Systems, materials, and methods for a mechanical stress activated interface using piezo-optical components

A mechanical stress activated interface system comprising:

• a first mechanical stress activated interface device comprising,
• a first flexible substrate,
• a first plurality of waveguides associated with the first flexible substrate, wherein each of the first plurality of waveguides comprises:
• a piezo-optical core having a first side, a second side, a face, at least an end and a transverse length, and
• a cladding component disposed against the first side of the piezo-optical core and extending essentially along the transverse length of the piezo-optical core,
• a first plurality of light receiving elements, each of the first plurality of light receiving elements being optically coupled to at least the end of one of the piezo-optical cores of the first plurality of waveguides and providing a first light receiving element output;
• and
• an electronic system having an electronic system output, in data communication with each first light receiving element output of the first plurality of light receiving elements,
• wherein each piezo-optical core of the first plurality of waveguides has an unstressed core index of refraction, and a stressed core index of refraction, and wherein the unstressed core index of refraction is less than the stressed core index of refraction.

A method of locating a mechanical stress applied to an interface system, the method comprising:

• providing a first flexible substrate;
• providing a first plurality of waveguides associated with the first flexible substrate, wherein each of the first plurality of waveguides comprises:
• a piezo-optical core having a first side, a second side, a face, at least an end and a transverse length, and
• a cladding component disposed against the first side of the piezo-optical core and extending essentially along the transverse length of the piezo-optical core;
• providing a first plurality of light receiving elements, each of the first plurality of light receiving elements being optically coupled to at least the end of one of the piezo-optical cores of the first plurality of waveguides and providing a first light receiving element output;
• providing a second flexible substrate;
• providing a second plurality of waveguides associated with the second flexible substrate, wherein each of the second plurality of waveguides comprises:
• a piezo-optical core having a first side, a second side, a face, at least an end and a transverse length, and
• a cladding component disposed against the first side of the piezo-optical core and extending essentially along the transverse length of the piezo-optical core;
• providing a second plurality of light receiving elements, each of the second plurality of light receiving elements being optically coupled to at least the end of one of the piezo-optical cores of the second plurality of waveguides and providing a second light receiving element output;
• providing a source of light rays to illuminate the interface system;
• providing an electronic system having an electronic system output, in data communication with each first light receiving element output of the first plurality of light receiving elements, and each second light receiving element output of the second plurality of light receiving elements;
• applying a stress input on the interface system;
• and
• detecting a change in at least one light receiving element output of the first plurality of light receiving elements or in at least one light receiving element output of the second plurality of light receiving elements through the electronic system,
• wherein each piezo-optical core of the first plurality of waveguides and each piezo-optical core of the second plurality of waveguides has an unstressed core index of refraction, and a stressed core index of refraction, and wherein the unstressed core index of refraction is less than the stressed core index of refraction, and
• wherein the first plurality of waveguides is not oriented in a direction parallel with respect to the second plurality of waveguides.

A method of fabricating a mechanical stress activated interface system, the method comprising:

• providing a first plurality of piezo-optical cores comprising a first piezo-optical material, wherein each of the first plurality of piezo-optical cores comprises at least a first side, a second side, a face, at least an end and a transverse length;
• arranging the first plurality of piezo-optical cores into a first layer of piezo-optical cores, wherein no point of contact occurs between any of the first plurality of piezo-optical cores along their respective transverse lengths;
• furnishing a first cladding component to the first layer of piezo-optical cores thereby forming a first piezo-optical waveguide layer, wherein the first cladding component encircles each of the first plurality of piezo-optical cores by forming a contact along the first side and the second side of each piezo-optical core of the first plurality of piezo-optical cores;
• associating a first substrate layer comprising a first substrate material with the first piezo-optical waveguide layer thereby forming a first interface layer;
• providing a first plurality of light receiving elements, wherein each light receiving element of the first plurality of light receiving elements is optically coupled to at least the end of one of the piezo-optical cores of the first plurality of piezo-optical cores, and each light receiving element of the first plurality of light receiving elements has a light receiving element output;
• and
• providing an electronic system configured to receive the light receiving element output of each of the first plurality of light receiving elements,
• wherein each piezo-optical core of the first plurality of piezo-optical cores has an unstressed core index of refraction, and a stressed core index of refraction, and wherein the unstressed core index of refraction is less than the stressed core index of refraction.