Refractive index contrast polymers and methods for producing and using the same

A method for producing an interconnect between a first waveguide and a second waveguide, the method comprising:

• coupling the interconnect with the first waveguide and coupling the interconnect with the second waveguide, the interconnect comprising:
• a substrate having a refractive index of the substrate;
• and
• a film comprising a refractive index contrast (RIC) polymer, the film coating the substrate and comprising:
• a core comprising:
• a first domain having a first refractive index;
• a second domain adjacent to the first domain and having a second refractive index, the second refractive index less than the first refractive index;
• and
• a third domain adjacent to the second domain and having a third refractive index, the third refractive index less than the second refractive index;
• disposing the second domain between the first domain and the third domain;
• wherein the refractive index of the substrate is less than the first refractive index, the second refractive index, and the third refractive index;
• and
• wherein the RIC polymer comprises a polymer produced from a monomeric mixture comprising from about 10% to about 90% of trifluoroethylmethacrylate and from about 90% to about 10% of a non-fluorinated ethylenically unsaturated monomer comprising an acid labile protecting group.