# US 2014/0153881 A1 · Two-dimensional, high-density optical connector > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2014/0153881 A1 - Document ID: US20140153881A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 13/996,533 - Filed: 2011-12-29 - Published: 2014-06-05 - Earliest claimed: 2011-12-29 - Assignees: Intel Corporation - Inventors: Shawna Liff; Jia-Hung Tseng; Peter Chang - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140153881A1 ## CPC - G02B 6/43: Arrangements comprising a plurality of opto-electronic elements and associated optical interconnections - G02B 6/4214: {the intermediate optical element having redirecting reflective means, e.g. mirrors, prisms for deflecting the radiation from horizontal to down- or upward direction toward a device (G02B6/4246 takes precedence)} - G02B 6/30: for use between fibre and thin-film device - G02B 6/4206: {Optical features (G02B6/4207, G02B6/421 take precedence)} - G02B 6/425: {Optical features (semiconductor laser arrays H01S5/40; hybrid LED arrays H10W90/00)} - G02B 6/4255: {Moulded or casted packages} - G02B 6/4292: {the light guide being disconnectable from the opto-electronic element, e.g. mutually self aligning arrangements} - G02B: OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS ## Abstract An optical connector includes a two-dimensional array of lenses to couple optical signals between an optical integrated circuit and an optical fiber. The optical connector has a total-internal-reflection or mirror surface that redirects light between lenses at different surfaces of the optical connector. The lens arrays collimate light directed toward the reflection surface and focuses light received from the reflection surface. The two-dimensional array and prism allows for a low-profile, high-density optical connector based on free space optical light propagation. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An optical connector comprising: a connector body having an outward-facing surface, a circuit-facing surface, and a reflection surface, the outward-facing surface to interface with a fiber array, the circuit-facing surface to interface with an optical integrated circuit, and the reflection surface to redirect light between the outward-facing surface and the circuit-facing surface at approximately a right angle in free space within the connector body; a first two-dimensional lens array with lenses at the outward-facing surface, the first lens array being at least a two-by-two array; and a second two-dimensional lens array with an array of lenses having one-to-one correspondence to the first lens array, the lenses of the second lens array forming optical paths between the circuit-facing surface and the outward-facing surface via the reflection surface; wherein the first and second lens arrays include lenses that collimate the light towards the reflection surface to the other lens array, and focus light redirected off of the reflection surface from the other lens array. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The optical connector of claim 1, wherein the optical connector comprises a material that has a low coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) and high enough softening point to withstand solder reflow with minimal dimensional deviation. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The optical connector of claim 1, wherein the connector body comprises a prism. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The optical connector of claim 1, wherein the connector body comprises a molded component. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The optical connector of claim 1, wherein the reflection surface comprises a total internal reflection (TIR) surface. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The optical connector of claim 1, wherein the reflection surface comprises a mirror. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The optical connector of claim 1, wherein the outward-facing surface interfaces with the fiber array with a flat, vertical interface surface. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The optical connector of claim 1, wherein the outward-facing surface interfaces with the fiber array with an angled interface surface. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The optical connector of claim 1, wherein the first lens array is inset into the outward-facing surface of the connector body, and separated from the fiber array by an air gap. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The optical connector of claim 1, wherein the first lens array is disposed on the outward-facing surface. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The optical connector of claim 1, wherein the first lens array is a disposed on a lens body separate from the connector body, which is aligned and attached to the connector body. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The optical connector of claim 1, wherein the first lens array is disposed on a lens body separate from the connector body, and interfaces with the connector body via guide pin holes on a multi-terminal fiber array connector. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The optical connector of claim 1, wherein the first lens array is disposed on a multi-terminal fiber array connector that mates with the connector body. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The optical connector of claim 1, wherein the second lens array is disposed on the circuit-facing surface of the connector body. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The optical connector of claim 1, wherein the second lens array is disposed on a lens body separate from the connector body, which is aligned and attached to the connector body. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The optical connector of claim 1, wherein the at least two-by-two array includes a first row and a second row of lenses, and the optical paths of the first row cross the optical paths of the second row in free space inside the connector body. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) The optical connector of claim 1, wherein the optical connector is mated to multimode optical fibers. ### Claim 18 A system comprising: an optical coupler including a connector body having a mating surface to mate with a fiber array connector, a circuit-facing surface to interface with an integrated optical circuit, and a reflection surface to redirect light between the mating surface and the circuit-facing surface at approximately a right angle in free space within the connector body; a first two-dimensional lens array with lenses disposed on the mating surface, the first lens array being at least a two-by-two array; and a second two-dimensional lens array with an array of lenses having one-to-one correspondence to the first lens array, the lenses of the second lens array forming optical paths between the circuit-facing surface and the mating surface via the reflection surface; wherein the first and second lens arrays include lenses that collimate the light towards the reflection surface to the other lens array, and focus light redirected off of the reflection surface from the other lens array; and an optical connector having an array of single-mode optical fibers coupled to the mating surface. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The system of claim 18, wherein the mating surface interfaces with the fiber array with an angled interface surface. ### Claim 20 (depends on 18) The system of claim 18, wherein the first lens array is inset into the mating surface of the connector body, and separated from the fiber array by an air gap. ### Claim 21 (depends on 18) The system of claim 18, wherein the first lens array is disposed on the outward-facing surface. ### Claim 22 (depends on 18) The system of claim 18, wherein the second lens array is disposed on the mating surface of the connector body. ### Claim 23 (depends on 18) The system of claim 18, wherein the at least two-by-two array includes a first row and a second row of lenses, and the optical paths of the first row cross the optical paths of the second row in free space inside the connector body. ### Claim 24 (depends on 23) The system of claim 23, wherein the at least two-by-two array includes a 2×12 lens array. ### Claim 25 (depends on 23) The system of claim 23, wherein the at least two-by-two array includes a 4×12 lens array.