ALIGNMENT APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR TRANSVERSE OPTICAL COUPLING

摘要

Optical components may be aligned for transverse-optical coupling by: fabricating a first optical component (222) on a (substrate230); fabricating an alignment member (240) on the substrate suitably positioned relative to the first optical component; and assembling a second optical component onto the alignment member, thereby establishing transverse optical coupling between the optical components. The substrate (230) may be preferably be substantially planar. The alignment member (240) may mechanically engage the second optical component so as to accurately establish and stably maintain transverse optical coupling. The first optical component (222) and the alignment member (240) may preferably be fabricated on the substrate using precision spatially selective materials processing techniques. Transverse optical coupling between two optical components may be stably maintained by substantially solid substantially transparent low-index medium. An alignment member (240) may serve to accurately position the transverse-coupled components prior to embedding and hold them in place during embedding.