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Abstract

A thin film optical waveguide made of a polymeric waveguiding film supported on a substrate, the film being made of a homopolymer of vinylpyridine or of a derivative or vinylpyridine in which the pyridine heterocyclic nucleus is substituted. Alternatively, a copolymer containing a major proportion of vinlypyridine, or of said derivative thereof, may be used in the film. A layer of a material having a lower refractive index may cover the film. The polymer may be modified to increase its capacity for refractive index variation in response to an electric field, by inclusion in the structure of the polymer of at least one optically nonlinear moiety. The polymer may also include cross-linking. The thin film optical waveguide may incorporate a laser dye in the film, for use with laser devices.

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