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Functional materials for use in optical systems

Inactive Publication Date: 2005-02-24
DROTLEFF ELIZABETH +3
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  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

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Benefits of technology

Additionally, the thermoplastic and / or thermosetting polymer typically has a glass transition temperatures above 100° C., one embodiment for low index materials has a refractive index values less than 1.5 while another embodiment for high index materials has refractive index values greater than 1.5. The polymers are combined with chromophores, either through blending or copolymerization and typically contain compatibilization additives or groups and / or adhesion promotion additives or groups. The chromophores according to the invention typically consists of a donor component, a conjugated and / or aromatic bridge region, and an acceptor component. The bridge and / or the acceptor typically have one or more fluorine atoms, located to enhance the compatibility of the chromophore with the polymers of this invention, while also enhancing or not substantially diminishing the nonlinear optical properties of the chromophore.

Problems solved by technology

The Tg of these systems varied between 82° C. and 92° C. While these compositions allow (possess) some degree of optical modulation, they are not suitable for use in an optical switch, which requires the reliability and efficiency requirements of commercial communications networks.

Method used

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  • Functional materials for use in optical systems
  • Functional materials for use in optical systems
  • Functional materials for use in optical systems

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Experimental program
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second embodiment

Additionally, the polymers of this invention typically have glass transition temperatures above 100° C. The refractive index values of these polymeric compositions typically vary between about 1.3 to about ≦1.5 in one embodiment, and from about 1.5 to about 1;8 in a Typically, the polymers of the present invention can contain (as part of the backbone structure) between 0.1 and 10% of an adhesive promotion group or combination of groups such as, for example, silane, carboxylic acid, nitrile, or hydroxyl functional groups. Additionally, all of the polymers can be either blended with an EO chromophore or can have the EO chromophore covalently attached to the polymer backbone structure.

Thermoplastic polymers are polymers that soften or become plastic when they are heated. The process of heating and cooling such polymers can be carried out repeatedly without affecting any appreciable change in the properties of the polymers. After thermoplastic polymers are synthesized, they can be dis...

examples 1-6

represent various classes of low refractive index polymers (prior art and inventive), while Examples 7-9 represent durable polymers that have high refractive index values (n>1.50)

polymer example 1

Prior Art Polymer

The co-polymer system 1H, 1H, 2H, 2H tridecafluoro-octyl methacrylate (48.5%), trifluoroethyl methacrylate (19.4%)(monomer, n=1.361), methacrylic acid ester of Disperse Red-1 (32.1%) (conventional chromophore) described in Bosc, et al. was prepared and tested for its potential of creating a practical commercial communications optical switch device. The test results for this prior art system are given in Table 5. Descriptions of the results in each of the testing criteria follow Table 5.

TABLE 5Analysis of Prior Art TerpolymerThermalEOStabilityWater / Ease(Conventional)Control ofRefractiveOptical{Cross-LinkingMoistureofChromophoreTotal SystemIndexTgLossCapability}SensitivityPolingAdhesionCompatibilityRefractive IndexLowLess thanPoorPoor / {none}PoorPoorPoorPoorPoor(n = 1.5)100° C. (373° K)   

Regarding optical loss, the electrooptic (EO) chromophore and monomer have a high percentage of carbon-hydrogen bonds, which can cause high optical losses at 1.3 μm wavelength of...

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Abstract

Functional optical materials for optical systems that are typically useful in optical waveguides, optical switching systems, optical modulators, optical computing systems and the like. Included are polymer systems and electrooptical chromophores. Polymers are thermoplastic and / or thermosetting polymers and are blended or co-polymerized with the electrooptic chromophore. Methods for improving adhesion promotion for the various novel materials are also provided.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The field of this invention is functional materials useful in optical systems exemplified by, but not limited to, optical switches, modulators, and other devices that are compatible with silica or non-silica waveguides. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION A waveguide is any structure which permits the propagation of a wave through its length despite diffractive effects, and possible curvature of the guide structure. An optical waveguide is an optical structure capable of guiding a beam of laser light along light channels in the waveguide, and is defined by an extended region of increased index of refraction relative to the surrounding medium. The waveguide typically includes both the light channels in which light waves propagate in the waveguide, and surrounding cladding which confine the waves in the channel. The strength of the guiding, or the confinement, of the wave depends on the wavelength of light, the refractive index difference between the guide and the cla...

Claims

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Application Information

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IPC IPC(8): G02B6/122G02F1/01G02F1/061G02F1/065G02F1/361
CPCG02B6/1221G02F1/0147G02F1/3617G02F1/065G02F1/3611G02F1/061
Inventor DROTLEFF, ELIZABETHMCGINNISS, VINCENTRISSER, STEVEN M.SPAHR, KEVIN B.
Owner DROTLEFF ELIZABETH