Abstract: An electro-optic modulator is formed from all flexible materials, to form a flexible electro-optic modulator. The formation process uses a photoresist which selectively adheres to one material more than it adheres to another material. This allows selective liftoff, where only parts of the substrate are lifted off. For example, this allows silicon ends on the modulator, thereby facilitating pig tailing and also facilitates handling. Another aspect describes testing the bending radius.

Abstract: A tapered electrooptic (EO) polymer waveguide interconnection structure coupling an EO polymer waveguide and a passive polymer waveguide and a method of fabricating the same.

Abstract: Polymers containing polyene-bridged second-order nonlinear optical chromophores and devices incorporating the same are disclosed. The chromophores are functionalized and incorporated into a series of polymers ranging from linear polyesters, linear poly[ester-imide]s, chain-crosslinked polyesters/poly[ester-imide]s, to crosslinked star-shaped/dendritic macromolecules. An exemplary preferred polymer is a linear chain polymer formed from a dihydroxy-functionalized polyene-bridged chromophore, a diacid or diacid dichloride, and a diol. In a preferred embodiment, the diol structure also includes at least one imide group. Another exemplary preferred polymer is a crosslinked polymer comprised of a linear chain polymer formed from a dihydroxy-functionalized polyene-bridged chromophore, a diacid or diacid dichloride and a diol.

Abstract: Sterically stabilized second-order nonlinear optical chromophores and devices incorporating the same are embodied in a variety of chromophore materials. An exemplary preferred chromophore includes an electron donor group, an electron acceptor group and a ring-locked bridge structure therebetween, with the bridge structure being directly connected to the electron donor via a single bond. Another exemplary preferred chromophore includes an electron donor group, an electron acceptor group and a ring-locked bridge structure between the electron donor group and the electron acceptor group, with two free double bonds, one located between the donor and the bridge and the other located between the (fused) ring bridge and the acceptor. Another exemplary preferred chromophore includes an electron donor group, an electron acceptor group, and a bridge structure therebetween, with the chromophores having no carbon-carbon double bond between the donor and the (fused) ring bridge.

Abstract: A tapered electrooptic (EO) polymer waveguide interconnection structure coupling an EO polymer waveguide and a passive polymer waveguide and a method of fabricating the same.

Abstract: Method for manufacturing an electro-optic polymer waveguide device including the step of electrode poling an electro-optic polymer material of the device in an oxygen-free environment. In a preferred embodiment, the electrode poling is performed at a temperature close to a glass transition temperature of the electro-optic polymer material.

Abstract: Second-order nonlinear optical (NLO) polyene-based chromophores sterically stabilized with a dioxine ring and NLO chromophores containing bithiophene derivatives, and devices incorporating the same, are disclosed. An exemplary preferred chromophore includes an aminophenyl electron donor group and a dioxine-containing bridge structure. Another exemplary preferred chromophore includes a ring-locked bridge structure with a dioxine unit and a bithiophene unit. Another exemplary preferred chromophore includes a bridge structure with a bithiophene unit and an isophorone-derived cyclohexene unit.

Abstract: Sterically stabilized second-order nonlinear optical chromophores and devices incorporating the same are embodied in a variety of chromophore materials. An exemplary preferred chromophore includes an electron donor group, an electron acceptor group and a bridge structure therebetween, with the electron acceptor group being double bonded to the bridge structure. In a preferred embodiment, the bridge structure also includes at least one bulky side group. Another exemplary preferred chromophore includes an electron donor group, an electron acceptor group and a ring-locked bridge structure between the electron donor group and the electron acceptor group. The bridge structure comprises, for example, two protected alicyclic rings or ring-locked trienone. Another exemplary preferred chromophore includes an electron donor group, a ring-locked tricyano electron acceptor group, and a bridge structure therebetween. In a preferred embodiment, the electron acceptor group comprises an isophorone structure.

Abstract: Second-order nonlinear optical (NLO) polyene-based chromophores sterically stabilized with a dioxine ring and NLO chromophores containing bithiophene derivatives, and devices incorporating the same, are disclosed. An exemplary preferred chromophore includes an aminophenyl electron donor group and a dioxine-containing bridge structure. Another exemplary preferred chromophore includes a ring-locked bridge structure with a dioxine unit and a bithiophene unit. Another exemplary preferred chromophore includes a bridge structure with a bithiophene unit and an isophorone-derived cyclohexene unit.

Abstract: Sterically stabilized polyene-bridged second-order nonlinear chromophores and devices incorporating the same are embodied in a variety of chromophore materials, and particularly in chromophore materials are configured within an oxygen-free operating environment. An exemplary preferred chromophore includes an electron donor group, an electron acceptor group and a &pgr;-conjugate bridge structure therebetween. The bridge is a polyene structure having a five-, six- or seven-membered ring to lock one carbon-carbon double bond. The bridge contains an unlocked conjugate diene unit which connects the bridge ring and the acceptor. Another exemplary preferred chromophore includes an electron donor group, an electron acceptor group and a ring-locked bridge structure between the electron donor group and the electron acceptor group. The bridge structure includes a fused double-or triple-ring structure which functions to lock two or three double bonds.

Abstract: A new class of high hyperpolarizability organic chromophores and a process for synthesizing the same. The chromophores incorporate at least one organic substituent and are formed in consideration of molecular shapes and a spatial anisotropy of intermolecular interactions. The chromophores are processed into hardened material lattices to lock-in poling induced electric-optic activity. Preferred organic substituents are alkyl, aryl, and isophorone groups. A composite including the organic chromophore, in a preferred embodiment, includes a polymer such as a poly(methylmethacrylate), polyimide, polyamic acid, polystyrene, polycarbonate or polyurethane. The optimized chromophores result in hardened electro-optic polymers suitable for electro-optic modulators and other devices such as optical switches. These modulators can be configured to work at high frequencies and in arrays for applications in communications and network connections.