A self-aligned optical coupler for connecting an optical waveguide circuit with another optical waveguide circuit. Each waveguide circuit has a plug with an aligned structure. The plugs of the respective waveguide circuits are inserted into a receptacle having alignment structures. The alignment structures of the first and second plugs are mated in such a fashion with the receptacle so that there is optical alignment between the plugs so that optical signals can propagate from one waveguide to another. The structures may attain alignment through physical or visual approaches.
This application is a divisional of copending application Ser. No. 08/775,330, filed on Dec. 31, 1996, pending. The U.S. Government may have rights in the present invention.
The present invention provides an optical waveguide device for optical wiring, and a manufacturing method therefor, which provides the advantages that simple and highly accurate connection is possible, the device is low in cost, and it is easily manipulated. The present invention is provided with connectors which are connected to optical fibers in a nonalignment via guide pins, and a polymeric waveguide comprising a film-shaped optical waveguide; the connectors are joined to both ends or to one end of the polymeric waveguide, and the connectors are formed by two connector parts which are arranged in facing position, and in the surfaces of the connector parts which are in facing position, a polymeric waveguide loading groove for loading the polymeric waveguide, and two guide pin loading grooves for loading guide pins are formed, and the polymeric waveguide is sandwiched between the two connector parts, and the polymeric waveguide is joined with the two connector parts and made unitary. By means of this, it is possible to easily conduct connection with optical fibers, and optical devices, planar optical waveguides, and optical fibers and the like can be connected easily and with a high degree of accuracy. Moreover, the construction is simple, so that it is possible to realize a reduction in cost, and it is possible to increase the ease of manipulation.
A zero-clearance receptacle for single mode optical fiber couplers. The zero-clearance receptacle includes an internally fluted V-groove formed by internally extending legs. The zero-clearance receptacle uses the fundamental action of the V-groove to accurately locate an optical fiber ferrule inserted into the zero-clearance receptacle in the radial direction. The zero-clearance receptacle further includes a slot that receives a biasing element, such as a spring, that biases the optical ferrule against the V-groove legs. This enables accurate positioning of an optical fiber in the optical ferrule relation to an optical element such as a VCSEL or a photoreceptor. The zero-clearance receptacle beneficially fits into an optical coupler, which may have a lens.
A device and system for eliminating repeated testing of optical components while manufacturing an optical assembly can include a high-performance optical component having a machine-readable identifier disposed within the peripheral area of its end face. The machine-readable identifier can be etched into the end face and can provide information about the component, such as any one of the following optical characteristics: orientation, manufacturing information, and dimensions and compositions of the materials of the optical component. The optical component can also have a plurality of machine-readable identifiers disposed within the peripheral area of its end face, where each can provide different information. Optical components can then be automatically and precisely aligned before being mated to form an optical assembly. A determination of the optical characteristics, information, and alignment of the components can be possible even after the components are mated together.
A fiber connector that facilitates alignment of and electrical communication with electrooptical devices on an optical fiber or interposed between optical fibers. An embodiment of in-line optoelectronic device packaging constructed according to principles of the invention includes a ferrule configured to receive an optical fiber with an optoelectronic device mounted on one end of the ferrule, for alignment with the fiber. Electrically-conductive deposits along the side of the ferrule supply electrical energy to or conduct electrical signals from the optoelectronic device. The optoelectronic device-carrying ferrule is inserted in a ceramic sleeve. Another ferrule, maintaining another optical fiber, also is inserted in the ceramic sleeve. Another embodiment constructed according to principles of the invention includes a second optoelectronic device mounted on the second ferrule. The electrically-conductive deposits permit ready serial deployment of optoelectronic devices between the optical fibers maintained by the ferrules in the sleeve.
A circuit module including at least one Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC) and a plurality of Vertical Cavity Surface-Emitting Laser (VCSEL) array modules is built using a standard ceramic or organic VLSI package substrate, resulting is a high density device with a small footprint. Interconnection between the electronic devices and the VCSEL array modules is accomplished using standard integrated circuit packaging technology and flexible connectors. Optical connections from the VCSEL arrays to fiber optic cables are made possible by integrating industry-standard optical connectors onto the package. Optical receiver and transceiver modules may also be incorporated into the circuit module.
