Integriert optisches Funktionselement auf Polymerbasis

An integrated optical functional element, based on a polymer, with waveguide(s) (2) in a waveguide substrate (1), has waveguides that are not buried. The surface of the substrate with the unburied waveguides is coated with a layer (3) of polymer material that is not optically isolated from the waveguide. This layer has variable optical properties and the waveguide has a higher refractive index than the substrate and coating. USE - The waveguide is used as Mach-Zehnder interferometer, linear waveguide, optical coupler or directional coupler, diffusing waveguide or monomodal waveguide (all claimed). The element is useful as waveguide, modulator, switch or mode or wavelength selector and is used in information, communications and sensor technology and integrated optics. ADVANTAGE - The coating causes little optical loss in the waveguide and ensures good coupling with fibre optics, good switching properties and a wide range of application. Production is easy and reliable.