【発明の名称】光学組立体とその形成方法

Title:

【発明の名称】光学組立体とその形成方法

Document Type and Number:

Japanese Patent JPH07117629

Kind Code:

B2

Abstract:

An optical assembly (10) is disclosed which utilizes a pair of separate members (12,30) to support an optical device (14) and an associated optical fiber (32). Header (12) further comprises a pair of fiducial features (20) and (22) located, in this particular example, on either side of electrically conductive bonding means (24). Conductive means (24) may comprise a solder preform, an electroplated layer of conductive material, a deposited layer of conductive material, or any other suitable arrangement capable of providing physical and electrical attachment of device (14) to header (12). The remaining electrical contact to device (14) may be provided by a wirebond (not shown) between electrical contact pad (16) and the top side of device (14). Alternatively, if both contacts are located on the same side of device (14), a pair of (electrically isolated) conductive means may be utilized. In accordance with the teachings of the present invention, fiducials (20,22) are utilized to provide alignment between optical device (14) and an associated optical fiber. In particular, member (12) is processed to locate fiducials (10,22) as well as conductive means (24), with sufficient certainty such that self-alignment between the device and fiber is achieved. Fiducials (20,22) may comprise a pair of pyramidal openings formed in top surface (26) of header (12). If header (12) comprises a semiconductor material such as silicon, fiducials (20,22) may be formed by etching top surface (26) of member (12). Optical assembly (10) further comprises a second member (30), also referred to a base, for supporting an oprical fibre (32) within a groove (34). Groove (34) may include a first enlarged portion (36) for supporting a plastic-coated optical fiber, and a second, narrowed portion (38) for supporting a stripped, bare glass fiber section. Base (30) further comprises a pair of fiducials (40,42) formed on surface (39) of base (30) and intercepting an orthogonal sidewall (44). As indicated by the arrows, header (12) and base (30) are moved toward each other such that fiducials (20,22) align with fiducials (40,42) resulting in the optical alignment between device (14) and fiber (32). A coupling lens (50) may also be disposed in an opening (52) formed in sidewall (44) of base (30). Lens (50) is utilized to improve the coupling efficiency between optical device (14) and optical fiber (32). Alternatively, a lensed optical device and/or lensed optical fiber may be used to increase the coupling efficiency. Mechanical attachement of header (12) and base (30) is accomplished by utilizing a pair of spherical members (46,48) positioned within the pair of cavities created by the aligned fiducials.

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