Laser diode-lens alignment

In an optical alignment structure for coupling output optical radiation from a source of the same to an optical receiving device, the combination comprising:

• (a) a rigid outer block having an opening for the receipt of optical radiation to flow within a cavity therein;
• (b) a lens holder within said cavity for positioning coupling optics therewithin to interact with optical radiation flowing on an optic axis which extends through said cavity;
• (c) a flex connection physically attaching said lens holder to said block with said lens holder suspended in said cavity on said optic axis;
• (d) means for adjusting the position of said holder relative to said block transverse to the optic axis therewithin;
• (e) a ferrule positioned to hold said optical receiving device on said optic axis to receive optical radiation from coupling optics held thereon by said lens holder, the position of said ferrule longitudinally along said axis being adjustable relative to the position of said block;
• and
• (f) means for securing said ferrule and, hence, said optical receiving device at a selected position along said optic axis relative to said lens.

In an optical alignment structure for coupling output optical radiation from a source of the same to an optical receiving device, the combination comprising:

• (a) a rigid outer block having an opening for the receipt of optical radiation to flow within a cavity therein;
• (b) a lens holder within said cavity for positioning coupling optics to interact with optical radiation flowing on said optic axis within said cavity;
• (c) a flex connection physically attaching said lens holder to said block with said lens holder suspended in said cavity on said optic axis;
• and
• (d) an end of said lens holder being physically attached with said flex connection to said block to maintain said holder in position in said cavity while allowing the transverse position of said holder relative to said block and said optic axis to be adjusted.

An optical alignment structure for coupling output optical radiation from a laser diode to the end of an optical fiber, comprising:

• (a) a rigid outer block made up of:
• (1) a main block part having a first open end for receiving said laser diode and a cavity for a lens set to receive the output of said diode, which cavity includes an optic axis along which optical radiation flows;
• (2) an intermediate block part;
• and
• (3) an end closure block part for positioning said end of said optical fiber on said optic axis;
• (b) a pair of coupling focusing lenses making up coupling optics having at least one focal point;
• (c) a cylindrical lens holder for said pair of lenses, positioning the same in said cavity to interact with optical radiation from said laser diode on said optic axis;
• (d) a flex connection extending between said lens holder and said intermediate block part cantilevering said lens holder within said cavity;
• (e) A plurality of adjustment screws threadably received in said main block part to interact with said lens holder to change the transverse position of the same in said block relative to said optic axis, the aspect ratio of said flex connection being selected to place both the center about which the lens holder is moved by said adjustment screw and said focal point on said axis;
• (f) a ferrule sleeve circumscribing said end of said optical fiber, which ferrule is positioned by said end closure on said optic axis and extends through said end closure to optically communicate said optical fiber with said cavity on said optic axis;
• and
• (g) a set screw threadably received in said end closure block part to bear against said ferrule and hold the latter in a selected position longitudinally along said optic axis.