Optical fiber alignment techniques
AssigneeAT&T Bell Laboratories
InventorNagesh R. Basavanhally
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A substrate (10) is formed having first and second opposite flat surfaces. Photolithographic masking and etching is used to form on the first surface of the substrate at least one lens (25) having a central axis. Photolithographic masking and etching is also used to form on the second surface of the substrate an optical fiber guide (23). The fiber guide is then used to mount an optical fiber(27) on the second surface of the substrate such that the central axis of the optical fiber is substantially coincident with the central axis of the lens, thereby giving the desired alignment.
Claims8
A method for making optical devices comprising the steps of:
- forming of a light transmissive material a substrate having first and second opposite surface;
- forming on the first surface of the substrate at least one lens having a central axis comprising the step of defining the lens by photolithographic masking and etching;
- the lens having a focal point that lies between the first and second surfaces of the substrate;
- forming on the second surface by photolithographic masking and etching an aperture extending into the substrate, the aperture having a diameter approximately equal to the diameter of an optical fiber;
- mounting the optical fiber on the second surface of the substrate by fitting one end of the optical fiber snugly within the aperture such that the central axis of the optical fiber is substantially coincident with the central axis of the lens;
- the aperture extending from the second surface of the substrate to said focal point, whereby the lens is capable of focusing light onto the mounted optical fiber.
A method for making optical devices comprising the steps of:
- forming of a light transmissive material a substrate having first and second opposite flat surfaces;
- forming on the first surface of the substrate at least one lens having a central axis comprising the step of defining the lens by photolithographic masking and etching;
- forming on the second surface of the substrate an alignment pin extending from the substrate comprising the step of defining the alignment pin by photolithographic masking and etching;
- and mounting the optical fiber on the second surface of the substrate comprising the step of mounting the optical fiber within a ferrule having a central opening, and projecting the alignment pin into the central opening of the ferrule.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.