Waveplate and optical circuit formed from mesogen-containing polymer

摘要

Waveplates formed of mesogen-containing polymers and planar lightwave circuits containing such waveplates. Polymers have sidechains containing mesogens such as biphenyl-containing groups. Polymers may have a glass transition temperature between 100 C. and 300 C., and polymers may be stretched in excess of 150% to increase birefringence of polymer and provide thin films. Waveplates formed of stretched polymer films may have high biaxial birefringence.