ORGANIC OPTICAL COMPONENTS AND PREPARATION THEREOF

摘要

A polymeric structure for use in the preparation of an organic optical component which polymeric structure comprises (a) a first layer (2) of an optically transmissive first polymer having a first refractive index, the first layer having a surface in which is defined at least one retaining feature (3); (b) an optically transmissive second polymer retained within the at least one retaining feature, the second polymer having a second refractive index which is greater than the first refractive index; and (c) an overlay of the second polymer having a maximum thickness of less than 1.5 mu m over the surface of the first layer. An organic optical component prepared from such a structure shows an optical loss of less than 2.0 dB.cm-1 at at least one wavelength in the range 300 to 1600 nm. The method of forming such a structure, e.g. waveguide, requires forming a line of contact between a flexible dispensing layer and the polymer surface in which the features defining the waveguide are located and progressively contacting the surface with the flexible dispensing layer such the line of contact advances across the surface. Sufficient of a resin (6) capable of forming the second polymer is applied along the line of contact and sufficient pressure is applied such that substantially all of the resin which is surplus to that required to fill the feature progresses with the line of contact.