Light guide and mfg. method thereof

Abstract

The present invention provides an optical wave guide that may be produced by reproduction method in easy and simple manner, and has a structure that prevents light signal in its inside from leaking out from core, and a method for producing the same optical wave guide. A concave slot 3 for forming a core is formed on the upper surface of a cladding substrate 2. And on both sides of the concave slot 3, cavities 6 are formed via flat portions 5. An ultraviolet ray hardening type transparent resin 8 is applied onto the surface of the cladding substrate 2, thereafter the transparent resin 8 is pressed by a stamper 13. At this moment, a core 4 is formed in the concave slot 3 and excessive transparent resin 8 pressed between the stamper 13 and the flat portions 5 flows into cavities 6, as a result, it is possible to make the transparent resin 8 thin in a short time. Thereby, it is possible to make the transparent resin 8 left on the flat portions 5 into thickness and width enough to prevent light in the core 4 from leaking out.

Description

[0001] technology area [0002] The present invention relates to optical waveguides and methods for their manufacture. In particular, it relates to the preparation of optical waveguides by molding and methods for their manufacture. Background technique [0003] A conventional optical waveguide is made of quartz, and a waveguide core, cladding, etc. are formed on the quartz by ion implantation or ion exchange. Since the manufacturing process requires a semiconductor manufacturing process using expensive equipment and devices, the cost is high. [0004] For this reason, attempts are also being made to reduce the cost of the optical waveguide by producing the optical waveguide using a replication method (or called a molding method). The simplest low-cost method in the replication method is to apply the core material (transparent resin) only on the surface of the cladding plate that is formed as the groove of the optical waveguide core by pressing, or to press the coated core ma...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

[0008] First of all, the former method of cutting off the core material after the core material is cured has such a problem: since the refractive index of the cladding plate and the waveguide core is not too large, it is difficult to distinguish the interface between the waveguide core and the cladding plate, and it is not easy to determine Where should the waveguide core be cut?

In addition, if the waveguide core is cut off at once by grinding, there may be a possibility that the excess part of the core material cannot be completely removed or the thickness of the cladding plate varies due to differences in the coating thickness of the coated core material and the thickness of the cladding plate. When the cladding board is cut through

Moreover, if the excess part of the core material remains, it will not be possible to prevent light leakage and lower the yield. In addition, once the cladding plate is cut off, the core size of the waveguide will change, and it will become an optical waveguide with different characteristics.

On the other hand, if the waveguide core is cut off with special care, it will take time and effort, and the productivity will be low, leading to problems of increased production cost.

[0009] Secondly, the problem with the latter method of scraping off the waveguide core in an uncured state before the core material is cured is that it is difficult to completely remove the uncured core material with a rubber scraper or the like, and it is extremely easy to scrape off the excess core material anyway. wood residues on cladding panels

Moreover, once a part of the excess core material remains, the light cannot be enclosed in the waveguide core, resulting in a decline in the yield

In addition, when the excess core material is completely scraped off with a rubber scraper, etc., the surface of the core material will be in a concave state due to the surface tension of the core material. When the core material is cured in this state, there will be pits on the surface of the waveguide core. Remains, as a result, the light sealing property deteriorates, the S / N ratio decreases, and it becomes different characteristics, resulting in a decrease in yield

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