Optical array device and method for manufacturing the same

An optical array device comprising:

• a substrate;
• a plurality of optical waveguide input sections extending in a first direction parallel to an upper surface of the substrate and spaced apart from each other in a second direction parallel to the upper surface of the substrate and intersecting the first direction on the substrate;
• a cladding surrounding the plurality of optical waveguide input sections and including a first portion separating the substrate and the optical waveguide input sections from each other and second portions surrounding the optical waveguide input sections on the first portion;
• and
• a stray light blocking pattern covering the cladding,
• wherein the second portions each extend, on the first portion, in a direction perpendicular to the substrate, and
• a lowermost surface of the stray light blocking pattern is located at a level lower than a lowermost surface of each of the plurality of optical waveguide input sections.

A method for manufacturing an optical array device, comprising:

• forming a lower cladding on a substrate;
• forming, on the lower cladding, a plurality of optical waveguide input sections extending in a first direction parallel to an upper surface of the substrate and spaced apart from each other in a second direction parallel to the upper surface of the substrate and intersecting the first direction;
• forming a temporary upper film surrounding the plurality of optical waveguide input sections on the lower cladding;
• forming trenches extending in the second direction by partially removing the lower cladding and the temporary upper film, wherein a remaining portion of the temporary upper film constitutes upper claddings;
• and
• forming a stray light blocking pattern by filling the trenches with a stray light blocking material in a gel state and curing the same,
• wherein the trenches are each interposed between the plurality of optical waveguide input sections that are adjacent in the second direction.