# US 2008/0187013 A1 · Opto-isolator including a vertical cavity surface emitting laser > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2008/0187013 A1 - Document ID: US20080187013A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 12/027,391 - Filed: 2008-02-07 - Published: 2008-08-07 - Earliest claimed: 2007-02-07 - Assignees: Finisar Corporation - Inventors: James K. Guenter; Jimmy A. Tatum; Norman Brent Stapleton; Richard L. Bell; Harold Young Walker; Jose Joaquin Aizpuru - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20080187013A1 ## CPC - H04B 10/802: {for isolation, e.g. using optocouplers} - H01S 5/0232: Lead-frames - H01S 5/183: having only vertical cavities, e.g. vertical cavity surface-emitting lasers [VCSEL] - H01S 5/02253: using lenses - H01S 5/02255: using beam deflecting elements - H10W 74/00: Encapsulations, e.g. protective coatings - H10W 74/10: characterised by their shape or disposition - H04B: TRANSMISSION - H01S: DEVICES USING THE PROCESS OF LIGHT AMPLIFICATION BY STIMULATED EMISSION OF RADIATION [LASER] TO AMPLIFY OR GENERATE LIGHT; DEVICES USING STIMULATED EMISSION OF ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION IN WAVE RANGES OTHER THAN OPTICAL - H10W: GENERIC PACKAGES, INTERCONNECTIONS, CONNECTORS OR OTHER CONSTRUCTIONAL DETAILS OF DEVICES COVERED BY CLASS H10 ## Abstract The present invention relates to opto-isolators. Opto-isolators are disclosed that include a transmitter package and a vertical VCSEL disposed within the transmitter package. The opto-isolators further include a receiver package and a photodetector disposed within the receiver package. The photodetector is optically coupled to the VCSEL and configured to receive an output optical signal generated by the VCSEL. The opto-isolators further include an alignment package configured to receive the transmitter package and the receiver package. In another embodiment, opto-isolators include a VCSEL and a photodetector optically coupled to the VCSEL and configured to receive an output optical signal generated by the VCSEL. The opto-isolators further include a package enclosing both the VCSEL and the photodetector. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An opto-isolator comprising: a transmitter package; a vertical cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL) disposed within the transmitter package; a receiver package; a photodetector disposed within the receiver package, the photodetector being optically coupled to the VCSEL and configured to receive an output optical signal generated by the VCSEL; and an alignment package configured to receive the transmitter package and the receiver package. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) An opto-isolator according to claim 1, wherein the alignment package includes: a first opening sized and configured to at least partially receive the transmitter package; and a second opening sized and configured to at least partially receive the receiver package. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) An opto-isolator according to claim 1, further comprising a lens disposed between the transmitter package and the receiver package for collimating, focusing, and/or refracting a signal transmitted by the VCSEL. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) An opto-isolator according to claim 3, wherein the lens is attached to a surface of the transmitter package or a surface of the receiver package. ### Claim 5 (depends on 3) An opto-isolator according to claim 3, wherein the lens is located between the transmitter package and the receiver package separating the first opening from the second opening. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) An opto-isolator according to claim 5, wherein the lens is formed integral with the alignment package. ### Claim 7 (depends on 5) An opto-isolator according to claim 5, wherein the lens is formed separate from the alignment package and affixed within the alignment package. ### Claim 8 (depends on 3) An opto-isolator according to claim 3, wherein the alignment package is at least partially opaque. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) An opto-isolator according to claim 1, wherein modulation of the VCSEL is directly controlled by an alternating current electrical input. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) A package comprising an array of opto-isolators according to claim 1. ### Claim 11 An opto-isolator comprising: a vertical cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL); a photodetector optically coupled to the VCSEL and configured to receive an output optical signal generated by the VCSEL; and a package enclosing the VCSEL and the photodetector. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) An opto-isolator according to claim 11, wherein the package includes: a first encapsulant encapsulating the VCSEL; a second encapsulant encapsulating the detector, wherein the first and second encapsulates are bonded such that the VCSEL and detector are optically coupled and secured in an opposed configuration. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) An opto-isolator according to claim 12, wherein the first and second encapsulates are bonded together by a substantially clear epoxy. ### Claim 14 (depends on 11) An opto-isolator according to claim 11, wherein the package includes an encapsulant encasing the VCSEL and the photodetector. ### Claim 15 (depends on 11) An opto-isolator according to claim 11, wherein the opto-isolator further comprises a laser driver enclosed within the package. ### Claim 16 (depends on 11) An opto-isolator according to claim 11, further comprising a transimpedence amplifier enclosed within the package. ### Claim 17 (depends on 11) An opto-isolator according to claim 11, wherein the VCSEL is disposed in an optically opposed configuration from the detector. ### Claim 18 (depends on 11) An opto-isolator according to claim 11, wherein the VCSEL is disposed adjacent to the detector and optically coupled to the detector via a redirection of the optical signal. ### Claim 19 (depends on 11) An opto-isolator according to claim 11, further comprising a micro-lens coupled to a surface the VCSEL or a surface of the optical detector. ### Claim 20 (depends on 11) An opto-isolator according to claim 11, further comprising a reflective surface configured to optically couple the VCSEL with the detector. ### Claim 21 (depends on 20) An opto-isolator according to claim 20, wherein the reflective surface receives and redirects the output optical signal through a material. ### Claim 22 (depends on 20) An opto-isolator according to claim 20, wherein the reflective surface is a reflective surface that receives and redirects the output optical signal through air. ### Claim 23 (depends on 20) An opto-isolator according to claim 20, wherein the reflective surface is unitarily formed with an encapsulant. ### Claim 24 (depends on 11) An opto-isolator according to claim 11, further comprising two reflective surfaces configured to redirect the output optical signal generated by the VCSEL such that the output optical signal is received by the detector. ### Claim 25 (depends on 11) An opto-isolator according to claim 11, wherein modulation of the VCSEL is directly controlled by an alternating current electrical input without a laser driver. ### Claim 26 (depends on 11) An opto-isolator according to claim 11, wherein the package includes in encapsulant that is at least partially opaque to a particular spectrum or range of spectrums of light. ### Claim 27 (depends on 26) An opto-isolator according to claim 26, wherein a first portion of the encapsulant is at least partially opaque to a frequency of light generated by the VCSEL, wherein a portion of the encapsulant directly between the VCSEL and the detector is not at least partially opaque to the frequency of light generated by the VCSEL.