Abstract: A method for manufacturing a light guide plate (70) includes: providing a first substrate (30); coating a photo-resist (600) on the first substrate; exposing the photo-resist using a photo mask; developing the photo-resist; anisotropically dry etching the first substrate; removing remaining photo-resist (640), thereby providing a mold (40); providing a second substrate (50) and a hot-embossing machine (80), and conducting hot-embossing of the second substrate using the mold and the hot-embossing machine, thereby providing the light guide plate. By using the above-described dry etching and hot-embossing methods, a pattern of the photo mask is precisely transferred to the first substrate and the light guide plate. A diameter of the each of micro-dots formed on the light guide plate is as little as 10 nanometers. Thus a uniformity of luminance and color provided by the entire light guide plate is improved.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device and a method for monitoring each of the propagated light beams that are propagated in each waveguide of an arrayed waveguide device and a method of fabricating the device. In the prior art, problems were encountered in deriving monitor light and photodetecting the derived monitor light within the waveguide substrate. In the present invention, waveguide directional couplers are formed in the spaces between the arrayed waveguides to derive a portion of the propagated light as monitor light. Cavities are provided at the ends of auxiliary waveguides connected to the directional couplers, and monitor light is guideded into these cavities. The monitor light, after being reflected upward or downward of the substrate by optical path conversion elements installed inside the cavities, is photodetected by photodiodes. The optical path conversion elements can be fabricated by inserting metal bumps into the cavities and then forming the bumps with a mold.

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: The present invention provides methods for forming convex and concave elements on the ends of supporting members. A convex element may be formed by forming a droplet on the end of the supporting member, then curing the droplet. The size of the droplet may be controlled using evaporation of a solvent from the droplet. In another aspect of the invention, an optical element may be formed by forming a droplet on the end of the supporting member, contacting the droplet with a mold, and curing the droplet, thereby forming an element with a curvature opposite that of the mold. When the supporting member is an optical fiber, the elements formed by the methods of the present invention are useful as lenses and mirrors in micro-optic devices.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for preparing a GI (graded index) plastic optical fiber preform having a radial refractive index gradient, the refractive index increasing gradually from the outer periphery of the preform toward the center thereof, comprising inserting a 1st plastic tube (inside diameter: d1i, outside diameter: d1o) (111) made of a first polymer (refractive index: n1) in a cylinder reactor (inside diameter: d0i, d1o?d0i) and inserting a 2nd plastic tube (inside diameter: d2i, outside diameter d2o, d2o?d1i) (112) made of a second polymer (refractive index: n2, n2?n1) in the 1st plastic tube, the reactor, the 1st and 2nd plastic tubes are positioned coaxially, injecting a precursor of a third polymer (refractive index: n?, n??n2) into the 2nd plastic tube, injecting a precursor of a fourth polymer (refractive index: n?, n1?n??n2) into the space between the 1st and 2nd plastic tubes.

Abstract: The invention relates to an indicator comprising a light-guiding layer, a cladding layer on one surface of said light-guiding layer, and a patterning layer on the other surface.

Abstract: Disclosed is a fabrication method of a polymeric optic waveguide grating, the method including: forming a core layer of a polymeric material on a substrate; irradiating an ultraviolet ray to the core layer to pre-cure a surface of the core layer; pressing the pre-cured core layer at a predetermined pressure by using a master having a grating pattern; irradiating the ultraviolet ray in a state that the master is pressed, to fully cure the core layer; and separating the master from the fully cured core layer to form a grating pattern on the core layer.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an optical waveguide having a core and a clad. The method includes forming a first clad by applying a resin on a substrate and curing the resin, applying a core material between a recessed mold which has a recess having a shape identical to a shape of the core and the first clad which is provided on the substrate, curing the core material applied, thereby forming a core pattern having a shape corresponding to that of the recess, and peeling the recessed mold from the core pattern and the first clad.

Abstract: A radiation curable composition comprises a heterocyclic acrylate or heterocyclic methacrylate. The composition is curable to make an optical management article such as an optical management coating on a substrate. A method of making an optical management article, comprises forming a radiation curable composition comprising the heterocyclic acrylate or heterocyclic methacrylate on a substrate and curing the composition to form the optical management article.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a stamping mold suitable for use in the formation of a tapered waveguide structure includes defining a stamping pattern upon the surface of a silicon wafer, and removing portions of the silicon wafer surface in accordance with the stamped pattern, thereby creating tapered vertical surfaces within the wafer.

Abstract: An optical waveguide comprising cladding 1 and core segment 20 buried in cladding 1 and serving as a waveguide, wherein a combination of glass material constituting the core segment 20 and another glass material constituting the cladding 1 is so selected that an absolute value of difference in coefficient of thermal expansion between these materials (?1-?2) is within a range of 0 and 9×10?7° C., where ?1 denotes a coefficient of thermal expansion of the former material and ?2 denotes that of the latter material.

Abstract: A micro-shape transcription method has preparing a mold having a transcription face on which a concavo-convex pattern is formed, pressing the transcription face against a base material softened by heating, then forcibly separating the mold from the base material to transcribe a reverse pattern of the concavo-convex pattern to the surface of the base material, wherein when assuming a temperature for pressing the mold against the base material as T1 (° C.), a temperature for separating the mold from the base material as T2 (° C.), thermal expansion coefficients of the mold and the base material as ?a and ?b, and the maximum distance between the transcription center of the transcription face and the concavo-convex pattern as d (mm), the following relations (1) and (2): T1?T2 ??(1) |?a??b|·(T1?T2)·d?4×10?2 ??(2) are simultaneously satisfied.

Abstract: A cavity-preventing type reactor and a method for fabricating a preform for a plastic optical fiber using the same, wherein post-process charging of additional monomer or prepolymer into rotationally-induced central cavities is avoided by forming void-free plastic fibers using special geometric flow controllers combined with special materials combinations, pressures, and rotational techniques.

Abstract: A plastic optical fiber and a method for producing the same is disclosed. The plastic optical fiber is formed as a fiber of core-cladding structure. A protective layer or shield layer may be provided on the outer surface of the optical fiber of core-cladding structure for improving thermal resistance of the optical fiber and protecting the optical fiber from air and moisture. The plastic optical fiber uses fluorinated plastic, which contains a rare earth component as a core material, and a cladding material, which does not comprise a rare earth component but essentially consists of a polymer chain, which essentially consists of bonded —[CF2]n— monomers and has a refractive index lower than that of the core material. The optical fiber is produced by a melting-drawing technique.

Abstract: A process for producing a polymer optical waveguide including the steps of: preparing a mold by applying a mold-forming resin layer onto a master template, peeling the layer from the master template to obtain a template, and cutting both ends of the template to expose a concave portion; bringing the mold into close contact with a film used for a cladding layer; introducing, by capillarity, a UV-curable resin or heat-curable resin by contacting the resin with one end of the mold; curing the introduced resin and removing the mold from the film; and forming a cladding layer on film on which the core has been formed, wherein a sectional area, a sectional shape, or both of a sectional area and a sectional shape of the core changes in a longitudinal direction of the core, and both end faces of the core have different areas.

Abstract: A plastic optical fiber and a method for producing the same is disclosed. The plastic optical fiber is formed as a fiber of core-cladding structure. A protective layer or shield layer may be provided on the outer surface of the optical fiber of core-cladding structure for improving thermal resistance of the optical fiber and protecting the optical fiber from air and moisture. The plastic optical fiber uses fluorinated plastic, which contains a rare earth component as a core material, and a cladding material, which does not comprise a rare earth component but essentially consists of a polymer chain, which essentially consists of bonded —[CF2]n— monomers and has a refractive index lower than that of the core material. The optical fiber is produced by a melting-drawing technique.

Abstract: A fast (high numerical aperture) cylindrical microlens, which includes an internally reflective surface, that functions to deviate the direction of the light that enters the lens from its original propagation direction is employed in optically conditioning laser diodes, laser diode arrays and laser diode bars.

Abstract: There is provided an optical module capable of improving assembling efficiency and reducing the number of parts to reduce production costs, and an optical connector having the same. The optical module has a holder 3, a lens 12 and a diffraction grating 13 for damping the quantity of light. The holder 3, the lens 12 and the diffraction grating 13 are formed of a resin material so as to be integrated with each other. The diffracting grating 13 is designed to prevent high-order diffracted light beams from being coupled with an optical fiber 8.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a two-dimensional (planar) optical waveguide comprises a first step of preparing a member having a thermoplastic structure (102) formed on a substrate (100), a second step of deforming the structure by heat treatment and a third step of forming an optical waveguide section (112) on the structure and the substrate.

Abstract: The method of manufacturing an optical fiber in accordance with the present invention comprises a step of yielding an optical fiber by drawing an optical fiber preform softened upon heating, wherein a temperature at which the optical fiber preform is softened is at least 1800° C., whereas the optical fiber preform or optical fiber has a glass cooling rate of 4000° C./sec or less when attaining a temperature of 1800° C.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for producing a polymer optical waveguide equipped with a plurality of alignment marks (AM), which comprises bringing a film substrate into contact with a mold having concave portions corresponding to convex portions for the optical waveguide and convex portions for a plurality of AMs, introducing a curable resin from an end of the mold into concave portions, curing the resin, peeling the mold, and forming a cladding layer on a core/AM-forming surface, or bringing a film substrate into contact with the mold having concave portions corresponding to convex portions for the optical waveguide and notches, introducing the curable resin from an end of the mold into the concave portion, curing the resin, applying a material for AM to the film substrate through the notches and, thereafter, forming the cladding layer on the core/AM-forming surface.

Abstract: A flexible optical element useful for optical wiring is provided, in which a light emitting portion is disposed to a core end face of a flexible polymeric optical waveguide channel sheet having a film substrate clad, a core and a clad layer covering the core. A method which enables of manufacturing the optical element in a simple and convenient manner at a low cost is also provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for forming from a mold optical articles. These methods are particularly useful in preparing ophthalmic articles such as ophthalmic lenses, having several optical coatings thereon. The invention also relates to ophthalmic articles produced by these methods.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for forming from a mold optical articles. These methods are particularly useful in forming ophthalmic articles such as ophthalmic lenses, having a hydrophobic top coat thereon. Ophthalmic articles produced by these methods are also part of the invention.

Abstract: Tools and methods for making molded an optical integrated circuit including one or more waveguides are disclosed. In one embodiment, a molding die is provided that includes a substrate that has a topographically patterned first surface. A conformal protective film is provided over the first surface of the substrate. The substrate may be formed of silicon or gallium arsenide, and may be patterned using conventional semiconductor patterning techniques, such as plasma etching. The protective film may be metal (e.g., nickel or titanium), diamond, or some other hard material. Typically, a plurality of such molding dies are formed from a wafer of the substrate material. The die is pressed into a moldable material, such as thermal plastic, to form the wave guide(s) of the optical integrated circuit. A plurality of the dies may be mounted around the curved surface of a heated roller, and a heated tape of the waveguide material may be fed under the roller in a mass production process.

Abstract: A composition containing 3,3?-thiobis(propane-1,2-dithiol) and one or more enic compounds which composition is photocurable and can give a cured product having a high refractive index and adequate hardness.

Abstract: A multiplexer/demultiplexer optical system component that is passively aligned upon assembly is disclosed. The optical system includes a lens block and a mirror-filter block. In some embodiments, optical filters are positioned and epoxyed to the mirror-filter block using a positioning tool. In some embodiments, optical filters are positioned and epoxyed on a support structure which has been etched to receive the optical filters. The mirror-filter block is a block having flat surfaces, one of which is a flat reflecting surface. The lens block is formed by injection molding and includes a barrel for holding and positioning an optical fiber, placement for a collimating lens, and placements for focusing lenses such that, when assembled, light incident on each of the focusing lenses propagates along the optical axis of the focusing lens. In some embodiments, the collimating lens and the focusing lenses are integrally formed with the lens block.

Abstract: A lightguide having either a built-in prism sheet or a built-in diffuser sheet is disclosed. The lightguide includes: a prism sheet having a plane surface and a surface with a plurality of patterned microlens; a transparent wedge having a cross-section of trapezoid; and a binder layer sandwiched between said plane surface of said prism sheet and said transparent wedge. A method for manufacturing the lightguide is also disclosed here.

Abstract: A drawing apparatus 1 has a drawing furnace 11, a heating furnace 21, and a resin curing section 31. The drawing furnace 11 has a muffle tube 13 to which an He gas supply passage 15 from an He gas supply section 14 is connected so as to supply He gas. The optical fiber 3 drawn upon heating by the drawing furnace 11 is fed to the heating furnace 21, whereby a predetermined part of the optical fiber 3 is annealed at a predetermined cooling rate. The heating furnace 21 has a muffle tube 23 to which an N2 gas supply passage 25 from an N2 gas supply section 24 is connected so as to supply N2 gas. Thereafter, the optical fiber 3 is coated with a UV resin 39 by a coating die 38, and the UV resin 39 is cured in the resin curing section 31, whereby a coated optical fiber 4 is formed.

Abstract: An article with a predetermined surface pattern that is coated with a film which makes possible the complete transfer of the pattern of a patterning die and thick-film patterning having a depth to the order of several tens of micrometers, prevents the occurrence of cracks, has high film hardness, and has a surface pattern which is the inverse of the surface pattern of the patterning die. This article is produced by joining a patterning die closely to a substrate with a sol-gel material containing the silane compound represented by the formula: R1SiX3 (wherein R1 is an alkyl group or hydrogen and X is an alkoxyl group or a halogen atom) and the silane compound represented by the formula: R2SiY3 (wherein R2 is an aryl group or a substituted aryl group and Y is an alkoxyl group or a halogen atom) disposed therebetween in the form of a film and heating them to coat the surface of the substrate with a gel film having a surface pattern which is the inverse of the surface pattern of the patterning die.

Abstract: Combinations of at least two individual colorant compounds that provide effective toning (or bluing) to combat yellowing within polyester articles (such as bottles, containers, and the like) are provided. Such a novel toner combination permits effective neutralization of yellowness while also providing highly desirable low haze and increased brightness due to a sharp absorption peak within the needed range of wavelengths (e.g., from about 565 to 590 nm) and a narrow half-height band width. Furthermore, such a combination of compounds is preferably liquid in nature and may thus be incorporated within an added ultraviolet absorber solution or shelf-stable dispersion to facilitate addition within target polyesters at various stages of production. The inventive combination bluing agent accords effective neutralization of UV absorber yellowing as well. Methods of production and liquid UV absorber/individual bluing agent formulations are also encompassed within this invention.

Abstract: A light guide plate of the present invention is characterized by being obtained by melt molding a thermoplastic resin having a melt flow rate of at least 50 [g/10 min.] under a load of 2.16 kgf at 280° C. The thermoplastic resin is preferably a thermoplastic resin containing an alicyclic structure, more preferably a norbornene-based polymer.

Abstract: Tools and methods for making molded an optical integrated circuit including one or more waveguides are disclosed. In one embodiment, a molding die is provided that includes a substrate that has a topographically patterned first surface. A conformal protective film is provided over the first surface of the substrate. The substrate may be formed of silicon or gallium arsenide, and may be patterned using conventional semiconductor patterning techniques, such as plasma etching. The protective film may be metal (e.g., nickel or titanium), diamond, or some other hard material. Typically, a plurality of such molding dies are formed from a wafer of the substrate material. The die is pressed into a moldable material, such as thermal plastic, to form the wave guide(s) of the optical integrated circuit. A plurality of the dies may be mounted around the curved surface of a heated roller, and a heated tape of the waveguide material may be fed under the roller in a mass production process.

Abstract: An optical fiber preform (1) serving as a material of an optical fiber has a shoulder portion (12) thrusting beyond a middle portion (M) in a base end region (K) which is on the upper side when the optical fiber preform is suspended for a drawing process. The optical fiber preform (1) of this configuration can be easily produced by appropriately setting the heating condition, etc. for the sintering step in the production process. Thus, it is possible to omit the elongating step after the sintering step, thereby simplifying the production process. Further, in the prior-art technique, turbulence is generated in the gas flow in the furnace of the drawing apparatus toward the end of the drawing step, making it impossible to draw in a stable manner.

Abstract: Polymeric optical articles, including gradient index optical preforms and fiber produced therefrom, are described. Methods for producing the optical articles using plasticizers and/or dopants in the sheathing of the articles are also described. Gradient index optical articles made according to the invention have excellent optical characteristics, enhanced mechanical properties and environmental stability, and enable more flexibility in the selection of materials.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for manufacturing low PMD single-mode fiber and a fiber manufactured by said method. The twisting system is mounted at the downstream side of a normal fiber-drawing tower. The manner of twisting does not change the fiber-drawing path, the axis of twisting wheels periodically swing in a plane which is parallel to the fiber-drawing direction. The fiber moving at high speed makes the outer surfaces of the twisting wheels to rotate round the axis of the fiber, when an angle between the plane in which the twisting wheels are located and the fiber-drawing direction exists, the component of the angular velocity in the radial direction of the fiber reacts on the fiber and makes the fiber to twist, and the twist propagates to the soften region of the glass material at the fiber-drawing upstream in the form of mechanical wave, a plastic deformation is produced and set up in the newly drawn fiber.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a light-guide plate includes preparing an upper mold frame having an inclined inner surface and a lower mold frame having a space therein, preparing a micro pattern plate having a surface including one of a plurality of grooves and a plurality of protrusions formed using photolithographic processes, inserting the micro pattern plate into the space of the lower mold frame, the surface of the micro pattern plate facing the inclined inner surface of the upper mold frame, positioning the upper and lower mold frames together, and injecting light-guide plate forming material into a space between the upper and lower mold frames.

Abstract: An inexpensive multi-layered holographic read-only memory having a large capacity is provided. In the memory in which single-mode slab waveguides are multi-layered, a periodic scattering center whose period approximately agrees with the period of the guided mode is provided in at least one of a core layer and a clad layer in each waveguide so that a guided wave in the waveguide is diffracted by the periodic scattering center to the outside of the waveguide and a holographic image is generated.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing an optical waveguide includes shaping a substrate of organic material, applying at least one intermediate layer by a first vacuum coating process onto the substrate and applying a waveguide layer by means of a second vacuum coated process onto the intermediate layer. The at least one intermediate layer is applied so that only a negligible part of light energy reaches an interface surface between the intermediate layer and the substrate.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a graded index plastics material optical fiber whose refractive index varies between its center and its periphery comprises the following process steps: preparing at least two liquid compositions with different refractive indices, each composition comprising at least one polymer, a substance to vary the refractive index being present in at least one composition and a cross-linking starter being present in at least one composition, filling a preform formation system with the compositions, producing a liquid preform in the system, the refractive index of said preform having a given gradient, and drawing the preform to obtain a graded index plastics material optical fiber. The production of the preform comprises a step with substantially no flow of the compositions along the system.

Abstract: The present invention provides a light guide plate for liquid crystal displays.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing preforms for polymer optical fibers having an index of refraction that is variable over the radius, in which a core of preform material is coated with coating material for forming the preform until a predefinable diameter is reached, the refractive index of the coating material being varied in conformance with a predefinable profile along the radius of the emerging preform.

Abstract: A subject matter of the invention is a batchwise process for the manufacture of an optical fiber made of polymers, the core of the fiber being based on methyl methacrylate. This process is carried out in an in-line plant leaktight with respect to the outside ranging from a device for the purification of the starting materials to a spinning device, involving the intermediacy of an intermediate storage region. The core of the fiber is prepared from beads of a polymer based on purified methyl methacrylate obtained by aqueous suspension polymerization. Another subject matter of the invention is an in-line plant for the implementation of this process.

Abstract: Polymeric optical articles, including gradient index optical preforms and fiber produced therefrom, are described. Methods for producing the optical articles using platicizers and/or dopants in the sheathing of the articles are also described. Gradient index optical articles made according to the invention have excellent optical characteristics, enhanced mechanical properties and environmental stability, and enable more flexibility in the selection of materials.

Abstract: A method and a mask have been optimized to reduce seam lines in replicated structures using lithographic processes. Multiple exposures and sweeps across a substrate using the mask results in the reduction of seam lines in the final developed photosensitive or micro formed structures.

Abstract: A method of forming features on substrates by imprinting is provided. The method comprises: (a) forming a polymer solution comprising at least one polymer dissolved in at least one polymerizable monomer; and (b) depositing the polymer solution on a substrate to form a liquid film thereon; and then either: (c) curing the liquid film by causing the monomer(s) to polymerize and optionally cross-linking the polymer(s) to thereby form a polymer film, the polymer film having a glass transition temperature (Tg); and imprinting the polymer film with a mold having a desired pattern to form a corresponding negative pattern in the polymer film, or (d) imprinting the liquid film with the mold and curing it to form the polymer film. The temperature of imprinting is as little as 10° C. above the Tg, or even less if the film is in the liquid state. The pressure of the imprinting can be within the range of 100 to 500 psi.

Abstract: A method of making an optical component wherein an optical component carrier is introduced through an opening (2) into a mold (1). The carrier is aligned relative to the mold (1) by means of at least one positioning means. A removable closure member (4) is introduced into a coupling portion of the mold to form an optical window surface (3). A light transmissive moldable material is filled into the mold (1) and cured. The closure member (4) is then removed to complete the optical component.

Abstract: A capillary optic produced by impression has a mold with an external profile figured for radiation transmission along an axis used as a mandrel for impression. The mold often takes the form of a precisely etched wire. At least one soft plate is used for impressing the mold into the soft plate. The mold is removed from the soft plate to leave a vacant impression figured for radiation transmission in the soft plate along an axis. The impression is then closed to provide for radiation transmission along the axis of the impression. In the most common embodiment, two relatively soft plates having identical compositions with flat and highly polished initial surfaces are used. The impression(s) can be coated with reflective materials. Disclosure of an optical connector and emitter is included.