EP1356332A1

EP1356332A1 - Passive compensating coupling laser device

Info

Publication number: EP1356332A1
Application number: EP02711989A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Bruno Fernier; Sylvaine Kerboeuf; Jean-Marc Rainsant; François Boubal; Alwin Göth; Joachim Scherb
Original assignee: Alcatel CIT SA; Alcatel SA
Current assignee: Oclaro North America Inc
Priority date: 2001-01-19
Filing date: 2002-01-17
Publication date: 2003-10-29
Also published as: FR2819895B1; US7054527B2; US20030179463A1; JP2004517371A; FR2819895A1; WO2002057827A1

Abstract

In an optical or optoelectronic module (1) on the optical path (7) between a diode laser (9) and an optical fibre (2) is inserted an intermediate medium (4, 10) whereof the optical index decreases with temperature. Thus power losses during laser emission caused by rise in operating temperature are passively compensated by improving transmission between the diode (9) and the fibre (5). Preferably, the intermediate medium (4, 10) is deposited in the form of a capsule enclosing the diode (9) and the tip of the fibre (5), thereby providing passively a transmitted power independent of the operating temperature.

Description

LASER DEVICE WITH PASSIVE COMPENSATOR COUPLING

DESCRIPTION

Technical area

The invention relates to the field of optoelectronic or optical devices in which there are coupling means between an optical or optoelectronic component emitting a modulated or unmodulated laser wave, and a waveguide of the emitted light, for example a optical fiber.

Technological background.

The laser diodes used in inexpensive optical modules, such as those mounted on the surface on a printed circuit (LMS modules), have an external efficiency, that is to say a ratio between the variation of the power available at the level of a fiber collecting the optical power emitted and the variation of the current injected into the laser diode, which is a function of the operating temperature of the module. The experimental results obtained with an LMS module show a loss of the external efficiency of the module of around three decibels when the temperature varies between 25 ° C and 85 ° C. This loss of efficiency is directly linked to the behavior, as a function of temperature, of the semiconductor laser diode. At constant bias current, the external efficiency of the laser diode decreases when the temperature increases.

Various solutions are known for obtaining a module with constant external efficiency. An external efficiency of a module independent of the operating temperature can in a known manner be obtained by means of an electronic loop for regulating the modulation current. The loop must vary, depending on the temperature, the value of the DC bias current and the value of the modulation current. The best behavior of the module is obtained by means of a precise adjustment of the modulation current at different temperatures throughout the operating temperature range of the module. This method allows good results but the regulation loop is sophisticated and therefore expensive. This feature makes it unusable in inexpensive modules. It has also been thought to use a laser with mirror whose reflectivity is a function of temperature. We can refer to this subject in the article by A. KASUKA A, N. IWAI, and N. YAMANAKA published in "Electronic Letter" of June 23, 1994, Vol. 30 N ° 13 and entitled "very high characteristic temperature and constant differential quantum efficiency l, 3μm GalnAsP / InP strained layer quantum well lasers by use of temperature dependent reflectivity mirror". The use of such a mirror is unfortunately only compatible with Fabry-Perot lasers and does not work with distributed reflector lasers (DFB distributed feedback laser). The mirror has less influence on the behavior of the distributed reflector laser and cannot be used to control the behavior of the laser as a function of temperature.

Devices have been produced in which the laser temperature is kept constant by the use of cooling means such as Peltier modules. The use of such modules is incompatible with inexpensive components on the one hand, and of small dimensions on the other hand.

Brief description of the invention

Compared to the state of the art which has just been described, the invention aims to produce an optical or optoelectronic module the external efficiency of which is independent or almost independent of the operating temperature of the module in its entire operating temperature range. . The invention aims to achieve this objective economically with means having a reduced size which does not increase the external dimensions of the module, which is reproducible and reliable.

According to the invention, a constant external efficiency of the optical module throughout its operating temperature range is obtained, by passive means. A passive compensation means is used to couple the optical component, for example a laser, in particular a laser diode, and the fiber. This means increases the efficiency of the coupling when the temperature increases so as to exactly compensate for the loss of the light power emitted by the coupled component. It thus becomes possible to modulate the laser with a modulation current of constant amplitude. Naturally, if the external yield of the component increases with temperature then it is possible to use the means according to the invention to reduce the coupling when the temperature increases. According to the invention, a medium is added to the optical path of the output wave of the optical or optoelectronic component located between the fiber and the component, the optical refractive index of which is a function, preferably monotonic, increasing or decreasing not negligible, for example from 10 ^{~ 4} to some 10 ^{~ 4} per degree, with the temperature.

When the function is decreasing, the maximum coupling between the fiber and the optical component is optimized for the highest expected operating temperature, for example 85 ° C. When the function is increasing, the maximum coupling between the fiber and the optical component is optimized for the lowest expected operating temperature, for example 25 ° C.

When the medium of which the optical refractive index is a function of the temperature is interposed on the optical path between the optical component and the fiber in the form of a separate block, the loss of coupling caused by the variation of the temperature from of the temperature giving the maximum coupling, only compensates for the variation in optical efficiency of the laser alone. On the other hand, when the medium of which the optical refractive index is a function of the temperature is interposed in the form of a capsule including both the optical component and one end of the fiber situated opposite this component, it is advisable to hold account for the variation induced by the medium on the operation of the laser on the one hand and on the other hand the variation in the optical path between the component and the fiber induced by the presence of the medium. With the invention, when the external efficiency of the laser varies, for example decreases, due to a rise in the operating temperature of the module, the proportion of this power which is transmitted to the fiber through said medium varies, for example increases and by choosing the medium interposed between the fiber and the component, it is possible to obtain that the proportion of the optical power received by the fiber varies in a compensatory manner, for example increases in a compensatory manner, so that the power received by the fiber is independent of the operating temperature of the module. Expressed otherwise, the optical medium with a high thermooptical coefficient, for example a polymer, achieves a passive variation of the coupling between the optical component and the fiber when the temperature varies and that correlatively the optical power emitted by the laser varies, all other things being equal. .

It will be noted that the relative positions of the different optical elements, the laser one or more lenses interposed between the laser and the fiber, the fiber are not without effect on the transmission. Depending on the parameters of the materials, for example, the lens or lenses located on the optical path, it will be possible to calculate, for example with dedicated software, an approximation of the best positions to be observed.

In summary, the invention relates to an optical or optoelectronic module comprising an optical or optoelectronic component coupled by means of coupling to an optical waveguide, through an optical path joining the component and the optical waveguide characterized in that the coupling means between the component and the optical waveguide comprise an intermediate medium transparent to the optical wave, the refractive index of which varies with temperature. As explained above, the variation of the index with the temperature is generally monotonic increasing or decreasing and will therefore induce an increasing or decreasing monotonic coupling.

It follows that the variation of the coupling between the fiber and the component induced by the variation of the optical index of the intermediate medium will produce a maximum coupling between the fiber and the component when the operating temperature of the module is one of the extreme temperatures. of an operating temperature range provided for the module In general, the external efficiency of the component decreases with temperature. If the refractive index of the intermediate medium is a decreasing function of the temperature, the maximum coupling between the fiber and the optical component is set for the highest operating temperature of a range of operating temperatures provided for the module.

On the other hand, if the external efficiency of the component decreases with temperature, and the refractive index of the intermediate medium is an increasing function of the temperature, then the maximum coupling between the fiber and the optical component is adjusted for the lowest temperature of operation of a range of operating temperatures provided for the module.

If, as also happens, the external efficiency of the component increases with temperature, and if the refractive index of the intermediate medium is a decreasing function of the temperature, the maximum coupling between the fiber and the optical component is set for the lowest operating temperature of a range of operating temperatures provided for the module. On the other hand, if the external efficiency of the component increases with temperature, and the refractive index of the intermediate medium is an increasing function of the temperature, the maximum coupling between the fiber and the optical component is adjusted for the highest operating temperature. of an operating temperature range provided for the module.

The intermediate medium may consist of a block of polymer, for example a silicone elastomer. When the polymer is in the form of a separate block located on the optical path between the fiber and the component, the inlet and outlet faces of the block will preferably be provided with an anti-reflective layer.

The intermediate medium will preferably be in the form of a capsule of a material encompassing one end of the fiber, at least the face of the optical component facing said end of the fiber and of possible elements such as lenses or lenses. other elements on the optical path between the component and the fiber.

Preferably, the value of the optical index of the intermediate medium deposited in the form of a capsule will have the same value or a value very close to the value of the optical index of the optical fiber so as not to introduce parasitic reflections of a nature to disrupt the operation of the component. Preferably for one of the temperatures in the range of operation of the module, for example between 25 and 85 ° C, the value of the optical index of the medium will be equal to that of the fiber. The equality will preferably be provided for the expected operating temperature of the module or even for the temperature lying in the middle of the expected operating temperature range.

Brief description of the drawings.

Exemplary embodiments of the invention will now be commented on in conjunction with the appended drawings in which:

- Figure 1 shows a schematic sectional view of part of an optical module comprising an intermediate medium according to the invention, the medium being in the form of a separate block.

- Figure 2 shows a schematic sectional view of part of an optical module comprising an intermediate medium according to the invention, the medium being in the form of a capsule including the component and one end of the fiber.

- Figure 3 shows a schematic sectional view of part of an optical module comprising an intermediate medium according to the preferred embodiment of the invention, the medium being in the form of a capsule including the component and one end of the fiber, the coupling means between the laser and the fiber comprising, in addition to the medium, two intermediate lenses.

Description of embodiments.

FIG. 1 represents a schematic view of a section of part of a module 1. In a way known, an optoelectronic component 9, for example, a laser diode is mounted on a base 8 to be in communication with a laser fiber 5.

According to the invention, a block 4 of a material having a variable refractive index monotonically with the increase in temperature is inserted on the optical path 7 in series with a lens 3 if such a lens is on the optical path .

In the examples which will be described it is assumed that the external efficiency of the laser decreases with temperature, which is the most common case. Under these conditions, the strongest coupling between the fiber 5 and the component 9 is intended to be that corresponding to the highest expected operating temperature. This maximum coupling can be obtained with a medium whose index decreases with the rise in temperature.

The coupling between one end 6 of the optical fiber and one face 11 of the laser diode 9 is carried out, in the example shown, by means of the lens 3. The lens 3 is positioned at the bottom of a recess 2. The optical path 7 between the face 11 of the component 9 and the end 6 of the fiber 5 is represented by two sets of dotted lines. According to a first set, all the light emitted by the laser diode 9 is introduced into the fiber 5. This configuration of the optical path corresponds to a temperature for which the coupling between the fiber 5 and the component 9 is maximum, that is to say for the highest operating temperatures of the module 1. According to a second set of dotted lines schematically representing the optical path 7, a only part of the light emitted by the laser diode 9 is introduced into the fiber 5. This configuration of the optical path 7 corresponds to a temperature for which the coupling between the fiber 5 and the component 9 is reduced, for example for an operating temperature of module 1 located within the expected operating temperature range but at a temperature below the highest operating temperature. The lens 3 in the example here commented on had a diameter of 500 μm and a refractive index of a value of 1.8.

As explained above, the relative positions of the laser 9, of the intermediate coupling elements such as the lens 3 and the block 4, and of the end 6 of the fiber 5, are determined so that when the temperature increases and that consequently the external efficiency of the laser decreases, the variation of the optical index of the medium 4, generates a variation of the optical path between the component 9 and the fiber 5 leading to an improvement of the coupling compensating for the loss of efficiency.

Compensation for the decrease in power emitted by the laser is obtained for the same bias current. We thus passively compensate for the power losses of the laser emission due to the rise in operating temperature.

The current possibilities of variation of the optical indices with the temperature go from 10 ^{~ 4} to some 10 ^{~ 4} per degree. It follows that a compensatory variation of the optical path can only be obtained if the distance between the component and the fiber is greater than about 2 mm. If new materials had greater index variations per degree, then it would be possible to reduce the distance between the component and the fiber. FIG. 2 represents a first variant of the preferred embodiment of the invention. In this figure, the elements already described in relation to Figure 1 will not be described again.

In the embodiment as shown in Figure 2, the intermediate medium shown in Figure 1, in the form of a separate block 4 is deposited on the base 8 in the form of a capsule 10 of a material whose optical index is a function monotonous increasing or decreasing temperature. Compared to the solution described in Figure 1, this solution has the following advantages.

First of all, the light emitted by the laser is directly emitted in the material constituting the capsule 10, so that there is no reflection which risks interfering with the operation of the laser diode 9. To fully benefit from this lack of reflection it is preferable that the optical index of the medium making up the capsule 10 is the same or very close to that of the optical fiber 5. Another advantage is that the capsule is easy to deposit. It will be noted that from an optical point of view it suffices that the capsule completely covers the optical path 7 between the face 11 of the optical component 9 and the end 6 of the fiber 5. It is also possible, as shown in FIG. 2 completely encapsulate the component 9 and the end 6 of the fiber 5.

In the example carried out, the temperatures of operation of module 1 ranged between 25 ° C and 85 ° C, a temperature difference of 60 ° C. By choosing, for the intermediate medium 10, a material whose variation in refractive index is greater than 10 ⁻⁴ and preferably between 2 and 4.10- / ° C., one obtains over this temperature range a variation in index of 1.2 to 2.4.10 ^"2. With this variation in refractive index it is possible to increase the coupling efficiency by approximately 3 dB when the temperature rises from 25 to 85 °. Note that this increase in transmission corresponds to decrease in the power emitted by the laser diode, for this same rise in temperature.

According to a second variant 1c of the preferred embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 3, the component 9 and the end 5 of the fiber 6 are, as in the case shown in connection with FIG. 2, encapsulated in a capsule 10 of a material with a variable optical index monotonically with temperature. In this alternative embodiment, an additional lens 3 ′ is added in a recess 2 ′ on the optical path 7 between the component 9 and the end 6 of the fiber 5. This variant allows greater ease of adjusting the variation of the path optical to obtain compensation for the variation in external efficiency of the laser over the entire operating temperature range. Optionally, it is possible, as shown in FIG. 3, to add between the lenses 3 and 3 ′ an insulator 12 isolating the component 9 of return of light coming from the fiber 5, risking disturbing the operation of the laser diode 9. In FIG. 3, the elements having the same reference as elements which have already been commented on are not commented again.

Claims

1. Optical (9) or optoelectronic (1) module (1,1 ') comprising an optical or optoelectronic component (9) coupled by coupling means

(3 3 '12) to an optical waveguide (5), through an optical path (7) joining the component (9) and the optical waveguide (5) characterized in that the means for coupling between the component and the optical waveguide (5) have an intermediate medium

(4, 10) transparent to the optical wave, the refractive index of which varies with temperature.

2. Optical or optoelectronic module (1,1 ') according to claim 1 characterized in that the variation of the coupling between the fiber (5) and the component (9) induced by the variation of the optical index of the intermediate medium (4 , 10) produces maximum coupling between the fiber (5) and the component when the operating temperature of the module (1, l ') is one of the extreme temperatures of a range of operating temperatures provided for the module (1 , the) •

3. Optical or optoelectronic module (1,1 ') according to claim 2 characterized in that if the external efficiency of the component (9) decreases with temperature, and if the refractive index of the intermediate medium (4, 10) is a decreasing temperature function, the maximum coupling between the fiber (5) and the optical component (9) is set for the highest operating temperature of a range of operating temperatures provided for the module (1, l ') .

4. Optical or optoelectronic module (1,1 ') according to claim 2 characterized in that if the external efficiency of the component (9) decreases with temperature, and if the refractive index of the intermediate medium (4, 10) is an increasing function of the temperature, the maximum coupling between the fiber (5) and the optical component (9) is set for the lowest operating temperature of a range of operating temperatures provided for the module (1, 1 ') .

5. Optical or optoelectronic module (1,1 ') according to claim 2 characterized in that if the external efficiency of the component (9) increases with temperature, and if the refractive index of the intermediate medium (4, 10) is a decreasing temperature function, the maximum coupling between the fiber (5) and the optical component (9) is set for the lowest operating temperature of a range of operating temperatures provided for the module (1, 1 ') .

6. Optical or optoelectronic module (1,1 ') according to claim 2 characterized in that if the external efficiency of the component (9) increases with temperature, and if the refractive index of the intermediate medium (4, 10) is an increasing function of the temperature, the maximum coupling between the fiber (5) and the optical component (9) is set for the highest operating temperature of a range of operating temperatures provided for the module (1, l ') .

7. Optical or optoelectronic module (1,1 ') (1) according to claim 1 characterized in that the intermediate medium (4, 10) is a polymer.

8. Optical or optoelectronic module (1,1 ') according to claim 7 characterized in that the variation of the refractive index of the intermediate medium (4, 10) is greater than 10 ^{~ 4} for each temperature rise of one degree .

9. Optical or optoelectronic module (1,1 ') according to claim 8 characterized in that the variation in the refractive index of the intermediate medium (4, 10) is between 2 and 4.10 ^-4 for each temperature rise of a degree.

10. Optical or optoelectronic module (1,1 ') according to one of claims 1 to 9 characterized in that the intermediate medium (10) is in the form of a capsule (10) encompassing one end (6) of the fiber (5), at least one face (11) of the optical component (9) facing the fiber (5) and any elements (3, 3 '12) such as lenses (3, 3') being on the optical path (7) between the component (9) and the fiber (5).

11. optical or optoelectronic module (1,1 ') according to claim 10 characterized in that two lenses (3, 3') are inserted on the optical path (7) between the component (9) and the end (6) fiber.

12. Optical or optoelectronic module (1,1 ') according to claim 11 characterized in that an isolator (12) is further inserted on the optical path (7) between the two lenses (3, 3').

13. Optical or optoelectronic module (1,1 ') according to one of claims 1 to 12 characterized in that the distance between the component (9) and the end (6) of the fiber (5) is greater than 2 mm.

14. Optical or optoelectronic module (1,1 ') according to one of claims 1 to 13 characterized in that for a temperature included in the operating temperature range of the module (1,1'), a value of optical index of the medium (4, 10) interposed on the optical path (7) between the component (9) and the fiber (5) is equal to the optical index of the fiber (5).