Coupling optical fiber array with waveguides of photonic subassembly

A method of connecting a fiber array connector (FAC) with a photonic subassembly, a plurality of optical fibers coupled with the FAC and extending to a first surface of the FAC, the photonic subassembly comprising at least one optical component comprising a plurality of waveguides having a predetermined disposition relative to a top surface defined by a substrate of the photonic subassembly, the method comprising:

• moving, using a positioning device removably coupled with the FAC, the FAC from a first position, in which the first surface is seated against a second surface of the photonic subassembly, to a second position such that the first surface has a predetermined distance from the second surface, wherein in the second position the fiber array connector is not connected with the photonic subassembly, and wherein in the second position an air gap is defined between the top surface of the substrate and a bottom surface of the FAC;
• performing, responsive to moving the FAC to the second position, an active alignment of the plurality of optical fibers with the plurality of waveguides;
• and
• applying, using an application device, an adhesive to form a physical interface between at least two opposing surfaces of the photonic subassembly and the FAC to thereby connect the photonic subassembly with the FAC, wherein the physical interface extends at least partly into the air gap.

A non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising computer program code that, when executed by operation of one or more computer processors, performs an operation of connecting a fiber array connector (FAC) with a photonic subassembly,

• a plurality of optical fibers coupled with the FAC and extending to a first surface of the FAC, the photonic subassembly comprising at least one optical component comprising a plurality of waveguides having a predetermined disposition relative to a top surface defined by a substrate of the photonic subassembly, the operation comprising:
• moving, using a positioning device removably coupled with the FAC, the FAC from a first position, in which the first surface is seated against a second surface of the photonic subassembly, to a second position such that the first surface has a predetermined distance from the second surface, wherein in the second position the fiber array connector is not connected with the photonic subassembly, and wherein in the second position an air gap is defined between the top surface of the substrate and a bottom surface of the FAC;
• performing, responsive to moving the FAC to the second position, an active alignment of the plurality of optical fibers with the plurality of waveguides;
• and
• applying, using an application device, an adhesive to form a physical interface between at least two opposing surfaces of the photonic subassembly and the FAC to thereby connect the photonic subassembly with the FAC, wherein the physical interface extends at least partly into the air gap.