Aligning optical components with optical waveguides using a cavity and two step structures

摘要

Aligning optical components with optical waveguides according to a common optical axis is done by an optical component assembly OCA, an adapter ADP and a waveguide assembly WGA. The OCA has optical components and a first alignment structure of a cavity (SC, figure 1) which is associated with the substrate of the OCA. The ADP presents a base surface BS with a first step structure S1. The WGA has a second alignment structure comprising a distinct step structure S3 designed according to the position of the waveguides within the waveguides assembly. The OCA, WGA and the ADP are positioned so that a sidewall of the cavity and the distinct step structure S3 are in contact with a sidewall of the first step structure SI. A second step structure S2 may also be provided.