Abstract: A collimator array is disclosed that carries forward its alignment characteristics to optical devices that incorporate it. Little, if any active alignment need be performed in the manufacturing of such optical devices, such as switching arrays and optical add/drop arrays that employ a plurality of such collimator arrays in each device. The collimator array includes a fiber array having a plurality of regularly spaced optical fibers such that an output axis of each optical fiber has a predetermined spatial position and orientation with respect to a reference edge of the fiber array. The collimator array also includes an array of lenses separated from the fiber array by an air gap and aligned with the fiber array at an alignment position. The aligned position is such that collimated light exiting each lens has a predetermined position and direction with respect to the reference edge of the fiber array.

Abstract: A collimator array is disclosed that carries forward its alignment characteristics to optical devices that incorporate it. Little, if any active alignment need be performed in the manufacturing of such optical devices, such as switching arrays and optical add/drop arrays that employ a plurality of such collimator arrays in each device. The collimator array includes a fiber array having a plurality of regularly spaced optical fibers such that an output axis of each optical fiber has a predetermined spatial position and orientation with respect to a reference edge of the fiber array. The collimator array also includes an array of lenses separated from the fiber array by an air gap and aligned with the fiber array at an alignment position. The aligned position is such that collimated light exiting each lens has a predetermined position and direction with respect to the reference edge of the fiber array.