Chalcogenide glass waveguides for refractive non-mechanical beam steerer

A method for making a chalcogenide glass waveguide for use in a liquid crystal non-mechanical beam steering device, comprising:

• depositing a tapered subcladding on a substrate using a mask with a central opening, wherein the tapered subcladding has a film thickness profile exhibiting full thickness beyond the central opening of the mask, an S-shaped taper near the edge of the mask, and no film in areas completely shielded by the mask;
• and
• depositing a waveguide core on the tapered subcladding, wherein the waveguide core has a higher refractive index than the tapered subcladding;
• wherein the tapered subcladding, waveguide core, or both comprise a chalcogenide glass;
• and
• wherein more than one mask is used.

A method for making a liquid crystal non-mechanical beam steering device, comprising:

• depositing a tapered subcladding on a substrate using a mask with a central opening, wherein the tapered subcladding has a film thickness profile exhibiting full thickness beyond the central opening of the mask, an S-shaped taper near the edge of the mask, and no film in areas completely shielded by the mask;
• and
• depositing a waveguide core on the tapered subcladding, wherein the waveguide core has a higher refractive index than the tapered subcladding, and wherein the tapered subcladding, waveguide core, or both comprise a chalcogenide glass;
• depositing a liquid crystal layer on the waveguide core;
• and
• placing a glass plate patterned with top electrodes on the liquid crystal layer;
• wherein the liquid crystal layer comprises an organic material that is transparent in the midwave infrared.

A method for making a liquid crystal non-mechanical beam steering device, comprising:

• depositing a tapered subcladding on a substrate using a mask with a central opening, wherein the tapered subcladding has a film thickness profile exhibiting full thickness beyond the central opening of the mask, an S-shaped taper near the edge of the mask, and no film in areas completely shielded by the mask;
• and
• depositing a waveguide core on the tapered subcladding, wherein the waveguide core has a higher refractive index than the tapered subcladding, and wherein the tapered subcladding, waveguide core, or both comprise a chalcogenide glass;
• depositing a liquid crystal layer on the waveguide core;
• and
• placing a glass plate patterned with top electrodes on the liquid crystal layer;
• wherein one or more obstructions are placed between the substrate and the mask.

A method for making a liquid crystal non-mechanical beam steering device, comprising:

• depositing a tapered subcladding on a substrate using a mask with a central opening, wherein the tapered subcladding has a film thickness profile exhibiting full thickness beyond the central opening of the mask, an S-shaped taper near the edge of the mask, and no film in areas completely shielded by the mask;
• and
• depositing a waveguide core on the tapered subcladding, wherein the waveguide core has a higher refractive index than the tapered subcladding, and wherein the tapered subcladding, waveguide core, or both comprise a chalcogenide glass;
• depositing a liquid crystal layer on the waveguide core;
• and
• placing a glass plate patterned with top electrodes on the liquid crystal layer;
• wherein more than one mask is used.