Optical Connecting Structure

An optical coupling structure comprising:

• at least one optical element;
• at least one optical fiber having an end surface facing the optical element;
• and
• an adhesive agent on at least the end surface of the optical fiber and a part of the optical element so as to optically and mechanically couple the optical element and the optical fiber,
• wherein both a contact angle which a surface of the optical element and a surface of the adhesive agent make and a contact angle which a surface of the optical fiber and the surface of the adhesive agent make are less than 90 degrees.

An optical coupling structure comprising:

• an optical fiber comprising a fiber core and a clad portion, the clad portion having a hole parallel to the fiber core;
• a planar lightwave circuit comprising a waveguide core, a first optical axis of the fiber core aligned with a second optical axis of the waveguide core;
• and
• an adhesive having a first portion and a second portion, the first portion optically and mechanically coupling a first surface of the optical fiber to a second surface of the planar lightwave circuit, the second portion disposed in the hole, a third surface of the adhesive forming a first acute angle with the first surface of the optical fiber, the third surface of the adhesive forming a second acute angle with the second surface of the planar lightwave circuit.

A method comprising:

• forming an adhesive on an end surface of an optical fiber and on a surface of an optical element;
• changing a relative position between the optical fiber and the optical element so that a surface of the adhesive forms a first acute angle with the end surface of the optical fiber and so that the surface of the adhesive forms a second acute angle with the surface of the optical element;
• and
• after changing the relative position between the optical fiber and the optical element, curing the adhesive.