INTEGRATED MICROELECTROMECHANICAL ALIGNMENT AND LOCKING APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR FIBER OPTIC MODULE MANUFACTURING

摘要

An apparatus (102) and a method for aligning an optical fiber (120) with an optoelectronic device (112) inside an optoelectronic package (102) using an internal automated micro-aligner (10) and internal solder heater means (122) for locking the optical fiber (120) in a precisely aligned position with the optoelectronic device (112). The system includes a microprocessor having a monitor and an input device. The microprocessor controls the alignment of th e optical fiber and electrical current supplied to the resistor. The microprocessor also receives data from an instrument that measures the amoun t of light transmitted between the optical fiber and the optoelectronic device , and this data is analyzed by the microprocessor and appropriate command signals are sent from the microprocessor to the micro-aligner subsystem to automatically control the micro-aligner subsystem such that the optical fibe r is micro-positioned so as to increase the amount of light passing between th e optical fiber and the optoelectronic device while the solder preform is in a molten state.