Self-aligned silicon fiber optic connector
AssigneeInnovative Micro Technology
InventorChristopher S. GUDEMAN
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A transceiver and interconnect for connecting a plurality of optical cables. In one embodiment, optical sources are joined to a plurality of fiber optic output cables. The structures may use a plurality of ball lenses to collimate the diverging light from the source and launch it down one of the plurality of fibers. Through holes in a silicon substrate may allow the radiation to pass, and these features may be made very precisely.
Claims31
A structure for an optical transmission system, comprising:
- a plurality of optical elements for encoding or decoding information as an optical signal, wherein the optical element emits or detects radiation along an axis;
- a first silicon substrate with a first plurality of through holes formed therein, with each through hole parallel to the axis of one of the plurality of optical elements;
- and
- a plurality of ball lenses disposed at the ends of the plurality of through holes, which collimates or focuses the radiation along the axis.
A method for interconnecting a plurality of optical elements to a plurality of optical transmission lines, comprising:
- emitting or receiving laser radiation from a plurality of optical elements;
- transmitting the laser radiation through a plurality of through holes in a first silicon substrate;
- receiving the laser radiation in a plurality of through holes in a second silicon substrate.
An interconnect for an optical transmission system, comprising:
- a plurality of optical elements;
- a first silicon substrate with a first plurality of through holes formed therein, with each through hole being registered with each of the plurality of optical elements;
- and
- a plurality of ball lenses disposed at an end of each of the through holes;
- a second silicon substrate with a second plurality of through holes formed therein, with each of the second plurality of through holes corresponding to an optical element;
- and
- a fiber optic disposed at an end of each of the second of the plurality of through holes.
A structure for an optical transmission system, comprising:
- a first silicon substrate with a first plurality of through holes formed therein, with each through hole parallel to the axis of one of the plurality of optical elements;
- a first plurality of funnel-shaped depressions at the ends of the first plurality of through holes;
- a second silicon substrate with a second plurality of through holes formed therein, with each through hole parallel to the axis of one of the plurality of optical elements;
- a second plurality of funnel-shaped depressions at the ends of the first plurality of through holes;
- and
- a plurality of ball lenses disposed at the ends of the plurality of through holes, and seated between the first and the second pluralities of funnel-shaped depressions, wherein the structure couples radiation in the first plurality of through holes to the second plurality of through holes.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.