US5513288A — Optical polymer element for coupling photoelement…

Claim 1

Independent Claim 99 words

An Integrated-optical device in polymer technology, having a photoelement coupled onto an optical waveguide, with only the evanescent field components of the optical waveguide being coupled by an optical intermediate element into the photoelement, and wherein: the photoelement is incorporated into a polymeric upwardly closed cover plate; the cover plate is fitted exactly onto a base plate comprising a polymer layer having a light guiding optical waveguide; the intermediate element is an optical buffer layer disposed between the cover plate and the base plate; and the entire buffer layer has a lower refractive index than the lightguiding polymer layer.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 99 words

An Integrated-optical device in polymer technology, having a photoelement coupled onto an optical waveguide, with only the evanescent field components of the optical waveguide being coupled by an optical intermediate element into the photoelement, and wherein: the photoelement is incorporated into a polymeric upwardly closed cover plate; the cover plate is fitted exactly onto a base plate comprising a polymer layer having a light guiding optical waveguide; the intermediate element is an optical buffer layer disposed between the cover plate and the base plate; and the entire buffer layer has a lower refractive index than the lightguiding polymer layer.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 39 words

An integrated-optical device according to claim 1, wherein the buffer layer is optically changed locally over a sensitive window of the photoelement such that the evanescent light fields extend locally far beyond the buffer layer and into the photoelement.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 34 words

An integrated-optical device according to claim 1, wherein the refractive index of the buffer layer is raised, by local ion diffusion or ion implantation, in the region of a sensitive window of the photoelement.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 26 words

An integrated-optical device according to claim 3, wherein the degree of optical coupling is set via the height of the index change of the buffer layer.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 38 words

An integrated-optical device according to claim 1, wherein a polymer layer with photopolymerizable additives, the refractive index of which is set locally over a sensitive window of the photoelement by UV exposure, is used as the buffer layer.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 159 words

An Integrated-optical device in polymer technology, having a photoelement coupled onto an optical waveguide, with only the evanescent field components of the optical waveguide being coupled by an optical intermediate element into the photoelement, and wherein: the photoelement is incorporated into a polymeric upwardly closed cover plate; the cover plate is fitted exactly onto a polymeric base plate having an optical waveguide; the intermediate element is an optical buffer layer disposed between the cover plate and base plate; the buffer layer is a polymer layer with photopolymerizable additives responsive to UV exposure and whose refractive index is set locally in a region opposite a sensitive window of the photoelement; the refractive index gradually changes spatially due to UV exposure, in varied density, such that the refractive index profile of the buffer layer is set in a longitudinal direction of the waveguide or as a spatial depth profile of a refractive index increase over the sensitive window of the photoelement.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 159 words

An Integrated-optical device in polymer technology, having a photoelement coupled onto an optical waveguide, with only the evanescent field components of the optical waveguide being coupled by an optical intermediate element into the photoelement, and wherein: the photoelement is incorporated into a polymeric upwardly closed cover plate; the cover plate is fitted exactly onto a polymeric base plate having an optical waveguide; the intermediate element is an optical buffer layer disposed between the cover plate and base plate; the buffer layer is a polymer layer with photopolymerizable additives responsive to UV exposure and whose refractive index is set locally in a region opposite a sensitive window of the photoelement; the refractive index gradually changes spatially due to UV exposure, in varied density, such that the refractive index profile of the buffer layer is set in a longitudinal direction of the waveguide or as a spatial depth profile of a refractive index increase over the sensitive window of the photoelement.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 114 words

An Integrated-optical device in polymer technology, having a photoelement coupled onto an optical waveguide, with only the evanescent field components of the optical waveguide being coupled by an optical intermediate element into the photoelement, and wherein: the photoelement is incorporated into a polymeric upwardly closed cover plate; the cover plate is fitted exactly onto a base plate comprising a polymer layer having a light guiding optical waveguide; the intermediate element is an optical buffer layer disposed between the cover plate and the base plate; and the buffer layer is structured in the lateral direction in a region opposite a sensitive window of the photoelement by a taper structure having a slightly increased refractive index.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 114 words

An Integrated-optical device in polymer technology, having a photoelement coupled onto an optical waveguide, with only the evanescent field components of the optical waveguide being coupled by an optical intermediate element into the photoelement, and wherein: the photoelement is incorporated into a polymeric upwardly closed cover plate; the cover plate is fitted exactly onto a base plate comprising a polymer layer having a light guiding optical waveguide; the intermediate element is an optical buffer layer disposed between the cover plate and the base plate; and the buffer layer is structured in the lateral direction in a region opposite a sensitive window of the photoelement by a taper structure having a slightly increased refractive index.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 15 words

An integrated-optical device according to claim 7, wherein the taper structure runs to a point.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 31 words

An integrated-optical device according to claim 1, wherein the optical buffer layer allows an optical coupling with the optical waveguide only in a region of a sensitive window of the photoelement.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 25 words

An integrated-optical device according to claim 1, wherein the optical waveguides comprise higher-refractive-index polymers incorporated in structures formed as grooves in the polymeric base plate.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 149 words

An Integrated-optical device in polymer technology, having a photoelement coupled onto an optical waveguide, with only the evanescent field components of the optical waveguide being coupled by an optical intermediate element into the photoelement, and wherein: the photoelement is incorporated into a polymeric upwardly closed cover plate; the cover plate is fitted exactly onto a base plate comprising a polymer layer having a light guiding optical waveguide; the intermediate element is an optical buffer layer disposed between the cover plate and the base plate; the optical buffer layer, with photopolymerizable admixtures, is applied to the cover plate; and the refractive index of the buffer layer in a region opposite a sensitive window of the photoelement is raised and set in at least one of the longitudinal direction of the waveguide, as a spatial depth profile of the refractive index increase, and as a taper structure by local UV exposure.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 149 words

An Integrated-optical device in polymer technology, having a photoelement coupled onto an optical waveguide, with only the evanescent field components of the optical waveguide being coupled by an optical intermediate element into the photoelement, and wherein: the photoelement is incorporated into a polymeric upwardly closed cover plate; the cover plate is fitted exactly onto a base plate comprising a polymer layer having a light guiding optical waveguide; the intermediate element is an optical buffer layer disposed between the cover plate and the base plate; the optical buffer layer, with photopolymerizable admixtures, is applied to the cover plate; and the refractive index of the buffer layer in a region opposite a sensitive window of the photoelement is raised and set in at least one of the longitudinal direction of the waveguide, as a spatial depth profile of the refractive index increase, and as a taper structure by local UV exposure.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 133 words

An Integrated-optical device in polymer technology, having a photoelement coupled onto an optical waveguide, with only the evanescent field components of the optical waveguide being coupled by an optical intermediate element into the photoelement, and wherein: the photoelement is incorporated into a polymeric upwardly closed cover plate; the cover plate is fitted exactly onto a base plate comprising a polymer layer having a light guiding optical waveguide; the intermediate element is an optical buffer layer disposed between the cover plate and the base plate; and the optical buffer layer is formed as a thin polymer film having electrical conductor tracks on a side facing the cover plate; and this buffer film with the electrical conductor tracks is laminated onto the cover plate such that the photoelements are electrically contacted at the same time.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 133 words

An Integrated-optical device in polymer technology, having a photoelement coupled onto an optical waveguide, with only the evanescent field components of the optical waveguide being coupled by an optical intermediate element into the photoelement, and wherein: the photoelement is incorporated into a polymeric upwardly closed cover plate; the cover plate is fitted exactly onto a base plate comprising a polymer layer having a light guiding optical waveguide; the intermediate element is an optical buffer layer disposed between the cover plate and the base plate; and the optical buffer layer is formed as a thin polymer film having electrical conductor tracks on a side facing the cover plate; and this buffer film with the electrical conductor tracks is laminated onto the cover plate such that the photoelements are electrically contacted at the same time.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 28 words

An integrated-optical device according to claim 12, wherein the refractive index of the buffer film is raised locally in the region opposite a sensitive window of the photoelement.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 19 words

An integrated-optical device according to claim 12, wherein the degree of optical coupling is set via the refractive index.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 26 words

An integrated-optical device according to claim 13, wherein the refractive index of the buffer layer has different magnitudes in at least one of laterally and vertically.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 17 words

An integrated-optical device according to claim 12, wherein the optical buffer layer comprises an embossed thermoplastic film.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 28 words

An integrated-optical device according to claim 12, wherein the optical buffer layer has a smaller layer thickness locally in a region opposite a sensitive window of the photoelement.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 37 words

An integrated-optical device according to claim 12, wherein the optical buffer layer carrying the electrical conductor tracks extends beyond the outer dimensions of at least one of the cover and base plates and has electrical contacts there.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 110 words

An Integrated-optical device in polymer technology, having a photoelement coupled onto an optical waveguide, with only the evanescent field components of the optical waveguide being coupled by an optical intermediate element into the photoelement, and wherein: the photoelement is incorporated into a polymeric upwardly closed cover plate; the cover plate is fitted exactly onto a base plate comprising a polymer layer having a light guiding optical waveguide; the intermediate element is an optical buffer layer disposed between the cover plate and the base plate; and a light entry surface of the photoelement is geometrically closer to the optical waveguide than the cover plate and extends partially into the buffer layer.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 110 words

An Integrated-optical device in polymer technology, having a photoelement coupled onto an optical waveguide, with only the evanescent field components of the optical waveguide being coupled by an optical intermediate element into the photoelement, and wherein: the photoelement is incorporated into a polymeric upwardly closed cover plate; the cover plate is fitted exactly onto a base plate comprising a polymer layer having a light guiding optical waveguide; the intermediate element is an optical buffer layer disposed between the cover plate and the base plate; and a light entry surface of the photoelement is geometrically closer to the optical waveguide than the cover plate and extends partially into the buffer layer.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 52 words

An integrated-optical device according to claim 19, wherein the light entry surface is covered by a semiconductor layer which has a higher refractive index than the optical waveguide, and draws the evanescent light fields out of the optical waveguide and feeds them to a light-sensitive junction of the semiconductor layer for detection.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 124 words

An Integrated-optical device in polymer technology, having a photoelement coupled onto an optical waveguide, with only the evanescent field components of the optical waveguide being coupled by an optical intermediate element into the photoelement, and wherein: the photoelement is incorporated into a polymeric upwardly closed cover plate; the cover plate is fitted exactly onto a base plate comprising a polymer layer having a light guiding optical waveguide; the intermediate element is an optical buffer layer disposed between the cover plate and the base plate; and the optical waveguide is produced in a base plate formed of organic polymer film; and the photosensitive side of the photoelement is adhesively attached by a higher-refractive-index transparent adhesive, which forms the buffer layer, directly onto the optical waveguide.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 124 words

An Integrated-optical device in polymer technology, having a photoelement coupled onto an optical waveguide, with only the evanescent field components of the optical waveguide being coupled by an optical intermediate element into the photoelement, and wherein: the photoelement is incorporated into a polymeric upwardly closed cover plate; the cover plate is fitted exactly onto a base plate comprising a polymer layer having a light guiding optical waveguide; the intermediate element is an optical buffer layer disposed between the cover plate and the base plate; and the optical waveguide is produced in a base plate formed of organic polymer film; and the photosensitive side of the photoelement is adhesively attached by a higher-refractive-index transparent adhesive, which forms the buffer layer, directly onto the optical waveguide.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 29 words

An integrated-optical device according to claim 21, wherein-the degree of optical coupling is set by choice of the refractive index, the thickness and the length of the polymer adhesive.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 105 words

An Integrated-optical device in polymer technology, having a photoelement coupled onto an optical waveguide, with only the evanescent field components of the optical waveguide being coupled by an optical intermediate element into the photoelement, and wherein: the photoelement is incorporated into a polymeric upwardly closed cover plate; the cover plate is fitted exactly onto a base plate comprising a polymer layer having a light guiding optical waveguide; the intermediate element is an optical buffer layer disposed between the cover plate and the base plate; and the coupling distance is set via spacers arranged between the polymer base plate receiving the optical waveguide and the photoelement.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 105 words

An Integrated-optical device in polymer technology, having a photoelement coupled onto an optical waveguide, with only the evanescent field components of the optical waveguide being coupled by an optical intermediate element into the photoelement, and wherein: the photoelement is incorporated into a polymeric upwardly closed cover plate; the cover plate is fitted exactly onto a base plate comprising a polymer layer having a light guiding optical waveguide; the intermediate element is an optical buffer layer disposed between the cover plate and the base plate; and the coupling distance is set via spacers arranged between the polymer base plate receiving the optical waveguide and the photoelement.

Claim 32

Dependent Claim 22 words

An integrated-optical device according to claim 23 wherein the spacers are formed by conductor tracks thickened by electroplating, applied to the photoelement.

Claim 33

Dependent Claim 27 words

An integrated-optical device according to claim 21, wherein the adhesive at the coupling location simultaneously serves to mechanically fix the photoelement to the base plate and waveguide.

Claim 34

Dependent Claim 100 words

An Integrated-optical device in polymer technology, having a photoelement coupled onto an optical waveguide, with only the evanescent field components of the optical waveguide being coupled by an optical intermediate element into the photoelement, and wherein: the photoelement is incorporated into a polymeric upwardly closed cover plate; the cover plate is fitted exactly onto a base plate comprising a polymer layer having a light guiding optical waveguide; the intermediate element is an optical buffer layer disposed between the cover plate and the base plate; and the optical waveguide is encapsulated together with the coupled-on photoelement by a lower-refractive-index covering layer.

Claim 35

Dependent Claim 100 words

An Integrated-optical device in polymer technology, having a photoelement coupled onto an optical waveguide, with only the evanescent field components of the optical waveguide being coupled by an optical intermediate element into the photoelement, and wherein: the photoelement is incorporated into a polymeric upwardly closed cover plate; the cover plate is fitted exactly onto a base plate comprising a polymer layer having a light guiding optical waveguide; the intermediate element is an optical buffer layer disposed between the cover plate and the base plate; and the optical waveguide is encapsulated together with the coupled-on photoelement by a lower-refractive-index covering layer.

Claim 36

Dependent Claim 41 words

An integrated-optical device according to claim 26 wherein the buffer layer has a refractive index in a region opposite the photoelement which is less than or equal to the refractive index of the buffer layer outside the region opposite the photoelement.

Claim 37

Dependent Claim 41 words

An integrated-optical device according to claim 1 wherein the buffer layer has a refractive index in a region opposite the photoelement which is less than or equal to the refractive index of the buffer layer outside the region opposite the photoelement.

Claim 38

Dependent Claim 28 words

An integrated-optical device according to claim 21, wherein the coupling distance is set via spacers arranged between the polymer base plate receiving the optical waveguide and the photoelement.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1999-04-30	1999-10-30	2000-04-30	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2003-04-30	2003-10-30	2004-04-30	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2007-04-30	2007-10-30	2008-04-30	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Optical polymer element for coupling photoelements onto integrated-optical circuits

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