Precision alignment of optoelectronic devices
AssigneesLucent Technologies Inc., Motorola, Inc., The Boeing Company
InventorsMark W. Beranek, George E. Charles, Barbara M. Foley, Peter F. Lilienthal, II, Muhammed A. Shahid
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Abstract
An optoelectronic module is disclosed in which an optoelectronic device is precisely aligned with an optical fiber. The optoelectronic module comprises a first member, a second member for supporting an end of the optical fiber in a fixed position relative the first member along an axis, and a third member for mounting at least one optoelectronic device. A plurality of positioning members are adjustably positioned on the first member for supporting the third member to maintain aligned relation of the optoelectronic device with the axis.
Claims48
An optoelctronic module having an optoelectronic device optically aligned with an optical fiber, the optoelectronic module comprising:
- a first member having a top major surface;
- a second member for supporting the optical fiber and having top and bottom major surfaces, the bottom surface thereof being fixed to the top surface of the first member, the second member including a longitudinal groove formed along the top major surface of the second member for receiving an end of the optical fiber in a fixed position aligned with a predetermined axis;
- a plurality of positioning members supported on the top surface of the first member;
- a third member having top and bottom major surfaces for mounting the optoelectronic device on the top major surface thereof in aligned relation with the axis, the third member being supported by the positioning members to maintain the aligned relation of the optoelectronic device with the axis and the third member being fixed to the top surface of the first member.
A method of optically aligning an optoelectronic device to an optical fiber, the method comprising the steps of:
- (a) providing a substrate;
- (b) positioning an end of the optical fiber in a fixed position relative a top surface of the substrate;
- (c) mounting the optoelectronic device on a top surface of a header;
- (d) positioning a plurality of positioning members on the top surface of the substrate for supporting the header;
- (e) energizing the optoelectronic device and detecting light passing through the optical fiber;
- and
- (f) incrementally adjusting one or more of the positioning members until the light detected through the optical fiber is maximized.
An optoelectronic module having at least one optoelectronic device optically aligned with at least one optical fiber, the optoelectronic module comprising:
- a substrate having a top major surface;
- means for supporting an end of at least one optical fiber in a fixed position relative the top surface of the substrate with the end being in coaxial relation with an axis;
- a header having top and bottom major surfaces for mounting at least one optoelectronic device on the top major surface thereof;
- and
- means for adjusting the header relative the top surface of the substrate to actively align the at least one optoelectronic device with the axis.
An optoelectronic module having at least one optoelectronic device optically aligned with at least one optical fiber, the optoelectronic module comprising:
- a substrate having a top major surface;
- means for supporting an end of at least one optical fiber in a fixed position relative the top surface of the substrate with the end being in coaxial relation with an axis;
- a header having top and bottom major surfaces for mounting at least one optoelectronic device on the top major surface thereof;
- and
- means for positioning the header relative the top surface of the substrate to align the at least one optoelectronic device with the axis, wherein the means for supporting the optical fiber comprise a base having top and bottom major surfaces, the bottom surface thereof being fixed to the top surface of the substrate, the base comprising a longitudinally extending V-shaped groove formed along the top major surface thereof for receiving an end of at least one optical fiber.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.