Abstract: Methods for making a micromachined device (e.g. an microoptical submount) having positive features (extending up from a device surface) and negative features (extending into the device surface). The present techniques locate the postive feature and negative features according to a single mask step. In one embodiment, a hard mask is patterned on top of the device layer of an SOI wafer. Then, RIE is used to vertically etch to the etch stop layer, forming the positive feature. Then, the positive feature is masked, and metal or hard mask is deposited on the exposed areas of the etch stop layer. Then, portions of the device layer are removed, leaving the patterned metal layer on the etch stop layer. Then, the etch stop layer is removed in an exposed area, uncovering the handle layer. Then, the handle layer is etched in an exposed area to form the negative feature.

Abstract: A connector is provided for use in fiber to the desk applications. The connector according to the present invention includes a main housing with a passageway therethrough, a ferrule assembly mountable to the main housing, and a splice member. The connector also includes a latch on at least one exterior surface of the main housing to engage a corresponding structure in an adapter sleeve.

Abstract: An optical semiconductor device to increase optical communication speed has a silicon substrate with an etched V-shaped first groove portion, a light emitting element which has an optical axis in the direction of the first groove portion and is mounted to the upper surface of the silicon substrate, and a high NA aspheric lens is mounted in the first groove portion. The first groove portion is composed of first and second opposing inclined surfaces and a third inclined surface perpendicular to the first and second inclined surfaces. A slit is cut in the silicon substrate extends in a direction perpendicular to the direction of the first groove portion and includes the first, second, and third inclined surfaces. The aspheric lens is mounted to the first and second inclined surfaces and has a part thereof protruding in the slit.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to fiber optical arrays, and particularly, but not by way of limitation, to 3-dimentional array fiber optical couplers. More particularly, the present invention provides means of coupling semiconductor laser light sources to fiber-optic transmission devices.

Abstract: In accordance with the invention, an assembly for stacking optical fibers in a two dimensional array comprises a plurality of ferrule plates, each plate having a pair of sides. One side of the plate has a plurality of grooves for receiving the fibers, and the other side is flat. Fibers having terminated ends are disposed in the grooves with their ends aligned in a substantially planar two-dimensional array. The plates are aligned and stacked to hold the individual fibers between a groove on one plate and the flat surface of an adjacent plate. Alignment features, such as holes and pins, can facilitate plate alignment. The plates and fibers are secured in aligned position as by epoxy bonding. The assembly disclosed here is especially advantageous for mass termination of fiber optic cables and for interfacing to active devices.

Abstract: Thin-film techniques in forming fiber devices that engage fibers to a substrate with different material properties. Structure buffering, diffusion bonding, and thickness monitoring may be achieved by such thin-film techniques.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for ensuring that two guide pins with a centerline in a module (e.g., a fiber optic module) mate with two holes in a connector. A connector guide positioner is provided to position a connector guide in an aligned orientation with respect to the guide pins. When in the aligned orientation, the centerline of the connector guide is in alignment with the centerline of the two guide pins of the module, thereby ensuring that the two holes of the connector mate with the two guide pins when the connector is inserted into the receptacle.

Abstract: Optical or optoelectronic array with an assembly holder and an optical or optoelectronic assembly located on it to position the assembly holder on an assembly surface of an optical bench in a way that is movable only in a first plane of adjustment parallel to the assembly surfacewhere the assembly holder has an assembly base for positioning the assembly holder on the assembly surface as well as a seat which is open the entire distance from one outside surface of the assembly holder to the opposite outside surface of the assembly holder in which the optical or optoelectronic assembly is located and which is formed in such a way that the optical or optoelectronic assembly can be moved relative to the assembly holder only in a second plane of adjustment which is non-parallel to the first plane of adjustment, extending parallel to the directional passage of the seat.

Abstract: An adapter for receiving optical fiber connectors, of the type having an inner part suitable for receiving an internal connector carrying an internal optical fiber having an end ferrule, and having an outer part suitable for receiving an external connector having an external optical fiber with an end ferrule, is made suitable for use with different external connectors by having the outer part readily separable from the inner part. The parts have complementary engaging surfaces and cooperating engaging means which lock the two parts together upon relative rotation of one of the parts relative to the other through about a right angle. The usual alignment sleeve is carried by the outer part, and when this part has been separated from the inner part the internal fiber ferrule is accessible for cleaning.

Abstract: An optical waveguide component has a first optical member in which a predetermined first core pattern groove is formed and a second optical member in which a predetermined second core pattern groove is formed, the first and second optical members being combined together so that said first and second core pattern grooves are opposingly overlapped with each other, and the first and second core pattern grooves being filled with a core material.

Abstract: An improved linear polarization maintaining fiberoptic array and a method of making the array are disclosed. The fibers of the array are seated in V-grooves formed in two silicon plates, which are then approximated and bonded together to hold the fibers securely therebetween. The terminal portions of the fibers are disposed in alumina, glass or zirconium ferrules, which protect the fibers from distortion and degradation of their extinction ratios, caused by asymmetric external pressure of the housing. Using the method of manufacture disclosed herein, it is possible to test each fiber prior to its incorporation in the array.

Abstract: A method for optically joining an optical fiber array holder with an opponent member includes: disposing the plurality of optical fibers extending from the end face in a fiber array holder; polishing an end face of each of the plurality of optical fibers disposed in the fiber array block; removing the fiber array block from the plurality of optical fibers; and placing the plurality of optical fibers in corresponding guides formed in a waveguide substrate, the polished end faces of each of the plurality of optical fibers extending to an opponent member.

Abstract: A system and method for fabricating an array of multiple optical fibers is disclosed. The method comprises providing a substrate having a plurality of guides formed therein each penetrating through the substrate, the substrate having one or more via holes in fluid communication with the plurality of guides. The plurality of optical fibers is disposed with respective guides, each of the optical fibers being placed with a corresponding one of the guides. An adhesive is injected into the one or more via holes, the adhesive fixing the optical fibers in the respective guides of the substrate.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of fabricating a multi-fiber array in which optical fibers are actively aligned to their target positions. The method includes providing an array member for receiving optical fibers, forming in the array member through-holes, placing the optical fibers in the respective through-holes, applying adhesive into the respective through-holes, adjusting position of each optical fiber so that the optical fibers are aligned in accordance with reference measurements, and curing the adhesive to fix the optical fibers aligned in the respective through-holes.

Abstract: A method is disclosed to form external interconnections to a microfluidic device for coupling of a fluid or light or both into a microchannel of the device. This method can be used to form optical or fluidic interconnections to microchannels previously formed on a substrate, or to form both the interconnections and microchannels during the same process steps. The optical and fluidic interconnections are formed parallel to the plane of the substrate, and are fluid tight.

Abstract: An optical assembly includes an input fiber (30) and an output fiber (31), a ferrule (32) receiving the input and output fibers therein, a molded lens (33) and a filter (34). The molded lens includes a solid cylindrical main body (334), and an annular protrusion (333) extending from a front end of the main body. The main body has an oblique rearward end face (331), and an aspherical forward end face (332) opposite to the rearward end face. The ferrule also has an oblique forward end face (322) which is close to and substantially parallel to the oblique rearward end face of the molded lens. The filter is attached to a forward end of the annular protrusion. Light rays from the input fiber pass through and are made parallel by the molded lens. Parallel rays of a predetermined wavelength are transmitted through the filter. Those having other wavelength are reflected at the filter and transmit through the output fiber.

Abstract: An optical fiber plug includes a body having a channel defined through the body, at least one set of recesses oppositely defined in a face of the body, and a clamping portion formed between the channel and a bottom face defining each of the at least one set of recesses. The deformation of the clamping portion is able to retain an insulating layer of an optical fiber.

Abstract: A method for aligning a plurality of optical fibers in a parallel array. The method includes the step of providing a base having a plurality of fiber receiving features. A plurality of optical fibers are placed onto the base in gross alignment with respective fiber receiving features. A retaining element is provided having a compliant contact surface configured to mate to at least a portion of each of the optical fibers. The contact surface is pressed onto the optical fibers, wherein the compliant contact surface deforms about the optical fibers and applies pressure on all the optical fibers. Each fiber is then seated into the fiber receiving features in a desired alignment.

Abstract: An optical fiber array is provided which allows each optical fiber to be rarely sheared down by the action of a stress and inhibits the reflection of an optical signal on the interface at its joint and a method of fabricating the optical fiber array is also provided. The angle between the imaginary line L which extends linearly along the proximal end of straight grooves (7)for clamping the stripped end portion (2a) of the optical fibers (2) provided in a fiber clamping member (2) to align the distal ends of the optical fibers (2) at uniform pitch and the axes of the straight grooves (7) ranges from 45 degrees to 85 degrees. Also, the front end (1a) of the fiber clamping member (1) which serves as a joining end is arranged in parallel with the imaginary line L.

Abstract: An optical signal receiver for rapid and error free translation of optical signals into electrical signals is disclosed. The receiver is coupled to a light source. The light source is amplified and then split into two segments. One of the segments is delayed by a specific amount of time. Both segments are optically coupled to a photo detector. Each photo detector is coupled in parallel and are connected by two output terminals. When the voltage output by each photo detector is equal, the output terminals are balanced and will not have any voltage. The circuit will provide a voltage output on the terminal only on differential photocurrents sensed by the detector elements. The quiescent magnitude of the voltage output is a function of the value of the reverse bias voltage applied by the two voltage sources.

Abstract: An optical fiber connector includes two matching ferrule connectors that each have a ferrule, an optical fiber array and a ferrule cap. The ferrule connectors match because they each have a cut surface that includes a cut end of the ferrule, the ferrule cap and the optical fiber array. Each ferrule connector is formed by attaching an optical fiber array to a ferrule, attaching a ferrule cap to the optical fiber array and the ferrule to form a subassembly. The subassembly of the ferrule, the optical fiber array and the ferrule cap are cut to form two matching ferrule connectors that each have a matching cut surface. This process can be done on a large scale to form a plurality of ferrule connectors and any ferrule connector's cut surface will precisely match with the cut surface of another ferrule connector. Preferably, the cutting is accomplished according to a method of this invention with high pressure water jets.

Abstract: A ferrule includes a body, a first cover, and a second cover. The body includes a first row of optical fiber receiving V-grooves, a second row of optical fiber receiving V-grooves, and a third row of optical fiber receiving apertures. Each aperture of the third row of optical fiber receiving apertures accommodates a respective optical fiber. The first cover is mounted to the body adjacent the first row of optical fiber receiving V-grooves. Each V-groove of the first row of optical fiber receiving V-grooves accommodates a respective optical fiber which is aligned therein by the first cover. The second cover is mounted to the body adjacent the second row of optical fiber receiving V-grooves. Each V-groove of the second row of optical fiber receiving V-grooves accommodates a respective optical fiber which is aligned therein by the second cover.

Abstract: Techniques for forming fiber devices that engage fibers to a substrate with similar material properties. A semiconductor template may be used to define positions and orientations of the fibers.

Abstract: An optical multiplexer/demultiplexer wherein an optical fiber, attached to a ferrule, for receiving and outputting light, a lens member 4 and an optical component are optically coupled. The ferrule is formed of a synthetic resin and has at least one fiber hole formed therein.

Abstract: A retro-reflective multi-port fiber optic device includes the triple-fiber ferrule with a GRIN rod lens to couple the light. The triple-fiber ferrule with three fibers thereof is attached to the angled facet of the GRIN rod lens and the WDM filter is attached to the opposite side of the lens. A reflective mirror is aligned with and attached next to the other side of the WDM filter opposite to the lens. The triple-fiber ferrule, which is specifically selected from adense series of triple-fiber ferrules respectively defining three-fiber assemblies with different fiber spacings, is used to couple light in and out of the device, and tune the filter center wavelength to the desired ITU grid.

Abstract: A hermetically sealed package for an electro-optical device has a two-part casing with a fiber feedthrough. The feedthrough defines a gap and is assembled using fastening means, typically bolts or screws, that are placed such that the walls of the feedthrough are prestressed before a molten solder is injected into the feedthrough to seal the casing. The material of the bolts has a greater coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) than the CTE of the casing, whereby the mismatching between the CTE of the casing and the solder is at least partly compensated.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel class of integrated angled-dual-axis confocal scanning endoscopes. An integrated angled-dual-axis confocal scanning endoscope according to the present invention advantageously exploits an angled-dual-axis confocal arrangement in a silicon micro-machined and fiber-coupled construction, rendering it enhanced resolution, faster scanning, higher sensitivity, highly integrated and scalable structure. An integrated angled-dual-axis confocal scanning endoscope thus constructed can be readily miniaturized for many applications, such as in vivo imaging of biological specimens. One or two illumination beams may be employed in an angled-dual-axis confocal scanning endoscope of the present invention, thereby providing an assortment of reflectance and fluorescence images. An angled-dual-axis confocal scanning endoscope of the present invention is further capable of providing various line and cross-sectional-surface scans with fast speed and high precision.

Abstract: A ferrule is positioned on a ceramic package by a ferrule support member and is fixed between the ferrule support member and the ceramic package by an adhesive. On the side in the vicinity of one end of the ferrule, a groove is formed around the ferrule as an adherence enhancement.

Abstract: A method of forming a tapered V-groove in a <100>silicon substrate is described. Spaced apart pits are dry etched in the substrate and sidewalls of the pits are masked. Then, sections of the substrate are wet-etched to connect the spaced apart pits. Each successive wet-etched section has a different width, and hence depth, than the preceding wet-etched section. In one aspect, each succeeding wet-etched section is not as wide, and hence more shallow, than the preceding wet-etched section. Also, each succeeding pit has a smaller cross-sectional area than the preceding pit.

Abstract: A two-dimensional optical element array with a high alignment precision of optical elements on a substrate and a high long-term reliability is provided. A two-dimensional optical fiber array 10 includes a stacked plurality of optical fiber array units 5 each having an optical fiber 1 and a substrate 2, the substrate 2 having one or more grooves 21 each suited to a profile of the optical fiber 1 on one of surfaces thereof, and one or more optical fibers 1 being aligned and fixed in grooves 21, and is characterized in that optical fiber array units 5 are stacked in a state that surfaces facing each other of substrates 2 among adjacent two units out of said plurality array units 5 are not contacted directly, and that said adjacent two units do not give a direct mechanical influence each other.

Abstract: A fiber optic connector assembly includes a body for mating with a complementary connecting device. An alignment pin subassembly is mounted in the body. The subassembly includes a pair of alignment pins having distal ends for projecting from the body into a pair of appropriate alignment holes in the complementary connecting device. A pin holding plate engages proximal ends of the alignment pins to hold the pins with the plate in the subassembly for mounting in the body.

Abstract: An optical fiber array having: a lower substrate with V-grooves formed; and an upper substrate configured by a fiber presser substrate for pressing optical fibers disposed on the V-grooves, and a coated-fiber settling substrate for settling coated fibers 13. On the coated-fiber settling substrate, a slit or a groove is formed. With this optical fiber array, damages or the like of constituents are avoided and an excellent long-term reliability is attained.

Abstract: An optical coupler includes a first plate and a second plate superposed over the first plate. At least the second plate has at least one groove formed therein. The at least one groove extends continuously from one edge of the second plate to another edge of the second plate. An optical fiber is disposed in the at least one groove.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing glass parts for connection of glass fibers is provided, which can improve the accuracy of the cross-sectional size of a through hole in the glass part. A mother glass having a similar cross section to a desired cross section of a glass part having a through hole is prepared, and the prepared mother glass is drawn while it is heated.

Abstract: An apparatus has a head portion for holding a strip of filter, and a support portion for supporting the head portion. The head portion has a guide portion for guiding the filter, a pair of plate members disposed on both sides of the guide portion, with a space left between tips of the plate members and with vicinities of the tips provided at a given angle, and a pair of blades disposed on the tips of the plate members. When the head portion is pressed against a V-shaped channel by the support portion, elastic deformation occurs in the pair of plate members, narrowing the space between the edges of the pair of blades. When the head portion is moved off the V-shaped channel, the space between the edges of the pair of blades expands to an original width.

Abstract: A fiber optic assembly having a carrier preferably formed at least partially of silicon and having a plurality of V-grooves formed thereon, a lid preferably formed at least partially of silicon, and a 1×N array (N being a positive integer) of optical fibers. Each of the optical fibers is located between a lid and a respective V-groove, contacts the lid along a respective first contact line and is in contact with a respective one of the V-grooves along respective second and third contact lines. An adhesive, preferably a sol-gel, is provided along the first, second and third contact lines of each of the optical fibers of the array. Spaces between the lid and carrier not occupied by the array of optical fibers or the sol-gel define a void area, which is preferably filled with a cross-linked filler, such as an epoxy.

Abstract: This invention discloses an optical device including at least one first substrate defining a multiplicity of optical fiber positioning grooves, a multiplicity of optical fibers fixed in each of said multiplicity of optical fiber positioning grooves on the at least one first substrate, whereby the multiplicity of optical fibers lie in an optical fiber plane and the ends of each of the multiplicity of optical fibers lie substantially in a first predetermined arrangement in the optical fiber plane,a second substrate fixed onto the at least one first substrate such that an edge of the second substrate extends beyond the ends of each of the multiplicity of optical fibers, a lens assembly including a third substrate, and a lens fixed onto the third substrate, the lens assembly being mounted onto the second substrate such that the lens lies in a second predetermined arrangement with respect to the ends of each of the multiplicity of optical fibers, whereby the separation between the lens and the ends of each of the

Abstract: Fiber optical devices formed on substrates fabricated with grooves that operate based on evanescent optical coupling through a side-polished fiber surface in each fiber involved.

Abstract: An optical connector module includes: a light emitting device which emits light and a light receiving device which receives light to convert an optical signal into an electrical signal; a connector including an optical fiber for light transmission and an optical fiber for light reception; a housing for coupling the optical module to the connector; and a light transmission device which is installed in the housing.

Abstract: A process is provided for creating microstructure coupling guides for aligning photonic devices with optical signal carrying apparatuses. The process includes applying a photoresist to a semiconductor material, spinning the semiconductor material, baking the semiconductor material, exposing the photoresist, baking the semiconductor material a second time, and developing the resist. The process creates a microstructure that acts as an integral guide to align and maintain the relative position between an optical signal carrying apparatus and a photonic device.

Abstract: An optical connector comprising a ferrule, optical conductors, and epoxy. The ferrule has an optical conductor receiving area and guide pin receiving areas. The ferrule comprises at least two ferrule members having shaped surfaces on outer lateral sides which form the guide pin receiving areas. The ferrule members comprise mating projections and recesses proximate the outer lateral sides and between the optical conductor receiving area and the guide pin receiving areas which form epoxy seals. The optical conductors having portions located in the optical conductor receiving area. The epoxy is located in the optical conductor receiving area to connect the portions of the optical conductors to -the ferrule. The epoxy seals prevent the epoxy from flowing into the guide pin receiving areas.

Abstract: A ferrule includes a body, a first cover, and a second cover. The body includes a first row of optical fiber receiving V-grooves, a second row of optical fiber receiving V-grooves, and a third row of optical fiber receiving apertures. Each aperture of the third row of optical fiber receiving apertures accommodates a respective optical fiber. The first cover is mounted to the body adjacent the first row of optical fiber receiving V-grooves. Each V-groove of the first row of optical fiber receiving V-grooves accommodates a respective optical fiber which is aligned therein by the first cover. The second cover is mounted to the body adjacent the second row of optical fiber receiving V-grooves. Each V-groove of the second row of optical fiber receiving V-grooves accommodates a respective optical fiber which is aligned therein by the second cover.

Abstract: Disclosed is a double-sided ferrule manufacturing method, wherein two ferrules are prepared, each ferrule having in one end surface an insertion opening allowing insertion of a fiber ribbon, a plurality of fiber minute holes being arranged ahead of the insertion opening, the fiber minute holes allowing insertion of the individual optical fibers of the fiber ribbon inserted into the insertion opening, the other end surface of each ferrule being formed as a joint end surface in which the end surfaces of the optical fibers inserted into the fiber minute holes are exposed, each of the two ferrules being cut at some midpoint in the fiber ribbon inserting direction along the direction in which the fiber minute holes are arranged to obtain two joint end surface side cut ferrules (members), the cut surfaces of the two members being caused to butt each other to be glued (connected) together, whereby a double-sided ferrule is manufactured which has joint end surfaces on the opposite sides of the glued surfaces (connect

Abstract: A fiber pigtail template assembly includes first and second silicon wafers each having a planar surface with a plurality of corresponding grooves therein extending from a leading edge toward a trailing edge. The plurality of corresponding grooves, with the planar surfaces in abutment and the corresponding grooves aligned define a plurality of fiber channels. The first and second silicon wafers further cooperatively define a receptacle between the fiber channels and the trailing edges of the first and second silicon wafers with the planar surfaces of the silicon wafers in abutment with the grooves aligned. A minor diameter leading portion of an optical fiber is received in each fiber channel and the receptacle is sized to receive major diameter trailing portions of each fiber without causing a bending radius of the fiber sufficient to materially degrade wavelength propagation.

Abstract: A method for making an optical collimating device having three or more ports. A test light having the same wavelength as that at which the filter is designed to operate is transmitted through the input collimator. The angle of incidence is measured, and the location where the reflected beam reaches the ferrule is determined. The data dictates where the output fiber pigtail should be positioned within the ferrule to achieve the measured angle of incidence for that transmitted wavelength and the spacing between input and output pigtails based on the angle of reflection. Multiple ferrules containing two or more pigtails corresponding to a particular filter operating at a particular wavelength are segregated into separate collimator bins that are marked accordingly.

Abstract: A planar-mounted optical waveguide transmitter-receiver module, in which a plurality of separated silicon substrates and a PLC substrate are hybrid-integrated, is provided. In this module, electrical crosstalk between the light emitting element side and photo-receiving element side is reduced, and adhesion area between substrates is decreased. In this module, a first silicon substrate, on which are mounted a light emitting element and photo-receiving element, is positioned opposing a second silicon substrate, in which is formed a V groove, in which an optical fiber is to be inserted and fixed in place with resin or by other means. On joining surfaces of the first silicon substrate and joining surfaces of the second silicon substrate are positioned and fixed in place joining surfaces on the back face of an optical waveguide (PLC) substrate, in which is formed an optical waveguide.

Abstract: A fiber optic cable connector for an optical ribbon comprises a multi-fiber ferrule having a plurality of stub fibers secured therein with ends of the fibers projecting beyond the end of the ferrule. The connector also includes first and second opposed splice members extending lengthwise from a first end proximate the end of the ferrule to an opposite second end, and the ends of the stub fibers extend between the opposed splice members at the first end thereof and are disposed in fiber-aligning grooves formed in the first splice member. The splice members are arranged with a fiber-receiving space therebetween to allow the optical fibers of the fiber optic ribbon to be inserted through the fiber-receiving space such that the optical fibers engage the grooves and are guided by the grooves into optically connected relation with the ends of the stub fibers.

Abstract: An optical fiber connector includes first and second holders for holding first and second connection ends of first and second optical fibers, respectively, so that fiber end surfaces of the connection ends are butt-spliced by coupling the holders together. The first holder includes a first holder portion having a first holding groove for holding the top half of the first connection end and for allowing the bottom half thereof to be exposed. The first holding groove includes a pair of inclined planes for aligning the top half. The second holder is similar to the first holder except that the second holder is constructed such that the bottom half of the second connection end is held and aligned while the top half thereof is exposed. Additionally, the fiber end surfaces recede from the end surfaces of the corresponding holding portions, and the holding grooves oppose each other sandwiching the optical fiber therebetween. Thus, the receded portion of the first holding groove aligns the second optical fiber.

Abstract: Methods of making a multiple-port optical device include precisely positioning pairs of optical fibers inside of a fiber ferrule using a positioning means, such as shaped capillaries or an external clamp, to hold the position of the fibers while adhesive is applied to the fibers and cured. The external precision positioning means comprise silicon wafers which are etched to form capillaries or guides for the fibers. Adhesive is applied to the fibers and wicked into the fiber ferrule capillary to completely fill the capillary. The external positioning means is removed after curing and the fiber ferrule is polished for use in optical devices such as multiple-port DWDM filter packages.

Abstract: An object of the invention of the present application is to provide a V-shaped groove block for an optical fiber which has a simple structure, and can high strength fusion splice between optical fibers; in order to achieve the object, the present invention provide a V-shaped groove block for optical fibers for aligning and positioning the axis of naked optical fibers, wherein a thin film comprising a material that will not damage the naked optical fiber even when they are slid thereon, is provided on a surface of a V-shaped groove.