Optical bench apparatus having integrated monitor photodetectors and method for monitoring optical power using same
US9172462B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 18, 2013 |
| Grant date | Oct 27, 2015 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 30, 2034 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02B1/11
- WIPO fieldTelecommunications
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
Optical bench structure provides a platform for integrating optical transmitters, particularly Vertical-Cavity Surface-Emitting Lasers (VCSELs), with monitor photodetectors. A substrate with photodetectors on the front side is aligned with flip-chip bonding bumps so the emission of the transmitters is aligned with the monitor photodetectors and passes through the monitor photodetectors with a portion of the transmitted light absorbed by the monitor photodetectors. The photodetectors have a thin absorption region so the percentage of light absorbed may be relatively small, providing sufficient photocurrent to monitor the transmitted power having a minimal effect on the transmitted power. Microlenses are integrated on the backside of the substrate focus, steer and/or collimate the emitted optical beams from the transmitters. The structure enables photodetectors to be integrated on the optical bench allowing the received optical power to be monitored. The receiver photodetectors are integrated on the optical bench alone and/or in combination with the transmitters.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.