Making a cross-linked polymer network
AssigneeHewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
InventorsZhang-Lin Zhou, Alexandre M Bratkovski, Shih-Yuan Wang, Michael Renne Ty Tan
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method for making a cross-linked polymer network is disclosed herein. A mixture is formed of i) an electro-optic chromophore, ii) any of a cross-linkable monomer or a cross-linkable oligomer, and iii) an initiator in a solvent. Poling of the electro-optic chromophore is initiated by exposing the mixture to an electric field. While the mixture is being exposed to the electric field, the mixture is subjected to ultraviolet light or heat to initiate cross-linking of the any of the cross-linkable monomer or the cross-linkable oligomer to form a matrix of the cross-linked polymer network.
Claims18
A method for making a cross-linked polymer network, comprising:
- forming a mixture of i) an electro-optic chromophore, ii) any of a cross-linkable monomer or a cross-linkable oligomer, and iii) an initiator in a solvent;
- initiating poling of the electro-optic chromophore by exposing the mixture to an electric field;
- and
- while the mixture is being exposed to the electric field, subjecting the mixture to ultraviolet light or heat to initiate cross-linking of the any of the cross-linkable monomer or the cross-linkable oligomer to form a matrix of the cross-linked polymer network.
A method for making an electro-optic device, comprising:
- forming a mixture of i) an electro-optic chromophore, ii) any of a cross-linkable monomer or a cross-linkable oligomer, and iii) an initiator in a solvent;
- depositing the mixture into trenches of a patterned substrate;
- initiating poling of the electro-optic chromophore by exposing the mixture to a direct current (DC) electric field;
- and
- while the mixture is being exposed to the electric field, subjecting the mixture to ultraviolet light or heat to initiate cross-linking of the any of the cross-linkable monomer or the cross-linkable oligomer to form a matrix of a cross-linked polymer network.
An electro-optic device, comprising:
- a silicon substrate;
- a trench patterned into a surface of the silicon substrate;
- a cross-linked polymer network formed in-situ within the trench, the cross-linked polymer network including:
- a cured cross-linked polymer matrix;
- and
- a polarized electro-optic chromophore uniformly distributed throughout the cured cross-linked polymer matrix and immersed within the cured cross-linked polymer matrix.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.