AU6557300A - Optical coupling device - Google Patents

Optical coupling device Download PDF

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Publication number
AU6557300A
AU6557300A AU65573/00A AU6557300A AU6557300A AU 6557300 A AU6557300 A AU 6557300A AU 65573/00 A AU65573/00 A AU 65573/00A AU 6557300 A AU6557300 A AU 6557300A AU 6557300 A AU6557300 A AU 6557300A
Authority
AU
Australia
Prior art keywords
variable
length
holding
spring element
optical
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Abandoned
Application number
AU65573/00A
Inventor
Robert Aigner
Helmut Albrecht
Gerhard Heise
Wolfgang Schweiker
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
SCC Special Communication Cables GmbH and Co KG
Original Assignee
SCC Special Communication Cables GmbH and Co KG
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by SCC Special Communication Cables GmbH and Co KG filed Critical SCC Special Communication Cables GmbH and Co KG
Publication of AU6557300A publication Critical patent/AU6557300A/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
    • G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
    • G02B6/24—Coupling light guides
    • G02B6/42—Coupling light guides with opto-electronic elements
    • G02B6/4201—Packages, e.g. shape, construction, internal or external details
    • G02B6/4219—Mechanical fixtures for holding or positioning the elements relative to each other in the couplings; Alignment methods for the elements, e.g. measuring or observing methods especially used therefor
    • G02B6/422—Active alignment, i.e. moving the elements in response to the detected degree of coupling or position of the elements
    • G02B6/4226—Positioning means for moving the elements into alignment, e.g. alignment screws, deformation of the mount
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
    • G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
    • G02B6/24—Coupling light guides
    • G02B6/26—Optical coupling means
    • G02B6/28—Optical coupling means having data bus means, i.e. plural waveguides interconnected and providing an inherently bidirectional system by mixing and splitting signals
    • G02B6/293—Optical coupling means having data bus means, i.e. plural waveguides interconnected and providing an inherently bidirectional system by mixing and splitting signals with wavelength selective means
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
    • G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
    • G02B6/24—Coupling light guides
    • G02B6/26—Optical coupling means
    • G02B6/30—Optical coupling means for use between fibre and thin-film device
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
    • G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
    • G02B6/10—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings of the optical waveguide type
    • G02B6/12—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings of the optical waveguide type of the integrated circuit kind
    • G02B6/12007—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings of the optical waveguide type of the integrated circuit kind forming wavelength selective elements, e.g. multiplexer, demultiplexer
    • G02B6/12009—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings of the optical waveguide type of the integrated circuit kind forming wavelength selective elements, e.g. multiplexer, demultiplexer comprising arrayed waveguide grating [AWG] devices, i.e. with a phased array of waveguides
    • G02B6/12033—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings of the optical waveguide type of the integrated circuit kind forming wavelength selective elements, e.g. multiplexer, demultiplexer comprising arrayed waveguide grating [AWG] devices, i.e. with a phased array of waveguides characterised by means for configuring the device, e.g. moveable element for wavelength tuning

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Optics & Photonics (AREA)
  • Optical Couplings Of Light Guides (AREA)
  • Optical Communication System (AREA)
  • Mechanical Coupling Of Light Guides (AREA)

Abstract

The invention relates to an optical coupling device for coupling light between the end surfaces of two optical waveguides, in which the geometrical position of the end surface of one optical waveguide can be modified using a longitudinally modifiable element (8). Said element supports one of the two optical waveguides (10) and is fixed to the other optical waveguide by fixing blocks (4, 6). The longitudinally modifiable element is held by a spongy or porous spring element (14) which is supported either directly or indirectly on at least one of the fixing blocks (6) and permits longitudinal displacements of the longitudinally modifiable element by the extension or contraction of the same in its longitudinal direction. Said spring element also suppresses the vertical displacement of the longitudinally modifiable element, in relation to the longitudinal direction of said longitudinally modifiable element.

Description

PCT/DE0O/02395 Description Optical coupling device The invention relates to an optical coupling device for injecting light between two optical 5 waveguide end faces, it being possible to vary the geometrical position of the one optical-waveguide end face, for example, an optical fiber, with respect to the other optical-waveguide end face, for example a fiber-optic chip, with the aid of a variable-length 10 element which, via a holding device, carries the one of the two optical waveguides, and is fastened to the other optical waveguide through two holding blocks. An optical coupling device is known, for example, from WO 98/13718. Such coupling devices are 15 used in optical filters according to the phased-array principle with an injection face, which light enters at a specific geometrical position, the geometrical position influencing the output wavelength of the optical filter. Optical filters according to the 20 phased-array principle are used, in particular, as multiplexers or demultiplexers in optical wavelength multiplex operation (WDM), since they have a low input attenuation and high crosstalk suppression. The optical filter has, as its essential component, a plurality of 25 curved optical waveguides of different length, which form a phase-shifter region. German Patent Application DE 44 22 651.9 describes that the central wavelength of a phased-array filter can be established through the position of an 30 injection optical waveguide, which guides the light into the optical waveguide. In this way, the central wavelength of the optical filter can be adjusted accurately through the geometrical positioning of the injection optical waveguide or the injection fiber. 35 Since it is therefore desirable for the optical waveguides to be shifted relative to one another, the optical waveguides cannot be adhesively bonded directly to one another. In the optical coupling device cited in the - 2 - PCT/DEOO/02395 introduction, the holding blocks are fastened to the chip, and the optical fiber is held on the variable length element. In this case, the variable-length element may oscillate or bend, which causes temporary 5 or permanent deadjustment of the fiber, even though a certain degree of guiding is provided. It is therefore an object of the invention to ensure improved guiding of the variable-length element parallel to its extension direction and to avoid 10 deadjustment during operation. To achieve this object, the optical coupling device mentioned in the introduction is characterized in that the variable-length element, or the holding device, is held by a spring element, which is spongily 15 or porously designed and which is supported directly or indirectly on at least one of the holding blocks and allows movements of the variable-length element, or the holding device, in the length direction of the variable-length element, in which the variable-length 20 element is extended or shortened, and prevents movement of the variable-length element perpendicular to the length direction of the variable-length element. The variable-length element, which is necessarily fastened further away to the other optical waveguide, that is to 25 say the chip, presses against the holding device for the fiber, in order to permit the relative movement of the fiber with respect to the chip. The spring element is configured in such a way that residual movement perpendicular to the plane is maximally suppressed. The 30 effect achieved by this is that the movement of the fiber relative to the chip takes place very exactly parallel to the chip face and virtually no deadjustment perpendicular thereto occurs. Since the spring element is spongily or 35 porously designed and the wall thickness of the spring element is hence reduced in comparison with the wall thickness of the solid material, the desired elasticity or spring characteristic is imparted to the spring element. Through selection of the ratio between the - 3 - PCT/DEOO/02395 remaining wall thickness and the hole size, it is advantageously possible to vary the elasticity in wide ranges. In the invention, it is furthermore 5 advantageous that the holding block can be adhesively bonded to the second optical waveguide (optical waveguide chip) very close to the fiber, so that large levers are avoided. Undesired movements in the directions perpendicular to the desired extension of 10 the variable-length element are thereby reduced significantly. An advantageous configuration of the device according to the invention is characterized in that the variable-length element, the holding device and the 15 spring element are arranged between the two holding blocks, and in that the holding device is designed integrally with the variable-length element and the spring element is designed separately therefrom. In this case, it is advantageous that the material of the 20 spring element can be selected without, having to take into account the requirements placed on the material of the variable-length element. Another advantageous configuration of the device according to the invention is characterized in 25 that the variable-length element, the holding device and the spring element are arranged between the two holding blocks, and in that the holding device, the variable-length element and the spring element are designed integrally. This configuration has production 30 technology advantages and also has advantages relating to the operational reliability and the life of the arrangement. Another advantageous configuration of the device according to the invention is characterized in 35 that the variable-length element, the holding device and the spring element are arranged between the two holding blocks, and in that the holding device and the spring element are designed integrally and the variable-length element is designed separately - 4 - PCT/DE0O/02395 therefrom. Here again, it is possible to produce the holding devices and the spring element without having to pay attention to the material of the variable-length element. 5 Another advantageous configuration of the device according to the invention is characterized in that the variable-length element, the holding device and the spring element are arranged between the two holding blocks, and in that the holding device, the 10 spring element and the holding block connected thereto are designed integrally and the variable-length element is designed separately therefrom. Another advantageous configuration of the device according to the invention is characterized in 15 that the spring element is formed by slots in the variable-length element, or the holding device, which lie in a plane parallel to the end faces and perpendicular to the length direction of the variable length element. These slots can be employed 20 particularly advantageously whenever the variable length element, the holding device and the spring element, or alternatively at least the holding device and the spring element, are designed integrally with one another. The direction of the slots is also 25 advantageous since, if the slots are rotated through 90', for example, stability in the critical direction perpendicular to the chip plane is no longer sufficiently guaranteed. Another advantageous configuration of the 30 device according to the invention is characterized in that an even number of slots are provided. Tilting tendencies can thereby be minimized. Another advantageous configuration of the device according to the invention is characterized in 35 that the spring element is formed by bores in the variable-length element, or the holding device, which lie in a plane parallel to the end faces and perpendicular to the length direction of the variable length element. Such bores are easy to machine-produce, - 5 - PCT/DEO0/02395 it being possible to set the spring constant of the spring element through the size of the bores. Another advantageous configuration of the device according to the invention is characterized in 5 that the length of the variable-length element is selected in such a way that the spring element is under prestress in the starting position of the variable length element. This guarantees that, if it is designed separately from the variable-length element, the 10 holding device follows the variable-length element when the latter contracts. Another advantageous configuration of the device according to the invention is characterized in that the two holding blocks are connected to one 15 another by a link, the arrangement consisting of the two holding blocks, the variable-length element, the holding device and the spring element being provided with greater stability. Another advantageous configuration of the 20 device according to the invention is characterized in that the two holding blocks are connected to one another by a frame, a respective link being provided at the top and at the bottom between the two holding blocks, and the links being produced in one piece with 25 the holding blocks, so that they can be adhesively bonded with the latter to the chip. Lastly, another advantageous configuration of the device according to the invention is characterized in that the holding device has a ferrule in which the 30 optical waveguide, or the optical fiber, is fastened. It would admittedly also be possible to fasten the fiber to the resilient element without a ferrule, for example by adhesive bonding in a V-groove. Nevertheless, it is preferable to use a ferrule owing 35 to the accuracy of the fit and the avoidance of aging phenomena in the adhesive for adhesively bonding the fiber in the V-groove. An exemplary embodiment of the invention will be described with the aid of the appended drawing, - 6 - PCT/DEOO/02395 which shows a side view of the exemplary embodiment of the coupling device according to the invention. The figure shows a side view of a coupling device according to an exemplary embodiment of the 5 invention, in which two holding blocks 4, 6 are fastened, for example adhesively bonded, on an optical waveguide chip 2. One of the holding blocks 4 carries a variable-length element 8. A fiber 10 is fastened to a holding device 12. The variable-length element 8 is 10 clamped or adhesively bonded between the one holding block 4 and a holding part 12 for the fiber 10. The variable-length element 8, or the holding part 12, is supported on the holding block 6 via a spring element 14. The spring element is formed by 15 outer slots 16 and inner slots 18. The slots 16, 18 can also be replaced by bores. In the vicinity of the spring element 14, the material may also be spongily or porously designed. For the spring element 14, it is only necessary 20 for the wall thickness of the spring element to be reduced in comparison with the wall thickness of the solid material, in order to impart the desired elasticity or spring characteristic to the spring element 14. Through selection of the ratio between the 25 remaining wall thickness and the hole size, it is possible to vary the elasticity in wide ranges. In the exemplary embodiment that is shown, the two holding blocks 4, 6 are connected to one another via a link 20, which lies in the plane of the fiber 30 optic chip 2. The two holding blocks 4, 6 can also be connected to one another via a frame, which stands perpendicular to the face of the fiber-optic chip 2, which ensures that the coupling device overall is stabilized. In this exemplary embodiment, the links can 35 be produced in one piece or adhesively bonded to one another.

Claims (12)

1. An optical coupling device for injecting light between two optical-waveguide end faces, it being possible to vary the geometrical position of the one 5 optical-waveguide end face, for example an optical fiber, with respect to the other optical-waveguide end face, for example a fiber-optic chip, with the aid of a variable-length element which, via a holding device, carries the one of the two optical waveguides, and is 10 fastened to the other optical waveguide through a holding block, characterized in that the variable length element (8), or the holding device (12), is held by a spring element (14), the spring element (14) is spongily or porously designed and is supported directly 15 or indirectly on at least one of the holding blocks (4, 6) and allows movements of the variable-length element, or the holding device, in the length direction of the variable-length element, in which the variable-length element is extended or shortened, and prevents movement 20 of the variable-length element perpendicular to the length direction of the variable-length element.
2. The device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the variable-length element (8), the holding device and the spring element (6) are arranged between 25 the two holding blocks (4, 6), and in that the holding device is designed integrally with the variable-length element and the spring element is designed separately therefrom.
3. The device as claimed in claim 1, characterized 30 in that the variable-length element (8), the holding device and the spring element are arranged between the two holding blocks (4, 6), and in that the holding device, the variable-length element and the spring element are designed integrally. 35
4. The device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the variable-length element (8), the holding device (12) and the spring element (14) are arranged between the two holding blocks (4, 6), and in that the holding device and the spring element are designed - 8 - PCT/DEO0/02395 integrally and the variable-length element is designed separately therefrom.
5. The device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the variable-length element (8), the holding 5 device (12) and the spring element (14) are arranged between the two holding blocks (4, 6), and in that the holding device, the spring element and the holding block (6) connected thereto are designed integrally and the variable-length element is designed separately 10 therefrom.
6. The device as claimed in one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the spring element (14) is formed by slots (16, 18) in the variable-length element (8), or the holding device, which lie in a plane 15 perpendicular to the length direction of the variable length element, the open edges lying perpendicular to the chip plane.
7. The device as claimed in claim 6, characterized in that an even number of slots are provided. 20
8. The device as claimed in one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the spring element (14) is formed by bores in the variable-length element (8), or the holding device, which lie in a plane parallel to the end faces of the optical waveguides and perpendicular 25 to the length direction of the variable-length element.
9. The device as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the length of the variable-length element is selected in such a way that the spring element is under prestress in the starting 30 position of the variable-length element.
10. The device as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the two holding blocks (4, 6) are connected to one another by a link (20).
11. The device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the two holding blocks are connected to one another by a frame, a respective link being provided at the top and at the bottom between the two holding blocks.
12. The device as claimed in one of the preceding - 9 - PCT/DEOO/02395 claims, characterized in that the holding device is a ferrule in which the optical waveguide (10), or the optical fiber, is fastened.
AU65573/00A 1999-07-21 2000-07-21 Optical coupling device Abandoned AU6557300A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE19934183 1999-07-21
DE19934183A DE19934183A1 (en) 1999-07-21 1999-07-21 Optical waveguide end-faces light coupling device e.g. for light-guide chip
PCT/DE2000/002395 WO2001007948A1 (en) 1999-07-21 2000-07-21 Optical coupling device

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
AU6557300A true AU6557300A (en) 2001-02-13

Family

ID=7915536

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
AU65573/00A Abandoned AU6557300A (en) 1999-07-21 2000-07-21 Optical coupling device

Country Status (11)

Country Link
EP (1) EP1203252B1 (en)
JP (1) JP2003507752A (en)
KR (1) KR20020033729A (en)
CN (1) CN1361876A (en)
AT (1) ATE235702T1 (en)
AU (1) AU6557300A (en)
BR (1) BR0012574A (en)
CA (1) CA2379417A1 (en)
DE (2) DE19934183A1 (en)
MX (1) MXPA01012967A (en)
WO (1) WO2001007948A1 (en)

Families Citing this family (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20030118308A1 (en) * 2001-12-21 2003-06-26 Terry Bricheno Thermal compensation and alignment for optical devices
EP1326107A3 (en) 2002-01-04 2004-03-10 JDS Uniphase Corporation Athermal optical coupler
EP1372007A1 (en) * 2002-06-11 2003-12-17 Alcatel Optical positioning device for coupling optical fibres to optical devices
DE10344768B3 (en) 2003-09-26 2005-08-18 Siemens Ag Optical module with resilient element between lens holder and circuit carrier and optical system
US7397986B2 (en) 2005-03-04 2008-07-08 Gemfire Corporation Optical device with reduced temperature dependence
US8873910B2 (en) 2010-03-19 2014-10-28 Gemfire Corporation Optical device with athermal slots for temperature dependence curvature reduction
RU2659456C2 (en) * 2010-04-30 2018-07-02 Владимир Александрович Григорьев Unified optical scheme of detachable fiber optic connector for optical converter development

Family Cites Families (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4864824A (en) * 1988-10-31 1989-09-12 American Telephone And Telegraph Company, At&T Bell Laboratories Thin film shape memory alloy and method for producing
DE4233489A1 (en) * 1992-10-05 1994-04-07 Electronic Production Partners Optical component
TW355752B (en) * 1996-09-27 1999-04-11 Siemens Ag Optical coupling-device to couple the light between two waveguide-end-face

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
JP2003507752A (en) 2003-02-25
EP1203252A1 (en) 2002-05-08
DE19934183A1 (en) 2001-01-25
WO2001007948A1 (en) 2001-02-01
CA2379417A1 (en) 2001-02-01
CN1361876A (en) 2002-07-31
BR0012574A (en) 2002-04-16
DE50001570D1 (en) 2003-04-30
KR20020033729A (en) 2002-05-07
ATE235702T1 (en) 2003-04-15
EP1203252B1 (en) 2003-03-26
MXPA01012967A (en) 2002-07-30

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Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
MK6 Application lapsed section 142(2)(f)/reg. 8.3(3) - pct applic. not entering national phase
TH Corrigenda

Free format text: IN VOL 15, NO 20, PAGE(S) 4277-4282 UNDER THE HEADING APPLICATIONS LAPSED, REFUSED OR WITHDRAWN PLEASE DELETE ALL REFERENCE TO APPLICATION NO. 56729/00, 60060/00, 65573/00 AND 15456/01