Optical device with thermally conductive fingers and related method

An optical device comprising:

• a base layer;
• a plurality of active layers on the base layer and comprising a plurality of optical integrated circuit (IC) devices, the plurality of active layers configured to change a refractive index based upon an applied voltage;
• and
• a cover layer over the base layer and encapsulating the plurality of optical IC devices, the base layer and the cover layer each comprising a glass material;
• wherein the base layer and the plurality of active layers each comprises nanoparticles;
• wherein each of the plurality of optical IC devices comprises one of a light emitted diode (LED), a photodetector, and a variable optical attenuator.

A method for making an optical device, the method comprising:

• depositing nanoparticles of a first material via an additive manufacturing process to form a base layer;
• depositing nanoparticles of a second material via an additive manufacturing process to form a plurality of active layers on the base layer, the plurality of active layers comprising a plurality of optical integrated circuit (IC) devices;
• and
• depositing nanoparticles of a second material via an additive manufacturing process to form a cover layer over the base layer and encapsulating the plurality of optical IC devices, the base layer and the cover layer each comprising a glass material.