Waveplate and optical circuit formed using mesogen-containing polymer
View Patent ↗Waveplate, planar lightwave circuit incorporating the waveplate, and method of making an optical device. The waveplate is formed of a mesogen-containing polymer film having a backbone and sidechains containing mesogen groups. The waveplate may be formed by producing a mesogen-containing polymer film having a nonzero birefringence of suitable dimensions for insertion into a planar lightwave circuit. The waveplate may be so inserted into an optical circuit of a planar lightwave circuit so that an optical signal traversing the waveplate is changed, for instance, to have two polarization states.
1. A method of making an optical device comprising
(a) providing a mesogen-containing polymer film; and
(b) forming, from the film, a mesogen-containing polymer piece to have a length, a width, and a thickness adapted for use in a planar lightwave circuit, the mesogen-containing polymer piece having a birefringence not equal to zero, said birefringence being suitable for use in a waveguide of the planar lightwave circuit; and (c) inserting the polymer piece into an optical pathway of a waveguide of the planar lightwave circuit.
2. A method according to claim 1 wherein the mesogen-containing polymer film has a polymer backbone selected from the group consisting of polyimides, polyetherimides, polyesterimides, polyamideimides, polyketones, polyarylethers, polyetherketones, polysulfones, polysulfides, polyarylenes, polyesters, polyamides, polycarbonates, polyolefins, polyvinylesters, polyurethanes, polyacrylates, polyphenylenes.
3. A method according to claim 2 wherein the mesogen-containing polymer film contains at least one mesogen having the form phenyl-X-phenyl-R or phenyl-phenyl-R, where X is selected from the group consisting of azo, diazo, azoxy, nitrone, carbon-carbon double bond, carbon-carbon triple bond, amide, imide, Schiff base, and ester; and R is selected from the group consisting of poly(alkylene oxide), polyalkane, polyperfluoroalkane, polysiloxane, and aliphatic polyether.
4. A method according to claim 3 wherein the mesogen-containing polymer film has at least one linking group selected from the group consisting of ether, ester, amide, imide, urethane, alkylene, alkyl.
5. A method according to claim 4 wherein the mesogen-containing polymer film has at least one spacer group selected from the group consisting of poly(alkylene oxide), polyalkane, polyperfluoroalkane, polysiloxane, and aliphatic polyether.
6. A method according to claim 3 wherein the mesogen-containing polymer film has at least one spacer group selected from the group consisting of poly(alkylene oxide), polyalkane, polyperfluoroalkane, polysiloxane, and aliphatic polyether.
7. A method according to claim 2 wherein the mesogen groups are selected from the group consisting of trans 1,3 cyclohexane; trans 1,4 cyclohexane; trans 2,5 disubstituted 1,3 dioxane; trans 2,5 disubstituted 1,3 dithiane; and trans 2,5 disubstituted 1,3 dioxathiane.
8. A method according to claim 7 wherein the mesogen-containing polymer film has at least one linking group selected from the group consisting of ether, ester, amide, imide, urethane, alkylene, alkyl.
9. A method according to claim 8 wherein the mesogen-containing polymer film has at least one spacer group selected from the group consisting of poly(alkylene oxide), polyalkane, polyperfluoroalkane, polysiloxane, and aliphatic polyether.
10. A method according to claim 7 wherein the mesogen-containing polymer film has at least one spacer group selected from the group consisting of poly(alkylene oxide), polyalkane, polyperfluoroalkane, polysiloxane, and aliphatic polyether.
11. A method according to claim 2 wherein the mesogen-containing polymer film has at least one linking group selected from the group consisting of ether, ester, amide, imide, urethane, alkylene, alkyl.
12. A method according to claim 11 wherein the mesogen-containing polymer film has at least one spacer group selected from the group consisting of poly(alkylene oxide), polyalkane, polyperfluoroalkane, polysiloxane, and aliphatic polyether.
13. A method according to claim 2 wherein the mesogen-containing polymer film has at least one spacer group selected from the group consisting of poly(alkylene oxide), polyalkane, polyperfluoroalkane, polysiloxane, and aliphatic polyether.
14. A method according to claim 1 wherein the mesogen-containing polymer film contains at least one mesogen having the form phenyl-X-phenyl-R or phenyl-phenyl-R, where X is selected from the group consisting of azo, diazo, azoxy, nitrone, carbon-carbon double bond, carbon-carbon triple bond, amide, imide, Schiff base, and ester; and R is selected from the group consisting of poly(alkylene oxide), polyalkane, polyperfluoroalkane, polysiloxane, and aliphatic polyether.
15. A method according to claim 14 wherein the mesogen-containing polymer film has at least one linking group selected from the group consisting of ether, ester, amide, imide, urethane, alkylene, alkyl.
16. A method according to claim 15 wherein the mesogen-containing polymer film has at least one spacer group selected from the group consisting of poly(alkylene oxide), polyalkane, polyperfluoroalkane, polysiloxane, and aliphatic polyether.
17. A method according to claim 14 wherein the mesogen-containing polymer film has at least one spacer group selected from the group consisting of poly(alkylene oxide), polyalkane, polyperfluoroalkane, polysiloxane, and aliphatic polyether.
18. A method according to claim 1 wherein the mesogen groups are selected from the group consisting of trans 1,3 cyclohexane; trans 1,4 cyclohexane; trans 2,5 disubstituted 1,3 dioxane; trans 2,5 disubstituted 1,3 dithiane; and trans 2,5 disubstituted 1,3 dioxathiane.
19. A method according to claim 18 wherein the mesogen-containing polymer film has at least one linking group selected from the group consisting of ether, ester, amide, imide, urethane, alkylene, alkyl.
20. A method according to claim 19 wherein the mesogen-containing polymer film has at least one spacer group selected from the group consisting of poly(alkylene oxide), polyalkane, polyperfluoroalkane, polysiloxane, and aliphatic polyether.
21. A method according to claim 18 wherein the mesogen-containing polymer film has at least one spacer group selected from the group consisting of poly(alkylene oxide), polyalkane, polyperfluoroalkane, polysiloxane, and aliphatic polyether.
22. A method according to claim 1 wherein the mesogen-containing polymer film has at least one linking group selected from the group consisting of ether, ester, amide, imide, urethane, alkylene, alkyl.
23. A method according to claim 22 wherein the mesogen-containing polymer film has at least one spacer group selected from the group consisting of poly(alkylene oxide), polyalkane, polyperfluoroalkane, polysiloxane, and aliphatic polyether.
24. A method according to claim 1 wherein the mesogen-containing polymer film has at least one spacer group selected from the group consisting of poly(alkylene oxide), polyalkane, polyperfluoroalkane, polysiloxane, and aliphatic polyether.