Endface coupled waveguide device and method

An optical device for use with an optical signal propagating therein, the optical device comprising:

• a polymer waveguide having a core and an endface, the core having a refractive index, the core being terminated at the endface;
• an inorganic waveguide having a core and an endface, the core of the inorganic waveguide having a refractive index, the core of the inorganic waveguide being terminated at the endface, the endface of the polymer waveguide being within about 50 μm of the endface of the inorganic waveguide, the core of the polymer waveguide being substantially optically coupled to the core of the inorganic waveguide;
• and
• a pigtailing material situated in the gap between the polymer waveguide and the inorganic waveguide, the pigtailing material having a refractive index within about 0.03 of the refractive index of the core of polymer waveguide,
• in which the refractive index of the core of the polymer waveguide is less than about 1.4, or greater than about 1.57 at 1550 nm.

A method for constructing an optical device comprising the steps of:

• providing a polymer waveguide having a core and an endface, the core having a refractive index, the core being terminated at the endface, the core of the polymer waveguide having a refractive index of less than about 1.40 or greater than about 1.57 at 1550 nm;
• providing an inorganic waveguide having a core and an endface, the core of the inorganic waveguide having a refractive index,
• aligning the endface of the polymer waveguide with the endface of the inorganic waveguide with a gap of less than 50 μm therebetween, the core of the polymer waveguide being substantially optically coupled to the core of the inorganic waveguide;
• filling the gap with an energy curable composition;
• and
• curing the energy curable composition to yield a pigtailing material with a refractive index within about 0.03 of the refractive index of the core of the polymer waveguide.

An optical device for use with an optical signal propagating therein, the optical device comprising:

• a first waveguide having a core and an endface, the core of the first waveguide having a refractive index, the core being terminated at the endface, the endface of the waveguide being uncontrolled;
• a second waveguide having a core and an endface, the core of the second waveguide having a refractive index, the core of the second waveguide being terminated at the endface, the endface of the first waveguide being within about 50 μm of the endface of the second waveguide, the core of the first waveguide being substantially optically coupled to the core of the second waveguide;
• and
• a pigtailing material situated in the gap between the first waveguide and the second waveguide, the pigtailing material having a refractive index within about 0.03 of the refractive index of the core of the first waveguide.

An optical device for use with an optical signal propagating therein, the optical device comprising:

• a polymer waveguide having a core and an endface, the core having a refractive index, the core being terminated at the endface;
• an inorganic waveguide having a core and an endface, the core of the inorganic waveguide having a refractive index, the core of the inorganic waveguide being terminated at the endface, the endface of the polymer waveguide being within about 50 μm of the endface of the inorganic waveguide, the core of the polymer waveguide being substantially optically coupled to the core of the inorganic waveguide;
• and
• a polymeric material situated in the gap between the polymer waveguide and the inorganic waveguide, the polymeric material having a refractive index within about 0.03 of the refractive index of the core of polymer waveguide,
• in which the refractive index of the core of the polymer waveguide is less than about 1.40 at 1550 nm.