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Silicon-Based Materials suit optical interconnect applications

March 2, 2005 07:43 - Optical Coupling Gel, OE-4000 consists of 2-part, high-purity, transparent silicone gel used for refractive index matching for silica-to-fiber and other optical junctions. One-part transparent silicone elastomer, OE-4100 provides refractive index shifting potential for planar silica-on-silicon optical components. Two-part Photonic-Grade Encapsulant OE-4200 consists of soft silicone elastomer for protecting semiconductor lasers, photonic, and electronic components.

Dow Corning Makes Advances in Optical Interconnect Technology for Advanced Telecom ICs

Technical paper presentation at OFC Conference to demonstrate benefits of silicon-based materials in waveguide prototyping

MIDLAND, Mich., Feb. 22 /- Dow Corning Corporation will announce its latest advances in waveguide prototyping, technology used in developing optical interconnects for advanced telecommunication ICs, at the Optical Fiber Communication (OFC) Conference 2005 next month in Anaheim, Calif. Among the breakthroughs to be presented will be the development of a novel micro-mirror molding technique using silicon-based polymers from Dow Corning. Findings will be detailed in a technical paper titled Polymer Optical Interconnect for Chip-to-Chip Communication, which was co-authored with optical IC maker Gemfire Corporation, Fremont, Calif. The paper will be presented by Dow Corning's senior research specialist Dr. Jon DeGroot.

Dow Corning first introduced its silicon-based polymeric waveguide prototyping technology in late 2004, and is now engaged in early manufacturability and cost studies to apply the technology in printed circuit board (PCB) backplane fabrication processes.

Optical interconnects are seen as a successor to conventional electronic circuits, which have inherent limitations in signal propagation and switching capabilities. Many researchers believe silicon-based polymeric materials are ideal for optical interconnect development because they offer high optical transmittance, among other beneficial properties.

WHO: Dr. Jon DeGroot, Dow Corning senior research specialist

WHAT: Joint paper presentation on optical waveguide developments

WHEN: Friday, March 11, 2005; 9:30 a.m.

WHERE: Anaheim Convention Center, Anaheim, Calif. (Ballroom D)

During OFC, Dow Corning plans to discuss how its photonic solution can be tailored to provide a complete "optical link" to fulfill a large variety of device requirements. OFC will be held March 8-11 in conjunction with the National Fiber Optic Engineers Conference (NFOEC); Dow Corning's booth number is 2589.

"We see increasing demand for materials that are specifically designed for optical use in a broad range of applications," said Stu Bush, market development manager, Dow Corning Photonic Solutions. "We are getting numerous inquiries regarding their use in non-telecom devices, such as optical sensors or automotive applications, and are working with a large customer set to help them expand in these new markets."

Dow Corning's optical products also will be displayed during the conference. These products can be tailored over a wide range of refractive indices to meet the needs of specific applications, providing customers with a variety of viable solutions. Many of the required optical and mechanical properties can be customized through controlled synthesis to provide cost- effective material and processing options. Additionally, a multitude of cure chemistries is available to provide customers with flexibility in their design options.

The products offered by Dow Corning's Photonic Solutions group include Dow Corning(R) OE-4000 Optical Coupling Gel, Dow Corning(R) OE-4100 Optical Elastomer, and Dow Corning(R) OE-4200 Photonic-Grade Encapsulant.

Dow Corning(R) Optical Coupling Gel is a two-part, high-purity, compliant, transparent silicone gel. It is used for refractive index matching for silica- to-fiber and other optical junctions in optical and fiber optic components. It is also used for waveguide protection and cladding, splicing, connecting, gap filling and component assembly.

Dow Corning(R) Optical Elastomer is a one-part, high-purity, compliant, transparent silicone elastomer. This elastomer provides a high degree of refractive index shifting potential for planar silica-on-silicon optical components. Its refractive index and high optical transmission make it suitable for a variety of waveguide core and cladding applications.

Dow Corning(R) Photonic-Grade Encapsulant is a two-part, high-purity, transparent soft silicone elastomer. It is designed for the protection of semiconductor lasers, photonic and electronic components on hybrid assemblies.

Dow Corning's Photonic Solutions include other advanced silicon-based materials, device technologies and services designed to enable customers to develop new applications with silicon-based materials and solutions in the lightpath. To learn more about how Dow Corning combines the proven properties of silicon-based materials with decades of processing and design expertise to engineer technology solutions, visit http://www.dowcorning.com/photonics, or email photonics@dowcorning.com

Dow Corning (http://www.dowcorning.com) develops, manufactures and markets diverse silicon-based products and services, and currently offers more than 7,000 products to more than 25,000 customers around the world. Dow Corning is a global leader in silicon-based materials with shares equally owned by The Dow Chemical Company and Corning Inc. More than half of Dow Corning's $2.7 billion in annual sales are outside the United States.

Dow Corning(R) is a registered trademark of Dow Corning Corporation.

CONTACT: US: Linda Coughlin, +1-989-496-3475, or EU: Babette Pettersen, +32-64-88-88-40, both of Dow Corning
Contacts:

General Information:
Linda Coughlin
USA
Phone: 989-496-3475

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Company Information:
Name: Dow Corning Corp.
Address: 2200 W. Salzburg Rd.
City: Midland
State: MI
ZIP: 48686 0994
Country: USA
Phone: 800-248-2481
FAX: 989-496-6731
http://www.dowcorning.com
More information about this company.

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