Optical wavelength locker module having a high thermal conductive material

#The present invention is directed, in general, to optical devices and, more specifically, to an optical wavelength locker module having an electrically nonconductive material with a high thermal conductivity and methods of manufacture and operation thereof.

#In current technology, optical fiber communication systems provide for low loss and very high information carrying capacity. In practice, the bandwidth of optical fiber may be utilized by transmitting many distinct channels simultaneously using different carrier wavelengths. The associated technology is called wavelength division multiplexing. In a dense wavelength division multiplexing (DWDM) system, different wavelengths are closely spaced to increase fiber transmission capacity. If it becomes necessary to add further channels to an existing optical fiber, even denser wavelength spacing may be used in the future.

#A wavelength stabilized laser is a recently developed component of DWDM systems. In a DWDM system, a single semiconductor laser device may be used to provide light at several predetermined wavelengths, each corresponding to a different channel. Unfortunately, some laser sources, for example, distributed feedback (DFB) lasers, exhibit wavelength drift over time, in excess of the requirements for DWDM. As a result, the wavelength of the device tends to change with aging under continuous power. Thus, to maximize the number of channels, lasers with stable and precise wavelength control are employed to provide narrowly spaced, multiple wavelengths. As the wavelength spacing decreases, wavelength stabilization takes on a more important role.

#For a more complete understanding of the present invention, reference is now made to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying FIGUREs. It is emphasized that various features may not be drawn to scale. In fact, the dimensions of various features may be arbitrarily increased or reduced for clarity of discussion. In addition, it is emphasized that some circuit components may not be illustrated for clarity of discussion. Reference is now made to the following descriptions taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

#FIG. 1 illustrates a top view of one embodiment of an optical wavelength locker module constructed according to the principles of the present invention;

#FIG. 2A illustrates a top view of another embodiment of an optical wavelength locker module constructed according to the principles of the present invention;

#Referring initially to FIG. 1, illustrated is a top view of one embodiment of an optical wavelength locker module 100 constructed according to the principles of the present invention. The optical wavelength locker module 100 includes a frame 110. In one embodiment, an etalon 120 is positioned in the cavity 130 for stabilizing the wavelength of an optoelectronic laser. Of course, optical interferometers other than etalons, capable of having a temperature gradient thereacross during use, are also within the broad scope of the present invention.

#In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the cavity 130 is constructed to receive the etalon 120. In another embodiment, the frame 110 is formed around the etalon 120, substantially surrounding the etalon 120. In accordance with the principles discussed herein, the frame 110 of the optical wavelength locker module 100 is composed of an electrically nonconductive material having a high thermal conductivity. As used herein, the term “high thermal conductivity” includes materials having a thermal conductivity of at least 60 watts per meter-Kelvins (W/m-K). By substantially surrounding the etalon 120, the high thermal conductive material of the frame 110 reduces or eliminates the temperature gradient thereacross.

#As illustrated, the optical wavelength locker module 100 may further include an adhesive 140. In such embodiments, the adhesive 140 is located between the frame 110 and the etalon 120 positioned in the cavity 130 and substantially surrounded by the frame 110. Thus, the adhesive 140 may be employed to affix the etalon 120 in the cavity 130 of the optical wavelength locker module 100. Advantageously, the adhesive 140 may be chosen such that its adhesive properties are not affected by high temperatures that may be present in the frame 110 or across the etalon 120. For example, in one embodiment, the adhesive 140 may be epoxy, however other adhesives having similar properties may also be employed. Once the etalon 120 is affixed within the cavity 130, the complete optical wavelength locker module 100 may be mounted on the substrate of an optical assembly, for example, an application specific carrier (ASC) for an optoelectronic laser.