Abstract: An inexpensive optical module that avoids misalignment of optical axes and is fixed together with high reliability. Optical elements are aligned with each other and then fixed to a connecting member. The connecting member has first and second bonding surfaces. A relatively large area of the first and second bonding surfaces contacts the optical elements. The connecting member has a simple structure. This facilitates the manufacturing of the connecting member. The distance between the optical elements and the connecting member is minimized. Thus, the optical element is fixed together with high reliability.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of aligning and assembling an optical demultiplexer module having an input fiber, a collimator lens, a diffraction grating, and a photodetector array, and a mechanism for automatically aligning such an optical demultiplexer module. The method comprises the steps of preparing a submodule A including the input fiber and the photodetector array and a submodule B including the diffraction grating and the collimator lens, preparing an alignment jig for allowing the submodules A, B to move independently of each other, fixing the submodules A, B to the adjustment jig, and applying light from the input fiber and moving the submodule B with respect to the submodule A for maximizing a light output from a photodetector.

Abstract: An optical module for optically coupling an input side and an output side with each other through an optically functional portion inserted between the input side and the output side. At least one of the input side and the output side includes a plurality of collimators. At least one of the collimators is made different from the other collimators in at least one of the distance between the focal point of a corresponding lens and a corresponding light exit or incident surface, the numerical aperture of the light exit or incident surface, the effective focal length of the lens, the wavelength used and the distance between optical axes of adjacent ones of the collimators so that the size and position of a beam waist on an input side are made substantially coincident with those on an output side.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of aligning and assembling an optical demultiplexer module having an input fiber, a collimator lens, a diffraction grating, and a photodetector array, and a mechanism for automatically aligning such an optical demultiplexer module. The method comprises the steps of preparing a submodule A including the input fiber and the photodetector array and a submodule B including the diffraction grating and the collimator lens, preparing an alignment jig for allowing the submodules A, B to move independently of each other, fixing the submodules A, B to the adjustment jig, and applying light from the input fiber and moving the submodule B with respect to the submodule A for maximizing a light output from a photodetector.

Abstract: An inexpensive optical module that avoids misalignment of optical axes and is fixed together with high reliability. Optical elements are aligned with each other and then fixed to a connecting member. The connecting member has first and second bonding surfaces. A relatively large area of the first and second bonding surfaces contacts the optical elements. The connecting member has a simple structure. This facilitates the manufacturing of the connecting member. The distance between the optical elements and the connecting member is minimized. Thus, the optical element is fixed together with high reliability.

Abstract: An optical module for optically coupling an input side and an output side with each other through an optically functional portion inserted between the input side and the output side. At least one of the input side and the output side includes a plurality of collimators. At least one of the collimators is made different from the other collimators in at least one of the distance between the focal point of a corresponding lens and a corresponding light exit or incident surface, the numerical aperture of the light exit or incident surface, the effective focal length of the lens, the wavelength used and the distance between optical axes of adjacent ones of the collimators so that the size and position of a beam waist on an input side are made substantially coincident with those on an output side.

Abstract: In an optical fiber-lens array, the optical axes of the gradient index rod lens and of the optical fiber are aligned easily with high accuracy. The optical fiber-lens array includes a first substrate having a gradient index rod lens accommodated in V-shaped grooves for rod lenses formed in parallel at prescribed pitches, and a second substrate having optical fibers accommodated in V-shaped grooves for optical fibers formed at the same array pitches with said V-shaped grooves for rod lenses. The first substrate and the second substrate are connected by guide pins placed on the common positioning guide grooves formed on the first substrate and the second substrate with the respective end surfaces of the gradient index rod lenses and the respective end surfaces of the corresponding optical fibers faced toward each other.