Fiber optic coupling assembly and apparatus and method for making same

An optoelectronic transceiver comprising:

• a base;
• a first module mounted on the base and carrying at least one optoelectronic device;
• a second module mounted on the base adjacent the first module and being adapted to connect to a fiber optic cable connector, the second module including a wall comprised of an inner piece and an outer piece, being of materials of different hardness and defining a slot at least in part in the less hard of the two pieces;
• and
• a plurality of optical elements captured in the slot by a coined edge of the less hard of the two pieces.

A method of making an optical assembly, comprising the acts of:

• providing a first piece defining an opening;
• providing a second piece and fitting the second piece in the opening, wherein the first piece and second piece are of different hardness, and wherein a slot is defined at least in part in the less hard of the two pieces after they are fitted together;
• and
• securing a plurality of optical elements in the slot by coining the less hard of the two pieces.

An apparatus for handling a plurality of spherical elements comprising:

• a member defining a bore, wherein the bore is in fluid communication with a vacuum pump;
• an intake cavity of the member at the terminus of the bore, wherein the intake cavity is configured to receive the plurality of the spherical elements arranged linearly therein;
• and
• a peripheral hole defined in the member, wherein the peripheral hole is in fluid communication with the bore and the ambient.

A method of handling a plurality of elements, each element being less than 1000 μm in diameter, comprising the acts of:

• providing a vacuum;
• picking up the elements in a linear arrangement with the vacuum;
• aligning the picked up elements with a slot defined in a workpiece;
• and
• releasing the elements into the slot by reducing the vacuum.