Method and apparatus for aligning a waveguide with a radiation source

A method for aligning an optical waveguide with a radiation source, the waveguide having a longitudinal axis that defines a main optical propagation path, said method comprising:

• a) illuminating the waveguide such that the waveguide generates light via photoluminescence, at least a portion of the light generated via photoluminescence being emitted from the waveguide along a direction generally transverse to the longitudinal axis;
• b) generating an output signal at least in part on the basis of light emitted from the waveguide along a direction generally transverse to the longitudinal axis;
• c) varying the alignment of the radiation source and the waveguide at least partly in dependence of the output signal.

An apparatus suitable for aligning an optical waveguide with a radiation source, said apparatus comprising:

• a) a waveguide support member suitable for holding an optical waveguide, the waveguide having a longitudinal axis that defines a main optical propagation path, the radiation source illuminating the waveguide such that the waveguide generates light via photoluminescence, at least a portion of the light generated via photoluminescence being emitted from the waveguide along a direction generally transverse to the longitudinal axis;
• b) a sensor for positioning in proximity to the optical waveguide, said sensor being responsive to the light emitted from the waveguide along a direction generally transverse to the longitudinal axis to produce an intensity signal indicative of a measure of the light detected;
• c) a controller module responsive to the intensity signal for causing the alignment of the radiation source and the waveguide to be varied at least partly in dependence of the intensity signal.

An apparatus suitable for aligning an optical waveguide with a radiation source, said apparatus comprising:

• a) support means for holding an optical waveguide, the waveguide having a longitudinal axis that defines a main optical propagation path, the radiation source illuminating the waveguide such that the waveguide generates light via photoluminescence, at least a portion of the light generated via photoluminescence being emitted from the waveguide along a direction generally transverse to the longitudinal axis;
• b) sensor means responsive to the light emitted from the waveguide along a direction generally transverse to the longitudinal axis to produce an intensity signal indicative of a measure of the light detected;
• c) control means responsive to the intensity signal for causing the alignment of the radiation source and the waveguide to be varied at least partly in dependence of the intensity signal.