Abstract: A multi-wavelength switchable laser system configured at known wavelengths without the need for wavelength feedback/locking control. The system includes an optical gain element, e.g. a pump source; a laser cavity defined by electrically activated Bragg gratings, each having a prescribed operational wavelength; a control module for controlling actuation of the gratings to activate a selected one of the gratings for operation at a selected operational wavelength; and an appropriate lens for removing an output signal at the selected operational wavelength from the laser cavity to a fiber.

Abstract: Many optical components now use a microelectronic substrate called an optical micro-bench as a base from which to build. Conventional devices use one or more methods of fixing the various elements together and/or onto the semiconductor micro-bench. Typically these conventional methods require special coatings to be deposited on the substrate, and the use of a separate bonding material, e.g. solder, glass or adhesive. The present invention relates to the direct fixation of a semiconductor, e.g. silicon, indium phosphide or gallium arsenide, structural component to the micro-bench made of a similar material using a laser welding technique, which uses wavelengths that are not harmful to the other elements of the component. The present invention eliminates the use of any separate bonding material, as well as several steps in the bonding process.

Abstract: An assembly for aligning at least one optical component with respect to a light path is described. This assembly includes a substrate having at least one integrally formed, flexural member defined by one portion of the substrate and a primary substrate portion defined by another portion of the substrate. The flexural member includes a component mounting area such that the optical component is mountable thereon and, when the optical component is so mounted, the optical component is movably alignable in the light path by displacement of the component mounting area of the flexural member relative to the primary substrate portion.

Abstract: A method of attaching a component onto a microbench includes laying the component in a groove in the substrate, and locally deforming a portion of the groove, to thereby hold the component in the groove. Preferably, the microbench is a silicon substrate used for MEMs-type structures in the fiber optics industry. In particular, the method is used for securing an optical fiber in a groove, DRI etched from a silicon substrate, before or after the fiber is aligned with other optical components, i.e. lenses, lasers etc. The local deformation is done using a laser welding device selected to be effective in locally melting the substrate while leaving the component relatively undamaged.

Abstract: A method of attaching a component onto a microbench includes laying the component in a groove in the substrate, and locally deforming a portion of the groove, to thereby hold the component in the groove. Preferably, the microbench is a silicon substrate used for MEMs-type structures in the fiber optics industry. In particular, the method is used for securing an optical fiber in a groove, DRI etched from a silicon substrate, before or after the fiber is aligned with other optical components, i.e. lenses, lasers etc. The local deformation is done using a laser welding device selected to be effective in locally melting the substrate while leaving the component relatively undamaged.

Abstract: An interconnect system for a butterfly package e.g. a laser package is provided on at least one feedthrough wall of the package through which extends a plurality of electrical connectors. A ceramic or glass circuit block is disposed on the inner side of the wall or of a feedthrough insert. The circuit block has an insulating surface and an electrical circuit disposed on said surface, the circuit being in electrical connection with at least some of the electrical connectors. The block abuts the electrical connectors on the inner side of the feedthrough wall to provide a support for the connectors.

Abstract: An assembly for aligning at least one optical component with respect to a light path is described. This assembly includes a substrate having at least one integrally formed, flexural member defined by one portion of the substrate and a primary substrate portion defined by another portion of the substrate. The flexural member includes a component mounting area such that the optical component is mountable thereon and, when the optical component is so mounted, the optical component is movably alignable in the light path by displacement of the component mounting area of the flexural member relative to the primary substrate portion.

Abstract: An optical fibre termination which reduces the effect of reflections from the transfer face. The transfer face is skewed to the axis of the termination so that reflections are not propagated along the external path. The transfer face is also skewed to the core direction so that refraction makes the eternal path parallel to, and preferably co-incident with, the axis.

Abstract: An optical connector is provided which requires less accurate machining during manufacture, can reduce the number and/or complexity of component parts required and can achieve a standard industrial product which nevertheless maintains very stable connections. In a receptacle for the optical connector, an alignment sleeve aligns and optically connects an optical fiber unit to another optical fiber unit or to an input/output window of other optical elements in a housing. The housing of the receptacle holds the sleeve in an alignment and is comprised of a plurality of housing halves joined along a major plane extending through the axis of the sleeve. The housing halves may include mating surfaces, projections or indents offset from said major plane.

Abstract: An optical connector is provided which can achieve an accurate alignment between an optical ferrule and an optical device in spite of a variation in dimension of the optical ferrule. A split sleeve 13a has an elastic deformation characteristic and has its fixed end portion inserted into a cylindrical robe 14 on a receptacle 2 side and fixed there. The split sleeve 13a has an inner diameter made somewhat smaller than the outer diameter of the ferrule 18. During a time period in which the ferrule 18 is inserted in the split sleeve 13a, the ferrule 18 is aligned with an active device 5 with the ferrule 18 elastically gripped by the split sleeve 13a. With the fixed end portion of the split sleeve 13a fixed in the cylindrical tube 14 a force for returning the split sleeve 13a back to its original inner diameter acts upon the fixed end portion of the split sleeve 13a, thereby suppressing a loss in the elastic deformation characteristic of the split sleeve 13a resulting from a passage of time in use.

Abstract: An optical transmitter (1) comprises a semiconductor laser optical source (14) housed in an optical fibre connector component. An optical baffle (8) such as a short section of optical fibre ensures that only minimal power is emitted to the environment when the transmission fibre (6) is withdrawn from the connector.

Abstract: A method of making an opto-electronic component (13) comprises inserting a pre-assembled device carrier (1) into a mould, filling the mould (2) with light and/or thermally curable material, optically aligning the device assembly and, on achieving optical alignment, at least partially curing the material.

Abstract: An optical transmitter assembly comprises a laser (2) and an optical detector (4) arranged to receive light output from the laser (2) indirectly via a spherical lens (3). The source (2) and the detector (4) are mounted on a common support structure (1), and the lens (3) is mounted directly on the detector (4).

Abstract: An optical transmitter assembly (1) comprises an optical source (20) and an optical detector (20) arranged to receive light output from the source (10) indirectly via a reflector (30). The source (10), the detector (20), and the reflector (30) are mounted on a common support structure (40). A unitized light reflector assembly (70) having the reflector (30) and detector (20) on a ceramic plate (72) is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of making an opto-electronic component (13) comprises inserting a pre-assembled device carrier (1) into a mould, filling the mould (2) with light and/or thermally curable material, optically aligning the device assembly and, on achieving optical alignment, at least partially curing the material.