The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Apr. 29, 2003
Filed:
Apr. 19, 1999
William K. Bischel, Menlo Park, CA (US);
David A. G. Deacon, Los Altos, CA (US);
Michael J. Brinkman, Redwood City, CA (US);
Simon J. Field, Palo Alto, CA (US);
Linda A. Whittelsey, Sunnyvale, CA (US);
Gemfire Corporation, Fremont, CA (US);
Abstract
An optical device includes at least a first and second electrical conductors. At least one optical layer overlies at least a portion of the first and second electrical conductors. An applicator is positioned proximate to said at least one optical layer to selectively redirect light from the optical layer. An electrical coupling path between said at least one applicator and one of said first or second electrical conductors, at least a portion of the coupling path traversing said at least one optical layer. At least one optical waveguide may be formed in an optical layer above said electrical conductors. A feature is located to receive light redirected by the applicator and at least one electrical coupling path, which may be included in said feature, couples the applicator and at least one of said plurality of conductors. In a further aspect, a method for manufacturing an optical device is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of: providing a substrate; constructing at least a first electrical conductor in a first substantially planar layer; forming an optical guiding structure in an optical layer; constructing at least one applicator capable of redirecting optical energy; constructing a feature; and electrically coupling said applicator and said at least first electrical conductor.