Abstract: In an embodiment, an optical component assembly is disclosed and is configured to be at least partially disposed within at least one first opening of an optical subassembly housing. The at least one optical component assembly comprising a base extending from a first end to a second end along a longitudinal axis, and a vertical mount disposed on the base and including a first surface that provides a mounting region to couple to an optical component, the first surface defining a vertical axis that extends substantially upright from the base and a horizontal axis that is angled relative to the longitudinal axis of the base at a first angle, the vertical mount further providing a channel that extends through the vertical mount, wherein the channel provides an optical pathway angled relative to the first surface at the first angle, the first angle being substantially between about 15 and 75 degrees.

Abstract: The temperature at different locations along a multiplexed laser array may be monitored by sensing temperature at two locations within a transmitter optical subassembly (TOSA) package housing the laser array. The temperature at the two locations is used to determine a temperature tilt across the laser array. Estimated temperatures may then be determined at one or more other locations along the laser array from the temperature tilt. The estimated temperature(s) may then be used to adjust the temperature proximate the other locations, for example, for purposes of tuning lasers at those locations along the laser array to emit a desired channel wavelength. The TOSA package may be used in an optical transceiver in a wavelength division multiplexed (WDM) optical system, for example, in an optical line terminal (OLT) in a WDM passive optical network (PON).

Abstract: A multi-channel optical transmitter or transceiver uses a reversed planar lightwave circuit (PLC) splitter as an optical multiplexer to combine optical signals at different channel wavelengths into a multiplexed optical signal. The reversed PLC splitter includes splitter output ports that are used as the mux input ports and a splitter input port that is used as the mux output port. The mux input ports may be optically coupled to respective transmitter optical subassembly (TOSA) modules with or without optical fibers. The PLC splitter includes wavelength independent branched waveguides that combine the optical signals received on the mux input ports into the multiplexed optical signal on the mux output port.

Abstract: A multi-channel receiver optical subassembly (ROSA) including at least one sidewall receptacle configured to receive and electrically isolate an adjacent multi-channel transmitter optical subassembly (TOSA) is disclosed. The multi-channel ROSA includes a housing with at least first and second sidewalls, with the first sidewall being opposite the second sidewall and including at least one sidewall opening configured to fixedly attach to photodiode assemblies. The second sidewall includes at least one sidewall receptacle configured to receive at least a portion of an optical component package, such as a transistor outline (TO) can laser package, of an adjacent multi-channel TOSA, and provide electrical isolation between the ROSA housing and the TOSA within an optical transceiver. The sidewall receptacle can include non-conductive material in regions that directly or otherwise come into close proximity with the optical component package of the adjacent TOSA.

Abstract: A multi-channel optical transmitter or transceiver includes an optical multiplexer with input and output ports on a single side. The optical multiplexer receives optical signals at different channel wavelengths on a plurality of mux input ports on one side and combines the optical signals into a multiplexed optical signal, which is output on an optical output port on the same side. The optical multiplexer may be located at a distal end of a transceiver or transmitter housing. In one embodiment, the optical multiplexer is a reversed planar lightwave circuit (PLC) splitter including splitter output ports that are used as the mux input ports and a splitter input port that is used as the mux output port. The mux input ports may be optically coupled to respective transmitter optical subassembly (TOSA) modules with optical fibers.

Abstract: Layered coaxial transmitter optical subassemblies (TOSAs) with a support bridge therebetween may be used in an optical transmitter or transceiver for transmitting optical signals at multiple channel wavelengths. The coaxial TOSAs may include cuboid type TO laser packages having substantially flat outer surfaces that may be mounted on substantially flat outer surfaces on a transmitter or transceiver housing or on the support bridge. The support bridge supports and isolates one layer of the TOSAs mounted over another layer of the TOSAs such that the TOSAs may be stacked to fit within a small space without sacrificing optical coupling efficiency.

Abstract: A multi-channel receiver optical subassembly (ROSA) such as an arrayed waveguide grating (AWG), with outputs directly optically coupled to respective photodetectors such as photodiodes. In one embodiment, the photodetectors are mounted on a photodetector mounting bar that includes a multiple conductive photodetector pads (PD pads). Each of the PD pads may be configured to receive a photodetector, and the PD pads are electrically isolated from ground such that the photodetectors are floating. The photodetector bar further includes multiple conductive transimpedance amplifier pads (TIA pads). Each of the TIA pads may be configured to receive a TIA, associated with one of the photodetectors, and to be electrically coupled to one or more ground ports of the TIA. The TIA pads are electrically connected to a common ground shared be each of said TIAs.

Abstract: An optical sub-assembly cartridge for use in a multi-channel receiver optical sub-assembly (ROSA) is disclosed and includes pre-aligned demultiplexing optics. The optical sub-assembly cartridge may include a plurality of sidewalls which define a cartridge body and at least partially enclose a cavity therein. A sidewall of the cartridge body may include a sidewall opening configured to allow light to enter the cavity. A first optical filter disposed opposite the sidewall opening may receive light entering the cavity and be configured to pass unassociated channel wavelengths out of the cavity while reflecting associated channel wavelengths to a mirror disposed in the cavity. The mirror may then reflect the received channel wavelengths to a second optical filter within or external to the cavity. The second optical filter may emit a narrow spectrum of channel wavelengths to a photodiode package to convert the same to a proportional electrical signal.

Abstract: A coaxial transmitter optical subassembly (TOSA) including an optical fiber coupling receptacle coupled to a laser package may be used in an optical transceiver for transmitting an optical signal at a channel wavelength. The optical fiber coupling receptacle may include a housing having a first open end to receive a ferrule-terminated optical fiber. The receptacle may also include a fiber-coupling ferrule holding an optical fiber segment and secured within the housing to optically couple the optical fiber segment to a laser of the TOSA through a second open end of the housing opposite the first open end. The receptacle may further include a sleeve disposed on an interior surface of the housing to provide a cavity to secure the ferrule-terminated optical fiber and align the optical fiber to the optical fiber segment.

Abstract: A parallel cavity tunable laser generally includes a semiconductor laser body defining a plurality of parallel laser cavities with a common output. Each of the parallel laser cavities is configured to be driven independently to generate laser light at a wavelength within a different respective wavelength range. The wavelength of the light generated in each of the laser cavities may be tuned, in response to a temperature change, to a channel wavelength within the respective wavelength range. The laser light generated in each selected one of the laser cavities is emitted from the common output at a front facet of the laser body. By selectively generating light in one or more of the laser cavities, one or more channel wavelengths may be selected for lasing and transmission.

Abstract: A two-section semiconductor laser includes a gain section and a modulation-independent grating section to reduce chirp. The modulation-independent grating section includes a diffraction grating for reflecting light and forms a laser cavity with the gain section for lasing at a wavelength or range of wavelengths reflected by the diffraction grating. The gain section of the semiconductor laser includes a gain electrode for driving the gain section with at least a modulated RF signal and the grating section includes a grating electrode for driving the grating section with a DC bias current independent of the modulation of the gain section. The semiconductor laser may thus be directly modulated with the modulated RF signal without the modulation significantly affecting the index of refraction in the diffraction grating, thereby reducing chirp.

Abstract: A multi-channel receiver optical subassembly (ROSA) such as an arrayed waveguide grating (AWG), with outputs directly optically coupled to respective photodetectors such as photodiodes. In one embodiment, an AWG may be configured such that optical components of the AWG do not interfere with direct optical coupling, and the wire bonding points on the photodiodes may also be configured such that wire bonding does not interfere with direct optical coupling. The photodetectors may also be mounted on a photodetector mounting bar with a pitch sufficiently spaced to allow connection to floating grounds. A passive alignment technique may be used to determine the mounting locations on the photodetector mounting bar such that the photodetectors are aligned with the optical outputs.

Abstract: A wavelength-selectable laser device providing spatially-selectable wavelength(s) may be used to select one or more wavelengths for lasing in a tunable transmitter or transceiver, for example, in a wavelength division multiplexed (WDM) optical system such as a WDM passive optical network (PON). The wavelength-selectable laser device uses a dispersive optical element, such as a diffraction grating, to disperse light emitted from a laser emitter and to direct different wavelengths of the light toward a reflector at different spatial positions such that the wavelengths may be selected by allowing light to be reflected from selected spatial position(s) back into the laser emitter. Thus, the reflected light with a wavelength at the selected spatial position(s) is allowed to complete the laser cavity.

Abstract: A multi-channel transmitter optical subassembly (TOSA) with an off-center fiber in an optical coupling is disclosed, and can provide passive compensation for beam displacement introduced by optical isolators. The optical coupling receptacle can include an optical isolator configured to receive a focused light beam from a focus lens within the TOSA. The optical coupling receptacle may be offset such that a center line of the focused light beam entering the optical isolator is offset from a center line of a fiber within optical coupling receptacle. Thus the optical isolator receives the focused light beam from the focus lens and introduces beam displacement such that an optical signal is launched generally along a center line of the fiber. Thus the expected beam displacement introduced by the optical isolator is eliminated or otherwise mitigated by the offset between a center line of the fiber and a center position of the focus lens.

Abstract: A dual testing system and method is used to perform both optical power and wavelength measurements on laser light emitted from a laser diode, such as a chip-on-submount (COS) laser diode or a laser diode in a bar laser. A testing fixture may be used to facilitate both measurements by simultaneously detecting the light for performing a first test including the optical power measurement(s) and reflecting the light for performing a second test including the wavelength measurement(s). The testing fixture may include an angled photodetector and an optical coupling system such as a collimating lens, a focal lens and an optical waveguide. The testing fixture may be electrically connected to an optical power testing module, such as a light-current-voltage (LIV) testing module, for performing the optical power measurement(s) and may be optically coupled to a wavelength measurement module, such as an optical spectrum analyzer (OSA) for performing the wavelength measurement(s).

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for filling gaps formed between a press-fit component and an optical subassembly housing to introduce a seal or barrier that can prevent or otherwise mitigate the ingress of contaminants. In an embodiment, a layer of sealant material is applied to one or more surfaces of an optical component prior to press-fitting the component into an optical subassembly housing. Alternatively, or in addition to applying sealant to one or more surfaces of an optical component, a layer of sealant material may be disposed on an interface formed between an outer surface of the optical subassembly housing and the optical component press-fit into the same. Techniques disclosed herein are particularly well suited for small form-factor optical subassemblies that include one or more optical components press-fit into openings of a subassembly housing during manufacturing.

Abstract: A pluggable optical transceiver module for being plugged in a housing is provided. The housing has a cover and an elastic piece, and the cover has an accommodating space. One end of the elastic piece is connected to the cover while the other end has a first fastening portion. The first fastening portion is located on one side of the accommodating space. The pluggable optical transceiver module comprises a base and a sliding member. The base comprises a base body and a second fastening portion. The base body has a guide surface, and the second fastening portion is next to the guide surface. The base is for being plugged in the accommodating space, and the second fastening portion is fastened with the first fastening portion. The sliding member comprises a body section and a push section connected to each other. The body section is slidably disposed on the base.

Abstract: A coaxial transmitter optical subassembly (TOSA) including a cuboid type TO laser package may be used in an optical transceiver for transmitting an optical signal at a channel wavelength. The cuboid type TO laser package is made of a thermally conductive material and has substantially flat outer surfaces that may be thermally coupled to substantially flat outer surfaces on a transceiver housing and/or on other cuboid type TO laser packages. An optical transceiver may include multiple coaxial TOSAs with the cuboid type TO laser packages stacked in the transceiver housing. The cuboid type TO laser package may thus provide improved thermal characteristics and a reduced size within the optical transceiver.

Abstract: A test fixture generally includes a thermoelectric cooler (TEC) configured to regulate the temperature of a device under test (DUT). The test fixture may further include a device carrier configured to secure the DUT in a desired position relative to the TEC and a spring-operated pin configured to generate a desired contact pressure between the DUT and the TEC. The desired contact pressure may be selected to achieve a thermal coupling between the DUT and the TEC that maintains the temperature of the DUT at a desired operation level.

Abstract: The temperature at different locations along a multiplexed laser array may be monitored by sensing temperature at two locations within a transmitter optical subassembly (TOSA) package housing the laser array. The temperature at the two locations is used to determine a temperature tilt across the laser array. Estimated temperatures may then be determined at one or more other locations along the laser array from the temperature tilt. The estimated temperature(s) may then be used to adjust the temperature proximate the other locations, for example, for purposes of tuning lasers at those locations along the laser array to emit a desired channel wavelength. The TOSA package may be used in an optical transceiver in a wavelength division multiplexed (WDM) optical system, for example, in an optical line terminal (OLT) in a WDM passive optical network (PON).