Small format optical subassembly

Details Small format optical subassembly Small format optical subassembly

2001-04-05

2003-04-29

Scott, Jr., Leon (Department: 2828)

Coherent light generators

Particular active media

Semiconductor

C372S043010, C372S099000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06556608

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention pertains to optoelectronic devices or optical subassemblies. The invention more particularly concerns a small format optoelectronic package.
2. Discussion of the Background
Optoelectronic devices such as optical transceivers are known in the art and include active optical devices or diode packages. Common diode packages include LED packages such as a TO-46 package or a 5.6 mm TO style laser diode package such as an RLD-85PC diode package by Rohm, Incorporated. These diode packages or TO cans typically include a metallic housing having a laser diode or LED for transmitting data and a photo diode for performing power-monitoring, metal contact leads exiting from the diodes for connection to a power source and a cover glass opposed to the diode, through which the energy is transmitted. Discussion of the power-monitoring and feedback control of the laser diode by the photo diode is presented in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,812,582 and 5,815,623. U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,812,582 and 5,815,623 are hereby incorporated herein by reference. The TO can is hermetically sealed. Often, optics housings are metallic so as to provide ruggedness, ease of machining complicated shapes, and to enhance shielding of electromagnetic fields.
Smaller optoelectronic packages allow the devices into which the optoelectronic packages are placed to become smaller. Smaller optoelectronic packages allow for a higher density of data transmission in a given space. Currently, there is a great demand for smaller optoelectronic packages.
FIG. 8
is a partial cross-sectional pictorial view of an optoelectronic package
200
. The optoelectronic package
200
includes a base element
212
, posts
206
,
208
,
210
, extending through the base element
212
and secured thereto with solidified molten glass
214
, a monitor diode
204
mounted on the base element
212
, an optical emitting element
202
mounted on the monitor diode
204
, a can
218
and lens
216
enclosing the monitor diode
204
and the optical emitting element
202
. In an effort to reduce space, the optical emitting element
202
is mounted on top of the monitor diode
204
. Electrically conductive posts
206
,
208
,
210
extend through through-holes in the electrically conductive base element
212
. The posts
206
,
208
,
210
are electrically insulated from the base element
212
by solidified molten glass
214
which also attaches the posts
206
,
208
,
210
to the base element
212
. The posts
206
,
208
,
210
are large as compared to the other components and require a large area for their mounting and placement.
At minimum, the diameter across the base element
212
is approximately 3.8 millimeters, as incorporated on the SLT2160-LN series of transmitter optical sub-assemblies manufactured by Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd. Thus, if two of these devices are placed side-by-side, on the same plane, the distance between the optical axes is, hypothetically, at best, 3.8 millimeters. However, typically, the optical axes are separated by 6.25 millimeters, due to packaging constraints as in typical LC duplex transceivers such as Methode Electronics, Inc.'s, part number MLC-25-4-X-TL which is described in the data sheet entitled, “MLC-25-4-X-TL Optical Gigabit Ethernet—+3.3V Small Form Factor (SFF) Transceiver—1.25 GBaud.”
Therefore, there is a need in the industry for a small format optoelectronic package that has a small diameter and is easy to manufacture. Furthermore, there is a need for an optoelectronic package that can be placed adjacent to another optoelectronic package.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a small format optoelectronic device.
It is still another object of the invention to provide a small format optoelectronic device which is hermetically sealed and economical to manufacture.
Yet another object of the invention is to provide a small format optoelectronic device which is able to be placed adjacent to another small format optoelectronic device.
It is a further object of the invention to provide a small format optoelectronic device which is easy to install, and provides for more efficient utilization of the limited surface area by incorporating rectangular geometry.
In one form of the invention, the small format optoelectronic package or device includes a non-electrically conductive substrate partially covered by an electrically conductive can. The electrically conductive can has a transparent element affixed to an aperture of the electrically conductive can. The electrically conductive can encloses and hermetically seals an edge emitting optical diode, a reflecting mirror, a monitor diode, and conductors between the electrically conductive can and the non-electrically conductive substrate. The non-electrically conductive substrate has three through-holes formed through a thickness of the non-electrically conductive substrate. The three through-holes are filled with an electrically conductive material so as to form three electrically conductive vias. When co-fired with the substrate, the electrically conductive vias form a hermetic seal. Additionally, a surface of the non-electrically conductive substrate is organized into three regions. The first and third regions have the electrically conductive plating material applied thereto. The first through-hole protrudes through the first region. The second and third through-holes protrude through the second region. The first via is electrically connected to the electrically conductive plating material adhered to the first region. The edge emitting optical diode and the monitor diode both have leads which are mounted on the electrically conductive plating of the first region. A first conductor electrically connects another lead of the edge emitting optical diode to the second via, and a second conductor electrically connects another lead of the monitor diode to the third via. The edge emitting optical diode emits an optical signal along a first optical axis. The reflecting mirror intersects the first optical axis and reflects the optical signal from the first optical axis to a second optical axis.
In another form of the invention, two of the small format optoelectronic packages discussed above are placed on the same plane. The optical axis of one package is parallel to the optical axis of the other package. Also, the optical axis of one package is separated from the optical axis of the other package by less than 3.25 millimeters.
Thus, the device of the invention is superior to existing optoelectronic devices. The small format optoelectronic package of the invention eliminates the use of large and bulky components, and replaces them with smaller components through use of a unique combination of materials and arrangement of the materials. Thus, the device of the invention is smaller than the prior art device.


REFERENCES:
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patent: 5815623 (1998-09-01), Gilliland et al.
patent: 5938952 (1999-08-01), Lin et al.
patent: 6004046 (1999-12-01), Sawada
patent: 6005276 (1999-12-01), Forrest et al.
patent: 6014476 (2000-01-01), Meyer-Gueldner et al.
patent: 6071017 (2000-06-01), Gilliland et al.
patent: 6283644 (2001-09-01), Gilliland et al.
patent: 6349105 (2002-02-01), Gilliland et al.
patent: 6416238 (2002-07-01), Gilliland et al.
patent: 6331992 (2002-12-01), Gilliland et al.
Data Sheet—MLC-25-4-X-TL Optical Gigabit Ethernet-+3.3V (10 pages), Methode Electronics, Inc., Optoelectronic Products.
Data Sheet—Preliminary Technical Specification of 1.3um MQW-FP Laser Diode Module: (Transmitter Optical Sub-assembly) SLT2160-LN Series, Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd., (6 pages)—Oct. 5, 1999.
Drawing No. 230-019, “1300 nm Laser Diode MTS,” Methode Electronics, Inc., Jan. 25, 1999.
Photocopy of photograph of Methode Electronics, Inc.'s 1300 nm Laser Diode MTS.

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