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: The invention provides organic optical waveguide devices which employ perfluoropolymeric materials having low optical loss and low birefringence. An optical element has a substrate; a patterned, light transmissive perfluoropolymer core composition; and a light reflecting cladding composition on the pattern of the core. Writing of high-efficiency waveguide gratings is also disclosed.

Abstract: Provided are polymeric or polymeric and glass optical fiber devices which have a tunable wavelength response in a polymeric fiber Bragg grating. An optical fiber is formed having a tubular cladding of a first polymeric or glass composition having a first index of refraction, wherein the cladding has a longitudinal axis. A core of a second polymeric composition is within the cladding and extends along and around the longitudinal axis. The second polymeric composition has a second index of refraction which is greater than the index of refraction of the first polymeric composition. A Bragg grating having a plurality of spaced grating elements is formed in the core. The arrangement then has a means, such as a heater, for changing the spacing between the grating elements.

Abstract: An optical signal device which is temperature sensitive and has at least one waveguide layer and at least one material incorporated into the device having a coefficient of thermal expansion of from about 20 to 200 ppm/°K sufficient to impart tensile stress to the waveguide layers as the temperature of the optical signal device changes.

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 invention provides organic optical waveguide devices which employ perfluoropolymeric materials having low optical loss and low birefringence. An optical element has a substrate; a patterned, light transmissive perfluoropolymer core composition; and a light reflecting cladding composition on the pattern of the core. Writing of high-efficiency waveguide gratings is also disclosed.

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 waveguide optical amplifier is disclosed. The waveguide optical amplifier includes a generally planar substrate and a lower cladding disposed on the substrate. A first barrier is disposed on the lower cladding and a core is disposed on at least a portion of the first barrier.

Abstract: A polymer blend is provided. The blend includes poly[2,2-bistrifluoromethyl-4,5-difluoro-1,3-dioxole-co-tetrafluoroethylene] and poly[2,2,4-trifluoro-5-trifluoromethoxy-1,3-dioxole-co-tetrafluoroethylene]. A method of manufacturing the blend is also provided. An optical waveguide and a method of fabricating the optical waveguide using the polymer blend are also provided.

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 waveguide optical amplifier is disclosed. The waveguide optical amplifier includes a generally planar substrate and a lower cladding disposed on the substrate. A first barrier is disposed on the lower cladding and a core is disposed on at least a portion of the first barrier.

Abstract: Optical signal devices, wavelength division multiplexer/demultiplexer optical devices, and methods of employing the same in which the core layer includes a grating and is comprised of a material whose refractive index is tuned so that the grating reflects a preselected wavelength of light. A single optical signal device can therefore be used to select a variety of wavelengths for segregation.

Abstract: The invention provides organic optical waveguide devices which employ perfluoropolymeric materials having low optical loss and low birefringence. An optical element has a substrate; a patterned, light transmissive perfluoropolymer core composition; and a light reflecting cladding composition on the pattern of the core. Writing of high-efficiency waveguide gratings is also disclosed.

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: Provided are polymeric or polymeric and glass optical fiber devices which have a tunable wavelength response in a polymeric fiber Bragg grating. An optical fiber is formed having a tubular cladding of a first polymeric or glass composition having a first index of refraction, wherein the cladding has a longitudinal axis. A core of a second polymeric composition is within the cladding and extends along and around the longitudinal axis. The second polymeric composition has a second index of refraction which is greater than the index of refraction of the first polymeric composition. A Bragg grating having a plurality of spaced grating elements is formed in the core. The arrangement then has a means, such as a heater, for changing the spacing between the grating elements.

Abstract: Optical signal devices, wavelength division multiplexer/demultiplexer optical devices, and methods of employing the same in which the core layer includes a grating and is comprised of a material whose refractive index is tuned so that the grating reflects a preselected wavelength of light. A single optical signal device can therefore be used to select a variety of wavelengths for segregation.

Abstract: An optical waveguide comprising a first polymeric layer and a second polymeric layer adjacent to the first polymeric layer and a method for making the optical waveguide are disclosed. The first polymeric layer has a refractive index of n1 and solubility S1 in a first solvent. The second polymeric layer has a refractive index of n2 and solubility S2 in the first solvent. In the optical waveguide, n1 ≠n2 and S1/S2 is at least 5.

Abstract: Optical signal devices, wavelength division multiplexer/demultiplexer optical devices, and methods of employing the same in which the core layer includes a grating and is comprised of a material whose refractive index is tuned so that the grating reflects a preselected wavelength of light. A single optical signal device can therefore be used to select a variety of wavelengths for segregation.

Abstract: Optical signal devices, wavelength division multiplexer/demultiplexer optical devices, and methods of employing the same in which the core layer includes a grating and is comprised of a material whose refractive index is tuned so that the grating reflects a preselected wavelength of light. A single optical signal device can therefore be used to select a variety of wavelengths for segregation.

Abstract: An integrated optical add/drop multiplexer (OADM) comprising a multilayer stack formed to add and drop specific information-carrying wavelengths propagating within a fiber optic communication network. The stack comprises a first layer comprising a silicon or silica substrate, a second layer comprising an undercladding layer, a third layer comprising a core glass layer, and a fourth layer comprising an overcladding layer. In another embodiment, the stack comprises a first layer comprising a silicon or silica substrate, a second layer comprising an undercladding layer, a third layer comprising a polymer layer, a fourth layer comprising a core glass layer, and a fifth layer comprising an overcladding layer.