Automatic alignment and locking method and apparatus for fiber optic module manufacturing
US5745624A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 23, 1996 |
| Grant date | Apr 28, 1998 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 23, 2016 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02B6/4238
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A method and apparatus for aligning an optical fiber (120) with an optoelectronic hybrid device (112) and locking the optical fiber in the aligned position are disclosed. A fiber coated with an external layer of gold is threaded through a solder preform (130). The optical fiber (120) rests upon a ceramic substrate (104). The ceramic substrate also supports a device submount (108) that houses the optoelectronic device (112). The ceramic substrate (104) supports a resistor/heater formed of a thin film of nickel-chromium alloy (604). The resistor/heater supports a pad (609) formed of a layer of nickel (610) and a layer of gold (612). Located atop the pad (609) is the solder preform (130). Precise control of heating is provided by applying a predetermined voltage to the resistor/heater (122) for precise time periods, thereby eliminating the necessity of making temperature measurements during heating. As the resistor/heater (122) is energized, the solder preform is liquefied. An open loop search process that utilizes signal strength feedback is used to control the operation of an x-y-z micropositioning stage (328) that precisely positions an arm (306) that supports the optical fiber (12…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.