Modified transistor outline (TO)-can assembly for use in optical communications and a method

摘要

A modified TO-can assembly is provided that has greater versatility with respect to spatial constraints than known TO-can assemblies and that is suitable for use in a wider range of applications than known TO-can assemblies. The modified TO-can assembly has a receptacle that has been modified to receive an optical fiber through its side instead of through its end. Within the TO-can assembly, the optical path is folded in order to couple the light between the optoelectronic component of the TOSA or ROSA and the end of the optical fiber. The combination of these features provides the modified TO-can assembly with a compact profile that makes it more versatile with respect to spatial constraints and therefore suitable for use in a wider range of applications.

主权项

1. A modified transistor-outline (TO)-can assembly comprising:
a header having at least an upper surface and a lower surface, the lower surface of the header corresponding to the lower surface of the modified TO-can assembly; an optical subassembly (OSA) disposed on the upper surface of the header, the OSA including at least an optoelectronic device; a collar having at least an upper surface, a lower surface, an inner surface, and an outer surface, the inner and outer surfaces of the collar defining a side wall of the collar; a receptacle having at least a top surface, a bottom surface, and an outer wall, wherein the outer wall defines a side wall of the receptacle, wherein a portion of the outer wall of the receptacle is mechanically coupled to a portion of the inner surface of the collar, and wherein an opening is formed in the side wall of the collar and an opening is formed in the side wall of the receptacle for receiving a portion of an optical fiber in the modified TO-can assembly at a non-zero degree angle, α, relative to an axis of the modified TO-can assembly that is generally normal to the upper surface and lower surface of the collar and the top surface and bottom surface of the receptacle; a cap having at least an upper surface, a lower surface, an inner surface, and an outer surface, the inner and outer surfaces of the cap defining a side wall of the cap, a portion of the lower surface of the cap being mechanically coupled to a portion of the upper surface of the header, wherein a portion of the lower surface of the collar is mechanically coupled to a portion of the upper surface of the cap; and a window having at least an upper surface and a lower surface, the upper surface of the window being mechanically coupled to the inner surface of the cap about a peripheral portion of the window, the window being transparent to an operational wavelength of the optoelectronic device is affixed to the bottom surface of the receptacle.