Nanocomposite optical-device with integrated conductive paths

Abstract

A nanocomposite optical device comprising a cured optically transparent nanocomposite ink and a treated conductive nanocomposite-ink. The treated conductive nanocomposite-ink integrated within the nanocomposite structure. The treated nanocomposite-ink having electrical, thermal or both electric and thermal communication to the exterior of the optical device and the same communication with at least a portion of the optically transparent nanocomposite within the optical-device.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A nanocomposite optical device comprising;
 a cured optically transparent nanocomposite ink;   a treated conductive nanocomposite-ink, the treated conductive nanocomposite-ink integrated within the nanocomposite structure; and   wherein the treated nanocomposite-ink has electrical, thermal or both electric and thermal communication to the exterior of the optical device and the same communication with at least a portion of the optically transparent nanocomposite within the optical-device.   
     
     
         2 . The optical-device of  claim 1 , wherein the cured nanocomposite-ink is metal based. 
     
     
         3 . The optical-device of  claim 1 , wherein the cured nanocomposite-ink is carbon based including graphite, graphene, and graphene-oxide. 
     
     
         4 . The optical-device of  claim 1 , wherein a plurality of cured optically transparent nanocomposite-inks are used. 
     
     
         5 . The optical-device of  claim 4 , wherein the cured optically transparent nanocomposite-ink is comprised of one or more optically non-linear nanofiller. 
     
     
         6 . The optical-device of  claim 4 , wherein the cured optically transparent nanocomposite-ink is comprised of an electro-optic nanofiller. 
     
     
         7 . The optical-device of  claim 1 , wherein the cured nanocomposite-ink terminates externally in a pad. 
     
     
         8 . The optical-device of  claim 7 , wherein the pad is sized sufficient for probe contact. 
     
     
         9 . The optical-device of  claim 7 , wherein the pad sized sufficient for soldering. 
     
     
         10 . The optical-device of  claim 1 , further comprising a substrate. 
     
     
         11 . The optical-device of  claim 10 , wherein the substrate is a wafer with microelectronics. 
     
     
         12 . The optical-device of  claim 10 , wherein the substrate is glass, the glass less than 205 microns thick. 
     
     
         13 . The optical-device of  claim 1 , wherein the optically transparent nanocomposite-ink allows for optical treatment of the conductive nanocomposite-ink. 
     
     
         14 . The optical-device of  claim 1 , further comprising voids, the voids in proximity to the conductive nanocomposite-ink and terminate on the exterior of the optical-device. 
     
     
         15 . The optical-device of  claim 1 , wherein the nanocomposite structure is an electro-optic modulator. 
     
     
         16 . The optical-device of  claim 1 , wherein an integrated circuit is included within the optical-device. 
     
     
         17 . The optical-device of  claim 1 , wherein passive components, including resistors, capacitors, or inductors are integrated within the device. 
     
     
         18 . The optical-device of  claim 1 , wherein conductive leads connect multiple integrated circuits. 
     
     
         19 . A method of manufacturing a nanocomposite optical device comprising:
 (a) providing a substrate;   (b) depositing at least one optically transparent nanocomposite-ink and selectively curing the nanocomposite-ink, thereby forming a nanocomposite structure;   (c) depositing a conductive nanocomposite-ink onto the nanocomposite structure;   (d) repeating steps (b) and (c) thereby forming a nanocomposite structure;   (e) Treating the conductive nanocomposite-ink.