Integrated assembly of smart pixel arrays and fabrication of associated micro-optics

We describe two smart pixel array (SPA) applications of photopolymers: integrated liquid crystal (LC) cell assembly and micro-optics fabrication. In our experiments, we utilize benzocyclobutene (BCB) organic resins (or Cyclotene/sup TM/), a class of thermosetting polymers developed at the Dow Chemical Company for electronic thin film coating applications. The planarization properties, refractive index (n=1.56) and high optical transmission (>90%) of BCB resins lend themselves well to our applications.