methods of forming optical waveguides. The methods involve: (a) forming over a substrate a layer of a photodefinable composition; (b) exposing a portion of the layer to actinic radiation; (c) developing the exposed layer to form a waveguide core structure; and (d) heating the waveguide core structure to a temperature and for a time effective to reflow the structure such that it becomes at least partially rounded in cross-section. Also provided are optical waveguides formed from the described methods and electronic devices including one or more of the optical waveguides.

Abstract: Provided are photodefinable compositions suitable for use in forming an optical waveguide. The compositions include a silsesquioxane polymer having polymerized units of the formula (R1SiO1.5) and (R2SiO1.5), wherein R1 and R2 are different and are substituted or unsubstituted organic side chain groups and are free of hydroxy groups, and two or more functional end groups, and a photoactive component. The solubility of the silsesquioxane polymer is altered upon exposure to actinic radiation such that the composition is developable in an aqueous developer solution. Also provided are methods of forming an optical waveguide with the inventive compositions, optical waveguides, and electronic devices including one or more optical waveguide.

Abstract: Provided are photodefinable compositions. The compositions include a silsesquioxane oligomer that has polymerized units of the formula (RSiO1.5), wherein R is selected from hydroxyphenyl or hydroxybenzy, and a photoactive component. The solubility of the silsesquioxane oligomer is altered upon exposure to actinic radiation. Also provided are methods of manufacturing optical waveguides, optical waveguides and electronic devices.

Abstract: Disclosed are photodefinable silsesquioxane compositions and methods of forming optical waveguides using such silsesquioxane compositions.