Abstract:
For any optically interconnected assembly, the packaging tasks include alignment of one or multiple optical devices (712), and attachement of aligned modules to a common substrate (702). The concept disclosed here is a packaging method to assemble pre-aligned optical modules (712) on a common structure called motherboard (702). The apparatus consists of two components: device carrier (704) or motherboard (702) with openings on the sides and adjustable plugs (706) in the form of pins or balls. The method and apparatus utilize plugs (706) as connection bridges between device carriers (704) and motherboard (702), allowing solid contacts and a rigid aligned structure among modules (712). The direct benefits include relaxation of dimensional tolerances on parts and elimination of the need for high-precision spacers.
Abstract:
An apparatus and method for aligning one or more optical fibers is disclosed. The apparatus includes a carrier having one or more through holes and one or more plugs, each of which is sized to be received in one or more of the three or more through holes. The carrier is adapted to receive one or more waveguides. The waveguides may be aligned by inserting a plug into each of one or more through holes in a carrier; attaching a waveguide to the carrier; aligning the carrier to align the one or more waveguides with respect to an optical device attached to a substrate; and tacking one or more of the plugs to the substrate to maintain the alignment of the waveguides with respect to the optical device.