John F Schulze

US Patent:

6511571, Jan 28, 2003

Filed:

May 9, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/852334

Inventors:

Kevin J. McCallion - Boston MA
Brian L. Lawrence - Watervliet NY
Gregory A. Wagoner - Sunnyvale CA
Paul R. Quantock - Stillwater NY
John L. Schulze - Fort Edward NY

Assignee:

Molecular OptoElectronics Corporation - Watervliet NY

International Classification:

B32B 3118

US Classification:

156250, 156 99, 156153, 156267, 156281, 264 124, 501 86, 359885

Abstract:

A method in which a separate preformed optical material is suitably sized for easy handling, manipulation, and fabrication into a waveguide having a core (formed from the optical material) having transverse cross-sectional dimensions on the order of only tens of microns. The method may include a plurality of mechanical steps, e. g. , lapping, polishing, and/or dicing, and bonding steps, e. g. , attaching with adhesives. In one embodiment, the method includes the steps of providing an optical material, thinning and polishing the optical material to form a core comprising a plurality of longitudinally extending surfaces, providing a plurality of support substrates, and attaching the plurality of support substrates to the longitudinally extending surfaces of the core. The plurality of support substrates may be attached to the plurality of longitudinally extending surfaces of the optical material with an adhesive. The optical material may include a high refractive index, and the plurality of support substrates and/or the adhesive may include a low refractive index.