Optical waveguides – With disengagable mechanical connector – Optical fiber to a nonfiber optical device connector
Reexamination Certificate
1998-03-24
2001-04-17
Lee, John D. (Department: 2874)
Optical waveguides
With disengagable mechanical connector
Optical fiber to a nonfiber optical device connector
C385S014000, C385S049000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06217232
ABSTRACT:
The present invention relates to methods and apparatus for coupling an optic fiber to the output of an opto-electronic device. In particular, the invention relates to methods and apparatus for easily aligning the optic fiber with the output of the opto-electronic device using complementary features formed on mounting surfaces of a substrate and the opto-electronic device.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The speed of computers has been continuously increasing in recent years. Physical size limitations of the components, however, are imposing limitations on future speed increases. That is, the dimensions of the conductors formed in the integrated circuits have shrunk to the point the conductors are themselves beginning to restrict current flow.
One approach to increasing the speed of computers has been to use light to transmit data between components of a computer. The use of fiber optic transmission lines has several advantages over conventional electrical cables. For example, fiber optic materials frequently cost less than electrical cables. Moreover, the power required to drive optic signals is frequently less than that required for many electrical cables. Furthermore, optical transmission of data provides an enhanced rate of information transfer over longer distances. Using optical transmission, manufacturers can mount a light source on one component, such as a microprocessor, and a receiver on another component, such as a memory device, and connect the light source and the receiver with an optic fiber.
In practice, manufacturers use transceivers that convert electrical signals to transmitted optical signals and convert received optical signals to electrical signals. These transceivers, known as opto-electronic devices, must be precisely aligned with optical fibers to transmit the data between various components. A major disadvantage of the use of opto-electronic devices is the difficulty of aligning the output of the opto-electronic device with the optic fiber. In particular, current alignment procedures are very labor intensive using very expensive machines. Hence, their cost makes them relatively expensive and generally limits their applicability. If the alignment could be automated, a substantial savings in manufacturing time and money could be achieved, allowing wider application of the technology.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention overcomes these disadvantages by providing a system for easily aligning an optic fiber with an opto-electronic device and providing a method for aligning the fiber and device that can be readily automated. The system comprises a substrate having a first mounting surface with a first plurality of features and an opto-electronic device having a second mounting surface with a second plurality of features. The second plurality of features is complementary to, and aligned for engagement with, the first plurality of features. The first plurality of features is positioned to align the output of the opto-electronic device with the optic fiber when they engage the second plurality of features. The first mounting surface also includes an optic fiber mounting feature, the feature being axially aligned with the output of the opto-electronic device.
In preferred embodiments of the invention, the first plurality of features includes a plurality of posts projecting upwardly from the first mounting surface and the second plurality of features includes a plurality of complementary recesses in the second mounting surface. According to one aspect of the invention, the first plurality of features and the second plurality of features include a data transmission pathway between the substrate and the opto-electronic device.
A method of aligning an optical fiber with an opto-electronic device comprises the steps of providing a substrate with a mounting surface, providing a first plurality of features on the mounting surface, providing a second plurality of features on the opto-electronic device that are complementary to the first plurality of features and configured to engage the first plurality of features, and mounting the opto-electronic device on the mounting surface with the first plurality of features engaging the second plurality of features. The method further includes the step of providing an optic fiber-mounting feature on the mounting surface that is axially aligned with an output axis of the opto-electronic device.
In preferred methods, the step of providing a first plurality of features on the mounting surface includes the step of etching a plurality of posts onto the mounting surface, the step of providing a second plurality of features on the opto-electronic device includes the step of etching a plurality of recesses into a surface of the opto-electronic device, and the step of providing an optic fiber-mounting feature includes the step of etching a channel into the mounting surface.
According to one aspect of the invention, the step of providing a first plurality of features includes the steps of determining a plurality of etching points, etching the mounting surface at the plurality of etching points to define a perimeter around each feature of the first plurality of features, and removing a portion of the mounting surface outside the perimeter of each feature. The step of providing a second plurality of features includes the steps of determining a plurality of etching points, etching the mounting surface at the plurality of etching points to define a perimeter around each feature of the second plurality of features, and removing a portion of the mounting surface inside the perimeter of each feature.
These and other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments of the present invention.
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Duesman Kevin
Farnworth Warren M.
Dickstein , Shapiro, Morin & Oshinsky, LLP
Kang Juliana K.
Lee John D.
Micro)n Technology, Inc.
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