Optical waveguides and methods for making the same

Abstract

The invention provides a method for producing an optical waveguide that includes the steps of: (a) forming a core structure, the core structure including an at least partially cured core composition, on a master defining a waveguide pattern; (b) applying over the top of the core structure and the master a cladding layer including a liquid cladding composition; (c) curing the cladding layer to form a core/cladding combination; and removing the core/cladding combination from the master so as to expose at least a portion of the core structure, wherein the refractive index of the core material is at least about 0.05 percent higher than the refractive index of the cladding material. In another embodiment, the invention relates to a method for producing an optical waveguide core structure that includes the steps of: (a) applying a core composition to a substrate defining a waveguide core pattern; (b) removing a portion of the core composition from an exposed surface of the filled waveguide core pattern; and (c) at least partially curing the core composition to form a core structure. In another embodiment, the invention relates to a composition for forming either the core or cladding portion of an optical waveguide comprising at least one norbornene-type monomer and/or at least one crosslinking monomer and at least one co-catalyst or pro-catalyst, wherein polymerization is achieved by the addition of at least one pro-catalyst (when a co-catalyst is present in the composition) or at least one co-catalyst (when a pro-catalyst is present in the composition). Optical waveguides made by the methods of the invention are also disclosed.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.