Optical subassembly with a groove for aligning an optical device with an optical fiber

An optical bench for aligning a distal end of an optical fiber with an optical detector, LED, or laser diode, comprising:

• a semiconductor wafer having a plurality of channels etched into a top surface thereof the channels including a first channel having a width and depth selected to receive a cladding and core of the optical fiber and a second channel having a width that is narrower than the width of the first channel, the first and second channels being aligned such that a fiber stop is created at a point where the first and second channels meet, the fiber stop engaging the cladding of the optical fiber to control the axial position at which the fiber is positioned in the channels,
• wherein an end of the second channel is mirrored to change the direction of light upward the optical fiber.

A hermetically sealed optical subassembly housing a bed having a front face, a rear face, and sidewalls wherein the bed is adapted to secure an optical subassembly, comprising:

• a faceplate secured to the front face of the bed, the faceplate having one or more hollow ferrule tubes secured thereto, said ferrule tubes each having an optical fiber disposed therein;
• and
• a cover that fits over the bed.

An optical subassembly for aligning a distal end of an optical fiber with an optical detector, LED, or laser diode, comprising:

• an optical bench having a submount groove disposed on a top surface thereof and a step that is etched into the top surface of the optical bench, the step including a solder pad to which a portion of the optical fiber is secured such that the distal end of the optical fiber is aligned with the submount groove;
• and
• a submount having an optical detector, LED, or laser diode mounted thereon, the submount cooperating with the submount groove to transversely align the optical detector, LED, or laser diode with the distal end of the optical fiber.

An optical subassembly for aligning a distal end of an optical fiber with an optical detector, LED, or laser diode, comprising:

• an optical bench having a groove disposed on a top surface thereof and a step that is etched into the top surface of the optical bench, the step including a solder pad to which a portion of the optical fiber is secured such that the distal end of the optical fiber is aligned with the groove;
• and
• an optical detector, LED, or laser diode mounted in the groove.