VCSEL array optical subassembly module with alignment mechanism

US6736553B1 · kind B1 · utility

Assignee

• Optical Communication Products, Inc. · US

Inventors

• Mark Stiehl · Lafayette, US
• Michael L. Tartaglia · Thornton, US
• Carl W. Embry · Boulder, US
• Michael Dudek · Longmont, US
• Timothy Bingaman · Thornton, US
• Allen Tracy · Longmont, US
• Mark Eginton · Erie, US
• Dale Isaacson · Idaho Springs, US
• Craig Mynatt · Pleasanton, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Jan 11, 2002
• Grant date: May 18, 2004
• Expiry date: Mar 8, 2022

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G02B6/4239
• WIPO field: Optics
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A method and apparatus for coupling light from an array of optoelectronic devices to a corresponding array of fibers contained in a fiber optic ferrule is disclosed. The fibers may be single-mode or multi-mode optical fibers. The method includes fixing the fiber optic ferrule to the optical subassembly (OSA) base upon which the array of optoelectronic devices will be affixed, aligning the array of optoelectronic devices to the corresponding array of fibers, then securing the array of optoelectronic devices to the OSA base. In one embodiment, the module includes an optical subassembly module housing a linear array of 1300 nm VCSELs or photodetectors, spaced apart at a 250 micron pitch to correspond to the spacing of optical fibers in a conventional MT ferrule. The array of optoelectronic devices is mounted on a substrate assembly that includes a weldable surface and one or more photodetectors for automatic power control. After the components are aligned, the substrate assembly is affixed to the OSA base by epoxying or welding. The material within the substrate assembly is transparent to the emitted light or includes a notch or hole that allows light to pass through, in order to faci…