Abstract: Passive alignment and connection between a fiber array and a plurality of optical waveguides terminating along an edge of a photonic IC (PIC) is provided by a controlled mating between alignment V-grooves formed in a fiber array support substrate and extra-array alignment ridges formed beyond the extent of a waveguide array integrated within the PIC. The height and width of the alignment ridges are formed to engage with the alignment V-grooves upon mating of the fiber array substrate with the PIC, providing passive alignment while maintaining a physical gap spacing g between the components (ensuring the integrity of the passive alignment).

Abstract: Passive alignment and connection between a fiber array and a plurality of optical waveguides terminating along an edge of a photonic IC is provided by a controlled mating between V-grooves formed in a fiber support substrate and alignment ridges formed to surround waveguide terminations along an edge of a photonic IC. The V-grooves of the fiber support substrate are spaced to define the same pitch as the waveguides on the photonic IC, with the height and width of the alignment ridges formed to engage with the V-grooves upon mating of the fiber support substrate with the photonic IC. The individual fibers are positioned within associated V-grooves such that their endfaces are retracted from a proximal end portion of the support structure. It is this proximal end portion that mates with the alignment ridges on the photonic IC.

Abstract: A laser source assembly is based upon an optical reference substrate that is utilized as a common optical reference plane upon which both a fiber array and a laser diode array are disposed and positioned to provide alignment between the components. Passive optical components used to provide alignment between the laser diode array and the fiber array are also located on the optical reference substrate. A top surface of the reference substrate is patterned to include alignment fiducials and bond locations for the fiber array receiving block, laser diode array submount and passive optical components. The receiving block is configured to present the optical fibers at a height that facilitates alignment with the output beams from the laser diodes positioned on the silicon submount.

Abstract: Passive alignment and connection between a fiber array and a plurality of optical waveguides terminating along an edge of a photonic IC is provided by a controlled mating between V-grooves formed in a fiber support substrate and alignment ridges formed to surround waveguide terminations along an edge of a photonic IC. The V-grooves of the fiber support substrate are spaced to define the same pitch as the waveguides on the photonic IC, with the height and width of the alignment ridges formed to engage with the V-grooves upon mating of the fiber support substrate with the photonic IC. The individual fibers are positioned within associated V-grooves such that their endfaces are retracted from a proximal end portion of the support structure. It is this proximal end portion that mates with the alignment ridges on the photonic IC.