Optoelectric alignment apparatus

Optical alignment apparatus comprising:

• a first element mounting a first lens and a light source, the first lens being placed a first distance from the light source and being further constructed to substantially collimate light received from the light source;
• a second element mounting a second lens and a light receiving structure, the second lens being positioned a second distance from the light receiving structure;
• wherein at least one of the first and second distances are defined by a thickness of at least one optical spacer;
• the first and second elements being mounted relative to each other to position the second lens a third distance from the first lens and further positioning the second lens to receive the collimated light from the first lens, and the second element further positioning the second lens to focus the collimated light on the light receiving structure;
• and
• the first and second lens being constructed so that the first and second distances are dependent upon each other with the third distance being independent of the first and second distances.

Optical alignment apparatus comprising:

• a first structural portion;
• a light operative device having an index of refraction, the light operative device including one of a light source and a light receiving device, mounted by the first structural portion;
• a first lens mounted by the first structural portion and positioned a first distance from the light operative device;
• the first lens and the light operative device being fixedly attached together by a plastic material to define the first distance, the plastic material having an index of refraction equal to the index of refraction of the light operative device wherein a thickness of the plastic material is greater than a thickness of the lens;
• a second structural portion, the second structural portion being constructed to receive an optical fiber in optical communication therewith;
• a second lens mounted by the second structural portion and positioned a second distance from an end of the optical fiber;
• wherein the second distance is defined by a thickness of at least one optical spacer;
• and
• the second structural portion being affixed to the first structural portion so as to position the second lens a third distance from the first lens, and the first and second distances being dependent upon each other with the third distance being independent of the first and second distances.