US 6,480,661 B2 · Optical ADD/DROP filter and method of making same

Abstract

The invention is an optical ADD/DROP filter suitable for dense wavelength division multiplexing/de-multiplexing. It comprises an optical bench having a longitudinal V-groove into which the optical components of the ADD/DROP filter are passively aligned and bonded. The bench further includes first and second pairs of opposed, spaced, vertical members at each end between which a fiber array block is inserted. In the method of constructing the ADD/DROP filter, an interference filter is bonded to a first collimating lens. Then, the first collimating lens with the interference filter attached thereto and a second collimating lens are placed in the V-groove of the bench where they are passively aligned. The two collimating lenses are then bonded to the bench. Fiber array substrates are inserted between the pairs of opposed, spaced, vertical members and a UV transparent block is inserted on top of each fiber array between the corresponding pair of opposed, spaced, vertical members. The fiber arrays are actively aligned. After proper alignment is achieved, adhesive is wicked into the spaces between the fiber array, the block and the vertical members. The adhesive is then cured.

Claims46

Dependent claims

An optical bench for supporting optical components in an optical device, said optical bench comprising:

a body having a V-groove oriented in a longitudinal direction of said bench, said V-groove adapted to accept a lens and passively align said lens in a plane transverse said longitudinal direction;
first and second pairs of opposed spaced vertical members positioned at opposite longitudinal ends of said bench, each of said pairs of vertical members spaced from each other so as to accept a fiber array substrate;
and
first and second blocks dimensioned to fit between said first and second pairs of vertical members on top of a fiber array substrate inserted between said vertical members, respectively, with a clearance that allows said blocks to slide freely there between.

1 more element

An optical ADD/DROP filter comprising:

an optical bench having a V-groove oriented in a longitudinal direction of said bench, said V-groove adapted to accept at least one lens and passively align said lens in a plane transverse said longitudinal direction;
first and second pairs of opposed spaced vertical members positioned at opposite longitudinal ends of said bench, each of said pairs of vertical members spaced from each other so as to accept a fiber array;
first and second collimating lenses positioned at an equilibrium position in said V-groove;
an interference filter positioned in an optical path between said first and second collimating lenses;
a first fiber array substrate positioned between said first pair of opposed vertical members;
a second fiber array substrate positioned between said second pair of opposed vertical members;
and
first and second blocks dimensioned to fit between said first and second pairs of vertical members on top of said first and second fiber array substrates, respectively;
wherein said interference filter is bonded to said first collimating lens, said first and second collimating lenses are bonded in said V-groove of said bench, an air gap is maintained between said interference filter and said second collimating lens, and said first block is bonded between said first pair of opposed vertical members and further bonded to said first fiber array substrate, and said second block is bonded between said second pair of opposed vertical members and further to said second fiber array substrate.

6 more elements

A method of assembling an optical component, said method comprising the steps of:

(1) providing an optical bench having a V-groove oriented in a longitudinal direction of said bench, said V-groove adapted to accept first and second collimating lenses and passively align said lenses in a plane transverse said longitudinal direction, and first and second pairs of opposed spaced vertical members positioned at opposite longitudinal ends of said bench, each of said pairs of vertical members spaced from each other so as to accept a fiber array substrate;
(2) fixing a filter to said first collimating lens;
(3) passively aligning said first collimating lens in said V-groove;
(4) fixing said first collimating lens in said V-groove;
and
(5) passively aligning said second collaminating lens in said V-groove;
(6) fixing said second collimating lens in said V-groove.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Optical ADD/DROP filter and method of making same

Life of this patent

Optical ADD/DROP filter and method of making same

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims46