Manufacturing a microlens at the extremity of a lead waveguide
AssigneeOptacore D.O.O.
InventorsDenis Donlagic, Edvard Cibula, Éric Pinet
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Abstract
Variants of a method for manufacturing a microlens of any desired shape at the extremity of a lead waveguide are provided. A lens element having a non-uniform radial etchability profile is provided at the extremity of the lead waveguide. Preferably, the etchability profile is determined by a non-uniform radial distribution of dopants in the lens element. A spacer may optionally be placed between the waveguide and the lens element. The lens element is then brought down to an appropriate length and etched to its final shape which is mainly determined by the dopant distribution. An optical coupling assembly having a non-uniform radial distribution of dopants therein is also provided.
Claims64
A method for manufacturing a microlens having a desired shape at an extremity of a lead waveguide, the method comprising the steps of:
- a) positioning a first end of an elongated optical structure in end to end alignment with the extremity of the lead waveguide, said optical structure having a second end opposite said first end, said second end having a radially non-uniform etchability profile selected to define said desired shape;
- b) permanently joining the first end of the optical structure to said extremity of the waveguide;
- and
- c) processing the second end of the optical structure to obtain said microlens, said processing comprising the substeps of:
- i. adjusting a length of said optical structure;
- and
- ii. etching said second end of the optical structure to obtain said desired shape.
A method for manufacturing a microlens having a desired shape at an extremity of a lead waveguide, the method comprising the steps of:
- a) positioning a first end of an elongated spacer element in end to end alignment with the extremity of the lead waveguide;
- b) permanently joining the first end of the spacer element to said extremity of the waveguide;
- c) processing a second end of the spacer element opposite the first end to adjust a length thereof;
- d) positioning a first end of an elongated lens element in end to end alignment with the second end of the spacer element, said lens element having a second end opposite the first end, said second end having a radially non-uniform etchability profile selected to define said desired shape;
- e) permanently joining the first end of the lens element to said second end of the spacer element;
- and
- f) processing the second end of the lens element to obtain said microlens, said processing comprising the substeps of:
- i. adjusting a length of said lens element;
- and
- ii. etching said second end of the lens element to obtain said desired shape.
A light coupling assembly, comprising:
- a lead waveguide having a coupling extremity;
- an optical structure having opposite first and second ends, the first end being permanently joined to the coupling extremity of the waveguide, and the second end being shaped as a microlens of a generally continuous profile, said second end having a radial distribution of dopants therein following a generally continuous gradient profile.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.