COUPLING LIGHT FROM A WAVEGUIDE ARRAY TO SINGLE MODE FIBER ARRAY

摘要

Techniques for coupling light from a waveguide array to a single mode fiber array are described. In an embodiment, lateral misalignment of an array of focusing lenses and an array of optical fiber ferrules held into alignment by a lens holder sub-assembly is compensated by tilting the lens holder sub-assembly with respect to the propagation axis of the light being coupled by the lens holder-subassembly. Since the amount of tilt can be adjusted according to the degree of lateral misalignment, lens holder sub-assemblies manufactured with varying degrees of misalignment may be utilized to couple light into single mode fiber-optic cable. In addition, the same technique can also be used to compensate for other defects as well, such as angular errors in manufacturing or placement of a turning mirror or prism used to direct light into the lens holder sub-assembly.

主权项

1. An apparatus comprising:
a transmitter that is configured to emit modulated light upon which data is encoded; one or more focusing lenses that are configured to focus the modulated light into one or more optical fiber ferrules; a lens holder sub-assembly that couples the one or more focusing lenses to the one or more optical fiber ferrules; wherein each focusing lens of the one or more focusing lenses is laterally misaligned with respect to an optical fiber ferrule of the one or more optical fiber ferrules that corresponds to the focusing lens, wherein the modulated light from the transmitter is divergent upon reaching the one or more focusing lenses, wherein the lens holder sub-assembly is a lateral distance from the transmitter such that the modulated light from the transmitter passes through the lens holder sub-assembly even though the one or more focusing lenses are laterally misaligned with the one or more optical fiber ferrules.