CN115407463A

CN115407463A - Optical device and assembling method thereof

Info

Publication number: CN115407463A
Application number: CN202110576469.XA
Authority: CN
Inventors: 张咏诚
Original assignee: Source Photonics Inc
Current assignee: Source Photonics Inc
Priority date: 2021-05-26
Filing date: 2021-05-26
Publication date: 2022-11-29
Also published as: TWI805338B; TW202246829A

Abstract

The present disclosure provides an optical device and a method of assembling the same, the optical device including a first optical fiber group and a second optical fiber group. The first optical fiber group has a first end portion and a second end portion opposite to the first end portion, and includes a plurality of first optical fibers arranged side by side with each other. The second optical fiber group has a third end portion and a fourth end portion opposite to the third end portion, and includes a plurality of second optical fibers arranged side by side with each other, wherein a length of each of the plurality of second optical fibers is greater than a length of each of the plurality of first optical fibers.

Description

Optical device and assembling method thereof

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to optical devices and methods for assembling the same, and more particularly, to an optical device with silicon photonic (silicon photonic) chips and a method for assembling the same.

Background

Ribbon fiber has the advantages of dense transmission, convenient connection, simple connection of multiple fibers, installation cost saving, etc., and is widely used in the current data center network.

With the widespread proliferation of ribbon fibers, the quality of the joint between the ribbon fiber and the optical device must be stabilized to improve the reliability of the optical transmission signal. Therefore, there is a need to improve the conventional ribbon fiber and its assembly method to improve the transmission efficiency of the optical device and reduce the production cost.

The above description of "prior art" is merely provided as background, and is not an admission that the above description of "prior art" discloses the subject matter of the present disclosure, does not constitute prior art to the present disclosure, and that any description of "prior art" above should not be taken as an admission that it is prior art.

Disclosure of Invention

One aspect of the present disclosure provides an optical device including a first optical fiber group and a second optical fiber group. The first optical fiber group has a first end portion and a second end portion opposite to the first end portion, and includes a plurality of first optical fibers arranged side by side with each other. The second optical fiber group has a third end portion and a fourth end portion opposite to the third end portion, and includes a plurality of second optical fibers arranged side by side with each other, wherein a length of each of the plurality of second optical fibers is greater than a length of each of the plurality of first optical fibers.

In some embodiments, the length of each of the plurality of second optical fibers is different from one another.

In some embodiments, the length of the second optical fiber set is greater than the length of the first optical fiber set.

In some embodiments, the first end portion is a greater distance from the third end portion than the second end portion is from the fourth end portion.

In some embodiments, a portion of the first plurality of optical fibers are coplanar with one another and a portion of the second plurality of optical fibers are coplanar with one another.

In some embodiments, the optical device further comprises a first gel and a second gel. The first colloid is fixed on one part of the first optical fiber group, and the second colloid is fixed on one part of the second optical fiber group.

In some embodiments, the optical device further comprises an optical receiver-transmitter coupling the first end and the third end. The first end part is an optical signal receiving end, and the third end part is an optical signal transmitting end.

In some embodiments, the optical transceiver includes an optical waveguide to receive or transmit optical signals from or to a first optical fiber group to a second optical fiber group.

One aspect of the present disclosure provides another optical device including a first optical fiber group and a second optical fiber group. The first optical fiber group has a first end portion and a second end portion opposite to the first end portion, and includes a plurality of first optical fibers arranged side by side with each other. The second optical fiber group has a third end portion and a fourth end portion opposite to the third end portion, and includes a plurality of second optical fibers arranged side by side with each other. The distance between the first optical fiber group and the second optical fiber group varies along the length direction of the first optical fiber group or the second optical fiber group.

In some embodiments, the second fiber set has an included angle greater than 0 degrees with respect to the first fiber set.

Another aspect of the present disclosure provides a method of forming an optical device, comprising: providing a first substrate having a first trench and a second trench, the first trench including a first end point and a second end point opposite to the first end point, the second trench including a third end point and a fourth end point opposite to the third end point; respectively placing a plurality of first optical fibers in the first groove and a plurality of second optical fibers in the second groove; covering the second substrate on the first substrate; and performing a preforming step, adhering the plurality of first optical fibers to form a first optical fiber group, and adhering the plurality of second optical fibers to form a second optical fiber group.

In some embodiments, after the first optical fibers are respectively disposed in the first grooves and the second optical fibers are respectively disposed in the second grooves, the first optical fibers are adjacently arranged side by side, and the second optical fibers are adjacently arranged side by side.

In some embodiments, the first groove restricts lateral movement of the first plurality of optical fibers and the second groove restricts lateral movement of the second plurality of optical fibers.

In some embodiments, the first trench has a first curved edge and the second trench has a second curved edge, the first curved edge and the second curved edge defining a direction of extension of the first plurality of optical fibers and the second plurality of optical fibers, respectively.

In some embodiments, the distance between the first arcuate edge and the second arcuate edge varies along the length of the first groove or the second groove.

In some embodiments, after covering the second substrate on the first substrate, the second substrate presses the first optical fibers in the first groove and the second optical fibers in the second groove, so that the first optical fibers and the second optical fibers are coplanar with each other.

In some embodiments, the method of forming an optical device further comprises providing first and second fixtures to respectively secure the ends of the first plurality of optical fibers, and providing third and fourth fixtures to respectively secure the ends of the second plurality of optical fibers.

In some embodiments, the preforming step includes applying an adhesive to the first and second plurality of optical fibers to form the first and second gels, respectively, after the adhesive is cured.

In some embodiments, the second substrate and the first substrate are removed after the pre-forming step.

In some embodiments, the method of forming an optical device further comprises cleaving a portion of the first optical fiber set and cleaving a portion of the second optical fiber set.

Therefore, the present disclosure provides a novel method for assembling an optical device, in which a plurality of optical fibers are shaped and bonded in advance to form an optical fiber set having a predefined shape, and the formed optical fiber set can have both flexibility of a single optical fiber and strength of the optical fiber set. Multiple fiber sets may have optical signal transmitting or receiving ends as needed to mate with optical receiving transmitters. Therefore, the optical fiber group can be easily combined with the optical signal transmitting or receiving end required by the optical receiving and transmitting device, the stress effect at the coupling interface of the optical receiving and transmitting device and the corresponding optical signal transmitting or receiving end is further reduced, the problem of overlarge stress when the optical signal transmitting or receiving end of the non-shaped optical fiber group is coupled with the optical receiving and transmitting device is solved, and the reliability of the optical device is further improved.

The foregoing has outlined rather broadly the features and advantages of the present disclosure in order that the detailed description of the disclosure that follows may be better understood. Additional features and advantages of the disclosure will be described hereinafter which form the subject of the claims of the disclosure. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the conception and specific embodiment disclosed may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other structures or processes for carrying out the same purposes of the present disclosure. It should also be realized by those skilled in the art that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the disclosure as set forth in the appended claims.

Drawings

The disclosure of the present application will become more fully understood from the consideration of the following detailed description and the appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals refer to like elements.

Fig. 1 is an exploded schematic view of a prior art optical device.

Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the first optical fiber set and the second optical fiber set shown in fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is an exploded schematic view of another optical device of the prior art.

Fig. 4 is a schematic illustration of an optical device drawn in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.

Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a first fiber set and a second fiber set according to fig. 4, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

Fig. 6 is a schematic length diagram of a plurality of first optical fibers and a plurality of second optical fibers as depicted in some embodiments of fig. 4.

Fig. 7 is a flow chart of an optical device assembly method drawn in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.

Fig. 8-21 are schematic diagrams of steps performed according to some embodiments of the present disclosure in the optical device assembly method of fig. 7, respectively.

Wherein the reference numerals are as follows:

10. 110: first optical fiber group

20. 120: second optical fiber group

30. 130, 130: optical receiving and transmitting device

12. 112, 112: first optical fiber

22. 122: second optical fiber

32. 132: optical signal receiving terminal

34. 134: optical signal transmitting terminal

40. 140: optical fiber connector

42. 142: first joint

44. 144, and (3) 144: second joint

50. 150: the first colloid

60. 160: the second colloid

101. 103, 105, 107, 109, 111, 113, 115: step (ii) of

180: first substrate

182: first trench

184: second trench

180S: extrusion part

180P: projecting part

190: second substrate

200: method of producing a composite material

A1, T1: first end part

A2, T2: a second end part

A3, T3: third end part

A4, T4: fourth end part

C1, C2: direction of cutting

D1, L1: distance between two adjacent plates

E1: first end point

E2: second end point

E3: third endpoint

E4: fourth terminal point

J1: first fixing device

J2: second fixing device

J3: third fixing device

J4: fourth fixing device

O1, O2, P1: optical device

S1: first arc edge

S2: second arc edge

W1: first width

W2: second width

Z1: direction of rotation

Detailed Description

Embodiments of the present disclosure are discussed in detail below. It should be appreciated, however, that the embodiments provide many applicable inventive concepts that can be embodied in a wide variety of specific contexts. The specific embodiments discussed are merely illustrative of specific ways to make and use the embodiments, and do not limit the scope of the disclosure.

Like reference numerals are configured to refer to like elements throughout the various views and illustrative embodiments. Reference will now be made in detail to exemplary embodiments that are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings and the description to refer to the same or like parts. In the drawings, the shape and thickness may be exaggerated for clarity and convenience. The description will be directed in particular to elements forming part of, or cooperating more directly with, apparatus in accordance with the disclosure. It is to be understood that elements not specifically shown or described may take various forms. Reference throughout this specification to "some embodiments" or "an embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. Thus, the appearances of the phrases "in some embodiments" or "in embodiments" in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments.

In the drawings, like numerals are configured to indicate like or similar elements throughout the several views, and illustrative embodiments of the present invention are shown and described. The figures are not necessarily to scale and in some instances, the figures have been exaggerated and/or simplified and are configured for illustrative purposes only. Many possible applications and variations of the present invention will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art based on the following illustrative embodiments of the invention.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which embodiments of the present disclosure belong. It will be understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and the present disclosure and will not be interpreted, or interpreted, in an overly formal sense unless expressly defined herein.

In addition, the following examples are provided as illustrations of the core value of the disclosure, but not to limit the scope of the disclosure. For purposes of clarity and understanding, the same or similar functions or elements will not be repeated among the different embodiments of the disclosure, but will not be described or illustrated in the drawings. Moreover, different elements or technical features of different embodiments may be combined or replaced with each other to obtain a new embodiment without mutual conflict and still fall within the scope of the present disclosure.

Referring to fig. 1, fig. 1 is an exploded schematic view of an optical device O1. The optical device O1 includes a first optical fiber group 10, a second optical fiber group 20, an optical transceiver 30, and an optical fiber connector 40. The first optical fiber group 10 has a first end A1 and a second end A2 opposite to the first end A1, while the second optical fiber group 20 has a third end A3 and a fourth end A4 opposite to the third end A3. The first optical fiber group 10 and the second optical fiber group 20 are both linear and have the same length, and when the first optical fiber group 10 and the second optical fiber group 20 are placed in parallel, the distance between the first end A1 and the third end A3 is equal to the distance between the second end A2 and the fourth end A4.

The optical transceiver 30 may be connected to an optical signal receiving end 32 and an optical signal transmitting end 34. The fiber optic splice 40 has a first splice 42 and a second splice 44. The distance between the optical signal receiving end 32 and the optical signal transmitting end 34 of the optical transceiver 30 is equal to the distance between the first connector 42 and the second connector 44 of the optical fiber connector 40. When the optical device O1 is assembled, the first end portion A1 of the first optical fiber set 10 is connected to the optical signal receiving end 32, the third end portion A3 of the second optical fiber set 20 is connected to the optical signal emitting end 34, and the optical signal receiving end 32 and the optical signal emitting end 34 are coupled to the optical receiving transmitter 30. On the other hand, the second end portion A2 of the first optical fiber group 10 is connected to the first connector 42 of the optical fiber connector 40, and the fourth end portion A4 of the second optical fiber group 20 is connected to the second connector 44 of the optical fiber connector 40.

Referring to fig. 2, fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the first optical fiber group 10 and the second optical fiber group 20 shown in fig. 1. The first optical fiber group 10 includes a plurality of first optical fibers 12 arranged side by side with each other, and the second optical fiber group 20 includes a plurality of second optical fibers 22 arranged side by side with each other. The plurality of first optical fibers 12 and the plurality of second optical fibers 22 are respectively fixed by the first glue 50 and the second glue 60, so that a first optical fiber group 10 including the plurality of first optical fibers 12 arranged adjacently and a second optical fiber group 20 including the plurality of second optical fibers 22 arranged adjacently are formed.

Referring to fig. 3, fig. 3 is an exploded view of another optical device O2. Since the specifications of the optical transceiver manufactured by different manufacturers are different, the distance between the optical signal inlet and the optical signal outlet (not shown) of the optical transceiver 30 varies from manufacturer to manufacturer. Taking fig. 3 as an example, when the optical signal inlet and the optical signal outlet of the optical transceiver 30 are coupled to the optical signal transmitting end 34 and the optical signal receiving end 32, respectively, the distance between the optical signal receiving end 32 and the optical signal transmitting end 34 may not be equal to the distance between the first connector 42 and the second connector 44 of the optical fiber connector 40. Fig. 3 differs from fig. 1 in that the distance between the optical signal receiving end 32 and the optical signal transmitting end 34 is greater than the distance between the first stub 42 and the second stub 44 of the optical fiber stub 40. When the first optical fiber group 10 and the second optical fiber group 20 are coupled to the optical transceiver 30 and the optical fiber connector 40 at the same time, the first optical fiber group 10 and the second optical fiber group 20 must be bent to deviate from a straight line to complete the coupling.

During the process of bending the first optical fiber group 10 and the second optical fiber group 20, since the plurality of first optical fibers 12 and the plurality of second optical fibers 22 arranged adjacently have been fixed by the first glue 50 and the second glue 60, respectively, and the bending degree of each optical fiber is different, when the first optical fiber group 10 and the second optical fiber group 20 are coupled to the optical transceiver 30 and the optical fiber connector 40 at the same time, a large torsion exists in the first optical fiber group 10 and the second optical fiber group 20, resulting in incomplete connection with the optical transceiver 30 or the optical fiber connector 40, which results in that the optical signal cannot be transmitted from the optical signal receiving end 32 and the optical signal transmitting end 34 of the optical transceiver 30 to the first optical fiber group 10 or the second optical fiber group 20, or from the first optical fiber group 10 and the second optical fiber group 20 to the optical signal receiving end 32 or the optical signal transmitting end 34, and thus the reliability problem of the optical device O2 occurs.

The present disclosure provides an optical device and an assembling method thereof, which are used to solve the problem of over-torque existing after a plurality of optical fiber sets are coupled with an optical receiving/transmitting device, an optical signal transmitting end and an optical signal receiving end at the same time.

Referring to fig. 4, fig. 4 is a schematic illustration of an optical device P1, drawn in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, the optical device P1 includes a first optical fiber group 110, a second optical fiber group 120, an optical receiver-transmitter 130, and an optical fiber connector 140. In some embodiments, first fiber set 110 has a first end T1 and a second end T2 opposite first end T1, and second fiber set 120 has a third end T3 and a fourth end T4 opposite third end T3.

In some embodiments, the first fiber group 110 and the second fiber group 120 are ribbon fibers (ribbon fibers). In some embodiments, the first fiber set 110 includes a plurality of first fibers 112 and the second fiber set 120 includes a plurality of second fibers 122. In some embodiments, the length of the first optical fiber group 110 is the length of the longest first optical fiber 112 of the plurality of first optical fibers 112. In some embodiments, the length of the second optical fiber group 120 is the length of the longest second optical fiber 112 of the plurality of second optical fibers 122. In some embodiments, the length of the first fiber set 110 and the length of the second fiber set 120 are different. In some embodiments, the length of the second fiber set 120 is greater than the length of the first fiber set 110. In some embodiments, the first end T1 of the first fiber set 110 is a greater distance from the third end T3 of the second fiber set 120 than the second end T2 of the first fiber set 110 is from the fourth end T4 of the second fiber set 120.

In some embodiments, the optical transceiver 130 may include a silicon photonic (silicon photonics) chip or optical engine that converts electrical signals into optical signals or optical signals into electrical signals and transmits the electrical signals through an optical signal inlet and outlet (not shown). In some embodiments, the first end T1 of the first optical fiber set 110 is first combined with the optical signal receiving end 132 and the third end T3 of the second optical fiber set 120 is first combined with the optical signal transmitting end 134, and then the optical signal receiving end 132 and the optical signal transmitting end 134 are coupled to the optical receiving transmitter 130. In some embodiments, optical transceiver 130 comprises at least one optical waveguide (not shown) for receiving optical signals from first optical fiber set 110 or transmitting optical signals to second optical fiber set 120.

In some embodiments, the fiber optic connector 140 may be an MT-type connector (MT-transmitter) having a rectangular appearance. In some embodiments, the fiber optic connector 140 may accommodate a 1x2, 1x4, 1x6, 1x8, 1x10, or 1x12 array of optical fibers (fiber array). In some embodiments, fiber splice 140 has a first splice 142 and a second splice 144 connected to the second end T2 of the first fiber set 110 and the fourth end T4 of the second fiber set 120, respectively. In some embodiments, the distance between the optical signal receiving end 132 and the optical signal transmitting end 134 is greater than the distance between the first joint 142 and the second joint 144. In such an embodiment, the optical signal receiving end 132 is not substantially aligned with the first joint 142 and the optical signal transmitting end 134 is not substantially aligned with the second joint 144. In some embodiments, the extending direction of the optical signal receiving end 132 and the extending direction of the first connector 142 have an included angle greater than 0 degree. In some embodiments, the extending direction of the optical signal transmitting end 134 and the extending direction of the second connector 144 have an included angle greater than 0 degrees.

With continued reference to fig. 4, in some embodiments, the distance D1 between the first fiber set 110 and the second fiber set 120 may vary along the length of the first fiber set 110 or the second fiber set 120. Taking fig. 4 as an example, the distance D1 may become larger from the optical fiber connector 140 toward the optical transceiver 130. In other embodiments, the distance D1 may be gradually decreased from the optical fiber connector 140 toward the optical transceiver 130. In some embodiments, the second fiber set 120 is not parallel to the first fiber set 110, and the second fiber set 120 has an angle greater than 0 degrees with respect to the first fiber set 110.

Referring to fig. 5, fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view of first fiber set 110 and second fiber set 120, as depicted in accordance with some embodiments of fig. 4. In some embodiments, the first fiber set 110 includes a plurality of first fibers 112 arranged side-by-side with one another, and the second fiber set 120 includes a plurality of second fibers 122 arranged side-by-side with one another. In some embodiments, the first optical fiber group 110 is a four-core optical fiber, i.e., the first optical fiber group 110 has four first optical fibers 112 arranged side by side. In some embodiments, the second optical fiber group 120 is a four-core optical fiber, that is, the second optical fiber group 120 has four second optical fibers 122 arranged side by side. In some embodiments, the first optical fiber group 110 and the second optical fiber group 120 may also be two-core optical fibers, six-core optical fibers, eight-core optical fibers, ten-core optical fibers or twelve-core optical fibers, respectively.

In some embodiments, a portion of the first plurality of adjacently arranged optical fibers 112 is secured by a first glue 150 and a portion of the second plurality of adjacently arranged optical fibers 122 is secured by a second glue 160. In some embodiments, the plurality of first optical fibers 112 are coplanar with one another at the first end T1 of the first fiber set 110. In some embodiments, the plurality of first optical fibers 112 are coplanar with one another at the second end T2 of the first fiber set 110. In some embodiments, the plurality of second optical fibers 122 are coplanar with one another at the third end T3 of the second fiber set 120. In some embodiments, the plurality of second optical fibers 122 are coplanar with one another at the fourth end T4 of the second optical fiber group 120.

In some embodiments, the first colloid 150 and the second colloid 160 may be adhesives in solid, liquid, or colloidal form of solvent, thermosetting, or UV types. In some embodiments, the first colloid 150 and the second colloid 160 may be adhesives that change their viscosity by, for example, illumination or heating. In some embodiments, the first gel 150 and the second gel 160 may be the same or different gels, and may be adhesives having different viscosities according to the degree of bending of the optical fiber. In some embodiments, the plurality of first optical fibers 112 secured by the first glue 150 form a first optical fiber group 110, and the plurality of first optical fibers 122 secured by the second glue 160 form a second optical fiber group 120. In some embodiments, the first glue 150 is fixed to the first end T1 of the first optical fiber set 110, and the second glue 160 is fixed to the third end T3 of the second optical fiber set 120. In some embodiments, the first glue 150 is fixed to the second end T2 of the first optical fiber set 110, and the second glue 160 is fixed to the fourth end T4 of the second optical fiber set 120.

Referring to fig. 6, fig. 6 is a schematic illustration of lengths of the plurality of first optical fibers 112 and the plurality of second optical fibers 122 depicted in some embodiments of fig. 4. In some embodiments, each of the plurality of first optical fibers 112 has a different length and each of the plurality of second optical fibers 122 has a different length. In other embodiments, each of the plurality of first optical fibers 112 may have the same length and each of the plurality of second optical fibers 122 may have the same length. In some embodiments, each of the plurality of second optical fibers 122 has a length greater than a length of each of the plurality of first optical fibers 112.

Fig. 7 is a flow chart of an optical device assembly method drawn in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. Referring to fig. 7, the optical device assembling method 200 includes

steps

101, 103, 105, 107, 109, 111, 113 and 115. Fig. 8-21 are schematic diagrams illustrating steps of the optical device assembly method of fig. 7 according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

Referring to fig. 8, in step 101 of fig. 7, a first substrate 180 is provided. In some embodiments, the first substrate 180 includes, but is not limited to, a glass substrate, a ceramic substrate, a metal substrate, a semiconductor substrate, or the like. In some embodiments, the first substrate 180 has a first trench 182 and a second trench 184. In some embodiments, the first trench 182 and the second trench 184 may be trenches having a specific width and depth formed on the first substrate 180 using a laser drilling or etching process. In some embodiments, the first trench 182 and the second trench 184 are the same depth. In some embodiments, the first trench 182 has a first end point E1 and a second end point E2 opposite to the first end point E1, and the second trench 184 has a third end point E3 and a fourth end point E4 opposite to the third end point E3. In some embodiments, the first and

second grooves

182, 184 are not substantially linear grooves.

In some embodiments, the length of the first groove 182 and the length of the second groove 184 are different. In some embodiments, a distance between the first end E1 of the first trench 182 and the third end E3 of the second trench 184 is greater than a distance between the second end E2 of the first trench 182 and the fourth end E4 of the second trench 184. In some embodiments, the first groove 182 has a first arcuate edge S1 and the second groove has a second arcuate edge S2. In some embodiments, first arcuate edge S1 and second arcuate edge S2 are not parallel. In some embodiments, the distance L1 between the first and second curved edges S1 and S2 may vary along the length of the first or

second grooves

182 and 184. Taking fig. 8 as an example, the distance L1 may gradually increase from the second end point E2 toward the first end point E1. In other embodiments, the distance L1 may gradually decrease from the second end point E2 toward the first end point E1.

Referring to fig. 9, fig. 9 is a cross-sectional view drawn in accordance with some embodiments of fig. 8. In some embodiments, the first trench 182 has a first width W1 and the second trench 184 has a second width W2. In some embodiments, the first width W1 is predefined in size according to the number of first optical fibers 112 to be embedded, and the second width W2 is predefined in size according to the number of second optical fibers 122 to be embedded.

Referring to fig. 10, fig. 10 is a schematic view of the first substrate 180 of fig. 8 according to some other embodiments. In some embodiments, the first substrate 180 may have a protrusion 180P and a pressing portion 180S. In some embodiments, the protrusion 180P and the pressing portion 180S are two blocks formed by dividing the first substrate 180 using a laser drilling or etching process. In other embodiments, the pressing portion 180S may be a material different from the first substrate 180 or the protrusion portion 180P. In some embodiments, the pressing portion 180S and the protrusion 180P may be separated to form the first groove 182 and the second groove 184. In some embodiments, the first trench 182 and the second trench 184 are substantially semi-open trenches.

Referring to fig. 11, fig. 11 is a cross-sectional view drawn in accordance with some embodiments of fig. 10. In some embodiments, at least one side F1 of the protrusion 180P is parallel to at least one side F2 of the pressing portion 180S. In some embodiments, the first width W1 of the first groove 182 and the second width W2 of the second groove 184 are adjustable. In such an embodiment, the pressing portion 180S may be slid in a direction Z1 toward the first groove 182 or the second groove 184 to adjust the size of the first width W1 or the second width W2. In some embodiments, the pressing portion 180S may be slid in toward the direction Z1 to bring the pressing portion 180S and the projection 180P together.

Referring to fig. 12, in step 103 of fig. 7, a plurality of first optical fibers 112 and a plurality of second optical fibers 122 are disposed in a first trench 182 and a second trench 184, respectively, on a first substrate 180. In some embodiments, the single piece of first optical fiber 112 and the single piece of second optical fiber 122 are sufficiently resilient to be positioned in the first groove 182 and the second groove 184, one by one, along the first curved edge S1 of the first groove 182 and the second curved edge S2 of the second groove 184, respectively.

Referring to fig. 13, after step 103 is completed, the first trench 182 and the second trench 184 are filled with the first plurality of optical fibers 112 and the second plurality of optical fibers 122, respectively. In some embodiments, after placing the plurality of first optical fibers 112 in the first groove 182 and the plurality of second optical fibers 122 in the second groove 184, respectively, the plurality of first optical fibers 112 are adjacent to each other side by side and the plurality of second optical fibers 122 are adjacent to each other side by side. In some embodiments, the first and second curved edges S1 and S2 limit the direction of extension of the first and second pluralities of

optical fibers

112 and 122, respectively.

Referring to fig. 14, fig. 14 is a cross-sectional view drawn in accordance with some embodiments of fig. 13. In some embodiments, the first plurality of optical fibers 112 are disposed in the first trench 182 in a coplanar manner, and the second plurality of optical fibers 122 are disposed in the second trench 184 in a coplanar manner. In some embodiments, the first groove 182 limits movement of the first plurality of optical fibers 112 in the width W1 direction and the second groove 184 limits movement of the second plurality of optical fibers 122 in the width W2 direction.

Referring to fig. 15, fig. 15 is an operation schematic view using the first substrate 180 of fig. 10 or 11. In some embodiments, after placing the first optical fibers 112 in the first groove 182 and the second optical fibers 122 in the second groove 184, respectively, the second substrate 190 can be placed on the first substrate 180. In some embodiments, the second substrate 190 may be a substrate of the same material as the first substrate 180. In some embodiments, the second substrate 190 covers the plurality of first optical fibers 112, the plurality of second optical fibers 122, the pressing portion 180S, and the protrusion portion 180P. In some embodiments, the second substrate 190 can prevent the plurality of first optical fibers 112 from escaping the first groove 182 or the plurality of second optical fibers 122 from escaping the second groove 184 such that the plurality of first optical fibers 112 are arranged in a coplanar manner within the first groove 182 and the plurality of second optical fibers 122 are arranged in a coplanar manner within the second groove 184. In some embodiments, the second substrate 190 presses against the first plurality of optical fibers 112 in the first groove 182 and the second plurality of optical fibers 122 in the second groove 184. In some embodiments, the pressing portion 180S may be mechanically or manually forced to press one side of the plurality of first optical fibers 112 or one side of the plurality of second optical fibers 122.

In some embodiments, after the two ends of the first optical fibers 112 are respectively pinched by the pinching portions 180S and the protrusions 180P, the pinched first optical fibers 112 are adjacent to each other and arranged in the first groove 182, and after the two ends of the second optical fibers 122 are respectively pinched by the pinching portions 180S and the protrusions 180P, the pinched second optical fibers 122 are adjacent to each other and arranged in the second groove 184. In some embodiments, the pressing portion 180S and the protrusion portion 180P restrict movement of the plurality of first optical fibers 112 in the width W1 direction and movement of the plurality of second optical fibers 122 in the width W2 direction. In some embodiments, the second substrate 190 is removed after the extrusion of the first and second plurality of

optical fibers

112, 122 is completed.

Referring to fig. 16, in step 105 of fig. 7, a plurality of first optical fibers 112 and a plurality of second optical fibers 122 are respectively fixed with a fixing device. In some embodiments, the first and second fixtures J1 and J2 are used to secure both ends of the first optical fibers 112 and the third and fourth fixtures J3 and J4 are used to secure both ends of the second optical fibers 122, respectively. In some embodiments, the first to fourth fixing devices J1 to J4 may be clamps or screens, but are not limited thereto. In some embodiments, the first and second fixtures J1, J2 may be movable along the length of the plurality of first optical fibers 112 to change the position of the fixtures. In some embodiments, the third and fourth fixtures J3 and J4 may be movable along the length of the second plurality of optical fibers 122 to change the fixed position.

Referring to fig. 17, in step 107 of fig. 7, a second substrate 190 is covered on the first substrate 180. In some embodiments, the second substrate 190 contacts each of the plurality of first optical fibers 112 within the first trench 182 and each of the plurality of second optical fibers 122 within the second trench 184. In some embodiments, the second substrate 190 presses against the first plurality of optical fibers 112 in the first groove 182 and the second plurality of optical fibers 122 in the second groove 184. In some embodiments, the plurality of first optical fibers 112 and the plurality of second optical fibers 122 are maintained substantially coplanar with each other prior to preforming by the spacing of the space sandwiched by the second substrate 190 and the first substrate 180.

Referring to FIG. 18, in step 109 of FIG. 7, a preforming of the plurality of first optical fibers 112 and the plurality of second optical fibers 122 is performed. In some embodiments, the second substrate 190 may be removed to coat the first gel 150 and the second gel 160 with the first plurality of optical fibers 112 and the second plurality of optical fibers 122, respectively. In some embodiments, the first colloid 150 and the second colloid 160 may be adhesives in the form of a solvent, thermosetting, or UV type solid, liquid, or colloidal form. In some embodiments, the first colloid 150 and the second colloid 160 may be adhesives whose adhesiveness is enhanced by, for example, irradiation of light or heating. In other embodiments, the first colloid 150 and the second colloid 160 may be adhesives that can be rapidly cured without irradiation or heating. In some embodiments, the first gel 150 and the second gel 160 may be a quick-drying type adhesive, for example, a quick-drying adhesive that is completely cured within 30 seconds. In some embodiments, the first colloid 150 and the second colloid 160 may be the same or different colloids. In some embodiments, after the first glue 150 and the second glue 160 are cured, the plurality of first optical fibers 112 are closely adhered to each other and the plurality of first optical fibers 122 are closely adhered to each other, respectively. In some embodiments, after the first glue 150 and the second glue 160 are completely cured, the plurality of first optical fibers 112 are adhered to form the first optical fiber set 110, and the plurality of second optical fibers 122 are adhered to form the second optical fiber set 120.

Referring to fig. 19, in step 111 of fig. 7, the first fiber set 110 and the second fiber set 120 are removed from the first substrate 180. In some embodiments, the removed first fiber set 110 and second fiber set 120 have had a bend orientation as illustrated in fig. 8 that is shaped according to the first curved edge S1 of the first groove 182 and the second curved edge S2 of the second groove 184, respectively. In other embodiments, the first optical fiber group 110 may not be temporarily removed from the first groove 182, or the second optical fiber group 120 may not be temporarily removed from the second groove 184, and the first optical fiber group 110 and the second optical fiber group 120 may be removed from the first substrate 180 after the subsequent steps are completed.

Referring to fig. 20, in step 113 of fig. 7, a portion of first fiber set 110 and a portion of second fiber set 120 are respectively cut. In some embodiments, the first to fourth fixing devices J1 to J4 may be temporarily removed after the preforming step is completed. In some embodiments, the first end T1 of the first optical fiber set 110 is coupled to the optical signal receiving end 132, and the third end T3 of the second optical fiber set 120 is coupled to the optical signal transmitting end 134. In some embodiments, the second end T2 of the first fiber set 110 is routed through the fiber optic joint 140 via a first joint 142, and the fourth end T4 of the second fiber set 120 is routed through the fiber optic joint 140 via a second joint 144. In some embodiments, a portion of the first optical fiber set 110 protruding the optical signal receiving end 132 and a portion of the second optical fiber set 120 protruding the optical signal emitting end 134 are cut along the cutting direction C1 using a cutting tool or a laser light source (not shown). In some embodiments, a portion of the first optical fiber group 110 protruding the optical fiber connector 140 and a portion of the second optical fiber group 120 protruding the optical fiber connector 140 are cleaved along the cleaving direction C2 using a cleaving tool or a laser light source. In other embodiments, the cutting may be performed before the first optical fiber group 110 and the second optical fiber group 120 are removed from the first substrate 180.

Referring to fig. 21, in step 115 of fig. 7, the optical device P1 is assembled. In some embodiments, the optical signal receiving end 132 and the optical signal transmitting end 134 are coupled with the optical receiving transmitter 130, respectively, to complete the assembly of the optical device P1. In some embodiments, the optical signal receiving end 132 is coupled to an optical signal inlet of the optical receiving transmitter 130 and the optical signal transmitting end 134 is coupled to an optical signal outlet of the optical receiving transmitter 130. In other embodiments, the optical device P1 may be assembled with the first optical fiber group 110 and the second optical fiber group 120 on the first substrate 180. In such an embodiment, the first fiber set 110 and the second fiber set 120 may be removed from the first groove 182 and the second groove 184, respectively, after the optical device P1 is assembled.

The present disclosure provides a method for pre-shaping a plurality of optical fibers prior to assembly of an optical device. The optical fibers are arranged by using a jig with a predefined shape, and are bonded by a preforming step to form an optical fiber group with the predefined shape. Multiple fiber sets may have optical signal transmitting or receiving ends as needed to mate with optical receiving transmitters. Therefore, the optical fiber group can be easily combined with the optical signal transmitting or receiving end required by the optical receiving and transmitting device, the stress effect at the coupling interface of the optical receiving and transmitting device and the corresponding optical signal transmitting or receiving end is further reduced, the problem of overlarge stress when the optical signal transmitting or receiving end of the unshaped optical fiber group is coupled with the optical receiving and transmitting device is solved, and the reliability of the optical device is further improved.

Although the present disclosure and its advantages have been described in detail, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions and alterations can be made herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure as defined by the appended claims. Moreover, the scope of the present application is not intended to be limited to the particular embodiments of the process, machine, manufacture, composition of matter, means, methods and steps described in the specification. As one of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate from the disclosure of the present disclosure, processes, machines, manufacture, compositions of matter, means, methods, or steps, presently existing or later to be developed that perform substantially the same function or achieve substantially the same result as the corresponding embodiments described herein may be utilized according to the present disclosure. Accordingly, such processes, machines, manufacture, compositions of matter, means, methods, or steps, are included in the claims of this application.

Claims

1. An optical device, comprising:

a first optical fiber group having a first end and a second end opposite to the first end, and including a plurality of first optical fibers arranged side by side with each other; and

a second optical fiber group having a third end and a fourth end opposite to the third end, and including a plurality of second optical fibers arranged side by side with each other, wherein a length of each of the plurality of second optical fibers is greater than a length of each of the plurality of first optical fibers.

2. The optical device of claim 1, wherein the length of each of the plurality of second optical fibers is different from one another.

3. The optical device of claim 1, wherein the length of the second optical fiber set is greater than the length of the first optical fiber set.

4. The optical device of claim 1, wherein a distance between the first end and the third end is greater than a distance between the second end and the fourth end.

5. The optical device of claim 1, wherein a portion of the first plurality of optical fibers are coplanar with one another and a portion of the second plurality of optical fibers are coplanar with one another.

6. The optical apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a first colloid for fixing a part of the first optical fiber group; and

a second glue body fixing a part of the second optical fiber group.

7. The optical apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

an optical receiving transmitter is coupled to the optical signal receiving end and the optical signal transmitting end, the optical signal receiving end includes a first end portion, and the optical signal transmitting end includes a third end portion.

8. The optical apparatus of claim 7, wherein the optical transceiver comprises an optical waveguide to receive optical signals from the first optical fiber set or transmit optical signals to the second optical fiber set.

9. An optical device, comprising:

and the second optical fiber group is provided with a third end part and a fourth end part opposite to the third end part and comprises a plurality of second optical fibers arranged side by side, wherein the distance between the first optical fiber group and the second optical fiber group is changed along the length direction of the first optical fiber group or the second optical fiber group.

10. The optical device of claim 9, wherein the second set of optical fibers has an included angle greater than 0 degrees with respect to the first set of optical fibers.

11. A method of forming an optical device, comprising:

providing a first substrate having a first trench and a second trench, the first trench having a first end and a second end opposite to the first end, the second trench having a third end and a fourth end opposite to the third end;

respectively placing a plurality of first optical fibers in the first groove and a plurality of second optical fibers in the second groove;

covering a second substrate on the first substrate; and

and performing a preforming step, adhering the first optical fibers to form a first optical fiber group, and adhering the second optical fibers to form a second optical fiber group.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the first optical fibers are disposed side-by-side adjacent and the second optical fibers are disposed side-by-side adjacent after the first optical fibers are disposed in the first trench and the second optical fibers are disposed in the second trench, respectively.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein the first groove restricts lateral movement of the first plurality of optical fibers and the second groove restricts lateral movement of the second plurality of optical fibers.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein the first trench has a first curved edge and the second trench has a second curved edge, the first curved edge and the second curved edge defining a direction of extension of the first plurality of optical fibers and the second plurality of optical fibers, respectively.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein a distance between the first curved edge and the second curved edge varies along a length of the first groove or the second groove.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein after the covering the second substrate over the first substrate, the second substrate presses against the first plurality of optical fibers in the first groove and the second plurality of optical fibers in the second groove, such that the first plurality of optical fibers and the second plurality of optical fibers are coplanar with one another.

17. The method of claim 14, further comprising: a first fixing device and a second fixing device are arranged to fix two ends of the first optical fibers respectively, and a third fixing device and a fourth fixing device are arranged to fix two ends of the second optical fibers respectively.

18. The method of claim 14, wherein the preforming step comprises: coating an adhesive on the first optical fibers and the second optical fibers, and respectively forming a first adhesive and a second adhesive after the adhesive is cured.

19. The method of claim 14, wherein after the pre-forming step, the second substrate and the first substrate are removed.

20. The method of claim 14, further comprising: a portion of the first set of optical fibers is cleaved, and a portion of the second set of optical fibers is cleaved.