Apparatus and method for mounting a laser to a substrate and aligning the laser with an optical conduit

摘要

A laser mounting configuration and method that enables a laser to be mounted onto a substrate in an orientation that passively aligns the laser with and adjacent optical fiber or optical waveguide. In an application with an optical fiber, a structure is formed in the substrate to retain the optical fiber at a fixed position. Ridges are formed in the substrate at a known orientation with respect to where the optical fiber is held. When the laser is applied to the substrate, the ridges on the substrate engage grooves formed on the bottom of the laser, thereby orienting the laser. In an application with an optical waveguide, a trench is formed in the substrate. The optical waveguide is formed partially within the trench so that the core of the waveguide is at the same height as the active layer of the laser when the laser lays flush on the substrate. Alignment stops are formed on the substrate at predetermined positions with respect to the waveguide. When the laser is brought into abutment with the alignment stops, the laser becomes properly aligned with the core of the optical waveguide.