METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING POLYMER MICROSTRUCTURES AND POLYMER WAVEGUIDES

摘要

A microfabrication process for preparing articles such as optical waveguides in which a precursor article that includes (a) a substrate, (b) a first polymer layer overlying the substrate, (c) a second polymer layer overlying the first polymer layer, (d) a metal hardmask layer overlying the second polymer layer, and (e) a photodefinable layer overlying the metal hardmask layer is subjected to photolithographic imaging, developing, and plasma etching steps to form an article that includes the substrate and portions of the first polymer layer arranged in a pattern corresponding to the pattern of the photomask used for photolithographic imaging.