WO2012026133A1

WO2012026133A1 - Optical waveguide and electronic device

Info

Publication number: WO2012026133A1
Application number: PCT/JP2011/004771
Authority: WO
Inventors: 森　哲也; 公雄守谷
Original assignee: 住友ベークライト株式会社
Priority date: 2010-08-27
Filing date: 2011-08-26
Publication date: 2012-03-01
Also published as: JP2012068631A; TWI514019B; TW201224547A

Abstract

An optical waveguide is provided with: a first cladding layer; a core layer which is provided on the first cladding layer and which has a cladding section, a first core section, a cladding section, a second core section, and a cladding section provided in the in-layer direction in said order; and a second cladding layer which is provided on the core layer. The refractive-index distribution (W) in the in-layer direction of a portion covering the first core section and the cladding section among the core layer, continuously changes, and has regions lined up in the order of a first convex section, a first concave section and a second convex section, with the refractive-index distribution (W) located in the first core section having the first convex section, the refractive-index distribution (W) located in the cladding section having the second convex section which has a maximum refractive-index that is less than the first convex section.

Description

Optical waveguide and electronic equipment

The present invention relates to an optical waveguide and an electronic device.

In recent years, optical waveguides have become widespread as means for guiding an optical carrier wave from one point to another point with respect to an optical communication technology for transferring data using the optical carrier wave. The optical waveguide has a linear core part and a clad part provided so as to cover the periphery thereof.

Examples of the optical waveguide include those described in Patent Document 1. Patent Document 1 describes an optical waveguide in which a refractive index adjusting agent is diffused in a polymer substrate so that the refractive index of a core portion is distributed concentrically in a cross section. On the other hand, it is described that the refractive index of the cladding part covering the periphery of the core part is constant. The core part is made of a material that is substantially transparent to the light of the optical carrier wave, and the cladding part is made of a material having a refractive index lower than that of the core part.

JP 2006-276735 A

In the above technique, when a plurality of core portions are formed, crosstalk may occur between adjacent core portions.

The present invention includes the following.
[1]
A first cladding layer;
A core layer provided on the first clad layer and having a clad part, a first core part, a clad part, a second core part, and a clad part provided in the in-layer direction in this order;
A second cladding layer provided on the core layer;
With
In the core layer, the refractive index distribution W in the in-layer direction of the first core portion and the portion extending to the clad portion is continuously changed, and the first convex portion, the first concave portion, and the first concave portion Has a region lined up in the order of the two convex portions,
The refractive index distribution W located in the first core portion has the first convex portion,
The refractive index distribution W located in the clad portion has the second convex portion having a maximum refractive index smaller than that of the first convex portion,
The refractive index distribution P in the interlayer direction of the portion extending between the first cladding layer, the cladding portion, and the second cladding layer is different between a portion located in the first cladding layer and a portion located in the cladding portion.
Optical waveguide.
[2]
In the optical waveguide according to [1],
An optical waveguide in which a refractive index distribution T in an interlayer direction in a portion extending from the first cladding layer and the first core portion is different from the refractive index distribution W.
[3]
In the optical waveguide according to [1] or [2],
The difference in refractive index between the maximum value of the refractive index of the first core part and the maximum value of the refractive index of the first cladding layer is the maximum value of the refractive index of the first core part and the maximum value of the refractive index of the cladding part. The optical waveguide is larger than the refractive index difference.
[4]
In the optical waveguide according to any one of [1] to [3],
A second core layer provided on the second cladding layer, which is a separate member from the core layer;
The second core layer is an optical waveguide having a third core portion located in an interlayer direction of the first core portion.
[5]
In the optical waveguide according to any one of [1] to [4],
The optical waveguide has a refractive index at the top of the first recess that is smaller than an average refractive index in the cladding.
[6]
In the optical waveguide according to any one of [1] to [5],
The refractive index distribution W is an optical waveguide having a top portion of the second convex portion in addition to the vicinity of the interface between the first core portion and the cladding portion.
[7]
In the optical waveguide according to any one of [1] to [6],
The refractive index distribution W has a top portion of the second convex portion at the center portion of the cladding portion, and is continuously refracted from the top portion of the second convex portion toward the first concave portion. An optical waveguide having an area where the rate is reduced.
[8]
In the optical waveguide according to any one of [1] to [7],
The difference between the refractive index of the top of the first recess and the average refractive index of the cladding is 3 of the difference between the refractive index of the top of the first recess and the refractive index of the top of the first projection. Optical waveguide that is ~ 80%.
[9]
In the optical waveguide according to any one of [1] to [8],
An optical waveguide, wherein a refractive index difference between a refractive index of a top portion of the first concave portion and a refractive index of a top portion of the first convex portion is 0.005 to 0.07.
[10]
In the optical waveguide according to any one of [1] to [9],
In the refractive index distribution W, the width of the portion where the refractive index of the first convex portion has a value equal to or larger than the average refractive index of the cladding portion is defined as a [μm], and the refraction of the first concave portion. An optical waveguide, wherein b is 0.01a to 1.2a, where b is a width having a value less than the average refractive index in the cladding portion.
[11]
An optical waveguide having a core part and a cladding part adjacent to at least both side surfaces of the core part,
The refractive index profile of the cross section of the optical waveguide has at least two minimum values, at least one first maximum value, and at least two second maximum values smaller than the first maximum value. , These have a region in which the second local maximum value, the local minimum value, the first local maximum value, the local minimum value, and the second local maximum value are arranged in this order, of which the first local maximum value is A region sandwiched between the two minimum values so as to include the core portion, and a region on the second maximum value side from each minimum value is the cladding portion,
Each of the minimum values is less than the average refractive index in the cladding portion, and the refractive index continuously changes over the entire refractive index distribution.
[12]
An electronic apparatus comprising the optical waveguide according to any one of [1] to [11].

According to the present invention, crosstalk between adjacent core portions is suppressed.

1 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of an optical waveguide of the present invention (partially cut out and shown through). 1 is a diagram schematically showing an example of a refractive index distribution when the horizontal axis indicates the position of the core layer thickness along the center line and the vertical axis indicates the refractive index. is there. It is a figure which shows an example of intensity distribution of the emitted light when light injects into one of the core parts of the optical waveguide shown in FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating the 1st manufacturing method of the optical waveguide shown in FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating the 1st manufacturing method of the optical waveguide shown in FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating the 1st manufacturing method of the optical waveguide shown in FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating the 1st manufacturing method of the optical waveguide shown in FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating the 1st manufacturing method of the optical waveguide shown in FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating a mode that a refractive index difference arises between an irradiation area | region and a non-irradiation area | region, and takes the position of the cross section of a layer on a horizontal axis, and refraction when taking the refractive index of a cross section on a vertical axis | shaft. It is a figure which shows rate distribution. It is a figure for demonstrating the method to measure the intensity distribution of the emitted light in the output side end surface of an optical waveguide. It is a figure which shows intensity distribution of the emitted light in the output side end surface of the optical waveguide obtained by Example 1, the comparative example 1, and the comparative example 2. FIG.

Hereinafter, the optical waveguide and the electronic device of the present invention will be described in detail based on preferred embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings.

<Optical waveguide>
First, the optical waveguide of the present invention will be described.
(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a first embodiment of the optical waveguide of the present invention (partially cut out and shown in a transparent manner), and FIG. 2 is a horizontal axis of the cross-sectional view taken along the line XX shown in FIG. FIG. 3 shows an example of the refractive index distribution when the position of the core layer in the center line is taken and the vertical axis indicates the refractive index. FIG. 3 shows one of the core portions of the optical waveguide shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of intensity distribution of the emitted light when light injects. In the following description, the upper side in FIG. 1 is referred to as “upper” and the lower side is referred to as “lower”. In FIG. 1, the thickness direction of the layers (the vertical direction in each figure) is exaggerated.

An outline of the optical waveguide of the present embodiment will be described.
The optical waveguide of the first embodiment includes a first cladding layer (cladding layer 11), a core layer (core layer 13), and a second cladding layer (cladding layer 12). The core layer (core layer 13) is provided on the clad layer 11, and the clad part, the first core part (core part 14), the clad part (clad part 15), and the second core provided in the in-layer direction. It has a part (core part 14) and a clad part in this order. The second cladding layer is provided on the core layer.

Of the core layer, the refractive index distribution W in the in-layer direction of the first core part (core part 14) and the part extending over the cladding part (clad part 15) is continuously changing, and the first convex part, It means one having a region arranged in the order of the first concave portion and the second convex portion. Such a refractive index distribution is referred to as a “W-type refractive index distribution”.

The refractive index distribution W located in the first core portion has a first convex portion. The refractive index distribution W located in the cladding portion has a second convex portion having a maximum refractive index smaller than that of the first convex portion.

The refractive index distribution T in the interlayer direction in the portion extending over the first cladding layer (cladding layer 11) and the first core portion (core portion 14) may have various refractive index distributions.

Further, the refractive index distribution P in the interlayer direction of the portion extending over the first cladding layer (cladding layer 11), the cladding portion (cladding portion 15) and the second cladding layer (cladding layer 12) is at least located in the first cladding layer. And the portion located in the cladding portion are different. For example, the refractive index distribution P may change continuously or discontinuously. The refractive index distribution P has a refractive index pattern similar to that of the refractive index distribution T, for example. That is, in the refractive index distribution P, it is preferable that the region located in the cladding portion has the fifth convex portion. In addition, in the refractive index distribution P, it is more preferable that the region located in the first cladding layer has a sixth convex portion. In this case, the refractive index distribution P has a third concave portion between the fifth convex portion and the sixth convex portion. In the refractive index distribution P, the maximum refractive index or the average refractive index of the region located in the cladding part is preferably higher than the maximum refractive index or the average refractive index located in the first cladding layer. In the present embodiment, the laminated structure of the first cladding layer having the refractive index distribution P, the cladding portion of the core layer, and the second cladding layer is composed of the first cladding layer having the refractive index distribution T and the core portion of the core layer. It can be formed in the same process as the laminated structure of the second cladding layer.

The refractive index distribution P may be the same as the refractive index distribution T (for example, all of the six vertical and horizontal diagonal directions on the plane in the refractive index distribution extending from the core portion to the adjacent cladding portion (cladding) layer). May be different from each other). In the present embodiment, the different refractive index distributions means that (i) the shape of the refractive index distribution is different, or (ii) the shape of the refractive index distribution is the same pattern and the refractive index values are different. (However, manufacturing variations may be considered the same). For example, the refractive index difference in the interlayer direction between the adjacent first core part and the cladding layer may be different from the refractive index difference in the in-layer direction between the adjacent first core part and the cladding part.

The refractive index distribution P has, for example, any pattern of “step index type (hereinafter referred to as SI type)”, “graded index type (hereinafter referred to as GI type)”, and W type.

The SI type refractive index distribution T means that the refractive index is substantially constant in each of the core layer and the cladding layer, and the refractive index is discontinuous at the boundary between the core layer and the cladding layer. The GI-type refractive index distribution P means that the refractive index is continuous from the inside of the cladding part to the first cladding layer. The refractive index distribution change is caused, for example, by the fact that the interlayer movement component diffuses and moves between the layers, and the composition of the material in the stacking direction continuously changes.

In the present embodiment, the refractive index distribution P has the following first to third aspects. The first to third aspects correspond to SI type, GI type, and W type, respectively. First, the refractive index distribution P in the interlayer direction in the portion extending between the first cladding layer and the cladding portion changes discontinuously at the interface between the first cladding layer and the cladding portion. Second, the refractive index distribution P in the interlayer direction in the portion extending between the first cladding layer and the cladding portion continuously changes. Third, the refractive index distribution P in the interlayer direction of the portion extending between the first clad layer and the clad portion is continuously changing, and the fifth convex portion, the third concave portion, the sixth convex portion, The refractive index distribution P located in the clad has a fifth convex portion, and the refractive index distribution P located in the first clad layer is more than the fifth convex portion. Has a sixth convex portion having a small maximum refractive index.

As described above, in the optical waveguide of the present embodiment, the refractive index distribution in the in-layer direction of the core layer is the W type, and the refractive index distribution in the interlayer direction of the cladding portion is, for example, SI type, GI type, It is selected from either W type.

Hereinafter, effects obtained by the optical waveguide according to the present embodiment will be described.

The first effect is that high optical transmission characteristics can be realized.
In the refractive index distribution in the in-layer direction of the core portion, the first concave portion is formed at the end portion, so that the refractive index difference between the central portion and the end portion of the core portion becomes large. Thereby, crosstalk between core parts adjacent in the in-layer direction is suppressed. Even if light leaks from the core portion, the leaked light can be confined to the second convex portion of the cladding portion. Thereby, crosstalk between core parts adjacent in the in-layer direction is suppressed.

The second effect is that a light confinement effect is obtained in the interlayer direction of the clad portion. In the present embodiment, the refractive index changes from the cladding part to the cladding layer. For this reason, it becomes possible to confine light in a clad part or a clad layer.

The light confinement effect of the layer having a continuous refractive index distribution is very excellent compared to the SI type refractive index distribution. As a result, the occurrence of optical transmission defects is effectively suppressed, and high optical transmission characteristics can be realized. The reason for this is not necessarily clear, but it is considered that when a clad portion having a GI type refractive index profile is provided, the penetration of light from the core layer is effectively suppressed.

The third effect is that a design capable of reducing optical loss is possible depending on the usage mode.
It is possible to design the refractive index distribution T in the interlayer direction to be different from the refractive index distribution W in the in-layer direction with the first core portion as a base point. For example, by making the refractive index difference in the interlayer direction larger than the refractive index difference in the in-layer direction, it is possible to reduce optical loss when the optical waveguide film is bent or rolled up in the extending direction of the optical waveguide. . This will be described in detail. If the film is bent in a predetermined direction, the film may be stretched and the refractive index difference may be reduced. On the other hand, even if the refractive index difference is reduced by increasing the refractive index difference in the direction in which the film is bent in advance, the optical loss can be reduced.

The fourth effect is high design freedom.
The optical waveguide of the present embodiment is obtained by laminating films, for example. For this reason, the thickness of the cladding layer is arbitrarily determined in relation to the thickness of the core layer. Further, since the thickness can be controlled, effects such as reduction of optical coupling loss can be enhanced.

Hereinafter, the optical waveguide of the present embodiment will be described in detail.
The refractive index distribution of the present embodiment is measured and specified from the cross section of the optical waveguide in the direction orthogonal to the extending direction of the optical waveguide (for example, the extending direction of the first core portion).

In this embodiment, an example of three layers is shown, but the present invention is not limited to this mode, and may have five layers, seven layers or more. In other words, one or more second core layers may be stacked on the first core layer. Any one of the core layers is preferably sandwiched between clad layers.

For example, the optical waveguide of the present embodiment is provided on the second cladding layer, and may include a second core layer that is a separate member from the core layer. The second core layer has a third core portion located in the interlayer direction of the first core portion. In other words, the optical waveguide of the present embodiment may include a plurality of core portions spaced in the in-layer direction and a plurality of core portions spaced in the interlayer direction.

For example, a plurality of core portions may be arranged in a lattice shape in the cross section of the optical waveguide. In the optical waveguide of the present embodiment, for example, films are laminated. Since the positional deviation of the center of the core part in the interlayer direction is reduced, the optical coupling defect is reduced. Moreover, the optical waveguide of this Embodiment forms a core part by energy irradiation, for example. Since the misalignment of the core part in the interlayer direction is reduced, the optical coupling defect is reduced.

The refractive index distribution in the in-layer direction of the core layer may be such that a part of the region between at least two adjacent core parts is W-type, and regions located on both sides of the core part may be W-type, All the regions may be W-shaped. The W-type refractive index distribution repeated in the in-layer direction may be different for each repeating unit.

The refractive index distribution in the interlayer direction of the core portion may be that the region extending at least between the core portion and the upper clad layer (or lower clad portion) is the refractive index distribution T, and the regions located on both sides of the core portion are the refractive index distribution. T may be sufficient, and refractive index distribution T may be repeated in all the area | regions. The refractive index distribution T repeated in the interlayer direction may be different for each repeating unit.

The refractive index distribution in the interlayer direction of the cladding part may be different at least between the first cladding part and the cladding part, but between the first cladding part and the cladding part and between the second cladding part and the cladding part. May be different. The refractive index distribution P repeated in the interlayer direction may be different for each repeating unit.

The difference in refractive index may be, for example, the difference between the maximum value of the first core part and the maximum value of the cladding part, or the difference between the average value of the first core part and the average value of the cladding part.

“Continuously changing the refractive index distribution” means that, for example, a transition region in which the refractive index gradually changes is provided in a region near the interface between the cladding layer and the core layer. The function form representing the continuous change in the refractive index with respect to the thickness direction can take various forms, and examples thereof include a spline function and an exponential function. In the present embodiment, for example, the refractive index between the convex portion and the concave portion changes continuously.

The convex portion (first convex portion to sixth convex portion) of the refractive index distribution has either an aspect in which the top portion has a maximum value or an aspect in which the top portion has a flat portion. In addition, the concave portions (first concave portion to third concave portion) of the refractive index distribution have both an aspect in which the top has a minimum value and an aspect in which the top has a flat portion.
The first core portion is a region from the maximum value of the first convex portion to the minimum value of the first concave portion, and the cladding portion is a region from the minimum value of the first concave portion to the maximum value of the second concave portion. Also good. Moreover, it may replace with the maximum value or the minimum value, and may employ | adopt the center part of the flat part of a top part.

The width of the flat portion is not particularly limited, but for example, is preferably 100 μm or less, more preferably 20 μm or less, and even more preferably 10 μm or less. By reducing the width of the flat portion, the light confinement effect is enhanced, and crosstalk between adjacent core portions can be reduced.

The refractive index distribution of the present embodiment is, for example, (1) a method of observing a refractive index-dependent interference fringe using an interference microscope (dual-beam interference microscope) and calculating the refractive index distribution from the interference fringe. Or (2) It becomes possible to measure by the refraction near field method (Refracted Near Field method; RNF). The refraction near field method can employ the measurement conditions described in JP-A-5-332880. In the embodiment, since the measurement is simple, a method using an interference microscope is preferable.

An example of the procedure for measuring the refractive index distribution using an interference microscope will be described. First, an optical waveguide piece is obtained by slicing the optical waveguide in the cross-sectional direction of the optical waveguide. For example, the optical waveguide is sliced so that the length is 200 μm to 300 μm. Next, a chamber filled with oil having a refractive index of 1.536 is created in a space surrounded by two glass slides. Here, a measurement sample in which the optical waveguide piece is sandwiched in the space in the chamber and a blank sample in which the optical waveguide piece is not inserted are prepared. Next, an interference fringe photograph in the cross-sectional direction of the optical waveguide fragment is obtained using an interference microscope. The refractive index distribution can be obtained by image analysis of the interference fringe photograph. For example, the optical path length of the interference microscope is changed to continuously acquire image data in which the place where the interference fringes are generated. The refractive index at each measurement point in the interlayer direction and the in-layer direction is calculated from a plurality of image data. The interval between the measurement points is not particularly limited, but is, for example, 2.5 μm.

Hereinafter, an example of the optical waveguide of the present embodiment will be shown. In one example, a maximum value exists in the convex portion of the refractive index distribution, and a minimum value exists in the concave portion. Further, for example, the top of the first protrusion is the maximum value Wm2, the top of the second protrusion is the maximum value Wm3, the top of the third protrusion is the maximum value Tm2, and the top of the fourth protrusion is the maximum value. Tm3, the top of the first recess is a minimum value Ws2, and the top of the second recess is a minimum value Ts2.

The optical waveguide 1 shown in FIG. 1 functions as an optical wiring that transmits an optical signal from one end to the other end.

Hereinafter, each part of the optical waveguide 1 will be described in detail.
The optical waveguide 1, the cladding layer 11 from the lower side in FIG. 1, is formed by laminating a core layer 13 and the cladding layer 12 in this order.

(Core layer)
Among these, the core layer 13 has a refractive index distribution in the surface direction. This refractive index distribution has a region having a relatively high refractive index and a region having a relatively low refractive index, whereby incident light can be confined and propagated in a region having a high refractive index.

2A is a cross-sectional view taken along the line XX of FIG. 1, and FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional view taken along the center line C1 passing through the center of the core layer 13 in the thickness direction of the cross-sectional view taken along the line XX. It is a figure which shows an example of refractive index distribution typically.

The core layer 13 includes four local minimum values Ws1, Ws2, Ws3, and Ws4 and five local maximum values Wm1, Wm2, Wm3, Wm4, and Wm5 as shown in FIG. 2B in the width direction. It has a refractive index distribution W. The five maximum values include a maximum value having a relatively high refractive index (first maximum value) and a maximum value having a relatively low refractive index (second maximum value).

Among these, there are local maximum values Wm2 and Wm4 having a relatively large refractive index between the minimum value Ws1 and the minimum value Ws2, and between the minimum value Ws3 and the minimum value Ws4, respectively. The values Wm1, Wm3, and Wm5 are local maximum values with relatively small refractive indexes.

In the optical waveguide 1, as shown in FIG. 2, the portion between the minimum value Ws <b> 1 and the minimum value Ws <b> 2 includes the maximum value Wm <b> 2 having a relatively large refractive index, and thus becomes the core portion 14. Since the maximum value Wm4 is also included between Ws3 and the minimum value Ws4, the core portion 14 is formed. More specifically, the core portion 141 is defined between the minimum value Ws1 and the minimum value Ws2, and the core portion 142 is defined between the minimum value Ws3 and the minimum value Ws4.

Further, the region on the left side of the minimum value Ws1, the region between the minimum value Ws2 and the minimum value Ws3, and the region on the right side of the minimum value Ws4 are regions adjacent to both sides of the core portion 14, respectively. Become. More specifically, a region on the left side of the minimum value Ws1 is a side cladding portion 151, a region between the minimum value Ws2 and the minimum value Ws3 is a side cladding portion 152, and a region on the right side of the minimum value Ws4 is a side cladding portion 153. To do.

That is, the refractive index distribution W should have at least a region where the second maximum value, the minimum value, the first maximum value, the minimum value, and the second maximum value are arranged in this order. Note that this region is repeatedly provided according to the number of core portions. When the number of core portions 14 is two as in the present embodiment, the refractive index distribution W has a second maximum value, a minimum value, and a first value. Local maximum values, local minimum values, second local maximum values, local minimum values, first local maximum values, local minimum values, second local maximum values, and the like. It is only necessary to have a region in which the maximum value of 1 and the second maximum value are alternately arranged.

The plurality of local minimum values, the plurality of first local maximum values, and the plurality of second local maximum values are preferably substantially the same as each other, but the local minimum values are the first local maximum value and the second local maximum value. As long as the relationship that the second maximum value is smaller than the first maximum value and the second maximum value is smaller than the first maximum value is maintained, the values may be slightly different from each other. In that case, it is preferable that the amount of deviation is suppressed within 10% of the average value of the plurality of minimum values.

Further, the optical waveguide 1 has an elongated band shape, and the refractive index distribution W as described above is maintained substantially the same distribution in the entire longitudinal direction of the optical waveguide 1.

Along with the refractive index distribution W as described above, the core layer 13 is formed with two long core portions 14 and three side cladding portions 15 adjacent to each side of the core portions 14. It will be.

More specifically, the optical waveguide 1 shown in FIG. 1 is provided with two

parallel core portions

141 and 142 and three

side cladding portions

151, 152, and 153 arranged in parallel. Thereby, each

core part

141 and 142 will be in the state surrounded by each side cladding part 151,152,153 and each

cladding layer

11,12, respectively. Here, since the average refractive index of these two

core parts

141 and 142 is higher than the average refractive index of the three side

clad parts

151, 152, and 153, each

core part

141, 142 and each side clad part 151. , 152, 153 can cause total reflection of light. In addition, a dense dot is attached | subjected to each core part 14 shown in FIG. 1, and a sparse dot is attached | subjected to each side clad part 15. FIG.

In the optical waveguide 1, the light incident on one end of the core portion 14 is totally reflected between the core portion 14 and the clad portion (the

clad layers

11 and 12 and the side clad portions 15), By propagating, it can be taken out from the other end of the core part 14.

1 has a quadrangular shape (rectangular shape) such as a square or a rectangle, but this shape is not particularly limited. For example, a perfect circle, an ellipse, or an oval The shape may be a circle such as a triangle, a triangle, a pentagon, or a polygon such as a hexagon.

The width and height of the core part 14 (thickness of the core layer 13) are not particularly limited, but are preferably about 1 to 200 μm, more preferably about 5 to 100 μm, and more preferably about 20 to 70 μm. More preferably.

Here, the four minimum values Ws1, Ws2, Ws3, and Ws4 are each less than the average refractive index WA in the side cladding portion 15. As a result, a region having a smaller refractive index than the side clad portion 15 exists between each core portion 14 and each side clad portion 15. As a result, a steeper refractive index gradient is formed in the vicinity of each local minimum value Ws1, Ws2, Ws3, and Ws4. This suppresses light leakage from each core portion 14, thereby reducing transmission loss. The optical waveguide 1 is obtained.

In the refractive index distribution W, the refractive index continuously changes as a whole. Thereby, compared with an optical waveguide having a step index type refractive index profile, the effect of confining light in the core portion 14 is further enhanced, so that transmission loss can be further reduced.

Furthermore, according to the refractive index distribution W having the respective minimum values Ws1, Ws2, Ws3, and Ws4 as described above and the refractive index continuously changing, the region closer to the center of the core portion 14 is transmitted. Since light propagates intensively, a difference in propagation time for each optical path is less likely to occur. For this reason, even when the transmission light includes a pulse signal, it is possible to suppress blunting of the pulse signal (spreading of the pulse signal). As a result, the optical waveguide 1 that can further improve the quality of optical communication is obtained.

Further, even if the average refractive index difference between the core portion 14 and the side clad portion 15 is small, light can be reliably confined in the core portion 14.

Further, in the refractive index distribution W, the maximum values Wm2 and Wm4 are located at the

core portions

141 and 142 as shown in FIG. 2, but the

core portions

141 and 142 are located at the center of the width. Yes. Thereby, in each

core part

141 and 142, the probability that transmission light will gather in the center part of the width of

core part

141 and 142 becomes high, and the probability that it will leak to side cladding

parts

151, 152, and 153 becomes relatively low. As a result, the transmission loss of the

core parts

141 and 142 can be further reduced.

Note that, for example, the central portion of the width of the core portion 141 is a region having a distance of 30% of the width of the core portion 141 on both sides from the midpoint between the minimum value Ws1 and the minimum value Ws2.

In addition, it is desirable that the positions of the maximum values Wm2 and Wm4 be located at the center of the width of the

cores

141 and 142 if possible, but the edge of the cores 141 and 142 (not necessarily the center) ( If it is located outside the vicinity of the portions that are in contact with the side clad

portions

151, 152, and 153, a significant deterioration in characteristics can be avoided. That is, the transmission loss of the

core parts

141 and 142 can be suppressed to some extent.

Note that, for example, the vicinity of the edge of the core part 141 is a region having a distance of 5% of the width of the core part 141 from the edge to the inside.

On the other hand, the maximum values Wm1, Wm3, and Wm5 of the refractive index distribution W are located in the

side cladding portions

151, 152, and 153 as shown in FIG. , 153 is preferably located outside the vicinity of the edge (portion in contact with the core portions 141 and 142). As a result, the local maximum values Wm2, Wm4 in the

core portions

141, 142 and the local maximum values Wm1, Wm3, Wm5 in the

side cladding portions

151, 152, 153 are sufficiently separated from each other. , 142 can sufficiently reduce the probability that the transmitted light leaks into the side clad

parts

151, 152, 153. As a result, the transmission loss of the

core parts

141 and 142 can be reduced.

Note that, for example, the vicinity of the edge of the

side cladding portions

151, 152, and 153 is a region having a distance of 5% of the width of the

side cladding portions

151, 152, and 153 from the edge to the inside.

Preferably, the local maximum values Wm1, Wm3, and Wm5 are located at the center of the width of the

side cladding portions

151, 152, and 153, and the local minimum values Ws1, Ws2 are adjacent to the local maximum values Wm1, Wm3, and Wm5. , Ws3, Ws4, it is preferable that the refractive index continuously decreases. As a result, the maximum distances between the maximum values Wm2, Wm4 in the

core portions

141, 142 and the maximum values Wm1, Wm3, Wm5 in the

side cladding portions

151, 152, 153 are secured, and the maximum values Wm1, Since light can be reliably confined in the vicinity of Wm3 and Wm5, leakage of transmission light from the

core portions

141 and 142 described above can be more reliably suppressed.

Furthermore, the local maximum values Wm1, Wm3, and Wm5 are smaller in refractive index than the local maximum values Wm2 and Wm4 located in the

core portions

141 and 142 described above. Although it does not have, since the refractive index is higher than the surroundings, it has a slight light transmission property. As a result, the side clad

parts

151, 152, and 153 have an effect of preventing transmission to other core parts by confining transmission light leaked from the

core parts

141 and 142. That is, the presence of the maximum values Wm1, Wm3, and Wm5 can suppress crosstalk.

Note that, as described above, the minimum values Ws1, Ws2, Ws3, and Ws4 are less than the average refractive index WA of the side cladding portion 15, but the difference is desirably within a predetermined range. Specifically, the difference between the minimum value Ws1, Ws2, Ws3, Ws4 and the average refractive index WA of the side cladding portion 15 is the minimum value Ws1, Ws2, Ws3, Ws4 and the maximum value Wm2 in the

core portions

141, 142. The difference from Wm4 is preferably about 3 to 80%, more preferably about 5 to 50%, further preferably about 7 to 20% (for example, (WA−Ws1) / (Wm2 -Ws1) × 100 is, for example, preferably 3 to 80%, more preferably 5 to 50%, still more preferably 7 to 20% (hereinafter, "to" Unless otherwise indicated, it includes the upper and lower limits)). As a result, the side clad portion 15 has a light transmission property necessary and sufficient for suppressing crosstalk. In addition, crosstalk can fully be suppressed by making the difference of minimum value Ws1, Ws2, Ws3, Ws4 and the average refractive index WA of the side cladding part 15 more than the said lower limit. By setting it to the upper limit value or less, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the light transmission performance of the

core portions

141 and 142 due to the light transmission performance in the side cladding portion 15 being too large.

The difference between the minimum values Ws1, Ws2, Ws3, Ws4 and the maximum values Wm1, Wm3, Wm5 is about 6 to 90% of the difference between the minimum values Ws1, Ws2, Ws3, Ws4 and the maximum values Wm2, Wm4. It is preferably about 10 to 70%, more preferably about 14 to 40%. As a result, the balance between the refractive index height of the side cladding portion 15 and the refractive index height of the core portion 14 is optimized, and the optical waveguide 1 has particularly excellent optical transmission properties and more reliably suppresses crosstalk. It will be possible.

The difference in refractive index between the minimum values Ws1, Ws2, Ws3, and Ws4 and the maximum values Wm2 and Wm4 in the

core portions

141 and 142 is preferably as large as possible, but is about 0.005 to 0.07. Preferably, it is about 0.007 to 0.05, more preferably about 0.01 to 0.05 (for example, (Wm1-Ws1) / (Wm2-Ws1) × 100 is 0). 0.005 to 0.07 is preferable, 0.007 to 0.05 is more preferable, and 0.01 to 0.05 is further preferable. By using the above-described difference in refractive index, light can be confined in the

core portions

141 and 142.

Further, as shown in FIG. 2B, the refractive index distribution W in the

core portions

141 and 142 has a maximum value when the horizontal axis indicates the cross-sectional position of the core layer 13 and the vertical axis indicates the refractive index. If the refractive index is continuously changing in the vicinity of Wm2 and the maximum value Wm4, it may have a substantially convex V shape (substantially linear except for the maximum value). It has an approximately U-shape that is convex upward (the entire vicinity of the maximum value is rounded). When the refractive index distribution W has such a shape, the light confinement action in the

core portions

141 and 142 becomes more remarkable.

Further, as shown in FIG. 2B, the refractive index distribution W has a shape in which the refractive index continuously changes in the vicinity of the minimum value Ws1, the vicinity of the minimum value Ws2, the vicinity of the minimum value Ws3, and the vicinity of the minimum value Ws4. If so, it may have a substantially convex V shape (substantially linear except for the maximum value), but preferably has a substantially U shape convex downward (the entire vicinity of the maximum value is rounded). It is said.

Here, the present inventors made light incident on one desired end portion of the plurality of

core portions

141 and 142 of the optical waveguide 1 and acquired the intensity distribution of the emitted light at the other end portion. It was found that the intensity distribution is extremely useful for suppressing the crosstalk of the optical waveguide 1.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the intensity distribution of the emitted light when light is incident on the core portion 141 of the optical waveguide 1.

When light is incident on the core part 141, the intensity of the emitted light becomes the largest at the central part of the outgoing end of the core part 141. The intensity of the emitted light decreases as the distance from the central portion of the core portion 141 decreases. However, according to the optical waveguide of the present invention, an intensity distribution that takes a minimum value in the core portion 142 adjacent to the core portion 141 is obtained. . Since the minimum value of the intensity distribution of the emitted light coincides with the position of the core part 142 in this way, the crosstalk in the core part 142 can be suppressed to be extremely small. An optical waveguide 1 that can reliably prevent the generation is obtained.

In the conventional optical waveguide, the intensity distribution of the emitted light does not take the minimum value in the core portion adjacent to the core portion where the light is incident, but rather takes the maximum value, which causes a crosstalk problem. It was. On the other hand, the behavior of the intensity distribution of the emitted light in the optical waveguide of the present invention as described above is extremely useful for suppressing crosstalk.

Although the detailed reason why such an intensity distribution is obtained in the optical waveguide of the present invention is not clear, one reason is that the refractive index distribution W has the minimum values Ws1, Ws2, Ws3, and Ws4, and is refracted. The characteristic refractive index distribution W, in which the refractive index continuously changes throughout the refractive index distribution W, represents the intensity distribution of the emitted light, which conventionally had a maximum value in the core section 142, as the core section. For example, the side clad portion 153 adjacent to 142 is shifted. That is, the crosstalk is reliably suppressed by this shift.

Even if the intensity distribution of the emitted light is shifted to the side clad portion 15, the light receiving element and the like are arranged in accordance with the position of the core portion 14, so that there is almost no risk of interference and the quality of optical communication is deteriorated. I will not let you.

The intensity distribution of the emitted light as described above is not necessarily observed although the probability of being observed in the optical waveguide of the present invention is high, but the NA (numerical aperture) of the incident light and the cross-sectional area of the core portion 141 are not necessarily observed. Depending on the pitches of the

core parts

141 and 142, a clear minimum value may not be observed, or the position of the minimum value may deviate from the core part 142. Even in such a case, crosstalk is sufficiently suppressed. Is done.

Further, in the refractive index distribution W shown in FIG. 2B, when the average refractive index in the side cladding portion 15 is WA, the refractive index in the vicinity of the maximum values Wm2 and Wm4 is continuously equal to or higher than the average refractive index WA. Is a [μm], and the width of the portion where the refractive index in the vicinity of the minimum values Ws1, Ws2, Ws3, and Ws4 is continuously less than the average refractive index WA is b [μm]. At this time, b is preferably about 0.01a to 1.2a, more preferably about 0.03a to 1a, and further preferably about 0.1a to 0.8a. As a result, the substantial widths of the minimum values Ws1, Ws2, Ws3, and Ws4 can exhibit the above-described functions and effects. That is, by setting b to be equal to or more than the lower limit value, it is possible to suppress the substantial width of the minimum values Ws1, Ws2, Ws3, and Ws4 from being too narrow and the effect of confining light in the

core portions

141 and 142 from being reduced. On the other hand, by setting b to be equal to or less than the above upper limit value, the substantial widths of the minimum values Ws1, Ws2, Ws3, and Ws4 are too wide, the width and pitch of the

core portions

141 and 142 are limited, and transmission efficiency is reduced. It is possible to suppress the hindrance to multichanneling and high density.

The average refractive index WA in the side cladding 15 can be approximated at the midpoint between the maximum value Wm1 and the minimum value Ws1, for example.

The constituent material (main material) of the core layer 13 as described above is not particularly limited as long as it is a material that causes the above-described difference in refractive index, but specifically, acrylic resin, methacrylic resin, polycarbonate, polystyrene, epoxy In addition to various resin materials such as resin, polyamide, polyimide, polybenzoxazole, polysilane, polysilazane, silicone resin, fluororesin, and cyclic olefin resin such as benzocyclobutene resin and norbornene resin, quartz glass A glass material such as borosilicate glass can be used. The resin material may be a composite material obtained by combining materials having different compositions, and may contain an unpolymerized monomer.

Of these, norbornene resins are particularly preferred. The norbornene-based polymer includes, for example, ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP), combination of ROMP and hydrogenation reaction, polymerization by radical or cation, polymerization using a cationic palladium polymerization initiator, and other polymerization initiators (for example, It can be obtained by all known polymerization methods such as polymerization using nickel or other transition metal polymerization initiators).

(Clad layer)
The clad layers 11 and 12 constitute clad portions located at the lower and upper portions of the core layer 13, respectively.

The average thickness of the

clad layers

11 and 12 is preferably about 0.1 to 1.5 times the average thickness of the core layer 13 (the average height of each core portion 14). More preferably, the average thickness of the cladding layers 11 and 12 is not particularly limited, but it is usually preferably about 1 to 200 μm, and preferably about 5 to 100 μm. More preferably, it is about 10 to 60 μm. Thereby, the function as a clad part is suitably exhibited while preventing the optical waveguide 1 from becoming unnecessarily large (thickened).

Further, as the constituent material of the cladding layers 11 and 12, for example, the same material as the constituent material of the core layer 13 described above can be used, but a norbornene polymer is particularly preferable.

Further, when selecting the constituent material of the core layer 13 and the constituent materials of the

clad layers

11 and 12, the material may be selected in consideration of the difference in refractive index between them. Specifically, in order to ensure total reflection of light at the boundary between the core portion 14 and the cladding layers 11 and 12, the material may be selected so that the refractive index of the constituent material of the core portion 14 is sufficiently large. As a result, a sufficient refractive index difference is obtained in the thickness direction of the optical waveguide 1, and light can be prevented from leaking from the respective core portions 14 to the cladding layers 11 and 12.

In addition, from the viewpoint of suppressing the attenuation of light, it is also important that the adhesiveness (affinity) between the constituent material of the core layer 13 and the constituent materials of the cladding layers 11 and 12 is high.

The clad layers 11 and 12 may be provided as necessary, and either one or both may be omitted. In this case, the surface of the core layer 13 is exposed to the atmosphere (air), but since the refractive index of air is sufficiently low, the air can substitute for the functions of the cladding layers 11 and 12.

(Support film)
A support film 2 as shown in FIG. 1 may be laminated on the lower surface of the optical waveguide 1 as necessary.

Support film 2 supports and reinforces the lower surface of the optical waveguide 1. Thereby, the reliability and mechanical characteristics of the optical waveguide 1 can be improved.

Examples of the constituent material of the support film 2 include various resin materials such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyolefin such as polyethylene and polypropylene, polyimide and polyamide, and metal materials such as copper, aluminum and silver. It is done. In the case of a metal material, a metal foil is preferably used as the support film 2.

The average thickness of the support film 2 is not particularly limited, but is preferably about 5 to 200 μm, more preferably about 10 to 100 μm. Thereby, since the support film 2 has moderate rigidity, the optical waveguide 1 is reliably supported and the flexibility of the optical waveguide 1 is difficult to be hindered.

The support film 2 and the optical waveguide 1 are bonded or bonded, and examples of the method include thermocompression bonding, bonding with an adhesive or a pressure sensitive adhesive, and the like.

Among these, examples of the adhesive layer include acrylic adhesives, urethane adhesives, silicone adhesives, and various hot melt adhesives (polyester and modified olefins). Moreover, as a thing with especially high heat resistance, thermoplastic polyimide adhesive agents, such as a polyimide, a polyimide amide, a polyimide amide ether, a polyester imide, a polyimide ether, are used preferably. Since the adhesive layer made of such a material is relatively flexible, even if the shape of the optical waveguide 1 changes, the change can be freely followed. As a result, it is possible to reliably prevent peeling due to the shape change.

The average thickness of such an adhesive layer is not particularly limited, but is preferably about 1 to 100 μm, and more preferably about 5 to 60 μm.

(Cover film)
On the other hand, you may make it laminate | stack the cover film 3 as shown in FIG. 1 on the upper surface of the optical waveguide 1 as needed.

The cover film 3 protects the optical waveguide 1 and supports the optical waveguide 1 from above. Thereby, the optical waveguide 1 is protected from dirt and scratches, and the reliability and mechanical characteristics of the optical waveguide 1 can be improved.

As a constituent material of such a cover film 3, it is the same as the constituent material of the support film 2. For example, in addition to various resin materials such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyolefin such as polyethylene and polypropylene, polyimide and polyamide, Metal materials, such as copper, aluminum, silver, are mentioned. In the case of a metal material, a metal foil is preferably used as the cover film 3. Further, when a mirror is formed in the middle of the optical waveguide 1, light is transmitted through the cover film 3, so that the constituent material of the cover film 3 is preferably substantially transparent.

Further, the average thickness of the cover film 3 is not particularly limited, but is preferably about 3 to 50 μm, more preferably about 5 to 30 μm. By setting the thickness of the cover film 3 within the above range, the cover film 3 has sufficient light transmittance in optical communication, and has sufficient rigidity to reliably protect the optical waveguide 1.

Note that the cover film 3 and the optical waveguide 1 are bonded or bonded, and examples of the method include thermocompression bonding, bonding with an adhesive or a pressure-sensitive adhesive, and the like. Of these, the adhesive described above can be used.

In the present embodiment, the optical waveguide 1 composed of a laminate of the clad layer 11, the core layer 13, and the clad layer 12 has been described. However, these may be integrally formed.

Moreover, although this embodiment demonstrated the case where the core layer 13 had the two core parts 14, the number of the core parts 14 is not specifically limited, One or three or more may be sufficient. .

For example, when the number of the core portions 14 is one, the refractive index distribution W of the cross section of the optical waveguide 1 has two minimum values, and the minimum value is less than the average refractive index WA as described above. Yes, and it is sufficient that the refractive index continuously changes throughout the refractive index distribution W. When the core portion 14 increases to 3, 4, 5,..., The refractive index distribution W has accordingly. The number of local minimum values will increase to 6, 8, 10,.

<Optical waveguide manufacturing method>
Next, an example of a method for manufacturing the optical waveguide 1 described above will be described.
(First manufacturing method)
First, the 1st manufacturing method of the optical waveguide 1 is demonstrated.

4 to 8 are diagrams for explaining a first manufacturing method of the optical waveguide 1 shown in FIG. In the following description, the upper side in FIGS. 4 to 8 is referred to as “upper” and the lower side is referred to as “lower”.

The optical waveguide 1 is manufactured by preparing a clad layer 11, a core layer 13, and a clad layer 12, and laminating them.

The first manufacturing method of the optical waveguide 1 is as follows: [1] After applying the core layer forming composition 900 on the support substrate 951 to form a liquid film, the support substrate 951 is placed on a level table to form the liquid film. While flattening, the solvent is evaporated (desolvent). Thereby, the layer 910 is obtained. [2] Next, a refractive index difference is generated by irradiating a part of the layer 910 with actinic radiation to obtain the core layer 13 in which the core part 14 and the side cladding part 15 are formed. [3] Next, the cladding layers 11 and 12 are laminated on both surfaces of the core layer 13 to obtain the optical waveguide 1.

Hereinafter, each process will be described sequentially.
[1] First, a core layer forming composition 900 is prepared.

The core layer forming composition 900 contains a polymer 915 and an additive 920 (including at least a monomer in this embodiment). Such a composition 900 for forming a core layer is a material that causes a reaction of at least a monomer in the polymer 915 by irradiation with actinic radiation and changes the refractive index distribution accordingly. That is, in the core layer forming composition 900, the refractive index distribution changes due to the deviation in the abundance ratio of the polymer 915 and the monomer, and as a result, the core portion 14 and the side cladding portion 15 are formed in the core layer 13. It is a material that can be used.

Next, the core layer forming composition 900 is applied on the support substrate 951 to form a liquid film (see FIG. 4A). Then, the support substrate 951 is placed on the level table to flatten the liquid film and evaporate (desolvent) the solvent. Thereby, the layer 910 is obtained (see FIG. 4B).

For the support substrate 951, for example, a silicon substrate, a silicon dioxide substrate, a glass substrate, a polyethylene terephthalate (PET) film, or the like is used.

Examples of the coating method for forming a liquid film include a doctor blade method, a spin coating method, a dipping method, a table coating method, a spray method, an applicator method, a curtain coating method, and a die coating method.

In the obtained layer 910, the polymer (matrix) 915 exists substantially uniformly and randomly, and the additive 920 is substantially uniformly and randomly dispersed in the polymer 915. Thereby, the additive 920 is substantially uniformly and randomly dispersed in the layer 910.

The average thickness of the layer 910 is appropriately set according to the thickness of the core layer 13 to be formed, and is not particularly limited, but is preferably about 5 to 300 μm, more preferably about 10 to 200 μm.

(polymer)
The polymer 915 serves as a base polymer for the core layer 13.

The polymer 915 has sufficiently high transparency (colorless and transparent) and is compatible with the monomer described later, and among them, the monomer can react (polymerization reaction or crosslinking reaction) as described later. There are preferably used those having sufficient transparency even after the monomer is polymerized.

Here, “having compatibility” means that the monomer is at least mixed and does not cause phase separation with the polymer 915 in the core layer forming composition 900 or the layer 910.

Examples of such a polymer 915 include cyclic olefin resins such as norbornene resins and benzocyclobutene resins, acrylic resins, methacrylic resins, polycarbonates, polystyrenes, epoxy resins, polyamides, polyimides, polybenzoxazoles, Examples thereof include silicone resins and fluorine resins, and one or more of these can be used in combination (polymer alloy, polymer blend (mixture), copolymer, etc.).

Of these, those mainly composed of cyclic olefin resins are preferred. By using a cyclic olefin resin as the polymer 915, the core layer 13 having excellent optical transmission performance and heat resistance can be obtained.

The cyclic olefin-based resin may be unsubstituted or may have hydrogen substituted with other groups.

Examples of cyclic olefin resins include norbornene resins and benzocyclobutene resins.

Among these, it is preferable to use a norbornene-based resin from the viewpoints of heat resistance and transparency. Moreover, since norbornene-type resin has high hydrophobicity, the core layer 13 which cannot produce the dimensional change by water absorption etc. can be obtained.

The norbornene-based resin may be either one having a single repeating unit (homopolymer) or one having two or more norbornene-based repeating units (copolymer).

As such a norbornene-based resin, for example,
(1) addition (co) polymer of norbornene type monomer obtained by addition (co) polymerization of norbornene type monomer,
(2) addition copolymers of norbornene monomers with ethylene and α-olefins,
(3) an addition polymer such as an addition copolymer of a norbornene-type monomer and a non-conjugated diene and, if necessary, another monomer;
(4) a ring-opening (co) polymer of a norbornene-type monomer, and a resin obtained by hydrogenating the (co) polymer if necessary,
(5) a ring-opening (co) polymer of a norbornene-type monomer and ethylene or α-olefins, and a resin obtained by hydrogenating the (co) polymer if necessary,
(6) Ring-opening copolymers such as norbornene-type monomers and non-conjugated dienes, or other monomers, and polymers obtained by hydrogenating the (co) polymers as necessary. Examples of these polymers include random copolymers, block copolymers, and alternating copolymers.

These norbornene resins include, for example, ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP), combination of ROMP and hydrogenation reaction, polymerization by radical or cation, polymerization using cationic palladium polymerization initiator, other polymerization initiators ( For example, it can be obtained by any known polymerization method such as polymerization using a polymerization initiator of nickel or another transition metal).

Among these, norbornene resins are preferably those having at least one repeating unit represented by the following structural formula B, that is, addition (co) polymers. Since the addition (co) polymer is rich in transparency, heat resistance, and flexibility, for example, after the optical waveguide 1 is formed, an electrical component or the like may be mounted on the optical waveguide 1 via solder. This is because even in such a case, high heat resistance, that is, reflow resistance can be imparted to the optical waveguide 1.

Such a norbornene-based polymer is suitably synthesized by using, for example, a norbornene-based monomer described later (a norbornene-based monomer represented by Structural Formula C described below or a crosslinkable norbornene-based monomer).

Further, when the optical waveguide 1 is incorporated into various products, the product may be used in an environment of about 80 ° C., for example. Even in such a case, an addition (co) polymer is preferable from the viewpoint of ensuring heat resistance.

Among them, the norbornene-based resin preferably includes a norbornene repeating unit having a substituent containing a polymerizable group or a norbornene repeating unit having a substituent containing an aryl group.

As the repeating unit of norbornene having a substituent containing a polymerizable group, the repeating unit of norbornene having a substituent containing an epoxy group, the repeating unit of norbornene having a substituent containing a (meth) acryl group, and an alkoxysilyl group At least one of the repeating units of norbornene having a substituent containing is preferable. These polymerizable groups are preferable because of their high reactivity among various polymerizable groups.

Moreover, if one containing two or more norbornene repeating units containing such a polymerizable group is used, both flexibility and heat resistance can be achieved.

On the other hand, by including a norbornene repeating unit having a substituent containing an aryl group, it is possible to more reliably prevent dimensional change due to water absorption due to the extremely high hydrophobicity derived from the aryl group.

Furthermore, the norbornene-based resin preferably contains an alkylnorbornene repeating unit. The alkyl group may be linear or branched.

By including the repeating unit of alkyl norbornene, the norbornene-based resin has high flexibility, and therefore can provide high flexibility (flexibility).

Further, a norbornene-based resin containing a repeating unit of alkyl norbornene is preferable because it has excellent transmittance for light in a specific wavelength region (particularly, a wavelength region near 850 nm).

Specific examples of the norbornene-based resin containing the norbornene repeating unit as described above include hexyl norbornene homopolymer, phenylethyl norbornene homopolymer, benzyl norbornene homopolymer, hexyl norbornene and phenylethyl norbornene copolymer, hexyl norbornene. And a copolymer of benzylnorbornene and the like.

For these reasons, as the norbornene-based resin, those represented by the following formulas (1) to (4) and (8) to (10) are preferable.

(In the formula (1), R ₁ represents an alkyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, a represents an integer of 0 to 3, b represents an integer of 1 to 3, and p ₁ / q ₁ is 20 or less.)

The norbornene-based resin of the formula (1) can be produced as follows.
(1) is obtained by dissolving norbornene having R ₁ and norbornene having an epoxy group in the side chain in toluene and solution polymerization using Ni compound (A) as a catalyst.

In addition, the manufacturing method of norbornene which has an epoxy group in a side chain is as (i) (ii), for example.

(I) Synthesis of norbornenemethanol (NB—CH ₂ —OH) CPD (cyclopentadiene) produced by cracking of DCPD (dicyclopentadiene) and α-olefin (CH ₂ ═CH—CH ₂ —OH) under high temperature and high pressure React.

(Ii) Synthesis of epoxy norbornene It is formed by the reaction of norbornene methanol and epichlorohydrin.

In the formula (1), when b is 2 or 3, epichlorohydrin in which the methylene group is an ethylene group, a propylene group or the like is used.

Among the norbornene-based resins represented by the formula (1), from the viewpoint that both flexibility and heat resistance can be achieved, in particular, R ₁ is an alkyl group having 4 to 10 carbon atoms, and a and A compound in which each b is 1, for example, a copolymer of butylbornene and methyl glycidyl ether norbornene, a copolymer of hexyl norbornene and methyl glycidyl ether norbornene, a copolymer of decyl norbornene and methyl glycidyl ether norbornene, or the like is preferable.

(In Formula (2), R ₂ represents an alkyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, R ₃ represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group, c represents an integer of 0 to 3, and p ₂ / q ₂ Is 20 or less.)

The norbornene-based resin of the formula (2) is obtained by dissolving norbornene having R ₂ and norbornene having acryl and methacryl groups in the side chain in toluene, and performing solution polymerization using the above-described Ni compound (A) as a catalyst. Obtainable.

Of the norbornene resins represented by the formula (2), R ₂ is an alkyl group having 4 to 10 carbon atoms and c is 1 from the viewpoint of achieving both flexibility and heat resistance. Compounds such as copolymers of butylbornene and 2- (5-norbornenyl) methyl acrylate, copolymers of hexylnorbornene and 2- (5-norbornenyl) methyl acrylate, decylnorbornene and 2- (5-norbornenyl) methyl acrylate And a copolymer thereof are preferred.

(In Formula (3), R ₄ represents an alkyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, each X ₃ independently represents an alkyl group having 1 to 3 carbon atoms, and d represents 0 to 3 carbon atoms. Represents an integer, and p ₃ / q ₃ is 20 or less.)

The resin of the formula (3) can be obtained by dissolving norbornene having R ₄ and norbornene having an alkoxysilyl group in the side chain in toluene, and solution polymerization using the above-described Ni compound (A) as a catalyst. it can.

Among the norbornene-based polymers represented by the formula (3), in particular, a compound in which R ₄ is an alkyl group having 4 to 10 carbon atoms, d is 1 or 2, and X ₃ is a methyl group or an ethyl group, For example, a copolymer of butylbornene and norbornenylethyltrimethoxysilane, a copolymer of hexylnorbornene and norbornenylethyltrimethoxysilane, a copolymer of decylnorbornene and norbornenylethyltrimethoxysilane, butylbornene and triethoxysilylnorbornene Copolymer of hexyl norbornene and triethoxysilyl norbornene, copolymer of decyl norbornene and triethoxysilyl norbornene, copolymer of butylbornene and trimethoxysilyl norbornene, hexyl norbornene And copolymers of trimethoxysilyl norbornene, copolymers, etc. of decyl norbornene and trimethoxysilyl norbornene are preferred.

(In the formula (4), R ₅ represents an alkyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, and A ₁ and A ₂ each independently represent a substituent represented by the following formulas (5) to (7). (However, they are not the same substituent at the same time, and p ₄ / q ₄ + r is 20 or less.)

The resin of the formula (4) can be obtained by dissolving norbornene having R ₅ and norbornene having A ₁ and A ₂ in the side chain in toluene, and solution polymerization using Ni compound (A) as a catalyst. it can.

(In the formula (5), e represents an integer of 0 to 3, and f represents an integer of 1 to 3.)

(In formula (6), R ₆ represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group, and g represents an integer of 0 to 3.)

(Equation (7) in, _{X 4} each independently represents an alkyl group having 1 to 3 carbon atoms, h is. Represents an integer of 0 to 3)

As the norbornene-based resin represented by the formula (4), for example, any one of butyl norbornene, hexyl norbornene or decyl norbornene, 2- (5-norbornenyl) methyl acrylate, norbornenyl ethyl trimethoxysilane, Terpolymer with either triethoxysilyl norbornene or trimethoxysilyl norbornene, butyl bornene, hexyl norbornene or decyl norbornene, terpolymer of 2- (5-norbornenyl) methyl acrylate and methyl glycidyl ether norbornene, butylbornene, Either hexyl norbornene or decyl norbornene and methyl glycidyl ether norbornene, norbornenyl ethyltrimethoxysilane, triethoxysilylno Terpolymers, etc. with either bornene or trimethoxysilyl norbornene.

(In formula (8), R ₇ represents an alkyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, R ₈ represents a hydrogen atom, a methyl group or an ethyl group, Ar represents an aryl group, and X ₁ represents oxygen Represents an atom or a methylene group, X ₂ represents a carbon atom or a silicon atom, i represents an integer of 0 to 3, j represents an integer of 1 to 3, and p ₅ / q ₅ is 20 or less is there.)

The resin of the formula (8) is obtained by dissolving norbornene having R ₇ and norbornene containing — (CH ₂ ) —X ₁ —X ₂ (R ₈ ) _3-j (Ar) _j in the side chain in toluene, It can be obtained by solution polymerization using a compound as a catalyst.

Of the norbornene resins represented by the formula (8), those in which X ₁ is an oxygen atom, X ₂ is a silicon atom, and Ar is a phenyl group are preferable.

Further, particularly from the viewpoint of flexibility, heat resistance and refractive index control, R ₇ is an alkyl group having 4 to 10 carbon atoms, X ₁ is an oxygen atom, X ₂ is a silicon atom, Ar is a phenyl group, R _A compound in which ₈ is a methyl group, i is 1 and j is 2, for example, a copolymer of butylbornene and diphenylmethylnorbornenemethoxysilane, a copolymer of hexylnorbornene and diphenylmethylnorbornenemethoxysilane, decylnorbornene and diphenylmethylnorbornenemethoxysilane Of these, the copolymer is preferred.
Specifically, it is preferable to use the following norbornene resin.

(R ₇ , p ₅ , q ₅ , and i in formula (9) are the same as in formula (8).)

From the viewpoint of flexibility, heat resistance, and refractive index control, in formula (8), R ₇ is an alkyl group having 4 to 10 carbon atoms, X ₁ is a methylene group, X ₂ is a carbon atom, and Ar is Compounds in which R ₈ is a hydrogen atom, i is 0, and j is 1, for example, a copolymer of butylbornene and phenylethylnorbornene, a copolymer of hexylnorbornene and phenylethylnorbornene, a copolymer of decylnorbornene and phenylethylnorbornene Etc.
Further, the following may be used as the norbornene resin.

(In Formula (10), R ₁₀ represents an alkyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, R ₁₁ represents an aryl group, and k is 0 or more and 4 or less. P ₆ / q ₆ is 20 or less. is there.)

Further, p ₁ / q ₁ to p ₃ / q ₃ , p ₅ / q ₅ , p ₆ / q ₆ or p ₄ / q ₄ + r may be 20 or less, preferably 15 or less, About 0.1 to 10 is more preferable. Thereby, the effect including the repeating unit of multiple types of norbornene is exhibited.

Meanwhile, as described above, the polymer 915 may be an acrylic resin, a methacrylic resin, an epoxy resin, a polyimide, a silicone resin, a fluorine resin, or the like.

Among these, examples of acrylic resins and methacrylic resins include poly (methyl acrylate), poly (methyl methacrylate), poly (epoxy acrylate), poly (epoxy methacrylate), poly (amino acrylate), and poly (amino methacrylate). , Polyacrylic acid, polymethacrylic acid, poly (isocyanate acrylate), poly (isocyanate methacrylate), poly (cyanate acrylate), poly (cyanate methacrylate), poly (thioepoxy acrylate), poly (thioepoxy methacrylate) , Poly (allyl acrylate), poly (allyl methacrylate), acrylate / epoxy acrylate copolymer (copolymer of methyl methacrylate and glycidyl methacrylate), styrene / epoxy Acrylate copolymer and the like, these one or more composite material is used.

Examples of the epoxy resin include alicyclic epoxy resin, bisphenol A type epoxy resin, bisphenol F type epoxy resin, bisphenol S type epoxy resin, biphenyl type epoxy resin having a biphenyl skeleton, naphthalene ring-containing epoxy resin, Dicyclopentadiene type epoxy resin having cyclopentadiene skeleton, phenol novolac type epoxy resin, cresol novolac type epoxy resin, triphenylmethane type epoxy resin, triphenylmethane type epoxy resin, aliphatic epoxy resin, triglycidyl isocyanurate, etc. Of these, one or more of these composite materials are used.

Further, the polyimide is not particularly limited as long as it is a resin obtained by ring-closing and curing (imidizing) a polyamic acid which is a polyimide resin precursor.

The polyamic acid can be obtained, for example, as a solution by reacting tetracarboxylic dianhydride and diamine in an equimolar ratio in N, N-dimethylacetamide.

Among these, examples of the tetracarboxylic dianhydride include pyromellitic dianhydride, 3,3 ′, 4,4′-biphenyltetracarboxylic dianhydride, and 2,2-bis (2,3-di (). Carboxyphenyl) -1,1,1,3,3,3-hexafluoropropane dianhydride, 2,2-bis (3,4-dicarboxyphenyl) -1,1,1,3,3,3- Hexafluoropropane dianhydride, 3,3 ′, 4,4′-benzophenone tetracarboxylic dianhydride, bis (3,4-dicarboxyphenyl) ether dianhydride, bis (3,4-dicarboxyphenyl) And sulfonic acid dianhydrides.

On the other hand, examples of the diamine include m-phenylenediamine, p-phenylenediamine, 3,4'-diaminodiphenyl ether, 4,4'-diaminodiphenyl ether, 4,4'-diaminodiphenyl sulfone, and 3,3'-diaminodiphenyl. Sulfone, 2,2-bis (4-aminophenoxyphenyl) propane, 2,2-bis (4-aminophenoxyphenyl) hexafluoropropane, 1,3-bis (4-aminophenoxy) benzene, 1,4-bis (4-aminophenoxy) benzene, 2,4-diaminotoluene, 2,6-diaminotoluene, diaminodiphenylmethane, 4,4′-diamino-2,2-dimethylbiphenyl, 2,2-bis (trifluoromethyl)- 4,4′-diaminobiphenyl and the like.

Further, examples of the silicone resin include silicone rubber and silicone elastomer. These silicone resins are obtained by reacting a silicone rubber monomer or oligomer with a curing agent.

Examples of the silicone rubber monomer or oligomer include those containing a methylsiloxane group, an ethylsiloxane group, or a phenylsiloxane group.

Further, as the silicone rubber monomer or oligomer, for example, those obtained by introducing a functional group such as an epoxy group, a vinyl ether group, or an acrylic group are preferably used in order to impart photoreactivity.

In addition, as the fluorine-based resin, for example, a polymer obtained from a monomer having a fluorine-containing aliphatic ring structure, a polymer obtained by cyclopolymerizing a fluorine-containing monomer having two or more polymerizable unsaturated bonds, Examples thereof include a polymer obtained by copolymerizing a fluorine-containing monomer and a radical polymerizable monomer.

Examples of the fluorine-containing aliphatic ring structure include perfluoro (2,2-dimethyl-1,3-dioxole), perfluoro (4-methyl-1,3-dioxole), and perfluoro (4-methoxy-1,3-dioxole). ) And the like.

Further, examples of the fluorine-containing monomer include perfluoro (allyl vinyl ether), perfluoro (butenyl vinyl ether) and the like.

Also, examples of the radical polymerizable monomer include tetrafluoroethylene, chlorotrifluoroethylene, perfluoro (methyl vinyl ether) and the like.

In addition, since the refractive index of each part of the core layer 13 is determined according to the relative magnitude relationship between the refractive index of the polymer 915 and the refractive index of the monomer in each part and the existence ratio thereof, the polymer depends on the type of monomer used. The refractive index of 915 may be adjusted as appropriate.

For example, in order to obtain a polymer 915 having a relatively high refractive index, a monomer having an aromatic ring (aromatic group), a nitrogen atom, a bromine atom or a chlorine atom in the molecular structure is generally selected, A polymer 915 is synthesized (polymerized). On the other hand, in order to obtain a polymer 915 having a relatively low refractive index, a monomer having an alkyl group, a fluorine atom or an ether structure (ether group) is generally selected in the molecular structure, and the polymer 915 is synthesized ( Polymerization).

As the norbornene-based resin having a relatively high refractive index, those containing a repeating unit of aralkyl norbornene are preferable. Such norbornene-based resins have a particularly high refractive index.

Examples of the aralkyl group (arylalkyl group) of the aralkylnorbornene repeating unit include benzyl group, phenylethyl group, phenylpropyl group, phenylbutyl group, naphthylethyl group, naphthylpropyl group, fluorenylethyl group, fluorene group, and the like. Examples thereof include a nylpropyl group, and a benzyl group and a phenylethyl group are particularly preferable. A norbornene-based resin having such a repeating unit is preferable because it has a very high refractive index.

Further, the polymer 915 as described above has a leaving group (leaving pendant group) that is branched from the main chain and at least a part of the molecular structure of which can be released from the main chain by irradiation with actinic radiation. Is preferred. Since the refractive index of the polymer 915 decreases due to the removal of the leaving group, the polymer 915 can form a refractive index difference depending on the presence or absence of irradiation with actinic radiation.

Examples of the polymer 915 having such a leaving group include a polymer having at least one of an —O— structure, an —Si—aryl structure, and an —O—Si— structure in a molecular structure. Such a leaving group is released relatively easily by the action of a cation.

Among these, as the leaving group that causes a decrease in the refractive index of the resin by leaving, at least one of the —Si-diphenyl structure and the —O—Si-diphenyl structure is preferable.

Here, examples of the polymer 915 having a leaving group in the side chain include polymers of monocyclic monomers such as cyclohexene and cyclooctene, norbornene, norbornadiene, dicyclopentadiene, dihydrodicyclopentadiene, tetracyclododecene, Examples thereof include cyclic olefin resins such as polymers of polycyclic monomers such as cyclopentadiene, dihydrotricyclopentadiene, tetracyclopentadiene, dihydrotetracyclopentadiene and the like. Among these, one or more cyclic olefin resins selected from polymers of polycyclic monomers are preferably used. Thereby, the heat resistance of resin can be improved.

In addition, as polymerization forms, known forms such as random polymerization and block polymerization can be applied. For example, specific examples of the polymerization of norbornene monomers include (co) polymers of norbornene monomers, copolymers of norbornene monomers and other copolymerizable monomers such as α-olefins, A combined hydrogenated product corresponds to a specific example. These cyclic olefin resins can be produced by a known polymerization method. The polymerization methods include an addition polymerization method and a ring-opening polymerization method, and among them, the cyclic olefin resin obtained by the addition polymerization method. (In particular, norbornene-based resins) are preferable (that is, addition polymers of norbornene-based compounds). Thereby, it is excellent in transparency, heat resistance, and flexibility.

Further, as the norbornene resin having a leaving group in the side chain, for example, in the norbornene resin represented by the formula (8), X ₁ is an oxygen atom, X ₂ is a silicon atom, and Ar is a phenyl group. Some are listed.

In the formula (3), there is a case where the Si—O—X ₃ portion of the alkoxysilyl group is eliminated.

Also, for example, when the norbornene resin of the formula (9) is used, it is presumed that the reaction proceeds as follows by the acid generated from the photoacid generator (denoted as PAG). Here, only the part of the leaving group is shown, and the case where i = 1 is described.

Furthermore, in addition to the structure of the formula (9), the side chain may have an epoxy group. By using such a thing, there exists an effect that the core layer 13 excellent in adhesiveness with respect to the cladding layers 11 and 12 and a base material can be formed.
Specific examples include the following.

(In formula (31), p ₇ / q ₇ + r ₂ is 20 or less.)

The compound represented by the formula (31) includes, for example, hexyl norbornene, diphenylmethyl norbornene methoxysilane (norbornene containing —CH ₂ —O—Si (CH ₃ ) (Ph) ₂ in the side chain) and epoxy norbornene in toluene. It can be obtained by dissolving and solution polymerization using a Ni compound as a catalyst.

On the other hand, examples of another leaving group include a substituent having an acetophenone structure at the terminal. This leaving group is released relatively easily by the action of free radicals.

The content of the leaving group is not particularly limited, but is preferably 10 to 80% by weight in the polymer 915 having a leaving group in the side chain, and more preferably 20 to 60% by weight. preferable. When the content is within the above range, both flexibility and refractive index modulation function (effect of changing the refractive index difference) are particularly excellent.

For example, the width of changing the refractive index can be expanded by increasing the content of the leaving group.

(Additive)
Additive 920 contains a monomer and a polymerization initiator.

((monomer))
The monomer reacts in the irradiation region of the actinic radiation to form a reactant by irradiation with actinic radiation described later, and the monomer diffuses and moves with it, so that the layer 910 is refracted between the irradiation region and the non-irradiation region. It is a compound that can cause a rate difference.

As a reaction product of the monomer, a polymer (polymer) formed by polymerizing the monomer in the polymer 915, a cross-linked structure in which the monomer cross-links the polymers 915, and a polymer 915 obtained by polymerizing the monomer to the polymer 915. At least one of the branched structures branched from.

By the way, the difference in refractive index generated between the irradiated region and the non-irradiated region is generated based on the difference between the refractive index of the polymer 915 and the refractive index of the monomer. Therefore, the monomer contained in the additive 920 is the polymer 915. Is selected in consideration of the magnitude relationship with the refractive index.

Specifically, in the layer 910, when it is desired that the refractive index of the irradiated region be high, a polymer 915 having a relatively low refractive index and a monomer having a high refractive index with respect to the polymer 915 are included. Used in combination. On the other hand, when it is desired that the refractive index of the irradiated region be low, a polymer 915 having a relatively high refractive index and a monomer having a low refractive index with respect to the polymer 915 are used in combination.

Note that “high” or “low” in the refractive index does not mean the absolute value of the refractive index but means a relative relationship between certain materials.

And, when the refractive index of the irradiated region decreases in the layer 910 due to the monomer reaction (reactant generation), when the portion forms a minimum value of the refractive index distribution W and the refractive index of the irradiated region increases, This portion constitutes the maximum value of the refractive index distribution.

As the monomer, those having compatibility with the polymer 915 and having a refractive index difference with the polymer 915 of 0.01 or more are preferably used.

Such a monomer is not particularly limited as long as it is a compound having a polymerizable site, and examples thereof include norbornene monomers, acrylic acid (methacrylic acid) monomers, epoxy monomers, oxetane monomers, and vinyl ether monomers. , A styrene monomer, etc., and one or more of these can be used in combination.

Among these, it is preferable to use a monomer or oligomer having a cyclic ether group such as an oxetanyl group or an epoxy group, or a norbornene monomer as the monomer. By using a monomer or oligomer having a cyclic ether group, the cyclic ether group is likely to be opened, so that a monomer capable of reacting quickly can be obtained. Further, by using a norbornene-based monomer, the core layer 13 (optical waveguide 1) having excellent optical transmission performance and excellent heat resistance and flexibility can be obtained.

Among these, the molecular weight (weight average molecular weight) of the monomer having a cyclic ether group or the molecular weight (weight average molecular weight) of the oligomer is preferably 100 or more and 400 or less, respectively.

As the monomer having an oxetanyl group and the oligomer having an oxetanyl group, those selected from the group of the following formulas (11) to (20) are preferable. By using these, there is an advantage that transparency in the vicinity of a wavelength of 850 nm is excellent and both flexibility and heat resistance are possible. These may be used alone or in combination.

(In formula (18), n is 0 or more and 3 or less.)

Among the monomers and oligomers as described above, compounds represented by the formulas (13), (15), (16), (17), and (20) are used from the viewpoint of securing a difference in refractive index from the polymer 915. It is preferable.

Furthermore, in consideration of the difference in refractive index from the polymer 915 resin, the low molecular weight, the high mobility of the monomer, and the fact that the monomer does not easily volatilize, it is expressed by the equations (20) and (15). It is particularly preferred to use the compounds

Further, as the compound having an oxetanyl group, compounds represented by the following formulas (32) and (33) can be used. As the compound represented by the formula (32), trade name TOSOX manufactured by Toagosei Co., Ltd., and as the compound represented by formula (33), trade name OX-SQ manufactured by Toagosei Co., Ltd. can be used.

(In formula (33), n is 1 or 2)

Further, examples of the monomer having an epoxy group and the oligomer having an epoxy group include the following. The monomer and oligomer having an epoxy group are polymerized by ring-opening in the presence of an acid.

As the monomer having an epoxy group and the oligomer having an epoxy group, those represented by the following formulas (34) to (39) can be used. Among them, it is preferable to use an alicyclic epoxy monomer represented by the formulas (36) to (39) from the viewpoint that the strain energy of the epoxy ring is large and the reactivity is excellent.

Note that the compound represented by the formula (34) is epoxy norbornene, and as such a compound, for example, EpNB manufactured by Promeras Corporation can be used. The compound represented by the formula (35) is γ-glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane, and as this compound, for example, Z-6040 manufactured by Toray Dow Corning Silicone can be used. The compound represented by the formula (36) is 2- (3,4-epoxycyclohexyl) ethyltrimethoxysilane. As this compound, for example, E0327 manufactured by Tokyo Chemical Industry can be used.

Further, the compound represented by the formula (37) is 3,4-epoxycyclohexenylmethyl-3 ′, 4′-epoxycyclohexenecarboxylate, and for example, Celoxide 2021P manufactured by Daicel Chemical Industries, Ltd. is used. can do. The compound represented by the formula (38) is 1,2-epoxy-4-vinylcyclohexane, and as this compound, for example, Celoxide 2000 manufactured by Daicel Chemical Industries, Ltd. can be used.

Furthermore, the compound represented by the formula (39) is 1,2: 8,9 diepoxy limonene. As this compound, for example, (Celoxide 3000 manufactured by Daicel Chemical Industries, Ltd.) can be used.

Furthermore, as the monomer, a monomer having an oxetanyl group, an oligomer having an oxetanyl group, a monomer having an epoxy group, and an oligomer having an epoxy group may be used in combination.

The monomer having an oxetanyl group and the oligomer having an oxetanyl group have a slow initiation reaction for initiating polymerization but a fast growth reaction. On the other hand, a monomer having an epoxy group and an oligomer having an epoxy group have a fast initiation reaction for initiating polymerization, but have a slow growth reaction. Therefore, by using a monomer having an oxetanyl group, an oligomer having an oxetanyl group, a monomer having an epoxy group, and an oligomer having an epoxy group, when irradiated with light, the light irradiated portion and the unirradiated portion A difference in refractive index can be reliably generated.

Specifically, when the monomer represented by the formula (20) is “first monomer” and the monomer containing the component B is “second monomer”, it is preferable to use the first monomer and the second monomer in combination. When the ratio of the combined use is defined by (weight of second monomer) / (weight of first monomer), it is preferably about 0.1 to 1, more preferably about 0.1 to 0.6. preferable. When the combined ratio is within the above range, the balance between the reactivity of the monomer and the heat resistance of the optical waveguide 1 is improved.

In addition, the monomer corresponding to the second monomer includes a monomer having an oxetanyl group different from the monomer represented by the formula (20) and a monomer having a vinyl ether group. Among these, at least one of an epoxy compound (particularly an alicyclic epoxy compound) and a bifunctional oxetane compound (a monomer having two oxetanyl groups) is preferably used. By using these second monomers, the reactivity between the first monomer and the polymer 915 can be improved, whereby the heat resistance of the waveguide can be improved while maintaining transparency.

Specific examples of the second monomer include the compound of the above formula (15), the compound of the above formula (12), the compound of the above formula (11), the compound of the above formula (18), and the above formula (19). And compounds of the above formulas (34) to (39).

Further, the norbornene-based monomer is a generic term for monomers containing at least one norbornene skeleton represented by the following structural formula A, and examples thereof include compounds represented by the following structural formula C.

[Wherein, a represents a single bond or a double bond, R ₁₂ to R ₁₅ each independently represents a hydrogen atom, a substituted or unsubstituted hydrocarbon group, or a functional substituent, An integer of 0 to 5 is represented. However, when a is a double bond, either one of R ₁₂ and R ₁₃ or one of R ₁₄ and R ₁₅ does not exist. ]

Examples of the unsubstituted hydrocarbon group (hydrocarbyl group) include, for example, a linear or branched alkyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms (C ₁ to C ₁₀ ), a linear or branched carbon number of 2 -10 (C ₂ -C ₁₀ alkenyl group, linear or branched alkynyl group having 2 to 10 carbon atoms (C ₂ -C ₁₀ ), cycloalkyl having 4 to 12 carbon atoms (C ₄ -C ₁₂ ) Group, a cycloalkenyl group having 4 to 12 carbon atoms (C ₄ to C ₁₂ ), an aryl group having 6 to 12 carbon atoms (C ₆ to C ₁₂ ), and an aralkyl group having 7 to 24 carbon atoms (C ₇ to C ₂₄ ) In addition, R ₁₂ and R ₁₃ , R ₁₄ and R ₁₅ may each be an alkylidenyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms (C ₁ to C ₁₀ ).

In addition, examples of monomers other than the above, for example, acrylic acid (methacrylic acid) monomers include acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, acrylic acid ester, methacrylic acid ester, acrylic acid amide, methacrylic acid amide, acrylonitrile, and the like. These can be used alone or in combination of two or more.

Specific examples include 2-ethylhexyl (meth) acrylate, cyclohexyl (meth) acrylate, 2-butoxyethyl (meth) acrylate, and the like.

Examples of vinyl ether monomers include methyl vinyl ether, ethyl vinyl ether, n-propyl vinyl ether, isopropyl vinyl ether, n-butyl vinyl ether, isobutyl vinyl ether, tert-butyl vinyl ether, n-pentyl vinyl ether, n-hexyl vinyl ether, n-octyl. Examples thereof include alkyl vinyl ethers or cycloalkyl vinyl ethers such as vinyl ether, n-dodecyl vinyl ether, 2-ethylhexyl vinyl ether, and cyclohexyl vinyl ether, and one or more of these can be used in combination.

Also, examples of the styrene monomer include styrene and divinylbenzene, and one or two of these can be used in combination.

In addition, the combination of these monomers and the polymer 915 mentioned above is not specifically limited, Any combination may be sufficient.

Further, at least a part of the monomer may be oligomerized as described above.

The addition amount of these monomers is preferably 1 part by weight or more and 50 parts by weight or less, and more preferably 2 parts by weight or more and 20 parts by weight or less with respect to 100 parts by weight of the polymer. Thereby, the refractive index modulation between the core and the clad is possible, and there is an effect that both flexibility and heat resistance can be achieved.

((Polymerization initiator))
The polymerization initiator acts on the monomer with irradiation of actinic radiation to promote the reaction of the monomer, and is added as necessary in consideration of the reactivity of the monomer.

The polymerization initiator to be used is appropriately selected according to the type of monomer polymerization reaction or crosslinking reaction. For example, radical polymerization initiators are preferably used exclusively for acrylic acid (methacrylic acid) monomers and styrene monomers, and cationic polymerization initiators are preferably used exclusively for epoxy monomers, oxetane monomers, and vinyl ether monomers.

Examples of radical polymerization initiators include benzophenones and acetophenones.

On the other hand, examples of the cationic polymerization initiator include Lewis acid generating type such as diazonium salt, Bronsted acid generating type such as iodonium salt and sulfonium salt.

In particular, when a monomer having a cyclic ether group is used as the monomer, the following cationic polymerization initiator (photoacid generator) is preferably used.

For example, sulfonium salts such as triphenylsulfonium trifluoromethanesulfonate, tris (4-t-butylphenyl) sulfonium-trifluoromethanesulfonate, diazonium salts such as p-nitrophenyldiazonium hexafluorophosphate, ammonium salts, phosphonium salts, diphenyliodonium Iodonium salts such as trifluoromethanesulfonate, (triccumyl) iodonium-tetrakis (pentafluorophenyl) borate, quinonediazides, diazomethanes such as bis (phenylsulfonyl) diazomethane, 1-phenyl-1- (4-methylphenyl) sulfonyloxy- Sulfos such as 1-benzoylmethane, N-hydroxynaphthalimide-trifluoromethanesulfonate Acid esters, disulfones such as diphenyldisulfone, tris (2,4,6-trichloromethyl) -s-triazine, 2- (3.4-methylenedioxyphenyl) -4,6-bis- (trichloromethyl) Compounds such as triazines such as -s-triazine are used as photoacid generators. These photoacid generators may be used alone or in combination.

The content of the polymerization initiator is preferably 0.01 parts by weight or more and 0.3 parts by weight or less, more preferably 0.02 parts by weight or more and 0.2 parts by weight or less with respect to 100 parts by weight of the polymer. . Thereby, there exists an effect of a reactive improvement.

In addition, when the reactivity of a monomer is remarkably high, addition of a polymerization initiator may be omitted.

Among these, the sensitizer increases the sensitivity of the polymerization initiator to light and is suitable for the function of reducing the time and energy required for the activation (reaction or decomposition) of the polymerization initiator and for the activation of the polymerization initiator. It has a function of changing the wavelength of light to a wavelength.

Such a sensitizer is appropriately selected according to the sensitivity of the polymerization initiator and the peak wavelength of absorption of the sensitizer, and is not particularly limited. For example, 9,10-dibutoxyanthracene (CAS No. 76275) is selected. 14-4)), anthracenes, xanthones, anthraquinones, phenanthrenes, chrysenes, benzpyrenes, fluoranthenes, rubrenes, pyrenes, indanthrines, thioxanthen-9-ones (Thioxanthen-9-ones) and the like, and these can be used alone or as a mixture.

Specific examples of the sensitizer include, for example, 2-isopropyl-9H-thioxanthen-9-one, 4-isopropyl-9H-thioxanthen-9-one, 1-chloro-4-propoxythioxanthone, and phenothiazine. Or a mixture thereof.

The content of the sensitizer in the core layer forming composition 900 is preferably 0.01% by weight or more, more preferably 0.5% by weight or more, and 1% by weight or more. Is more preferable. In addition, it is preferable that an upper limit is 5 weight% or less.

In addition, the additive 920 includes a catalyst precursor, a co-catalyst, an antioxidant, an ultraviolet absorber, a light stabilizer, a silane coupling agent, a coating surface improver, a thermal polymerization inhibitor, a leveling agent, and a surfactant. , Colorants, storage stabilizers, plasticizers, lubricants, fillers, inorganic particles, anti-aging agents, wettability improvers, antistatic agents, and the like.

The layer 910 containing the polymer 915 and the additive 920 as described above has a predetermined refractive index due to the action of the additive 920 dispersed uniformly in the polymer 915.

[2] Next, a mask (masking) 935 in which an opening (window) 9351 is formed is prepared, and the layer 910 is irradiated with active radiation 930 through the mask 935 (see FIG. 5).

Hereinafter, the case where a monomer having a refractive index lower than that of the polymer 915 is used as an example will be described.

That is, in the example shown here, the irradiation region 925 of the active radiation 930 is mainly the side cladding portion 15.

In the example shown here, an opening (window) 9351 equivalent to the pattern of the side cladding portion 15 to be formed is mainly formed in the mask 935. This opening 9351 forms a transmission part through which the active radiation 930 to be irradiated passes. In addition, since the pattern of the core part 14 and the side clad part 15 is determined based on the refractive index distribution W formed according to irradiation of the active radiation 930, the pattern of the opening 9351 and the pattern of the side clad part 15 are completely There is a case in which there is a slight deviation between the two patterns.

The mask 935 may be formed in advance (separately formed) (for example, plate-shaped) or may be formed on the layer 910 by, for example, a vapor deposition method or a coating method.

Preferred examples of the mask 935 include a photomask made of quartz glass or a PET base material, a stencil mask, a metal thin film formed by a vapor deposition method (evaporation, sputtering, etc.), etc. Among these, it is particularly preferable to use a photomask or a stencil mask. This is because a fine pattern can be formed with high accuracy, and handling is easy, which is advantageous in improving productivity.

Further, in FIG. 5, the opening (window) 9351 of the mask 935 is shown by partially removing the mask along the pattern of the irradiation region 925 of the active radiation 930. However, the quartz glass, the PET base material, etc. In the case of using the photomask manufactured in (1), it is also possible to use a photomask provided with a shielding portion of active radiation 930 made of a shielding material made of metal such as chromium. In this mask, the part other than the shielding part is the window (transmission part).

The actinic radiation 930 to be used is not particularly limited as long as it can cause a photochemical reaction (change) with respect to the polymerization initiator and can release the leaving group contained in the polymer 915. For example, visible light, In addition to ultraviolet light, infrared light, and laser light, electron beams, X-rays, and the like can also be used.

Among these, the actinic radiation 930 is appropriately selected depending on the kind of the sensitizer when it contains a polymerization initiator, a leaving group, and a sensitizer, and is not particularly limited, but has a wavelength of 200 to 450 nm. It is preferable to have a peak wavelength in the range. As a result, the polymerization initiator can be activated relatively easily and the leaving group can be removed relatively easily.

The dose of the active radiation 930 is preferably about 0.1 to 9 J / cm ² , more preferably about 0.2 to 6 J / cm ^{2, and} about 0.2 to 3 J / cm ^2. More preferably.

When the layer 910 is irradiated with the active radiation 930 through the mask 935, the polymerization initiator is activated in the irradiated region 925. Thereby, the monomer is polymerized in the irradiation region 925. When the monomer is polymerized, the amount of monomer in the irradiated region 925 decreases, and accordingly, the monomer in the unirradiated region 940 diffuses and moves to the irradiated region 925. As described above, since the polymer 915 and the monomer are appropriately selected so that a difference in refractive index is generated between them, a refractive index difference is generated between the irradiated region 925 and the non-irradiated region 940 as the monomer diffuses and moves.

FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining a state in which a difference in refractive index occurs between the irradiated region 925 and the non-irradiated region 940. The horizontal cross-sectional position of the layer 910 is taken on the horizontal axis, and the refractive index of the horizontal cross-section is It is a figure which shows refractive index distribution when it takes on an axis | shaft.

In this embodiment, since a monomer having a smaller refractive index than that of the polymer 915 is used as the monomer, the refractive index of the unirradiated region 940 becomes higher and the refractive index of the irradiated region 925 becomes lower as the monomer diffuses and moves ( FIG. 9 (a)).

It is considered that the diffusion movement of the monomer occurs due to the consumption of the monomer in the irradiation region 925 and the concentration gradient of the monomer formed accordingly. For this reason, the monomers in the entire unirradiated region 940 do not move toward the irradiated region 925 all at once, but gradually move from a portion close to the irradiated region 925 and outward from the center of the unirradiated region 940 to compensate for this. Monomer migration also occurs. As a result, as shown in FIG. 9A, the high refractive index portion H on the non-irradiated region 940 side and the low refractive index portion L on the irradiated region 925 side across the boundary between the irradiated region 925 and the non-irradiated region 940. Is formed. Since the high refractive index portion H and the low refractive index portion L are formed in accordance with the diffusion movement of the monomer as described above, they are necessarily constituted by smooth curves. Specifically, the high refractive index portion H has, for example, a substantially U shape that is convex upward, and the low refractive index portion L has, for example, a substantially U shape that is convex downward.

The refractive index of the polymer obtained by polymerizing the monomers as described above is almost the same as the refractive index of the monomer before polymerization (the difference in refractive index is about 0 to 0.001). As the polymerization proceeds, the refractive index decreases according to the amount of the monomer and the amount of the substance derived from the monomer. Therefore, the shape of the refractive index distribution W can be controlled by appropriately adjusting the amount of monomer with respect to the polymer.

On the other hand, in the unirradiated region 940, the monomer is not polymerized because the polymerization initiator is not activated.

Also, in the irradiation region 925, the ease of monomer diffusion transfer gradually decreases as the polymerization of the monomer proceeds. As a result, in the irradiated region 925, the closer to the unirradiated region 940, the higher the monomer concentration, and the greater the amount of decrease in the refractive index. As a result, the distribution shape of the low refractive index portion L formed in the irradiated region 925 is likely to be asymmetrical left and right, and the gradient on the non-irradiated region 940 side becomes steeper. Thereby, the refractive index distribution W which the optical waveguide of this invention has is formed.

Further, the polymer 915 preferably has a leaving group as described above. This leaving group is released upon irradiation with actinic radiation 930 and decreases the refractive index of the polymer 915. Therefore, when the irradiation region 925 is irradiated with the actinic radiation 930, the above-described diffusion movement of the monomer is started, the leaving group is released from the polymer 915, and the refractive index of the irradiation region 925 decreases from before the irradiation. (See FIG. 9B).

This decrease in the refractive index occurs uniformly in the entire irradiation region 925, so that the refractive index difference between the high refractive index portion H and the low refractive index portion L described above is further enlarged. As a result, a refractive index distribution W shown in FIG. 9B is obtained. Note that the change in refractive index in FIG. 9A and the change in refractive index in FIG. 9B occur almost simultaneously. Such a refractive index change further expands the refractive index difference.

In this embodiment, the refractive index of the core layer after energy irradiation is adjusted by appropriately adjusting the components of the core layer before energy irradiation, the irradiation amount of energy irradiation, or the degree of drying of the core layer before energy irradiation. The shape of the distribution can be controlled.
Moreover, the refractive index difference and the shape of the refractive index distribution to be formed can be controlled by adjusting the dose of the active radiation 930. For example, the refractive index difference can be enlarged by increasing the irradiation amount. In addition, the shape of the refractive index distribution can be controlled by adjusting the content and irradiation amount of the photoacid generator. Further, the layer 910 may be dried before the irradiation with the active radiation 930, but the shape of the refractive index distribution can be controlled by adjusting the degree of drying at that time. For example, by increasing the degree of drying, the diffusion transfer amount of the monomer can be suppressed. Also, by increasing the drying temperature, the amount of diffusion can be increased and the refractive index distribution can be controlled.

Next, the layer 910 is subjected to heat treatment. In this heat treatment, the monomer in the irradiation region 925 irradiated with light is further polymerized. On the other hand, in this heating step, the monomer in the unirradiated region 940 is volatilized. Thereby, in the unirradiated region 940, the monomer is further reduced, the refractive index is increased, and the refractive index is close to that of the polymer 915.

The heating temperature in this heat treatment is not particularly limited, but is preferably about 30 to 180 ° C, more preferably about 40 to 160 ° C.

Further, the heating time is preferably set so that the polymerization reaction of the monomer in the irradiation region 925 is almost completed. Specifically, the heating time is preferably about 0.1 to 2 hours, preferably 0.1 to 1 hour. More preferred is the degree.

Note that this heat treatment may be performed as necessary and may be omitted.
Based on the above principle, the core layer 13 having the refractive index distribution W is obtained (see FIG. 6).

In the refractive index distribution W, there are minimum values Ws1, Ws2, Ws3, and Ws4 converted from the low refractive index portion L (see FIG. 2B), and the positions of these minimum values are the core portion 14 and the side surface. This corresponds to the boundary with the clad portion 15.

The refractive index distribution W has a certain correlation with the monomer-derived structure concentration in the core layer 13. Therefore, it is possible to indirectly specify the refractive index distribution W of the optical waveguide 1 by measuring the concentration of the monomer-derived structure.

The concentration of the structure can be measured using, for example, FT-IR or TOF-SIMS line analysis, surface analysis, or the like.

Furthermore, the refractive index distribution W can be indirectly specified even if the intensity distribution of the emitted light from the optical waveguide 1 has a certain correlation with the refractive index distribution W.

Of course, the refractive index distribution W can be directly specified by a refraction near field method, a differential interference method, or the like.

In addition, when a monomer having a higher refractive index than that of the polymer 915 is used as the monomer, the refractive index of the movement destination increases with the diffusion movement of the monomer. The irradiation area 940 may be set.

Further, when light having high directivity such as laser light is used as the active radiation 930, the use of the mask 935 may be omitted.

[3] Next, the

clad layers

11 and 12 are laminated on both surfaces of the core layer 13. Thereby, the optical waveguide 1 is obtained.

First, the clad layer 11 (12) is formed on the support substrate 952 (see FIG. 7).

As a method for forming the clad layer 11 (12), a varnish (cladding layer forming composition) containing a clad material is applied and cured (solidified), and a curable monomer composition is applied and cured (solidified). Any method may be used.

Next, the core layer 13 is peeled from the support substrate 951, and the core layer 13 is sandwiched between the support substrate 952 on which the cladding layer 11 is formed and the support substrate 952 on which the cladding layer 12 is formed (FIG. 8A )reference).

Then, as indicated by an arrow in FIG. 8A, pressure is applied from the upper surface side of the support substrate 952 on which the cladding layer 12 is formed, and the cladding layers 11 and 12 and the core layer 13 are pressure-bonded.

Thereby, the

clad layers

11 and 12 and the core layer 13 are joined and integrated (see FIG. 8B).

Next, the support substrate 952 is peeled off and removed from the cladding layers 11 and 12, respectively. Thereby, the optical waveguide 1 is obtained.

Then, if necessary, a support film 2 is laminated on the lower surface of the optical waveguide 1 and a cover film 3 is laminated on the upper surface.

The core layer 13 may be formed not on the support substrate 951 but on the cladding layer 11. Further, the clad layer 12 may be formed by applying a material on the core layer 13 instead of being laminated on the core layer 13.

(Second manufacturing method)
Next, a second manufacturing method of the optical waveguide 1 will be described.

Hereinafter, the second manufacturing method will be described, but the description will focus on differences from the first manufacturing method, and description of similar matters will be omitted.

The second manufacturing method is the same as the first manufacturing method except that the composition of the core layer forming composition 900 is different.

The second method of manufacturing the optical waveguide 1 is as follows: [1] After applying the core layer forming composition 900 on the support substrate 951 to form a liquid film, the support substrate 951 is placed on a level table to form the liquid film. While flattening, the solvent is evaporated (desolvent). Thereby, the layer 910 is obtained. [2] Next, after irradiating a part of the layer 910 with actinic radiation, the layer 910 is subjected to a heat treatment to cause a refractive index difference, and the core layer 13 having the core portion 14 and the side cladding portion 15 is formed. obtain. [3] Next, the cladding layers 11 and 12 are laminated on both surfaces of the core layer 13 to obtain the optical waveguide 1.

The core layer forming composition 900 used in the second production method contains a catalyst precursor and a cocatalyst instead of the polymerization initiator.

The catalyst precursor is a substance capable of initiating a monomer reaction (polymerization reaction, crosslinking reaction, etc.), and is a substance whose activation temperature changes due to the action of a promoter activated by light irradiation. Due to this change in the activation temperature, a difference occurs in the temperature at which the monomer reaction starts between the light irradiation region 925 and the non-irradiation region 940, and as a result, the monomer can be reacted only in the irradiation region 925. .

As the catalyst precursor (procatalyst), any compound may be used as long as the activation temperature changes (increases or decreases) with irradiation of actinic radiation, and in particular, irradiation with actinic radiation. Along with this, the activation temperature decreases. Thereby, the core layer 13 (optical waveguide 1) can be formed by heat treatment at a relatively low temperature, and unnecessary heat is applied to the other layers, so that the characteristics (optical transmission performance) of the optical waveguide 1 are deteriorated. Can be prevented.

As such a catalyst precursor, a catalyst precursor containing (mainly) at least one of the compounds represented by the following formulas (Ia) and (Ib) is preferably used.

[In the formulas Ia and Ib, E (R) ₃ represents a neutral electron donor ligand of group 15, respectively, E represents an element selected from group 15 of the periodic table, and R represents , Represents a moiety containing a hydrogen atom (or one of its isotopes) or a hydrocarbon group, and Q represents an anionic ligand selected from carboxylate, thiocarboxylate and dithiocarboxylate. In Formula Ib, LB represents a Lewis base, WCA represents a weakly coordinating anion, a represents an integer of 1 to 3, b represents an integer of 0 to 2, and a and b total is 1 ~ 3, p and r represent the number of balancing the charge of palladium cations and weakly coordinating anions. ]

Typical catalyst precursors according to Formula Ia include Pd (OAc) ₂ (P (i-Pr) ₃ ) ₂ , Pd (OAc) ₂ (P (Cy) ₃ ) ₂ , Pd (O ₂ CCMe ₃ ) ₂ (P (Cy) ₃ ) ₂ , Pd (OAc) ₂ (P (Cp) ₃ ) ₂ , Pd (O ₂ CCF ₃ ) ₂ (P (Cy) ₃ ) ₂ , Pd (O ₂ CC ₆ H ₅ ) ₃ (P (Cy) ₃ ) ₂ may be mentioned, but is not limited thereto. Here, Cp represents a cyclopentyl group, and Cy represents a cyclohexyl group.

Also, the catalyst precursor represented by the formula Ib is preferably a compound in which p and r are selected from integers of 1 and 2, respectively.

Typical catalyst precursors according to such formula Ib include Pd (OAc) ₂ (P (Cy) ₃ ) ₂ . Here, Cy represents a cyclohexyl group, and Ac represents an acetyl group.

These catalyst precursors can efficiently react with a monomer (in the case of a norbornene-based monomer, an efficient polymerization reaction, a crosslinking reaction, etc. by an addition polymerization reaction).

Further, in a state where the activation temperature is lowered (active latent state), the catalyst precursor has an activation temperature lower by about 10 to 80 ° C. (preferably about 10 to 50 ° C.) than the original activation temperature. Is preferred. Thereby, the refractive index difference between the core part 14 and the side clad part 15 can be produced reliably.

Such a catalyst precursor includes (mainly) one containing at least one of Pd (OAc) ₂ (P (i-Pr) ₃ ) ₂ and Pd (OAc) ₂ (P (Cy) ₃ ) _2. Is preferred.

The co-catalyst is a substance that can be activated by irradiation with actinic radiation to change the activation temperature of the catalyst precursor (procatalyst) (the temperature at which the monomer reacts).

As the cocatalyst (cocatalyst), any compound can be used as long as it has a molecular structure that changes (reacts or decomposes) when activated by irradiation with actinic radiation. A compound (photoinitiator) that decomposes upon irradiation with actinic radiation and generates a cation such as a proton or other cation and a weakly coordinated anion (WCA) that can be substituted with a leaving group of the catalyst precursor ( (Mainly) is preferably used.

Examples of weakly coordinating anions include tetrakis (pentafluorophenyl) borate ion (FABA ⁻ ), hexafluoroantimonate ion (SbF ₆ ⁻ ), and the like.

Examples of the cocatalyst (photoacid generator or photobase generator) include tetrakis (pentafluorophenyl) gallium in addition to tetrakis (pentafluorophenyl) borate and hexafluoroantimonate represented by the following formula: Acid salts, aluminates, antimonates, other borates, gallates, carboranes, halocarboranes and the like.

Examples of such commercially available promoters include “RHODORSIL (registered trademark, the same shall apply hereinafter) PHOTOINITIATOR 2074 (CAS No. 178233-72-2) available from Rhodia USA, Cranberry, New Jersey. "TAG-372R ((dimethyl (2- (2-naphthyl) -2-oxoethyl) sulfonium tetrakis (pentafluorophenyl) borate: CAS No. 193957) available from Toyo Ink Manufacturing Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan" -54-9)), "MPI-103 (CAS No. 87709-41-9)" available from Midori Chemical Co., Tokyo, Japan, available from Toyo Ink Manufacturing Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan "TAG-371 (CAS No. 193957-53- No.), “TTBPS-TPFPB (tris (4-tert-butylphenyl) sulfonium tetrakis (pentapentafluorophenyl) borate)”, available from Toyo Gosei Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan “NAI-105 (CAS No. 85342-62-7)” available from Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.

In addition, when RHODORSIL PHOTOINITIATOR 2074 is used as a co-catalyst, ultraviolet rays (UV light) are preferably used as actinic radiation (actinic radiation) described later, and a mercury lamp (high pressure mercury lamp) is suitable as an ultraviolet irradiation means. Used for. Thereby, ultraviolet rays (active radiation) having sufficient energy of less than 300 nm can be supplied to the layer 910, and RHODOLSIL PHOTOINITIATOR 2074 can be efficiently decomposed to generate the above-mentioned cation and WCA.

[2]
[2-1] Next, as in the first manufacturing method, the layer 910 is irradiated with the active radiation 930 through the mask 935.

In the irradiation region 925, the co-catalyst reacts (bonds) or decomposes by the action of the active radiation 930, and liberates (generates) cations (protons or other cations) and weakly coordinating anions (WCA).

These cations and weakly coordinating anions cause a change (decomposition) in the molecular structure of the catalyst precursor existing in the irradiation region 925, and change this into an active latent state (latent active state).

Here, the catalyst precursor in the active latent state (or the latent active state) has an activation temperature lower than the original activation temperature, but there is no temperature increase, that is, at about room temperature, the irradiation region. A catalyst precursor that is in a state where a monomer reaction cannot be caused in 925.

Therefore, even after irradiation with the active radiation 930, if the layer 910 is stored at, for example, about −40 ° C., the state can be maintained without causing a monomer reaction. For this reason, the optical waveguide 1 (for example, the core layer 13) can be obtained by preparing a plurality of layers 910 after the irradiation with the active radiation 930 and subjecting them to a heat treatment to be described later. Is expensive.

In addition to the change in the molecular structure of the catalyst precursor as described above, the leaving group is detached from the polymer 915 as in the first production method. This creates a refractive index difference between the irradiated region 925 and the unirradiated region 940 of the layer 910.

[2-2] Next, the layer 910 is subjected to heat treatment (first heat treatment).
Thereby, in the irradiation region 925, the catalyst precursor in the active latent state is activated (becomes active), and monomer reaction (polymerization reaction or cross-linking reaction) occurs.

As the monomer reaction proceeds, the monomer concentration in the irradiation region 925 gradually decreases. As a result, a difference in monomer concentration occurs between the irradiated region 925 and the unirradiated region 940, and the monomer diffuses from the unirradiated region 940 and collects in the irradiated region 925 in order to eliminate this.
As a result, a refractive index profile similar to that in the first manufacturing method is formed in the layer 910.

The heating temperature in this heat treatment is not particularly limited, but is preferably about 30 to 80 ° C., more preferably about 40 to 60 ° C.

Further, the heating time is preferably set so that the reaction of the monomer in the irradiation region 925 is almost completed. Specifically, the heating time is preferably about 0.1 to 2 hours, preferably 0.1 to 1 hour. More preferred is the degree.

Next, second heat treatment is performed on the layer 910.
Thus, the catalyst precursor remaining in the unirradiated region 940 and / or the irradiated region 925 is activated (activated) directly or with activation of the cocatalyst, whereby each

region

925, 940 is activated. The remaining monomer is reacted.

Thus, by reacting the monomer remaining in each of the

regions

925 and 940, the core portion 14 and the side clad portion 15 obtained can be stabilized.

The heating temperature in the second heat treatment is not particularly limited as long as it can activate the catalyst precursor or the cocatalyst, but is preferably about 70 to 100 ° C., and is preferably about 80 to 90 ° C. Is more preferable.

Further, the heating time is preferably about 0.5 to 2 hours, and more preferably about 0.5 to 1 hour.

Next, the layer 910 is subjected to a third heat treatment.
Thereby, reduction of the internal stress which arises in the core layer 13 obtained, and the further stabilization of the core part 14 and the side clad part 15 can be aimed at.

The heating temperature in the third heat treatment is preferably set to 20 ° C. or more higher than the heating temperature in the second heat treatment, specifically, preferably about 90 to 180 ° C., and preferably 120 to 160 ° C. More preferred is the degree.

The heating time is preferably about 0.5 to 2 hours, more preferably about 0.5 to 1 hour.
Through the above steps, the optical waveguide 1 (for example, the core layer 13) is obtained.

For example, when a sufficient refractive index difference is obtained between the core portion 14 and the side cladding portion 15 in a state before the second heat treatment or the third heat treatment, After the second heat treatment or the third heat treatment may be omitted.

[3] Next, as in the first manufacturing method, the

clad layers

<Electronic equipment>
The optical waveguide of the present invention as described above is excellent in optical transmission efficiency and long-term reliability. For this reason, by providing the optical waveguide of the present invention, a highly reliable electronic device (electronic device of the present invention) capable of performing high-quality optical communication between two points can be obtained.

Examples of the electronic device including the optical waveguide of the present invention include electronic devices such as a mobile phone, a game machine, a router device, a WDM device, a personal computer, a television, and a home server. In any of these electronic devices, it is necessary to transmit a large amount of data at high speed between an arithmetic device such as an LSI and a storage device such as a RAM. Therefore, by providing such an electronic device with the optical waveguide of the present invention, problems such as noise and signal degradation peculiar to electrical wiring are eliminated, and a dramatic improvement in performance can be expected.

Furthermore, the amount of heat generated in the optical waveguide portion is greatly reduced compared to electrical wiring. For this reason, the electric power required for cooling can be reduced and the power consumption of the whole electronic device can be reduced.

In addition, the optical waveguide of the present invention has small transmission loss and pulse signal dullness, and interference does not easily occur even when the number of channels is increased and the density is increased. For this reason, an optical waveguide having high density and a small area and high reliability can be obtained. By mounting the optical waveguide, the reliability of electronic equipment can be improved and the size can be reduced.

The optical waveguide and the electronic device of the present invention have been described above. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, an arbitrary component may be added to the optical waveguide.

In the electronic device of this embodiment, a transmission device such as a router device or a WDM (Wavelength Division Multiplexing) device is used as a device for transmitting information to a broadband line (broadband) capable of communicating a large amount of information at high speed. Yes. In these transmission apparatuses, a large number of signal processing boards in which arithmetic elements such as LSIs and storage elements such as memories are combined are installed, and each line is interconnected.

The optical waveguide of the present embodiment has excellent optical transmission characteristics such as few optical defects and reduced crosstalk. As a result, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of crosstalk and high-frequency noise, the deterioration of electric signals, and the like as the information transmission speeds up. Therefore, information can be transmitted with high throughput in each signal processing board. In addition, information can be transmitted with high throughput even by a super computer or a large-scale server.

In addition, the method for producing the optical waveguide of the present invention is not limited to the above-described method. For example, a method of cutting a molecular bond by irradiation with actinic radiation and changing a refractive index (photo bleach method), a core layer is formed. A method in which a photocrosslinkable polymer having an unsaturated bond capable of photoisomerization or photodimerization is contained in the composition to be formed, and this is irradiated with actinic radiation to change the molecular structure and change the refractive index (photoisomerization). Or other methods such as photodimerization method).

In these methods, since the amount of change in the refractive index can be adjusted according to the irradiation amount of the active radiation, the irradiation amount of the active radiation applied to each part of the layer according to the shape of the target refractive index distribution W is set. By making them different, a core layer having a refractive index distribution W can be formed.

In addition, the refractive index distribution in the thickness direction of the optical waveguide of the present invention is not particularly limited. For example, the step index (SI) type distribution, the graded index (GI) type distribution, or the same refractive index distribution W as described above. Distribution etc. may be sufficient.

Next, examples of the present invention will be described.
1. Production of optical waveguide (Example 1)
(1) Synthesis of norbornene-based resin having a leaving group In a glove box filled with dry nitrogen in which the water and oxygen concentrations are both controlled to 1 ppm or less, 7.2 g (40.1 mmol) of hexylnorbornene (HxNB) Then, 12.9 g (40.1 mmol) of diphenylmethylnorbornenemethoxysilane was weighed into a 500 mL vial, 60 g of dehydrated toluene and 11 g of ethyl acetate were added, and the top was sealed with a silicon sealer.

Next, 1.56 g (3.2 mmol) of Ni catalyst represented by the following chemical formula (A) and 10 mL of dehydrated toluene are weighed in a 100 mL vial, put a stirrer chip, tightly plugged, and thoroughly agitate the catalyst. Dissolved in.

When 1 mL of the Ni catalyst solution represented by the following chemical formula (A) is accurately weighed with a syringe and quantitatively injected into the vial bottle in which the above two types of norbornene are dissolved and stirred at room temperature for 1 hour, a marked increase in viscosity occurs. Was confirmed. At this point, the stopper was removed, 60 g of tetrahydrofuran (THF) was added, and the mixture was stirred to obtain a reaction solution.

In a 100 mL beaker, 9.5 g of acetic anhydride, 18 g of hydrogen peroxide (concentration 30%) and 30 g of ion-exchanged water were added and stirred to prepare a peracetic acid aqueous solution on the spot. Next, the total amount of this aqueous solution was added to the above reaction solution and stirred for 12 hours to reduce Ni.

Next, the treated reaction solution was transferred to a separatory funnel, the lower aqueous layer was removed, and then 100 mL of a 30% aqueous solution of isopropyl alcohol was added and vigorously stirred. The aqueous layer was removed after standing and completely separating the two layers. After repeating this water washing process three times in total, the oil layer was dropped into a large excess of acetone to reprecipitate the polymer produced, separated from the filtrate by filtration, and then in a vacuum dryer set at 60 ° C. Polymer # 1 was obtained by heating and drying for 12 hours. The molecular weight distribution of the polymer # 1 was Mw = 100,000 and Mn = 40,000 by GPC measurement. The molar ratio of each structural unit in polymer # 1 was 50 mol% for the hexylnorbornene structural unit and 50 mol% for the diphenylmethylnorbornenemethoxysilane structural unit, as determined by NMR.

(2) Production of composition for forming core layer 10 g of the purified polymer # 1 was weighed into a 100 mL glass container, and 40 g of mesitylene, 0.01 g of antioxidant Irganox 1076 (manufactured by Ciba Geigy), cyclohexyl oxetane monomer (formula) 1st monomer shown in (20), Toagosei Co., Ltd. CHOX, CAS # 483303-25-9, molecular weight 186, boiling point 125 ° C./1.33 kPa) 2 g, polymerization initiator (photoacid generator) Rhodosil Photoinitiator 2074 (Rhodia) CAS # 178233-72-2) (2.50E-2 g in 0.1 mL of ethyl acetate) was added and dissolved uniformly, and then filtered through a 0.2 μm PTFE filter to form a clean core layer. A composition was obtained.

(3) Production of optical waveguide (production of lower clad layer)
A photosensitive norbornene resin composition (Avatrel 2000P varnish manufactured by Promeras Co., Ltd.) was uniformly applied on a silicon wafer with a doctor blade, and then placed in a dryer at 45 ° C. for 15 minutes. After completely removing the solvent, the entire coated surface was irradiated with 80 mJ of ultraviolet light and heated in a dryer at 120 ° C. for 1 hour to cure the coating film to form a lower clad layer. The formed lower clad layer had a thickness of 20 μm and was colorless and transparent.

(Production of core layer)
The core layer-forming composition was uniformly applied on the lower clad layer with a doctor blade, and then placed in a dryer at 55 ° C. for 10 minutes. After the solvent was completely removed, a photomask was pressed and selectively irradiated with ultraviolet rays at 1300 mJ / cm ² . The mask was removed, and heating was performed at 150 ° C. in a dryer for 1.5 hours. It was confirmed that a very clear waveguide pattern appeared after heating. Moreover, formation of the core part and the side clad part was confirmed. The formed optical waveguide has eight core portions formed in parallel. The width of the core portion was 50 μm, the width of the side cladding portion was 80 μm, and the thickness of the core layer was 50 μm.

(Preparation of upper clad layer)
A dry film in which Avatrel 2000P is laminated in advance on a polyethersulfone (PES) film so as to have a dry thickness of 20 μm is bonded to the above core layer, and put into a vacuum laminator set at 140 ° C. for thermocompression bonding. It was. Thereafter, 100 mJ was irradiated on the entire surface and heated in a dryer at 120 ° C. for 1 hour to cure Avatrel 2000P to form an upper clad layer to obtain an optical waveguide.
A length of 10 cm was cut out from the obtained optical waveguide.

(Evaluation of refractive index distribution)
And about the cross section of the core layer of the obtained optical waveguide, the refractive index distribution of the width direction was acquired using the interference microscope along the centerline of the thickness direction. As a result, the refractive index distribution had a plurality of minimum values and maximum values, and the refractive index was continuously changed.
Hereinafter, a method for measuring a refractive index distribution using an interference microscope will be described.
First, the optical waveguide was sliced in the cross-sectional direction of the optical waveguide to obtain an optical waveguide fragment. The optical waveguide was sliced so that the length was 200 μm to 300 μm. Next, a chamber filled with oil having a refractive index of 1.536 was created in a space surrounded by two glass slides. A measurement sample in which the optical waveguide piece was sandwiched in the space in the chamber and a blank sample without the optical waveguide piece were prepared. Next, an interference fringe photograph in the cross-sectional direction of the optical waveguide fragment was obtained using an interference microscope. Thereafter, the interference fringe photograph was subjected to image analysis to obtain a refractive index distribution. Here, the image analysis of the interference fringe photograph was performed as follows. First, the optical path length of the interference microscope was changed to continuously acquire image data in which the place where the interference fringes were generated. From a plurality of image data, the refractive index at each measurement point in the interlayer direction and the in-layer direction was calculated. In this example, the interval between measurement points was 2.5 μm.

(Example 2)
An optical waveguide was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the irradiation amount of ultraviolet rays was increased to 1500 mJ / cm ² .

(Example 3)
While increasing the irradiation amount of ultraviolet rays to 2000 mJ / cm ² and changing the molar ratio of each structural unit of polymer # 1 to 40 mol% for the hexyl norbornene structural unit and 60 mol% for the diphenylmethyl norbornene methoxysilane structural unit as the polymer An optical waveguide was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1 except that was used.

(Example 4)
The amount of UV irradiation was reduced to 500 mJ / cm ² and the polymer molar ratio of each structural unit of polymer # 1 was changed to 45 mol% for hexylnorbornene structural units and 55 mol% for diphenylmethylnorbornenemethoxysilane structural units. An optical waveguide was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1 except that was used.

(Example 5)
Except that the molar ratio of each structural unit of polymer # 1 was changed to 30 mol% for the hexylnorbornene structural unit and 70 mol% for the diphenylmethylnorbornenemethoxysilane structural unit as the polymer, the same as in Example 1. Thus, an optical waveguide was obtained.

(Example 8)
In addition to reducing the amount of UV irradiation to 300 mJ / cm ² and changing the molar ratio of each structural unit of polymer # 1 to 40 mol% for the hexylnorbornene structural unit and 60 mol% for the diphenylmethylnorbornenemethoxysilane structural unit as the polymer An optical waveguide was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1 except that was used.

Example 9
In addition to reducing the amount of UV irradiation to 500 mJ / cm ² , the polymer has a molar ratio of each structural unit of polymer # 1 changed to 30 mol% for hexylnorbornene structural units and 70 mol% for diphenylmethylnorbornenemethoxysilane structural units. An optical waveguide was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1 except that was used.

(Example 10)
In addition to reducing the irradiation amount of ultraviolet rays to 100 mJ / cm ² and changing the molar ratio of each structural unit of polymer # 1 to 60 mol% for the hexyl norbornene structural unit and 40 mol% for the diphenylmethylnorbornene methoxysilane structural unit as the polymer An optical waveguide was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1 except that was used.

(Example 11)
In addition to increasing the irradiation amount of ultraviolet rays to 1500 mJ / cm ² , as a polymer, the molar ratio of each structural unit of polymer # 1 was changed to 10 mol% for the hexyl norbornene structural unit and 90 mol% for the diphenylmethyl norbornene methoxysilane structural unit. An optical waveguide was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1 except that was used.

(Example 12)
In addition to increasing the irradiation amount of ultraviolet rays to 3000 mJ / cm ² , as a polymer, the molar ratio of each structural unit of polymer # 1 was changed to 5 mol% for the hexylnorbornene structural unit and 95 mol% for the diphenylmethylnorbornenemethoxysilane structural unit. An optical waveguide was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1 except that was used.

(Example 13)
An optical waveguide was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the core layer forming composition was manufactured by the method shown below.

10 g of the purified polymer # 1 was weighed into a 100 mL glass container, and 40 g of mesitylene, 0.01 g of antioxidant Irganox 1076 (manufactured by Ciba Geigy), bifunctional oxetane monomer (shown by the formula (15), Toagosei Co., Ltd.) Manufactured by DOX, CAS # 18934-00-4, molecular weight 214, boiling point 119 ° C./0.67 kPa) 2 g, photoacid generator Rhodosil Photoinitiator 2074 (manufactured by Rhodia, CAS # 178233-72-2) (1.36E-2g) In 0.1 mL of ethyl acetate) and uniformly dissolved, followed by filtration with a 0.2 μm PTFE filter to obtain a clean composition for forming a core layer.

(Example 14)
An optical waveguide was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the core layer forming composition was manufactured by the method shown below.

10 g of the purified polymer # 1 was weighed into a 100 mL glass container, and 40 g of mesitylene, 0.01 g of an antioxidant Irganox 1076 (manufactured by Ciba Geigy), an alicyclic epoxy monomer (shown by the formula (37), Daicel) Chemical, Celoxide 2021P, CAS # 2386-87-0, molecular weight 252, boiling point 188 ° C./4 hPa) 2 g, photoacid generator Rhodorsil Photoinitiator 2074 (Rhodia, CAS # 178233-72-2) (1.36E-2g) In 0.1 mL of ethyl acetate) and uniformly dissolved, followed by filtration with a 0.2 μm PTFE filter to obtain a clean composition for forming a core layer.

(Example 15)
An optical waveguide was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the core layer forming composition was manufactured by the method shown below.

10 g of the purified polymer # 1 is weighed into a 100 mL glass container, 40 g of mesitylene, 0.01 g of an antioxidant Irganox 1076 (manufactured by Ciba Geigy), cyclohexyl oxetane monomer (shown by Formula 20, CHOX manufactured by Toagosei Co., Ltd.) 1 g, 1 g of alicyclic epoxy monomer (manufactured by Daicel Chemical Industries, Celoxide 2021P), photoacid generator Rhodorsil Photoinitiator 2074 (manufactured by Rhodia, CAS # 178233-72-2) (1.36E-2 g in 0.1 mL of ethyl acetate) And then uniformly dissolved, followed by filtration with a 0.2 μm PTFE filter to obtain a clean composition for forming a core layer.

(Example 16)
An optical waveguide was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the polymer synthesized by the method shown below was used.

First, a polymer was synthesized in the same manner as in Example 1 except that 10.4 g (40.1 mmol) of phenyldimethylnorbornenemethoxysilane was used instead of 12.9 g (40.1 mmol) of diphenylmethylnorbornenemethoxysilane. The structural unit of the obtained polymer is shown in the following formula (103). The molecular weight of this polymer was Mw = 110,000 and Mn = 50,000 by GPC measurement. The molar ratio of each structural unit was 50 mol% for the hexylnorbornene structural unit and 50 mol% for the phenyldimethylnorbornenemethoxysilane structural unit, as determined by NMR.

(Example 17)
The core layer-forming composition was prepared by the following method, and the core layer-forming composition was uniformly applied on the lower clad layer with a doctor blade, and then a dryer at 60 ° C. An optical waveguide was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the optical waveguide was added for 10 minutes.

10 g of the purified polymer # 1 was weighed into a 100 mL glass container, 40 g of mesitylene, 0.01 g of an antioxidant Irganox 1076 (manufactured by Ciba Geigy), cyclohexyloxetane monomer (shown by the formula (20), manufactured by Toagosei Co., Ltd. (CHOX) 2 g photoacid generator Rhodorsil Photoinitiator 2074 (manufactured by Rhodia, CAS # 178233-72-2) (2.72E-2 g in 0.1 mL of ethyl acetate) was added and uniformly dissolved, and then 0.2 μm of PTFE was added. Filtration through a filter gave a clean core layer forming composition.

(Example 18)
An optical waveguide was obtained in the same manner as in Example 15 except that the irradiation amount of ultraviolet rays was reduced to 500 mJ / cm ² .

(Comparative Example 1)
An optical waveguide was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1 except for the following.

First, after forming a lower clad layer, a core layer forming composition in which the cyclohexyloxetane monomer was omitted from polymer # 1 was applied thereon, and then exposed and heated to obtain a core layer.
Thereafter, an optical waveguide was obtained by forming an upper cladding layer.

In the obtained optical waveguide, the refractive index of the core part was almost constant, and the refractive index of the side cladding part was also almost constant. That is, the refractive index distribution of the core layer of the obtained optical waveguide was a so-called step index type.

(Comparative Example 2)
An optical waveguide was obtained in the same manner as in Comparative Example 1 except that exposure was performed using a photomask whose transmittance was continuously changed so that the exposure amount was continuously changed during exposure.

In the obtained optical waveguide, the refractive index of the side cladding portion was almost constant, while the refractive index of the core portion continuously decreased from the central portion toward the periphery. That is, the refractive index distribution of the core layer of the obtained optical waveguide is a so-called graded index type.

(Comparative Example 3)
An optical waveguide was obtained in the same manner as in Comparative Example 1 except that exposure was performed using a photomask whose transmittance was continuously changed so that the exposure amount was continuously changed during exposure.

In the obtained optical waveguide, the refractive index distribution has a plurality of minimum values and maximum values, and the refractive index of the core portion continuously decreases from the central portion toward the periphery, reaching a minimum value. In the side cladding portion, the refractive index continuously increased as the distance from the minimum value increased. At the minimum value, the shape of the refractive index distribution was substantially V-shaped, and the change in the refractive index in the vicinity thereof was discontinuous.

2. Evaluation 2.1 Refractive Index Distribution of Optical Waveguide With respect to the cross section of the core layer of the obtained optical waveguide, a refractive index distribution was obtained in the same manner as described above using an interference microscope along the center line in the thickness direction. It was. In addition, since the obtained refractive index distribution has the same refractive index distribution pattern repeated for every core part, a part was cut out from the obtained refractive index distribution, and this was made into the refractive index distribution W. The shape of the refractive index distribution W was a shape in which four minimum values and five maximum values were alternately arranged as shown in FIG.

Then, from the obtained refractive index distribution W, each local minimum value Ws1, Ws2, Ws3, Ws4 and each local maximum value Wm1, Wm2, Wm3, Wm4, Wm5 were obtained, and an average refractive index WA in the cladding part was obtained.

In the refractive index distribution W, the width a [μm] of the portion where the refractive index in the vicinity of the maximum values Wm2 and Wm4 formed in the core portion has a value equal to or greater than the average refractive index WA, and each minimum value The width b [μm] of the portion where the refractive index in the vicinity of Ws1, Ws2, Ws3, and Ws4 has a value less than the average refractive index WA was measured.

As a result, the refractive index distribution W of the optical waveguide obtained in each example had a continuous change in the refractive index as a whole. Further, in the examples, the refractive index distribution P over the first cladding layer, the cladding portion, and the cladding layer was SI type.

On the other hand, the refractive index distribution of the optical waveguide obtained in Comparative Example 1 was a step index type as described above.

The refractive index distribution of the optical waveguide obtained in Comparative Example 2 was a graded index type as described above.

Furthermore, in the refractive index distribution of the optical waveguide obtained in Comparative Example 3, the refractive index was discontinuously changed between the core portion and the side cladding portion.

2.2 Transmission loss of optical waveguide Light emitted from an 850 nm VCSEL (surface emitting laser) was introduced into an optical waveguide obtained via an optical fiber of 50 μmφ, and received by a 200 μmφ optical fiber to measure the light intensity. . The cutback method was used for the measurement. When the measured values were plotted with the longitudinal direction of the optical waveguide taken on the horizontal axis and the insertion loss on the vertical axis, the measured values were arranged on a straight line. Therefore, the transmission loss was calculated from the slope of the straight line.

2.3 Retention of pulse signal waveform A pulse signal having a pulse width of 1 ns was incident on the obtained optical waveguide from a laser pulse light source, and the pulse width of the emitted light was measured.

And the relative value when the measured value of the optical waveguide (step index type optical waveguide) obtained in Comparative Example 1 is set to 1 is calculated for the measured pulse width of the emitted light, and this is used as the following evaluation criteria. Therefore, it was evaluated.

<Evaluation criteria for pulse width>
A: Relative value of pulse width is less than 0.5 B: Relative value of pulse width is 0.5 or more and less than 0.8 Δ: Relative value of pulse width is 0.8 or more and less than 1 ×: The relative value of the pulse width is 1 or more. Table 1 shows the evaluation results of 2.2 and 2.3.

As is apparent from Table 1, it was confirmed that the transmission loss and the blunting of the pulse signal were suppressed in the optical waveguides obtained in the respective examples as compared with the optical waveguides obtained in the respective comparative examples. In addition, the transmission loss and the blunting of the pulse signal in the clad part of the example are respectively suppressed as compared with the clad part in which the first clad layer, the clad part, and the second clad layer all have a uniform refractive index. I found out.

2.4 Intensity Distribution of Emitted Light of Optical Waveguide The intensity distribution of the emitted light when light was incident on one of the eight core portions was measured on the end face of the obtained optical waveguide.

The intensity distribution of the emitted light was measured as follows.
FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining a method of measuring the intensity distribution of outgoing light on the outgoing side end face of the optical waveguide.

In the method shown in FIG. 10, first, an incident-side optical fiber 21 having a diameter of 50 μm is disposed so as to face one of the core portions 14 of the incident-side end face 1a of the optical waveguide 1 to be measured. The incident-side optical fiber 21 is connected to a light emitting element (not shown) for making light incident on the optical waveguide 1, and is arranged so that the optical axis thereof coincides with the optical axis of the core portion 14. Yes.

On the other hand, on the output side end face 1b of the optical waveguide 1, an output side optical fiber 22 having a diameter of 62.5 μm was disposed so as to face the end surface 1b. The emission-side optical fiber 22 is connected to a light receiving element (not shown) for receiving the emitted light emitted from the optical waveguide 1, and its optical axis is the center in the thickness direction of the core layer of the optical waveguide 1. It is aligned with the line. The exit-side optical fiber 22 is configured to be able to scan the plane including this center line while maintaining a constant distance from the exit-side end face 1b.

Then, the light exiting optical fiber 22 is scanned while light is incident on one of the core portions from the light incident side optical fiber 21. Then, by measuring the intensity of the emitted light measured by the light receiving element with respect to the position of the emission side optical fiber 22, the intensity distribution of the emitted light with respect to the position of the emission side end face 1b can be obtained.

FIG. 11 shows the intensity distribution of the emitted light measured as described above. In addition, in FIG. 11, the intensity distribution of the emitted light measured by the optical waveguide obtained in Example 1, Comparative Example 1, and Comparative Example 2 is shown as a representative.

As is clear from FIG. 11, it was confirmed that the crosstalk was sufficiently suppressed in any of the optical waveguides obtained in Example 1. Further, in the optical waveguide obtained in Example 1, the intensity of the emitted light in the core part 14 adjacent to the core part 14 (the central core part 14 in FIG. 11) where light is incident is adjacent to the core part 14. It was confirmed that the intensity of the emitted light was smaller than that of the side clad portion 15 located on the side opposite to the core portion 14 where the light was incident. This is because, in the optical waveguide obtained in Example 1, the side cladding portion 15 has a maximum value smaller than the core portion 14 and the refractive index distribution continuously changes. Conventionally, it is assumed that light that leaks into the adjacent core portion 14 and becomes “crosstalk” gathers in the side cladding portion 15 and consequently prevents the occurrence of crosstalk. . Therefore, in the optical waveguide obtained in Example 1, it is possible to prevent interference between channels.

In the optical waveguide obtained in Example 1, it was observed that a part of the emitted light was collected in the side clad portion 15. Usually, the light receiving elements connected to the optical waveguide are each core portion 14. Are connected so as to face the end surface of the light-emitting side, and are not connected to the side clad portion 15. Therefore, even if light gathers in the side cladding part 15, crosstalk does not occur and interference is suppressed.

Although not shown, the crosstalk was sufficiently suppressed in the optical waveguides obtained in other examples as in Example 1.

On the other hand, in the optical waveguides obtained in Comparative Examples 1 and 2, the maximum value of the intensity distribution of the emitted light is located in the core portion 14 adjacent to the core portion 14 where the light is incident, and the leaked light is observed. (Crosstalk).

Although not shown, crosstalk was also observed in the optical waveguide obtained in Comparative Example 3.

(3. Other Examples)
3.1 Production of optical waveguide (Example A)
(1) Manufacture of clad solution 20 g of Celoxide 2081 manufactured by Daicel Chemical Industries, Ltd., 0.6 g of Adekaoptomer SP-170 manufactured by ADEKA Co., Ltd., and 80 g of methyl isobutyl ketone were mixed with stirring, and a PTFE filter having a 0.2 μm pore size. To obtain a clean, colorless and transparent clad solution E1.

(2) Production of photosensitive resin composition 20 g of YP-50S manufactured by Nippon Steel Chemical Co., Ltd., 5 g of Celoxide 2021P manufactured by Daicel Chemical Industries, Ltd., and 0.2 g of Adekaoptomer SP-170 manufactured by ADEKA Corporation Were added to 80 g of methyl isobutyl ketone, dissolved by stirring, and filtered through a PTFE filter having a pore size of 0.2 μm to obtain a clean, colorless and transparent photosensitive resin composition F1.

(3) Production of lower layer clad The clad solution E1 was uniformly applied onto a polyimide film having a thickness of 25 μm by a doctor blade, and then placed in a dryer at 50 ° C. for 10 minutes. After completely removing the solvent, the entire surface was irradiated with UV light at 500 mJ / cm ² with a UV exposure machine and cured to form a colorless and transparent lower clad. The thickness of the obtained cladding layer was 10 μm.

(4) Formation of core layer, patterning of core region and clad region The photosensitive resin composition F1 was uniformly applied on the lower clad with a doctor blade, and then placed in a dryer at 50 ° C. for 10 minutes. After completely removing the solvent, a photomask on which a linear pattern with a line of 50 μm and a space of 50 μm is drawn is pressure-bonded and irradiated with ultraviolet rays using a parallel exposure machine so that the irradiation dose is 500 mJ / cm ^2. did. After that, the mask was removed, and when it was put in an oven at 150 ° C. for 30 minutes and taken out, it was confirmed that a clear waveguide pattern appeared. The thickness of the obtained core layer was 50 μm.

(5) Formation of upper clad An upper clad was formed on the core layer using the clad solution E1 under the same conditions as the lower clad. The thickness of the obtained upper cladding was 10 μm.

(Example B)
(1) Polymer synthesis 20.0 g of methyl methacrylate, 30.0 g of benzyl methacrylate, and 450 g of methyl isobutyl ketone were charged into a separable flask, mixed with stirring, and then replaced with nitrogen gas to obtain a monomer solution. On the other hand, 0.25 g of azobisisobutyronitrile as a polymerization initiator was dissolved in 10 g of methyl isobutyl ketone and replaced with nitrogen gas to obtain an initiator solution. Thereafter, the monomer solution was heated to 80 ° C. while stirring, and the initiator solution was added to the monomer solution using a syringe. The mixture was heated and stirred at 80 ° C. for 1 hour and then cooled to obtain a polymer solution.

Next, 5 L of isopropanol was prepared in a beaker, and the polymer solution was dropped while stirring with a stirrer at room temperature. After completion of the dropping, the mixture was further stirred for 30 minutes, and then the precipitated polymer was taken out and dried in a vacuum dryer at 60 ° C. for 8 hours under reduced pressure to obtain a polymer A1.

(2) Production of Cladding Solution 20 g of aqueous acrylate resin solution RD-180 manufactured by Kyoyo Chemical Industry Co., Ltd., 20 g of isopropanol, and 0.4 g of Carbodilite V-02-L2 manufactured by Nisshinbo Chemical Co., Ltd. were stirred and mixed. Filtration through a PTFE filter having a pore size of 2 μm gave a clean, colorless and transparent clad solution B1.

(3) Production of photosensitive resin composition 20 g of polymer A1 obtained by the method of (1), 5 g of cyclohexyl methacrylate, and 0.2 g of Irgacure 651 manufactured by BASF Japan Ltd. in 80 g of methyl isobutyl ketone The solution was stirred and dissolved, and filtered through a PTFE filter having a pore size of 0.2 μm to obtain a clean, colorless and transparent photosensitive resin composition C1.

(4) Preparation of lower layer clad The clad solution B1 was uniformly applied with a doctor blade on a polyimide film having a thickness of 25 μm, and then placed in a dryer at 80 ° C. for 10 minutes. After completely removing the solvent, it was further put into an oven at 150 ° C. for 10 minutes to be cured to form a colorless and transparent lower clad. The thickness of the obtained cladding layer was 10 μm.

(5) Formation of core layer, patterning of core region and clad region The photosensitive resin composition C1 was uniformly applied on the lower clad with a doctor blade, and then placed in a dryer at 50 ° C. for 10 minutes. After completely removing the solvent, a photomask on which a linear pattern with a line of 50 μm and a space of 50 μm was drawn was pressure-bonded and irradiated with ultraviolet rays using a parallel exposure machine so that the irradiation dose was 500 mJ / cm ² . . After that, when the mask was removed, and it was taken out for 30 minutes in a nitrogen dryer at 150 ° C., it was confirmed that a clear waveguide pattern appeared. The thickness of the obtained core layer was 50 μm.

(6) Formation of upper clad An upper clad was formed on the core layer under the same conditions as the lower clad using the clad solution B1. The thickness of the obtained upper cladding was 10 μm.

(Example C)
First, a polymer A2 synthesized in the same manner as (1) of Example B was obtained except that 2- (perfluorohexyl) ethyl methacrylate was used instead of benzyl methacrylate.
Thereafter, an optical waveguide was obtained in the same manner as in Example B except that the polymer A2 was used instead of the polymer A1.

3.2 Evaluation (Transmission loss of optical waveguide)
Light emitted from an 850 nm VCSEL (surface emitting laser) was introduced into the optical waveguide obtained in Examples A to C via a 50 μm diameter optical fiber, received by a 200 μm diameter optical fiber, and the light intensity was measured. And the transmission loss was measured by the cutback method. Thereafter, when the waveguide length is plotted on the horizontal axis and the insertion loss is plotted on the vertical axis, the measured values are arranged on a straight line, and the propagation loss of each optical waveguide can be calculated as 0.05 dB / cm from the slope. .
In Examples A to C, the refractive index distribution parameters were set to 1. When changed in the same manner as in Example 1, 2. The evaluation result of the same tendency was obtained.

(Pulse signal waveform retention)
Regarding the optical waveguides obtained in Examples A to C, when the retention property of the pulse signal waveform was evaluated by the same method as in 2.3, it was found that the bluntness of the pulse signal was small in all cases.
In Examples A to C, the refractive index distribution parameters were set to 1. When changed in the same manner as in Example 1, 2. The evaluation result of the same tendency was obtained.

Comparative Example 4
(1) Synthesis of norbornene-based resin having a leaving group In a glove box filled with dry nitrogen in which the water and oxygen concentrations are both controlled to 1 ppm or less, 7.2 g (40.1 mmol) of hexylnorbornene (HxNB) ), 12.9 g (40.1 mmol) of diphenylmethylnorbornenemethoxysilane was weighed into a 500 mL vial, 60 g of dehydrated toluene and 11 g of ethyl acetate were added, and the top was sealed with a silicon sealer.
Next, 1.56 g (3.2 mmol) of Ni catalyst represented by the following formula (4) and 10 mL of dehydrated toluene are weighed in a 100 mL vial, put a stirrer chip, and tightly plugged. Dissolved in.
When 1 mL of the Ni catalyst solution represented by the chemical formula (A) is accurately weighed with a syringe, quantitatively injected into the vial bottle in which the two types of norbornene are dissolved, and stirred at room temperature for 1 hour, a marked increase in viscosity is observed. confirmed. At this point, the stopper was removed, 60 g of tetrahydrofuran (THF) was added, and the mixture was stirred to obtain a reaction solution.
In a 100 mL beaker, 9.5 g of acetic anhydride, 18 g of hydrogen peroxide (concentration 30%) and 30 g of ion-exchanged water were added and stirred to prepare an aqueous solution of peracetic acid on the spot. Next, the total amount of this aqueous solution was added to the above reaction solution and stirred for 12 hours to reduce Ni.
Next, the treated reaction solution was transferred to a separatory funnel, the lower aqueous layer was removed, and then 100 mL of a 30% aqueous solution of isopropyl alcohol was added and vigorously stirred. The aqueous layer was removed after standing and completely separating the two layers. After repeating this water washing process three times in total, the oil layer was dropped into a large excess of acetone to reprecipitate the polymer produced, separated from the filtrate by filtration, and then in a vacuum dryer set at 60 ° C. A norbornene-based resin A (polymer # 1) having a leaving group in the side chain was obtained by heating and drying for 12 hours. The molecular weight of the norbornene-based resin A is Mw = 100,000 by MPC measurement, Mn = 40,000, and the molar ratio of each structural unit in the norbornene-based resin A is 50 mol% of hexylbornene structural unit by identification by NMR. The diphenylmethylnorbornenemethoxysilane structural unit was 50 mol%. The refractive index was 1.55 (measurement wavelength: 633 nm) by Metricon.

(2) Preparation of photosensitive resin composition 10 g of purified norbornene-based resin A was weighed into a 100 mL glass container, and 40 g of mesitylene, 0.01 g of antioxidant Irganox 1076 (manufactured by Ciba Geigy), cyclohexyloxetane monomer (formula (20 2), photoacid generator Rhodorsil Photoinitiator 2074 (manufactured by Rhodia, CAS # 178233-72) -2) (1.36E-2 g in 0.1 mL of ethyl acetate) was added and dissolved uniformly, followed by filtration with a 0.2 μm PTFE filter to obtain a photosensitive resin composition varnish V1 for a clean core layer Was prepared.

(3) Production of optical waveguide (production of lower clad)
A photosensitive norbornene resin composition (Avatrel 2000P varnish manufactured by Promeras Co., Ltd.) was uniformly applied on a silicon wafer with a doctor blade, and then placed in a dryer at 45 ° C. for 15 minutes. After completely removing the solvent, the entire coated surface was irradiated with 100 mJ of ultraviolet light and heated in a dryer at 120 ° C. for 1 hour to cure the coating film to form a lower cladding. The formed lower clad had a thickness of 20 μm, was colorless and transparent, and had a refractive index of 1.52 (measurement wavelength: 633 nm).

(Manufacture of core region and cladding region)
The above-mentioned photosensitive resin composition varnish V1 obtained by preparation was uniformly applied on the lower clad by a doctor blade, and then placed in a dryer at 45 ° C. for 15 minutes. After completely removing the solvent, a photomask was pressed and selectively irradiated with ultraviolet rays at 500 mJ / cm ² . The mask was removed, and heating was performed in three stages of 45 ° C. for 30 minutes, 85 ° C. for 30 minutes, and 150 ° C. for 1 hour in a dryer. After heating, a core layer with a very clear waveguide pattern was confirmed.

(Preparation of upper cladding)
On the polyethersulfone (PES) film, a photosensitive norbornene resin composition (Avatrel 2000P varnish manufactured by Promelas Co., Ltd.) was laminated in advance so as to have a dry thickness of 20 μm to obtain an upper clad film.

(Production of optical waveguide)
The core layer formed on the lower clad layer and the above-mentioned upper clad film are bonded together, put into a vacuum laminator set at 140 ° C. and thermocompression bonded, and then irradiated with 100 mJ whole surface for drying. By heating in the machine at 120 ° C. for 1 hour, Avatrel 2000P was cured to form an upper clad to obtain an optical waveguide.
It was confirmed that the refractive index distribution in the in-layer direction of the core layer of the optical waveguide of Comparative Example 4 was not W-shaped.

The present embodiment includes the following.

The refractive index of the top part of the first recess may be smaller than the average refractive index in the cladding part.
The refractive index distribution W may have the top of the second convex portion in addition to the vicinity of the boundary between the first core portion and the cladding portion.
The refractive index distribution W has a top portion of the second convex portion at the center portion of the cladding portion, and the refractive index continuously decreases from the top portion of the second convex portion toward the first concave portion. You may have a region. The refractive index difference between the first core portion and the first cladding layer in the refractive index distribution T may be larger than the refractive index difference between the top of the first concave portion and the top of the first convex portion in the refractive index distribution W. . Here, as the refractive index of the top portion, the maximum value or the refractive index of the central portion of the flat portion can be used.
There may be a hole provided so as to cross the first core part and the first cladding layer, and an inner surface of the hole may constitute a reflection surface that reflects light transmitted through the core part.
The difference between the refractive index of the top of the first recess and the average refractive index of the cladding is 3 to 80% of the difference between the refractive index of the top of the first recess and the refractive index of the top of the first projection. There may be.
The refractive index difference between the refractive index of the top of the first concave portion and the refractive index of the top of the first convex portion may be 0.005 to 0.07.
In the refractive index distribution W, the width of the portion where the refractive index of the first convex portion has a value greater than or equal to the average refractive index of the cladding portion is a [μm], and the refractive index of the first concave portion is the cladding. When the width having a value less than the average refractive index in the part is b [μm], b may be 0.01a to 1.2a.

Furthermore, the following embodiment is included.
(1) An optical waveguide having a core portion and a cladding portion adjacent to at least both side surfaces of the core portion,
The refractive index profile of the cross section of the optical waveguide has at least two minimum values, at least one first maximum value, and at least two second maximum values smaller than the first maximum value. , These have a region in which the second local maximum value, the local minimum value, the first local maximum value, the local minimum value, and the second local maximum value are arranged in this order, of which the first local maximum value is A region sandwiched between the two minimum values so as to include the core portion, and a region on the second maximum value side from each minimum value is the cladding portion,
Each of the minimum values is less than the average refractive index in the cladding portion, and the refractive index continuously changes over the entire refractive index distribution.

(2) The optical waveguide according to (1), wherein in the region corresponding to the cladding portion in the refractive index distribution, the second maximum value is located outside the vicinity of the interface with the core portion.

(3) In the region corresponding to the cladding portion in the refractive index distribution, the second maximum value is located at the center of the region, and the second maximum value is changed to the minimum value. The optical waveguide according to (2) above, wherein the refractive index is changed so as to continuously decrease.

(4) Any of the above (1) to (3), wherein the difference between the minimum value and the average refractive index in the cladding is 3 to 80% of the difference between the minimum value and the first maximum value An optical waveguide according to 1.

(5) The optical waveguide according to (4), wherein a difference in refractive index between the minimum value and the first maximum value is 0.005 to 0.07.

(6) When the position of the cross section is taken on the horizontal axis, and the refractive index in the cross section is taken on the vertical axis,
The refractive index distribution is substantially U-shaped convex in the vicinity of the first maximum value, and substantially U-shaped convex in the vicinity of the minimum value. (1) to (5) The optical waveguide according to any one of the above.

(7) In the refractive index distribution, the width of the portion where the refractive index in the vicinity of the first maximum value has a value greater than or equal to the average refractive index in the cladding portion is a [μm], and the vicinity of the minimum value (1) to (6), where b is 0.01a to 1.2a, where b is a width having a refractive index less than the average refractive index of the cladding portion. The optical waveguide according to any one of the above.

(8) The optical waveguide according to any one of (1) to (7), wherein the optical waveguide includes a plurality of the core portions and the cladding portions adjacent to at least both side surfaces of the core portions. Optical waveguide.

(9) The optical waveguide according to any one of (1) to (8), wherein the core portion is made of a norbornene resin.

(10) An electronic apparatus comprising the optical waveguide according to any one of (1) to (9) above.

This application claims priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2010-191293 filed on Aug. 27, 2010, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein.

Claims

A first cladding layer;
A core layer provided on the first clad layer and having a clad part, a first core part, a clad part, a second core part, and a clad part provided in the in-layer direction in this order;
A second cladding layer provided on the core layer;
With
In the core layer, the refractive index distribution W in the in-layer direction of the first core portion and the portion extending to the clad portion is continuously changed, and the first convex portion, the first concave portion, and the first concave portion Has a region lined up in the order of the two convex portions,
The refractive index distribution W located in the first core portion has the first convex portion,
The refractive index distribution W located in the clad portion has the second convex portion having a maximum refractive index smaller than that of the first convex portion,
The refractive index distribution P in the interlayer direction of the portion extending between the first cladding layer, the cladding portion, and the second cladding layer is different between a portion located in the first cladding layer and a portion located in the cladding portion.
Optical waveguide.
The optical waveguide according to claim 1,
An optical waveguide in which a refractive index distribution T in an interlayer direction in a portion extending from the first cladding layer and the first core portion is different from the refractive index distribution W.
The optical waveguide according to claim 1 or 2,
The difference in refractive index between the maximum value of the refractive index of the first core part and the maximum value of the refractive index of the first cladding layer is the maximum value of the refractive index of the first core part and the maximum value of the refractive index of the cladding part. The optical waveguide is larger than the refractive index difference.
In the optical waveguide according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
A second core layer provided on the second cladding layer, which is a separate member from the core layer;
The second core layer is an optical waveguide having a third core portion located in an interlayer direction of the first core portion.
In the optical waveguide according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The optical waveguide has a refractive index at the top of the first recess that is smaller than an average refractive index in the cladding.
In the optical waveguide according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
The refractive index distribution W is an optical waveguide having a top portion of the second convex portion in addition to the vicinity of the interface between the first core portion and the cladding portion.
The optical waveguide according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
The refractive index distribution W has a top portion of the second convex portion at the center portion of the cladding portion, and is continuously refracted from the top portion of the second convex portion toward the first concave portion. An optical waveguide having an area where the rate is reduced.
In the optical waveguide according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
The difference between the refractive index of the top of the first recess and the average refractive index of the cladding is 3 of the difference between the refractive index of the top of the first recess and the refractive index of the top of the first projection. Optical waveguide that is ~ 80%.
In the optical waveguide according to any one of claims 1 to 8,
An optical waveguide, wherein a refractive index difference between a refractive index of a top portion of the first concave portion and a refractive index of a top portion of the first convex portion is 0.005 to 0.07.
The optical waveguide according to any one of claims 1 to 9,
In the refractive index distribution W, the width of the portion where the refractive index of the first convex portion has a value equal to or larger than the average refractive index of the cladding portion is defined as a [μm], and the refraction of the first concave portion. An optical waveguide, wherein b is 0.01a to 1.2a, where b is a width having a value less than the average refractive index in the cladding portion.
An optical waveguide having a core part and a cladding part adjacent to at least both side surfaces of the core part,
The refractive index profile of the cross section of the optical waveguide has at least two minimum values, at least one first maximum value, and at least two second maximum values smaller than the first maximum value. , These have a region in which the second local maximum value, the local minimum value, the first local maximum value, the local minimum value, and the second local maximum value are arranged in this order, of which the first local maximum value is A region sandwiched between the two minimum values so as to include the core portion, and a region on the second maximum value side from each minimum value is the cladding portion,
Each of the minimum values is less than the average refractive index in the cladding portion, and the refractive index continuously changes over the entire refractive index distribution.
An electronic apparatus comprising the optical waveguide according to any one of claims 1 to 11.