Electro-optical device having an elastomeric body and related methods

An electro-optical device comprising:

• a substrate having opposing first and second surfaces and an opening extending therebetween;
• an optical waveguide extending laterally along the first surface and having an end aligned with the opening;
• an electro-optical component carried by the second surface and aligned with the opening;
• and
• an elastomeric polymer body within the opening and extending outwardly beyond the second surface, and having a first end face contacting said optical waveguide and a second end face pressed against said electro-optical component, said elastomeric polymer body having a radial gradient of refractive index so that said elastomeric polymer body defines a gradient index (GRIN) lens.

A method of making an electro-optical device comprising:

• forming an optical waveguide to extend laterally along a first surface of a substrate having opposing first and second surfaces and an opening extending therebetween with an end of the optical waveguide aligned with the opening;
• forming an elastomeric body within the opening and having a first end face adjacent the optical waveguide and having a second end face;
• and
• positioning an electro-optical component adjacent the second surface, aligned with the opening, and adjacent the second end face of the elastomeric body, the elastomeric body having a radial gradient of refractive index so that the elastomeric body defines a gradient index (GRIN) lens.

A method of making an electro-optical device comprising:

• forming an optical waveguide to extend laterally along a first surface of a substrate having opposing first and second surfaces and an opening extending therebetween with an end of the optical waveguide aligned with the opening;
• forming an optical body within the opening and having a first end face adjacent the optical waveguide and having a second end face by at least filling the opening with a photo-curable material, and curing the photo-curable material;
• and
• positioning an electro-optical component adjacent the second surface, aligned with the opening, and adjacent the second end face of the optical body, the elastomeric body having a radial gradient of refractive index so that the elastomeric body defines a gradient index (GRIN) lens.