Abstract: A multi-fiber ferrule (5) includes a ceramic body (10) and a housing (20) for combining with the ceramic body. The ceramic body has a rectangular portion (101) and two opposing latches (102) extending therefrom. A plurality of through holes (103) and a pair of guide pin channels (105) are defined through the rectangular portion between the two opposing latches. The housing defines a cavity (201), a passageway (204) communicating with the cavity, and a pair of guide pin channels (205) corresponding to the guide pin channels of the ceramic body. A plurality of V-grooves 203 for mounting fibers is formed in a floor of the cavity. The plurality of V-grooves each aligns with a corresponding through hole.

Abstract: A multi-fiber array assembly comprises a main housing, a ferrule holder, a stopper, a front plate, a strain relief assembly, springs and ferrules with optical fibers retained therein. The ferrule holder is retained in the housing, and comprises a ferrule holding plate defining a first array of holes. The stopper is secured to the ferrule holder at a location rearward of the first array of holes, and defines a plurality of passages. The ferrules have a conical front ends, and are extended in the first array of holes. The springs are compressed between the ferrules and the stopper. The optical fibers extend through the passages of the stopper. The front plate is secured to a front end of the ferrule holder and defines a second array of the hole. Each hole of the second array has a rear conical section in which the conical front end of a corresponding ferrule is fitted.

Abstract: A first waveguide holding member has a principal surface which confronts the principal surface of a second waveguide holding member. Each principal surface has a stepped configuration defined by an upper surface region, a lower surface region and a transverse region which separates the upper and lower surface regions. At least guide member guides the first and second waveguide holding members to operatively couple and decouple opposing ends of first and second optical waveguides which terminate at the transverse regions of the first and second waveguide holding members, respectively.

Abstract: Methods for making a micromachined device (e.g. an microoptical submount) having positive features (extending up from a device surface) and negative features (extending into the device surface). The present techniques locate the postive feature and negative features according to a single mask step. In one embodiment, a hard mask is patterned on top of the device layer of an SOI wafer. Then, RIE is used to vertically etch to the etch stop layer, forming the positive feature. Then, the positive feature is masked, and metal or hard mask is deposited on the exposed areas of the etch stop layer. Then, portions of the device layer are removed, leaving the patterned metal layer on the etch stop layer. Then, the etch stop layer is removed in an exposed area, uncovering the handle layer. Then, the handle layer is etched in an exposed area to form the negative feature.

Abstract: A fiber optic connector system that includes a fiber optic plug and a fiber optic socket (or input) is described. The fiber optic input includes mechanisms for mounting the fiber optic input to a printed circuit board, an optical component, and an optical fiber receiving surface. The fiber-receiving surface has two or more alignment grooves configured to receive two or more optical fibers of a multi-fiber fiber optic cable and to guide the received fibers into optical contact with the optical component. The fiber optic plug includes a body configured to hold two or more optical fibers, a cap having a front face through which the optical fibers are extendable, and a biasing member coupled between the body and cap. The fiber optic input includes an alignment rail and the plug includes a slot configured to slide along the alignment rail and thereby guide the plug into alignment with the optical fiber receiving surface.

Abstract: An optical semiconductor device to increase optical communication speed has a silicon substrate with an etched V-shaped first groove portion, a light emitting element which has an optical axis in the direction of the first groove portion and is mounted to the upper surface of the silicon substrate, and a high NA aspheric lens is mounted in the first groove portion. The first groove portion is composed of first and second opposing inclined surfaces and a third inclined surface perpendicular to the first and second inclined surfaces. A slit is cut in the silicon substrate extends in a direction perpendicular to the direction of the first groove portion and includes the first, second, and third inclined surfaces. The aspheric lens is mounted to the first and second inclined surfaces and has a part thereof protruding in the slit.

Abstract: A connector is provided for use in fiber to the desk applications. The connector according to the present invention includes a main housing with a passageway therethrough, a ferrule assembly mountable to the main housing, and a splice member. The connector also includes a latch on at least one exterior surface of the main housing to engage a corresponding structure in an adapter sleeve.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to fiber optical arrays, and particularly, but not by way of limitation, to 3-dimentional array fiber optical couplers. More particularly, the present invention provides means of coupling semiconductor laser light sources to fiber-optic transmission devices.

Abstract: Thin-film techniques in forming fiber devices that engage fibers to a substrate with different material properties. Structure buffering, diffusion bonding, and thickness monitoring may be achieved by such thin-film techniques.

Abstract: Optical or optoelectronic array with an assembly holder and an optical or optoelectronic assembly located on it to position the assembly holder on an assembly surface of an optical bench in a way that is movable only in a first plane of adjustment parallel to the assembly surfacewhere the assembly holder has an assembly base for positioning the assembly holder on the assembly surface as well as a seat which is open the entire distance from one outside surface of the assembly holder to the opposite outside surface of the assembly holder in which the optical or optoelectronic assembly is located and which is formed in such a way that the optical or optoelectronic assembly can be moved relative to the assembly holder only in a second plane of adjustment which is non-parallel to the first plane of adjustment, extending parallel to the directional passage of the seat.

Abstract: An adapter for receiving optical fiber connectors, of the type having an inner part suitable for receiving an internal connector carrying an internal optical fiber having an end ferrule, and having an outer part suitable for receiving an external connector having an external optical fiber with an end ferrule, is made suitable for use with different external connectors by having the outer part readily separable from the inner part. The parts have complementary engaging surfaces and cooperating engaging means which lock the two parts together upon relative rotation of one of the parts relative to the other through about a right angle. The usual alignment sleeve is carried by the outer part, and when this part has been separated from the inner part the internal fiber ferrule is accessible for cleaning.

Abstract: A method of forming a guide for light in a high refractive index material involves forming a guiding structure into a surface of the material, treating the material with a reactive gas to cause the wall to become a cladding material having a relatively low refractive index, and after treating, filling the cavity with an optically transparent material having a refractive index sufficiently above that of the cladding. A light guiding device is also described. The light guiding device has a slab having a high refractive index, a guide located within the slab. The guide has a wall surface covered with a material, derived from the slab, having a first refractive index lower than the high refractive index, and a filler material having a second refractive index sufficiently higher than the first refractive index such that light entering the guide will be directed towards the second end.

Abstract: Roughly described, a submount has a standoff structure protruding from its surface. An optical component is pressed against the standoff structure until tilt and planar non-uniformities are removed, and then bonded to the submount using an adhesive placed in the wells between the protrusions of the standoff structure. The standoff structure preferably has a total surface area contacting the optical component which is much smaller than the area by which the optical components overlap the submount. The optical component mounted in this manner can be an optical array component (including an optical fiber array), or a component having only a single optical port. A second optical component can be attached to the submount in the same manner, greatly simplifying the vertical alignment problems between the two components.

Abstract: An optical fiber connector includes first and second holders for holding first and second connection ends of first and second optical fibers, respectively, so that fiber end surfaces of the connection ends are butt-spliced by coupling the holders together. The first holder includes a first holder portion having a first holding groove for holding the top half of the first connection end and for allowing the bottom half thereof to be exposed. The first holding groove includes a pair of inclined planes for aligning the top half. The second holder is similar to the first holder except that the second holder is constructed such that the bottom half of the second connection end is held and aligned while the top half thereof is exposed. Additionally, the fiber end surfaces recede from the end surfaces of the corresponding holding portions, and the holding grooves oppose each other sandwiching the optical fiber therebetween. Thus, the receded portion of the first holding groove aligns the second optical fiber.

Abstract: An optical fiber array is provided which allows each optical fiber to be rarely sheared down by the action of a stress and inhibits the reflection of an optical signal on the interface at its joint and a method of fabricating the optical fiber array is also provided. The angle between the imaginary line L which extends linearly along the proximal end of straight grooves (7)for clamping the stripped end portion (2a) of the optical fibers (2) provided in a fiber clamping member (2) to align the distal ends of the optical fibers (2) at uniform pitch and the axes of the straight grooves (7) ranges from 45 degrees to 85 degrees. Also, the front end (1a) of the fiber clamping member (1) which serves as a joining end is arranged in parallel with the imaginary line L.

Abstract: The invention provides a connection structure of optical fibers and a process for connecting optical fibers, by which the optical fibers are prevented from being damaged, the working time required for the connection is shortened, yield is improved, and efficiency of connection working is improved. The connection structure of optical fibers comprises 2 connecting members and brought face to face with each other and each having a through-hole and 2 optical fibers inserted into the respective through-holes of the connecting members. The 2 optical fibers are connected within the through-hole of one connecting member.

Abstract: Optical Mach-Zehnder interferometers and related devices, systems that have at least one fiber integrated or engaged to a substrate fabricated with one or more grooves. An integrated optical monitoring mechanism may be implemented in such devices.

Abstract: An installation structure for positioning and holding an optical fiber by means of a V-shaped groove formed on a substrate is disclosed. The V-shaped groove is divided into a positioning section and an alignment fixing section. The positioning section has groove width and depth for allowing the optical fiber to have a contact therewith. The alignment fixing section has groove width and depth larger than those of the positioning section to an extent for not allowing the optical fiber to have a contact therewith, when the optical fiber is disposed on the V-shaped groove.

Abstract: Techniques for forming fiber devices that engage fibers to a substrate with similar material properties. A semiconductor template may be used to define positions and orientations of the fibers.

Abstract: A fiber-optic polarizer made by a process comprised of providing a substrate, coupling or embedding an optical single mode fiber to the substrate, making a narrow trench across the fiber at an angle, thereby bifurcating the fiber core into a first fiber core end and a second fiber core end, inserting and securing a thin polarizing material of a monolithic, non-laminated structure into the narrow trench, such that a light spot size emitted from a first fiber core is completely encompassed by the polarizing material, and the light spot size emerging from the polarizing material is substantially collected within the mode field diameter of a second fiber core. The narrow trench having a width of about 30-50 &mgr;m, and the polarizing material having a thickness of about 15-50 &mgr;m. The polarizing material having a monolithic composition.

Abstract: A V-groove dual fiber DWDM collimator (1) including an optical lens (10) and a V-groove dual fiber ferrule means (12) fixed with each other. The ferrule means (12) includes a V-groove chip (14) and a cover chip (20) commonly enclosed by a protective guiding sleeve (22) wherein two pigtail fibers (24, 26) are respectively received within the corresponding grooves (16) of the V-groove chip (14). The V-groove ferrule means (12) is itself fixed by adhering its own internal components (14, 20, 22) and the embedded fibers (24, 26), and also fixed to the lens (10).

Abstract: A hermetically sealed package for an electro-optical device has a two-part casing with a fiber feedthrough. The feedthrough defines a gap and is assembled using fastening means, typically bolts or screws, that are placed such that the walls of the feedthrough are prestressed before a molten solder is injected into the feedthrough to seal the casing. The material of the bolts has a greater coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) than the CTE of the casing, whereby the mismatching between the CTE of the casing and the solder is at least partly compensated.

Abstract: A method and structure of the present invention provides alignment between a first optical alignment component and a second optical alignment component. The first optical alignment component includes at least one positioning aperture and at least one alignment element partially positioned within the positioning aperture. The second component includes at least one alignment channel configured to receive at least a portion of the alignment element providing alignment between the first and second optical alignment components. In one embodiment, the alignment component is a sphere. In one embodiment, the positioning aperture is a square V-shaped aperture.

Abstract: Presented are structures and methods by which to align fiber optics side-by-side or end-to-end; to align fiber optics to features in supporting substrates or to objects on supporting substrates; and to align substrates to one another. Alignment grooves are included with particular properties that permit the groove to participate in the moving of a fiber into alignment. A fiber is used in a tapered channel as an alignment key enabling accurate tuning of an optical coupling ratio and efficiency of fiber-optic side-polished couplers, multiplexers, taps, splitters, joiners, filters, modulators and switches. Substrates made of crystal are presented having variable-width grooves and in some cases also variable-depth grooves which form guiding and constraining pathways for fiber optics. The reader will readily appreciate the novel structures and methods applicable to realize manufacturable fiber optics to perform all-fiber photonic functions.

Abstract: Techniques and devices for integrating optical fibers on substrates with grooves for various optical applications. Two openings that penetrate through the substrate are formed at both ends of each groove to allow a fiber to pass from one side of substrate to another side. The fiber cladding of a fiber portion positioned in the groove can be removed to produce an optical coupling port.

Abstract: A core wire (2b) of an optical fiber (2) on which a metalized layer is not formed is housed in a fixing groove (7) having a V shaped cross section. A solder (8) is filled into a space between holding portion (3b) of a support substrate (3) and an upper substrate (4), each having metalized layers (3c) and 4(a), respectively, formed thereon, and the core wire is fixed therebetween. The support and upper substrates are fixed to one another by being bonded with solder (8), which wets along each of the metalized layers. Optical fiber (2) pinched therebetween is free of a metalized layer, and as such, is free of the forces of bonding with the solder, and is securely fixed by the pinching force from both of the support and upper substrate faces.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for cleaving optical waveguides to precise differential length are described. A first end of a waveguide is coupled to an input port of a reflectometer. A reference mirror is then positioned in a path of radiation propagating through the second end of the waveguide. A waveguide cutting tool is then positioned proximate to the waveguide and at a distance relative to a reference mirror. A first reflectometry measurement is performed on the waveguide to a second end of the waveguide. A second reflectometry measurement is performed on the waveguide to the reference mirror. The waveguide is then positioned relative to the reference mirror and waveguide cutting tool so that the first reflectometery measurement is a measurement increment apart from the second reflectometry measurement. The waveguide is then cut with the cutting tool positioned at the distance relative to the reference mirror.

Abstract: A system for aligning two optical connectors includes first and second connectors each having optical components housed therein. The first connector has V-shaped opposite side walls which define grooves therealong. The second connector has a pair of recesses defined in the front face which are dimensioned to receive a pair of alignment spheres. Upon assembly, the alignment spheres align and engage the V-shaped grooves to lock the two connectors in precise and secure alignment.

Abstract: A method of forming a guide for light in a high refractive index material involves forming a guiding structure into a surface of the material, treating the material with a reactive gas to cause the wall to become a cladding material having a relatively low refractive index, and after treating, filling the cavity with an optically transparent material having a refractive index sufficiently above that of the cladding. A light guiding device is also described. The light guiding device has a slab having a high refractive index, a guide located within the slab. The guide has a wall surface covered with a material, derived from the slab, having a first refractive index lower than the high refractive index, and a filler material having a second refractive index sufficiently higher than the first refractive index such that light entering the guide will be directed towards the second end.

Abstract: A ferrule is constructed with a modified surface to interact with a coordinating housing. The housing is constructed to be integral with the modifications of the ferrule and to fill the recesses in the ferrule body. The coordination between housing and ferrule decreases electromagnetic interference from the ferrule.

Abstract: A multi-port fiber optic device (100) includes a pair of opposite collimators (50, 51), of which each includes a V-groove dual fiber ferrule (20, 21) with a GRIN rod lens (2, 1). At least one band-pass DWDM thin film filter (4) is securely sandwiched between the two opposite GRIN rod lens (2, 1) of the pair of collimators (20, 21). The V-groove dual fiber ferrule (20, 21) is used to couple light in and out thereof and tune the thin film filter center wavelength to the ITU grid. The light coupled in from the input fiber (13) of the V-groove dual fiber ferrule (20) will be collimated and transmitted to the DWDM thin film filter (4). The part of the in-pass-band light will pass through the filter (4) as performing a demultiplexed channel and is successively coupled into the other collimator (21) aside.

Abstract: An apparatus has a head portion for holding a strip of filter, and a support portion for supporting the head portion. The head portion has a guide portion for guiding the filter, a pair of plate members disposed on both sides of the guide portion, with a space left between tips of the plate members and with vicinities of the tips provided at a given angle, and a pair of blades disposed on the tips of the plate members. When the head portion is pressed against a V-shaped channel by the support portion, elastic deformation occurs in the pair of plate members, narrowing the space between the edges of the pair of blades. When the head portion is moved off the V-shaped channel, the space between the edges of the pair of blades expands to an original width.

Abstract: In an optical fiber connector (1), an outer member (2) holds a portion of an optical fiber (4A) remote from its connecting end which is connectable to a connecting end of a counterpart optical fiber. An aligning member (3) is held by the outer member so as to be movable along the optical fiber. The aligning member carries out positioning of the connecting end of the optical fiber. The aligning member is urged by a spring (5) in a direction to project from the outer member. When connecting the optical fiber to the counterpart optical fiber, the aligning member is moved in a direction opposite to the foregoing direction against an urging force applied by the spring so that the connecting end of the optical fiber is projected from the aligning member.

Abstract: This invention discloses an optical device including at least one first substrate defining a multiplicity of optical fiber positioning grooves, a multiplicity of optical fibers fixed in each of said multiplicity of optical fiber positioning grooves on the at least one first substrate, whereby the multiplicity of optical fibers lie in an optical fiber plane and the ends of each of the multiplicity of optical fibers lie substantially in a first predetermined arrangement in the optical fiber plane,a second substrate fixed onto the at least one first substrate such that an edge of the second substrate extends beyond the ends of each of the multiplicity of optical fibers, a lens assembly including a third substrate, and a lens fixed onto the third substrate, the lens assembly being mounted onto the second substrate such that the lens lies in a second predetermined arrangement with respect to the ends of each of the multiplicity of optical fibers, whereby the separation between the lens and the ends of each of the

Abstract: Fiber optical devices formed on substrates fabricated with grooves that operate based on evanescent optical coupling through a side-polished fiber surface in each fiber involved.

Abstract: A method of forming a multi-terminator optical interconnect system. The method including the steps of molding and mating. The step of molding includes molding two ferrule halves where each ferrule half has a mating end and a fiber-receiving end and an alignment tang. The mating end includes multiple fiber-alignment grooves. Each ferrule half also has hole for receiving a guide pin. The step of mating includes mating two of the ferrule halves to each other so as to form a ferrule structure.

Abstract: A support member for forming connector ferrules by stacking two or more support members together has first and second longitudinally extending truncated V-grooves extending from the face of the support member. The rear portion has at least one stop member extending transversally from the wall of the groove and defining a restricted passageway in the V-groove. An alignment pin having a cylindrical shape has a reduced diameter groove near the rear portion thereof which has a diameter slightly less than the transverse dimensions of the restricted passageway and forming front and rear shoulders, spaced a distance slightly greater than the length of the stop members. The rear portion of the pin has a pair of diametrically opposed flats whose transverse spacing approximates the diameter of the reduced diameter groove.

Abstract: A process is provided for creating microstructure coupling guides for aligning photonic devices with optical signal carrying apparatuses. The process includes applying a photoresist to a semiconductor material, spinning the semiconductor material, baking the semiconductor material, exposing the photoresist, baking the semiconductor material a second time, and developing the resist. The process creates a microstructure that acts as an integral guide to align and maintain the relative position between an optical signal carrying apparatus and a photonic device.

Abstract: A support member for forming connector ferrules by stacking two or more support members together has first and second longitudinally extending truncated V-grooves extending from the face of the support member. The rear portion has at least one stop member extending transversally from the wall of the groove and defining a restricted passageway in the V-groove. An alignment pin having a cylindrical shape has a reduced diameter groove near the rear portion thereof which has a diameter slightly less than the transverse dimensions of the restricted passageway and forming front and rear shoulders, spaced a distance slightly greater than the length of the stop members. The rear portion of the pin has a pair of diametrically opposed flats whose transverse spacing approximates the diameter of the reduced diameter groove.

Abstract: Packaging of micromechanical and microelectromechanical devices is carried out by mechanical couplers for connecting pairs or arrays of optical fibers in end-to-end alignment. In another embodiment, a coupler interconnects one or more optical components on a substrate. The electrical components may be active elements such as light sources or light sensors, while the optical components may be waveguides. The fibers are secured in a coupler block, and a substrate carrying the light detector or light source is mounted on or in the block and is secured in alignment with the fibers. The fibers are removably secured within the block by spring fingers. The coupler block may include electrical circuitry connectable to the sensors or light sources on the substrate mounted on the block through wire bonding techniques.

Abstract: A method for making an optical collimating device having three or more ports. A test light having the same wavelength as that at which the filter is designed to operate is transmitted through the input collimator. The angle of incidence is measured, and the location where the reflected beam reaches the ferrule is determined. The data dictates where the output fiber pigtail should be positioned within the ferrule to achieve the measured angle of incidence for that transmitted wavelength and the spacing between input and output pigtails based on the angle of reflection. Multiple ferrules containing two or more pigtails corresponding to a particular filter operating at a particular wavelength are segregated into separate collimator bins that are marked accordingly.

Abstract: The present invention provides an optical connector for coupling one optical fiber wire 18 with another optical fiber wire 18′ in physical contact. The optical connector comprises a receiving portion 21 including a support region 22 adapted to support the optical fiber wires 18, 18′ along the axis of said receiving portion. The axis 24 of the receiving portion is offset from the axis 25 of the optical fiber wire in a posture of being ready to be inserted into the receiving portion 21. When the optical fiber wire 18 is inserted into the receiving portion 21, the inserted optical fiber wire 18 is brought into contact with and bent by a guide region 23, and then the optical fiber wire is sidably moved along the support region 22 of the receiving portion 21. Finally, with keeping the optical fiber wire to be supported by the support region 22, the end of the optical fiber wire 18 is brought into physical contact with the end of another optical fiber wire 18′.

Abstract: This invention relates to an optical fiber management device that allows optical fiber to be placed in very restricted areas such as small modules. This device also provides an embedded conduit system that prevents the optical fibers from over bending and inhibits optical transmission. Moreover, the device of the present invention allows free movement of the optical fibers therethrough, if necessary. The result is a flexible and useful way to manage the location of the optical fibers and facilitate the connection of optical adapters.

Abstract: An optical fiber connector includes first and second holders for holding first and second connection ends of first and second optical fibers, respectively, so that fiber end surfaces of the connection ends are butt-spliced by coupling the holders together. The first holder includes a first holder portion having a first holding groove for holding the top half of the first connection end and for allowing the bottom half thereof to be exposed. The first holding groove includes a pair of inclined planes for aligning the top half. The second holder is similar to the first holder except that the second holder is constructed such that the bottom half of the second connection end is held and aligned while the top half thereof is exposed. Additionally, the fiber end surfaces recede from the end surfaces of the corresponding holding portions, and the holding grooves oppose each other sandwiching the optical fiber therebetween. Thus, the receded portion of the first holding groove aligns the second optical fiber.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of manufacturing multiple-port optical devices and packages includes the steps of positioning pairs of screened optical fibers in a precision ferrule of a collimating assembly; determining a desired angle of incidence (AOI) for an optical element; positioning the assembly in a moveable fixture; moving the assembly into engagement with an optical element holder unit having an optical element mounted thereto; micro-tilting the element holder to actively align the optical element and fibers to preferably achieve an insertion loss (IL) less than about 0.2 dB; and curing adhesive to initially secure the aligned optical element assembly.

Abstract: An optical connector adapter has an optical connection sleeve having a first end portion and a second end portion opposite the first end portion. A sleeve holder has a first cylindrical member having a first through-hole receiving the first end portion of the optical connection sleeve. The sleeve holder is disposed in a tubular housing which has a second cylindrical member having a second through-hole receiving the second end portion of the optical connection sleeve. Engagement members engage the sleeve holder and the housing together in a state that a first end of the first cylindrical member and a first end of the second cylindrical member are abutted against each other. Engagement convex portions project radially inward at respective second ends of the first cylindrical member and the second cylindrical member for regulating movement of the optical connection sleeve in an axial direction.

Abstract: Methods of making a multiple-port optical device include precisely positioning pairs of optical fibers inside of a fiber ferrule using a positioning means, such as shaped capillaries or an external clamp, to hold the position of the fibers while adhesive is applied to the fibers and cured. The external precision positioning means comprise silicon wafers which are etched to form capillaries or guides for the fibers. Adhesive is applied to the fibers and wicked into the fiber ferrule capillary to completely fill the capillary. The external positioning means is removed after curing and the fiber ferrule is polished for use in optical devices such as multiple-port DWDM filter packages.

Abstract: An object of the invention of the present application is to provide a V-shaped groove block for an optical fiber which has a simple structure, and can high strength fusion splice between optical fibers; in order to achieve the object, the present invention provide a V-shaped groove block for optical fibers for aligning and positioning the axis of naked optical fibers, wherein a thin film comprising a material that will not damage the naked optical fiber even when they are slid thereon, is provided on a surface of a V-shaped groove.

Abstract: A fiber-optic endpiece includes a base member and a fixing member which can be inserted in the base member. The base member has a coupling end face and a depression with a bottom surface and lateral guide structures. The bottom surface has a groove for accepting an optical waveguide. The depression, the groove, and the optical waveguide extend to the coupling end face. The fixing member has a front face, a rear face and guide faces. The guide faces interact with the guide structures such that the fixing member is clamped in the depression. The optical waveguide is thus clamped between the base member and the fixing member when the fixing member is inserted. The coupling end face of the base member and the front face of the clamped fixing member lie in a common plane when the fixing member is in an inserted position. The depression and the fixing member have respective cross sections which diminish uniformly along a longitudinal direction of the depression.

Abstract: A device and method of aligning two or more optical fibers on an array waveguide is achieved by etching grooves into the array waveguide. The two or more optical fibers are attached together by a retainer and placed into the grooves of the array waveguide. Channels within the array waveguide are coursely aligned to the two or more optical fibers and may be more finely aligned by manual adjustment.