Patent · US Expired

Methods and apparatus for precise alignment of objects

US5042709A · kind A · utility

54Cited by
21References
52Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJun 22, 1990
Grant dateAug 27, 1991
Priority date
Expiry dateJun 22, 2010

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10T29/49133
  • WIPO fieldOptics
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

Methods and apparatus are set forth for passively and precisely aligning pairs of objects, in particular, microelectronic components such as semiconductor lasers and fibers, utilizing fiducial marks. Additionally, methods and apparatus are set forth for combining passive and active alignment techniques where high degrees of alignment precision are required. Still further, techniques are described for fixing prealigned objects, independent of how the objects are prealigned, to a mounting surface in a manner that maintains the relative (aligned) position of the objects. Further yet, in order to help minimize manufacturing costs with respect to production of, for example, microelectronic assemblies, batch processing techniques are described which utilize the novel alignment procedures contemplated by the invention.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.