Patents by Inventor Thomas M. Kafka

Thomas M. Kafka has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Optical waveguides and methods for making the same
    Patent number: 6677175
    Abstract: The invention provides a method for producing an optical waveguide that includes the steps of: (a) forming a core structure, the core structure including an at least partially cured core composition, on a master defining a waveguide pattern; (b) applying over the top of the core structure and the master a cladding layer including a liquid cladding composition; (c) curing the cladding layer to form a core/cladding combination; and removing the core/cladding combination from the master so as to expose at least a portion of the core structure, wherein the refractive index of the core material is at least about 0.05 percent higher than the refractive index of the cladding material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2004
    Assignees: Promerus, LLC, 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Xiao-Mei Zhao, Ramakrishna Ravikiran, Phillip S. Neal, Robert A. Shick, James E. Watson, Thomas M. Kafka, Davy Chum, Raymond P. Johnston
  • Optical waveguides and methods for making the same
    Publication number: 20020064896
    Abstract: The invention provides a method for producing an optical waveguide that includes the steps of: (a) forming a core structure, the core structure including an at least partially cured core composition, on a master defining a waveguide pattern; (b) applying over the top of the core structure and the master a cladding layer including a liquid cladding composition; (c) curing the cladding layer to form a core/cladding combination; and removing the core/cladding combination from the master so as to expose at least a portion of the core structure, wherein the refractive index of the core material is at least about 0.05 percent higher than the refractive index of the cladding material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2001
    Publication date: May 30, 2002
    Inventors: Xiao-Mei Zhao, Ramakrishna Ravikiran, Phillip S. Neal, Robert A. Shick, James E. Watson, Thomas M. Kafka, Davy Chum, Raymond P. Johnston