Method of manufacturing I/O node in an optical channel waveguide and apparatus for utilizing

An input/output node in an optical channel waveguide and apparatus utilizing the node comprising:

• a molded cladding layer having a first index of refraction and a channel formed therein;
• optically transparent material having a second index of refraction at least 0.01 greater than the first index of refraction and positioned in the channel of the cladding layer so as to form an optical channel waveguide having a critical internal reflection angle, the optical channel waveguide having an exposed surface;
• a holographic layer having an index of refraction substantially similar to the second index of refraction, the holographic layer being formed with first and second substantially parallel, spaced apart optical input/output surfaces, the holographic layer having a plurality of gratings formed therein so as to substantially extend between the first and second optical input/output surfaces of the holographic layer, and the first optical input/output surface being affixed in overlying relationship to the exposed surface of the optical channel waveguide;
• the plurality of gratings being positioned to form an angle with the first and second optical input/output surfaces of the holographic layer such that light rays incident on the second optical input/output surface of the holographic layer and substantially normal thereto are diffracted by the gratings into the optical waveguide at an angle, with a transverse axis of the optical channel waveguide, greater than the critical angle of the optical channel waveguide;
• an optically transparent layer of material affixed to the second optical input/output surface of the holographic layer;
• and
• an electronic device including at least one of a light generator and a light detector fixedly mounted on the optically transparent layer in optical communication with the optical channel waveguide.

An input/output node in an optical channel waveguide comprising:

• an optical channel waveguide including molded surrounding cladding layers with a channel molded therein to define a channel waveguide core having a predetermined index of refraction with a critical internal reflection angle, the waveguide core extending continuously from a first end to a second end and including an exposed side surface positioned intermediate the first and second ends;
• a transmissive holographic layer with first and second substantially parallel, spaced apart optical input/output surfaces, the holographic layer having a plurality of gratings formed therein so as to substantially extend between the first and second optical input/output surfaces of the holographic layer, and the first optical input/output surface being affixed in overlying relationship to the exposed side surface of the optical channel waveguide core;
• and
• the plurality of gratings being positioned to form an angle with the first and second optical input/output surfaces of the holographic layer such that light rays incident on the second optical input/output surface of the holographic layer and substantially normal thereto are diffracted by the gratings into the optical waveguide core.

An input/output node in an optical channel waveguide comprising:

• an optical channel waveguide including molded surrounding cladding layers with a channel molded therein to define a channel waveguide core and the waveguide core having a predetermined index of refraction with a critical internal reflection angle and an exposed side surface;
• a transmissive holographic layer with first and second substantially parallel, spaced apart optical input/output surfaces, the holographic layer having a plurality of gratings formed therein so as to substantially extend between the first and second optical input/output surfaces of the holographic layer, and the first optical input/output surface being affixed in overlying relationship to the exposed side surface of the optical channel waveguide core;
• the plurality of gratings being positioned to form an angle with the first and second optical input/output surfaces of the holographic layer such that light rays incident on the second optical input/output surface of the holographic layer and substantially normal thereto are diffracted by the gratings into the optical waveguide core;
• and
• an optically transparent layer of material affixed to the second optical input/output surface of the holographic layer and having a light generator fixedly mounted thereon.