Imprinted multi-level optical circuit structure
View Patent ↗An imprinted optical micro-channel structure for transmitting light to an optical receiver or receiving light from an optical transmitter includes a substrate and a cured optical layer formed in relation to the substrate. The cured optical layer includes one or more optical micro-channels imprinted in the cured optical layer. Each optical micro-channel includes a cured light-transparent material forming a light-pipe that transmits light in the optical micro-channel. The optical transmitter is located in alignment with a light-pipe for transmitting light through the light-pipe or the optical receiver is located in alignment with a light-pipe for receiving light from the light-pipe.
1. An imprinted optical micro-channel structure for transmitting light to an optical receiver or receiving light from an optical transmitter, comprising:
a substrate;
a cured optical layer formed in relation to the substrate, the cured optical layer including one or more optical micro-channels imprinted in the cured optical layer, each optical micro-channel including a cured light-transparent material forming a light-pipe that transmits light in the optical micro-channel;
one or more integrated circuits having one or more optical transceivers, each optical transceiver located in alignment with at least one associated light-pipe, the optical transceiver transmitting light into the associated light-pipe or receiving light from the associated light-pipe; and
a cured electrical layer in contact with the cured optical layer, the cured electrical layer including electrical micro-channels imprinted in the cured electrical layer, the electrical micro-channels including a cured electrically conductive material forming micro-wires in the electrical micro-channels.
2. The imprinted optical micro-channel structure of claim 1 , wherein the integrated circuit includes one or more electrical contacts, each electrical contact electrically connected to at least one micro-wire.
3. The imprinted optical micro-channel structure of claim 1 , wherein the cured electrical layer is located between the cured optical layer and the substrate.
4. The imprinted optical micro-channel structure of claim 1 , wherein the cured optical layer is located between the cured electrical layer and the substrate.
5. The imprinted optical micro-channel structure of claim 1 , wherein at least one micro-wire is reflective and is located to reflect light transmitted by an optical transceiver.
6. The imprinted optical micro-channel structure of claim 5 , wherein the at least one reflective micro-wire is located along the length of an optical micro-channel.
7. The imprinted optical micro-channel structure of claim 5 , wherein the at least one reflective micro-wire is located to reflect light from the optical transceiver to the light-pipe.