The present invention relates in general to optical waveguide devices,
which preferably are planar, e.g., optical arrayed waveguide gratings
(AWGs), multiplexers/demultiplexers, optical add/drop multiplexers and the
like. More particularly, the present invention provides integrated optical
waveguide devices having central wavelengths (or channel wavelengths)
which are temperature insensitive in that they do not or do almost not
shift upon temperature variations in the environment. Such devices are
also called athermalized or athermal devices. Preferably, most or all
parts of such devices including waveguides, cladding material and the
substrate itself consist of organic polymeric materials. The devices of
the invention substantially remedy the problems encountered with the
limitations and disadvantages of common devices as known in the prior art.
