Abstract: The invention relates to a process a process for forming single-mode, organic waveguides employing organic polymeric materials. The process reduces dissolved and gaseous oxygen content to very low quantities, resulting in production of waveguides having superior properties and manufacturability. Also provided is a process for preventing loss of light due to cores having flared ends. A waveguide is produced by sequentially a layer of a liquid, photosensitive buffer and clad composition to a surface of a substrate; deoxygenating under vacuum; overall exposing under an inert gas actinic radiation to partially polymerize the compositions below a full curing.

Abstract: The present invention is a surface treatment for inorganic substrates, using a primer solution to produce a thin film on a surface of an inorganic substrate thereby extending the shelf life of the inorganic coated substrate and enhancing bonding to a subsequently applied energy curable composition. The coated substrate can be used in a number of commercial applications, e.g., applying a polymer to the coated substrate.

Abstract: The present invention is a surface treatment for inorganic substrates, using a primer solution to produce a thin film on a surface of an inorganic substrate thereby extending the shelf life of the inorganic coated substrate and enhancing bonding to a subsequently applied energy curable composition. The coated substrate can be used in a number of commercial applications, e.g., applying a polymer to the coated substrate.

Abstract: The invention provides organic optical waveguide devices which are lithographically formed and employ polymeric materials having low propagation loss. An optical waveguide has a substrate; a polymeric buffer layer on a surface of the substrate; a thin, polymeric undercladding layer on a surface of the buffer layer; a pattern of a light-transmissive, polymeric core on the surface of the undercladding layer; and a polymeric overcladding layer on a top surface of the core and on sidewalls of the core and on a portion of the undercladding layer; the undercladding layer having a thickness of from about 10 percent to about 50 percent a thickness of the core. The core has an index of refraction nc which is greater than an index of refraction of the overcladding layer no and also greater than an index of refraction of the undercladding layer nu; wherein &Dgr;n=nc−no, and wherein the difference between nc and the index of refraction of the buffer nb is at least about 1.5 times &Dgr;n.

Abstract: The invention provides organic optical waveguide devices which are lithographically formed and employ polymeric materials having low propagation loss. An optical waveguide has a substrate; a polymeric buffer layer on a surface of the substrate; a thin, polymeric undercladding layer on a surface of the buffer layer; a pattern of a light-transmissive, polymeric core on the surface of the undercladding layer; and a polymeric overcladding layer on a top surface of the core and on sidewalls of the core and on a portion of the undercladding layer; the undercladding layer having a thickness of from about 10 percent to about 50 percent a thickness of the core. The core has an index of refraction nc which is greater than an index of refraction of the overcladding layer no and also greater than an index of refraction of the undercladding layer nu; wherein &Dgr;n=nc−no, and wherein the difference between nc and the index of refraction of the buffer nb is at least about 1.5 times &Dgr;n.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process a process for forming single-mode, organic waveguides employing organic polymeric materials. The process reduces dissolved and gaseous oxygen content to very low quantities, resulting in production of waveguides having superior properties and manufacturability. Also provided is a process for preventing loss of light due to cores having flared ends. A waveguide is produced by sequentially a layer of a liquid, photosensitive buffer and clad composition to a surface of a substrate; deoxygenating under vacuum; overall exposing under an inert gas actinic radiation to partially polymerize the compositions below a full curing.

Abstract: An optical tapered waveguide for use as a single device or in optical arrays is described. The optical waveguide contains at least one inclusive structure. The inclusion may possess an abrupt refractive index interface within the body of the tapered optical waveguide or it may consist of a graded refractive index region within the tapered optical waveguide. Light travels through the entire waveguide structure via total internal reflection. The inclusion provides for a more uniform light distribution output and increases the definition of the image plane by altering the direction of the light rays passing through the waveguide.

Abstract: An improved backlight assembly comprising an array of apertures in close proximity to a light source, an array of tapered optical elements that have a light input surface area smaller than the light output surface area. Light rays pass through the apertures and are directed to the optical elements which transmit the light rays via internal reflection to provide a partially collimated light source. The light rays then pass through an array of microlenses that transmit the light rays via refraction and provide a substantially more collimated light source for the display elements of a display. The backlight assembly is advantageously used as a backlighting means for electro-optical displays, especially those designed for military and avionics applications.

Abstract: A direct view display including a light generating means for generating light, a modulating means for modulating light from said light generating means to form an image, and an image display means for displaying said image from said modulating means positioned adjacent to the light output surface of said modulating means, said display means comprising an array of tapered optical waveguides on a planar substrate the tapered end of each of said waveguides extending outward from said substrate and having a light input surface adjacent said substrate and a light output surface distal from said light input surface.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a process for making an array of tapered photopolymerized waveguides. A photomask having opaque and transparent regions is placed in substantial contact with a substrate having a substantially uniform thickness of photopolymerizable mixture thereon. The photopolymerizable mixture is then exposed through the transparent regions of the photomask to substantially collimated actinic radiation for a time sufficient to form an array of tapered photopolymerized waveguides. The photomask and photopolymerizable mixture which was not substantially polymerized by the substantially collimated actinic radiation are then removed from the substrate. The tapered waveguides are useful as a display means in direct view devices and projection display devices.

Abstract: An improved backlighting apparatus comprising a slab waveguide that accepts light rays generated by a light source and transmits the light rays via total internal reflection. Attached on one face of the slab waveguide is an array of microprisms, with each microprism having an light input surface parallel to a light output surface and at least one sidewall tilted at an angle from the direction normal to the surface of the waveguide such that light rays escape from the slab waveguide, reflect off the tilted sidewall and emerge from the microprism as a light source substantially perpendicular to the light output surface. An array of microlenses may be positioned to accept the output of the microprisms so that the light exiting from the microlenses is substantially more perpendicular. The backlight apparatus is advantageously used as a backlighting means for flat panel electronic displays.