A method of forming an optical interconnect between first and second photonic chips located on an optical printed circuit board includes applying a flexible, freestanding film onto the first and second chips so that the film extends over a gap and/or step between the chips. The film includes a photosensitive layer having a refractive index that decreases by exposure to radiation and a backing layer. The film is exposed to a flood exposure having a radiation dosage penetrating the backing layer and only a surface sublayer of the photosensitive layer. After curing the film, the backing layer is removed so that the photosensitive layer remains on the first and second chips. The photosensitive layer is selectively exposed to a second radiation dosage to define waveguide core(s) in unexposed regions of the photosensitive layer below the surface sublayer. The photosensitive layer is heated to cure the selectively exposed portions.

A method of forming an optical interconnect between first and second photonic chips located on an optical printed circuit board includes applying a flexible, freestanding film onto the first and second chips so that the film extends over a gap and/or step between the chips. The film includes a photosensitive layer having a refractive index that decreases by exposure to radiation and a backing layer. The film is exposed to a flood exposure having a radiation dosage penetrating the backing layer and only a surface sublayer of the photosensitive layer. After curing the film, the backing layer is removed so that the photosensitive layer remains on the first and second chips. The photosensitive layer is selectively exposed to a second radiation dosage to define waveguide core(s) in unexposed regions of the photosensitive layer below the surface sublayer. The photosensitive layer is heated to cure the selectively exposed portions.

Disclosed is a polymeric waveguide for propagating light therein along width and length dimensions of the polymeric waveguide. The polymeric waveguide has a first curved surface on one side thereof and a second curved surface on an opposite second side thereof, and a refractive index spatially varying through a thickness thereof between the first curved surface and the second curved surface. The polymeric waveguide is curved in a cross-section comprising at least one of the width and length dimensions.

Disclosed is a polymeric waveguide for propagating light therein along width and length dimensions of the polymeric waveguide. The polymeric waveguide has a first curved surface on one side thereof and a second curved surface on an opposite second side thereof, and a refractive index spatially varying through a thickness thereof between the first curved surface and the second curved surface. The polymeric waveguide is curved in a cross-section comprising at least one of the width and length dimensions.

Disclosed is a polymeric waveguide for propagating light therein along width and length dimensions of the polymeric waveguide. The polymeric waveguide has a first curved surface on one side thereof and a second curved surface on an opposite second side thereof, and a refractive index spatially varying through a thickness thereof between the first curved surface and the second curved surface. The polymeric waveguide is curved in a cross-section comprising at least one of the width and length dimensions.

Disclosed is a polymeric waveguide for propagating light therein along width and length dimensions of the polymeric waveguide. The polymeric waveguide has a first curved surface on one side thereof and a second curved surface on an opposite second side thereof, and a refractive index spatially varying through a thickness thereof between the first curved surface and the second curved surface. The polymeric waveguide is curved in a cross-section comprising at least one of the width and length dimensions.

The present invention is directed to refractive index contrast (“RIC”) polymers and methods for producing and using the same. In one particular embodiment, RIC polymers of the invention can be used as waveguides. RIC polymers of the invention are produced from a monomeric mixture comprising a first monomer and a second monomer comprising an acid-labile protecting group, where a first polymer produced from the first monomer has a different refractive index compared to the refractive index of a second polymer produced from the second monomer. The base refractive index of RIC polymers can be tuned by controlling the amount of the first and the second monomers. Furthermore, the refractive index of the waveguide can be modulated by the amount of acid-labile protecting group removal.

The present invention is directed to refractive index contrast (“RIC”) polymers and methods for producing and using the same. In one particular embodiment, RIC polymers of the invention can be used as waveguides. RIC polymers of the invention are produced from a monomeric mixture comprising a first monomer and a second monomer comprising an acid-labile protecting group, where a first polymer produced from the first monomer has a different refractive index compared to the refractive index of a second polymer produced from the second monomer. The base refractive index of RIC polymers can be tuned by controlling the amount of the first and the second monomers. Furthermore, the refractive index of the waveguide can be modulated by the amount of acid-labile protecting group removal.

An optical connector includes multiple optical fibers; a single multicore fiber; and multiple self-forming optical waveguides, wherein the total number of cores of the multiple optical fibers and the total number of cores of the multicore fiber are identical to each other, the multiple optical fibers and the multicore fiber are arranged facing each other, the self-forming optical waveguides are provided among the multiple optical fibers and the multicore fiber, end portions of the self-forming optical waveguides are optically connected to the cores of the multiple optical fibers and the cores of the multicore fiber, and either the multiple optical fibers or the multicore fiber contacting the end portions of the self-forming optical waveguides is detachable from the self-forming optical waveguides.

Integrated passive/active modulator units, integrated passive/active modulators comprising one or more units, and corresponding methods of fabrication and use are provided. In an example embodiment, a unit comprises an upstream passive portion comprising a passive waveguide; a downstream passive portion comprising a continuation of the passive waveguide; and an active portion between the upstream passive portion and the downstream passive portion. The active portion comprises an active waveguide and electrical contacts in electrical communication with the active waveguide. The active waveguide comprises an upstream taper and/or a downstream taper. The upstream taper is configured to optically couple the active waveguide to the passive waveguide of the upstream portion and the downstream taper is configured to optically couple the active waveguide to the continuation of the passive waveguide of the downstream portion.