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
  • G02B6/26—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
  • G02B6/24—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
  • G02B6/4236—Fixing or mounting methods of the aligned elements
  • G02B6/424—Mounting of the optical light guide
• • 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
  • G02B6/4236—Fixing or mounting methods of the aligned elements
  • G02B6/4245—Mounting of the opto-electronic elements
• • 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
  • G02B6/4236—Fixing or mounting methods of the aligned elements
  • G02B6/4239—Adhesive bonding; Encapsulation with polymer material
• • 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
  • G02B6/4251—Sealed packages
  • G02B6/4253—Sealed packages by embedding housing components in an adhesive or a polymer material
• • 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
  • G02B6/4274—Electrical aspects

Definitions

• the present invention relates to the field of packaging integrated optical components and the use of such packages.
• optical components with integrated structure can be produced so as to fulfill, for example, switching, switching, multiplexing, demultiplexing, amplification, optical wave attenuation between fibers input and output optics.
• optical components produced more particularly in the form of structures made of semiconductor materials, must be mounted in housings in order to be able to be used without particular precautions.
• optical components are optically coupled to optical fibers and have electrical connection pads.
• a housing which consists of a box with a glued cover, in which is installed the optical component.
• the optical fibers connected to this component pass through the wall of the box and a multi-contact connector for external electrical connection is fixed through the wall of the box and is electrically connected to the electrical connection pads of the optical component by electrical wires.
• the box is filled with an optical liquid.
• the object of the present invention is in particular to obtain an optical box which can be manufactured and used more easily.
• the present invention firstly relates to a method of manufacturing an optical package comprising at least one integrated optical component provided with electrical connection pads and at least one optical fiber connected to this optical component.
• the method according to the invention consists, so as to produce an assembly for mounting electrical connection pins in orifices of a support plate, for fixing said optical component on one face of said support plate, for electrically connecting said pads from said optical component to said pins, and optically coupling said optical fiber to said optical component.
• the method according to the invention further comprises at least partially encapsulating said assembly so that an end portion of each pin extends outside and that an end portion of said optical fiber is maintained.
• the method according to the invention may advantageously consist in providing a cavity in which extends said optical component and in filling this cavity with an optical liquid.
• the method according to the invention preferably consists of installing said assembly in a dish in the form of a bowl, one side of which has at least one notch, in a position such that said optical component is placed on the bottom side of this box and that said fiber optics passes through said notch; and depositing a coating material at least between on the one hand the periphery of said support plate and around said fiber and on the other hand the sides of said box.
• the method according to the invention may advantageously consist in installing said assembly in a dish in the form of a bowl, one side of which has at least one notch, in a position such that said optical component is placed on the bottom side of this box and that said fiber optic crosses said notch, to deposit a coating material at least between the periphery of said fiber and the corresponding flank of said box, to fill the cavity formed between said support plate and the bottom of said box with an optical liquid, and depositing a coating material at least between the periphery of said support plate and the sides of said box.
• the method according to the invention can advantageously consist in covering said support plate with a coating material.
• the method according to the invention can advantageously consist in electrically connecting said studs to said pins by electric wires.
• the present invention also relates to an optical package.
• this box comprises an assembly comprising at least one integrated optical component having electrical connection pads, a support plate on one face of which is fixed said optical component, electrical connection pins fixed in orifices of said support plate, electrical connection means connecting said pins and said pads of said optical component, and at least one optical fiber, one end of which is optically coupled to said optical component.
• the housing further comprises means for encapsulating at least a part of said assembly such that an end part of said pins extends outside and that an end part of said optical fiber is maintained.
• said encapsulation means comprise a dish in the form of a bowl in which said support plate is disposed flat and of which one side has a notch for the passage of said optical fiber, as well as a coating material which extends at least between on the one hand the periphery of said support plate and around said fiber and on the other hand the sides of said box.
• said support plate comprises - preferably a notch located in the vicinity of the notch of said box.
• said box preferably comprises an interior partition defining a space located in the vicinity of the notch of said box.
• said optical fiber preferably carries a sleeve which extends through the notch of said box.
• said coating material preferably covers said support plate.
• said optical component is preferably carried by said support plate on the bottom side of said box and said pins extend outside the side of the opening of this box.
• the cavity separating said support plate and the bottom of said box is preferably filled with an optical liquid.
• said support plate preferably comprises at least one through orifice.
• said electrical connection means comprise electrical wires connecting said pads of said optical component and said pins.
• the present invention also relates to an opto-electronic device.
• This opto-electronic device comprises the aforementioned optical box and an electronic box which preferably comprises electrical connection means adapted to be coupled to the external parts of the electrical connection pins of said optical box, this electronic box preferably comprising electrical connection means exterior.
• FIG. 1 shows a top view of an optical unit according to the present invention, during manufacture
• FIG. 2 shows a longitudinal section along II-II of an end portion of the optical housing of Figure 1, at the end of manufacture
• FIG. 3 shows a longitudinal section of an end portion of an opto-electronic device comprising the aforementioned optical unit
• FIG. 4 represents a cross section of the opto-electronic device of FIG. 3.
• the optical unit 1 shown in the figures comprises an assembly 2 which comprises a support plate 3 of rectangular shape, made of an electrically non-conductive material, on a face 3a of which is fixed, for example by gluing, an optical component integrated 4 flat, this component 4 being provided, on its face opposite to the plate 3, of electrical connection pads 5.
• the assembly 2 also comprises two optical fibers 6 optically coupled to the optical component 4, in the vicinity of its transverse ends so that the optical fibers 6 can extend longitudinally opposite one another.
• the optical fibers 6 are provided with sleeves 6a.
• the support plate 3 has through holes 7 in which are embedded electrical connection pins 8, these pins 8 extending perpendicular to the support plate 3.
• the electrical connection pads 5 of the optical component 4 and the ends 8a of the pins 8 located on the same side of the support plate 3 are connected by electrical wires 9.
• the support plate 3 In the vicinity of the longitudinal optical fibers 6, the support plate 3 has notches 10 open longitudinally. In two of its opposite corners, the support plate 3 has through holes 11 of reduced section.
• the housing 1 comprises a box 12 in the form of a bowl, of parallelepipedal shape, which has a bottom 13, two longitudinal flanks 14 and two transverse flanks 15 in which are notches 15a, the distances between the longitudinal flanks 14 and the transverse sides 15 corresponding to the width and the length of the support plate 3.
• the assembly 2 described above is arranged in the box 12 in the following manner.
• the support plate 3 extends parallel and at a distance from its bottom 13 by forming a cavity 17, in a position such that the optical component 4 and the electrical wires 9 are placed in this cavity 17.
• the sleeves 6a carried by the fibers optics 6 are engaged in the notches 15 has transverse flanks 15 of the box 12 and are partly engaged in the end notches of the support plate 3.
• the support plate is supported on feet 16 formed in the box 12.
• the support plate 3 could be maintained in the aforementioned position thanks to deformations towards the inside of the longitudinal walls 14 from the box 12.
• the housing 1 further comprises a coating material 18 which is not electrically conductive, such as an epoxy resin, which is deposited in the box 12.
• This coating material 18 surrounds the inner part of the sleeves 6a and a part optical fibers 6, by embedding the latter through the notches 10 of the support plate 3 to the transverse sides 15 of the box 3, and fills the volume extending between the face 3b of the support plate 3 opposite to the cavity 17, up to the edges of the sides 14 and 15 of the box 12.
• the electrical connection pins 8 are of a length such that they have end portions 8b extending outside of the coating material 18 deposited.
• the optical fibers 6 and their sleeves 6a are maintained in the vicinity of the notches 15 a of the housing 12 and the support plate 3 is maintained and, on the other hand, the cavity 17 is sealed against screw from the outside.
• the coating material 18 in fact forms a sealed connection on the one hand between the optical fibers 6 and more particularly the sleeves 6a and the inner faces of the transverse sides of the box 12 and on the other hand the peripheral edge of the plate- support 3 and the inner faces of the sides 14 and 15 of the box 12, the coating material 18 also ensuring a seal between the pins 8 and the support plate 3.
• the box 12 is provided with internal partitions 19 which extend from its bottom 12, at a distance from its transverse flanks 15 and which are offset inwards with respect to the end notches 10 of the plate- support 3.
• the cavity 17 of the optical unit 1 can be filled with an optical liquid 20 which is not electrically conductive, for example a silicone oil completely embedding the optical component 4 in order to fill the cavities or interstices of this optical component, which provide an optical function.
• an optical liquid 20 which is not electrically conductive, for example a silicone oil completely embedding the optical component 4 in order to fill the cavities or interstices of this optical component, which provide an optical function.
• the cavity 17 is filled with the optical liquid 20.
• a quantity 18b of the coating material 18 is deposited so as to fill the volume extending between the face 3b of the support plate 3 and the plane of the edges of the sides 14 and 15 of the box 12.
• a tight, compact, resistant optical box 1 is thus obtained, particularly as regards the maintenance of the optical fibers.
• an opto-electronic device 21 which includes the optical unit 1 described above, to which an electronic unit 22 is coupled.
• This electronic unit 22 comprises electrical connection members 23 in which the end portions 8b of the electrical connection pins 8 of the optical unit 1 are engaged or inserted, electronic circuits 24 and, opposite the electrical connection members 23 , external connection pins 25 for a connection for example to a motherboard 26, these electronic circuits ensuring for example the electronic control of the optical unit 1.

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• Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• Optics & Photonics (AREA)
• Optical Couplings Of Light Guides (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Publications (1)

Family

ID=8861173

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (4)

Citations (4)

Family Cites Families (5)

• 2001
  • 2001-03-15 FR FR0103544A patent/FR2822246B1/fr not_active Expired - Fee Related
• 2002
  • 2002-03-06 WO PCT/FR2002/000809 patent/WO2002075406A1/fr not_active Application Discontinuation
  • 2002-03-06 EP EP02714285A patent/EP1368683A1/de not_active Withdrawn
  • 2002-03-06 US US10/471,780 patent/US20040264885A1/en not_active Abandoned

Patent Citations (4)

Non-Patent Citations (1)

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