US5317082A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Photodefinable optical waveguides
Assignee: Texas A&M University System
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Filing: 1992-12-22
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Granted: 1994-05-31
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Expires: 2012-12-22
Abstract
Abstract Polyimide optical waveguide structures comprising a core within a cladding wherein at least one of the core and the cladding is a polyimide containing 6FDA, BTDA, an aromatic diamine having bulky methyl groups ortho to the amine, and a co-diamine wherein the polyimides have the properties of low optical loss, low optical absorbance, controllable refractive index, and high thermal stability, and wherein the polyimides are photosensitive and solvent resistant.
Inventors
- 👤 Allyson J. Beuhler
- 👤 David A. Wargowski
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 21:45
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/02; G02B6/02033; C; C08; C08G; C08G73/00; C08G73/06; C08G73/10; C08G73/1039; C08G73/1042; G02B1/00; G02B1/04; G02B1/045
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
123 words
A photodefinable optical waveguide comprising a core material within a cladding material wherein at least one of the core material and the cladding material comprises a copolyimide having the repeating units ##STR4## and from about 0.1 mole % to about 30 mole % ##STR5## wherein R and R 1 are selected from a group consisting of at least one of an aromatic diamine moiety having bulky methyl groups ortho to the amine, and a co-diamine moiety; or the polyamic acid, salts, or polyester precursors therefor; wherein the photosensitivity of the polyimide is less than about 1,000 mJ/cm 2 , the birefringence is from about minus 0.25 to about plus 0.25, and wherein the refractive index of the core is greater than the cladding.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
123 words
A photodefinable optical waveguide comprising a core material within a cladding material wherein at least one of the core material and the cladding material comprises a copolyimide having the repeating units ##STR4## and from about 0.1 mole % to about 30 mole % ##STR5## wherein R and R 1 are selected from a group consisting of at least one of an aromatic diamine moiety having bulky methyl groups ortho to the amine, and a co-diamine moiety; or the polyamic acid, salts, or polyester precursors therefor; wherein the photosensitivity of the polyimide is less than about 1,000 mJ/cm 2 , the birefringence is from about minus 0.25 to about plus 0.25, and wherein the refractive index of the core is greater than the cladding.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
The photodefinable optical waveguide of claim 1 wherein the photosensitivity of the polyimide is less than about 300 mJ/cm 2 .
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
The photodefinable optical waveguide of claim 1 wherein the aromatic diamine moiety having bulky methyl groups ortho to the amine is selected from the group consisting of ##STR6##
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
The photodefinable optical waveguide of claim 3 wherein the aromatic diamine moiety having bulky methyl groups ortho to the amine is ##STR7##
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
The photodefinable optical waveguide of claim 1 wherein the co-diamine moiety disrupts the in-plane packing and the orientation of the polyimide.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
The photodefinable optical waveguide of claim 1 wherein the co-diamine moiety is selected from the group consisting of ABL-21, DABF, and BAAF.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
The photodefinable optical waveguide of claim 1 wherein the core material is selected from the group consisting of a polymer, SiO 2 , epoxy, and glass.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
32 words
The photodefinable optical waveguide of claim 1 wherein the core is the reaction product of 6FDA, BTDA, DMDE, and a co-diamine moiety selected from the group consisting of ABL-21, DABF, and BAAF.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
32 words
The photodefinable optical waveguide of claim 1 wherein the cladding is the reaction product of 6FDA, BTDA, DMDE, and a co-diamine moiety selected from the group consisting of ABL-21, DABF, and BAAF.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
30 words
The photodefinable optical waveguide of claim 1 wherein the cladding is selected from the group consisting of a polymer, air, vacuum, glass, SiO 2 , silicone gel, epoxy, and PMMA.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
35 words
The photodefinable optical waveguide of claim 1 wherein both the core material and the cladding material are the copolyimide of claim 1 and wherein the refractive index of the core is greater than the cladding.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
38 words
The photodefinable optical waveguide of claim 1 wherein the cladding material is the copolyimide of claim 1 which is etched into channels and which is overcoated with a core material having a higher refractive index than the cladding.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
38 words
The photodefinable optical waveguide of claim 1 wherein the core material is the copolyimide of claim 1 which is etched into ribs and which is overcoated with a cladding material having a lower refractive index than the core.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
15 words
The photodefinable optical waveguide of claim 1 wherein the co-diamine is substituted with fluorine groups.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1997-05-30 | 1997-11-29 | 1998-05-31 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-05-30 | 2001-11-29 | 2002-05-31 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-05-30 | 2005-11-29 | 2006-05-31 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |