Optical wavelength division multiplexer/demultiplexer having preformed passively aligned optics

摘要

An optical wavelength division multiplexer and de-multiplexer for single mode or multi-mode fiber optic communication systems is provided. The device includes in its preferred embodiment a prefabricated optical block having a reflective coating on its flat upper surface and a plurality of n filters carried on its flat lower surface. A molded plastic coupling module has a flat upper surface to which the optical block and filters are adhesively mounted and the coupling module also includes a lower surface having a plurality of n aspheric lenses. In the preferred embodiment, a fiber optic cable receptacle is molded to the coupling module along with a collimating lens and a beam reflector so that, when the components are assembled, the optical pathway is passively aligned and no postfabrication alignment adjusting or tuning is required.