Multiple collimated-beam photonics package

Details Multiple collimated-beam photonics package Multiple collimated-beam photonics package

1999-09-13

2001-08-07

Lee, John D. (Department: 2874)

Optical waveguides

With optical coupler

With alignment device

C385S034000, C385S089000, C385S093000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06272272

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to packaging for collimated-beam optical devices and, more particularly, to an improved package for a plurality of such devices wherein ease of alignment is effected.
Many opto-electronic and opto-mechanical devices are packaged with the active element in the collimated-beam plane (i.e., Fourier-plane). This means that light from an input fiber, typically single mode, is collimated by a lens and illuminates a device at a small angle with respect to the surface normal of the device. The device acts upon the light, for example, by attenuating, filtering, tilting, etc. Then the reflected output signal is directed through a lens and focused into a separate output fiber, also typically single mode. It is known to package the input/output fiber pair, lens and device in a single cylindrically shaped package. However, each such package only holds a single device and its associated fibers. Where multiple devices and input/output fibers are utilized, multiple alignments are then required. It would be desirable to provide a package holding multiple devices and input/output fibers which greatly reduces the number of required alignments.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a collimated-beam photonics package comprising a plurality of optical fibers and a plurality of imaging devices. A first holder is arranged to hold end segments of the plurality of optical fibers in a parallel spaced array and to hold the plurality of imaging devices with one or more optical fibers in alignment with each of the plurality of imaging devices. A plurality of surface-normal optic devices are also provided, along with a second holder arranged to hold the plurality of optic devices in a spaced array corresponding to the parallel spaced array of the plurality of optical fibers. The first and second holders can be formed with complementary exterior features so that the first and second holders are securable one to the other with each imaging device in optical communication with a respective optic device.
In accordance with an aspect of this invention, the first holder holds the optical fiber end segments in a linear array.
In accordance with another aspect of this invention, the first holder comprises at least one silicon V-groove array.


REFERENCES:
patent: 5555333 (1996-09-01), Kato
patent: 5706371 (1998-01-01), Pan
patent: 5949932 (1999-09-01), Lawrenz-Stolz
patent: 6178033 (2001-01-01), Ford et al.

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