Multiphoton curing to provide encapsulated optical elements

A method of coupling a first optical device to a second optical device, comprising the steps of:

• (a) providing the first optical element device, said first device including a partially formed, first optical element at least partially encapsulated in ingredients comprising (1) a photocurable matrix precursor comprising a diffusing species, said precursor forming a polymer matrix upon photocuring, and said polymer matrix having an index of refraction, (2) a substantially non-diffusing binder having an index of refraction that is lower than the index of refraction of the polymer matrix and that is miscible with the photocurable matrix precursor, and (3) a multiphoton photoinitiator system;
• and said partially formed optical element having an end that is spaced apart from a boundary of the device such that a multiphoton photocurable region is juxtaposed between the end and the boundary;
• (b) providing the second optical element device, said second device including a second optical element having an end to be coupled to the first optical element;
• (c) positioning the first optical element device adjacent the second optical element device to at least approximately juxtapose the ends of the first and second optical elements in alignment with each other, wherein the multiphoton photocurable region is positioned between said ends;
• (d) imagewise exposing at least a portion of said region under conditions such that the ends of the first and second optical elements are optically coupled together;
• and
• (e) after said imagewise exposing, nonimagewise exposing at least a portion of said region to a photopolymerizing fluence of energy.