GB2026194A - Optical fibre coupling - Google Patents
Optical fibre coupling Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- GB2026194A GB2026194A GB7922052A GB7922052A GB2026194A GB 2026194 A GB2026194 A GB 2026194A GB 7922052 A GB7922052 A GB 7922052A GB 7922052 A GB7922052 A GB 7922052A GB 2026194 A GB2026194 A GB 2026194A
- Authority
- GB
- United Kingdom
- Prior art keywords
- ferrule
- lens
- fibre
- light source
- coupling
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Withdrawn
Links
- 230000008878 coupling Effects 0.000 title claims abstract description 25
- 238000010168 coupling process Methods 0.000 title claims abstract description 25
- 238000005859 coupling reaction Methods 0.000 title claims abstract description 25
- 239000013307 optical fiber Substances 0.000 title claims abstract description 25
- 239000000835 fiber Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 32
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 11
- 239000004065 semiconductor Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 6
- 230000003287 optical effect Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 5
- VYPSYNLAJGMNEJ-UHFFFAOYSA-N Silicium dioxide Chemical compound O=[Si]=O VYPSYNLAJGMNEJ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 10
- 239000000377 silicon dioxide Substances 0.000 claims description 5
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 claims description 3
- 239000004033 plastic Substances 0.000 claims description 2
- 229920003023 plastic Polymers 0.000 claims description 2
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 abstract 1
- 229910001369 Brass Inorganic materials 0.000 description 7
- 239000010951 brass Substances 0.000 description 7
- 239000000853 adhesive Substances 0.000 description 4
- 230000001070 adhesive effect Effects 0.000 description 4
- 239000003822 epoxy resin Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000011521 glass Substances 0.000 description 2
- 229920000647 polyepoxide Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 239000000956 alloy Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910045601 alloy Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000002019 doping agent Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000011065 in-situ storage Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 229920005749 polyurethane resin Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 229920000915 polyvinyl chloride Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 239000004800 polyvinyl chloride Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000000644 propagated effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000011253 protective coating Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000005855 radiation Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000000926 separation method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000001228 spectrum Methods 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G02—OPTICS
- G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
- G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
- G02B6/24—Coupling light guides
- G02B6/42—Coupling light guides with opto-electronic elements
- G02B6/4201—Packages, e.g. shape, construction, internal or external details
- G02B6/4204—Packages, e.g. shape, construction, internal or external details the coupling comprising intermediate optical elements, e.g. lenses, holograms
- G02B6/421—Packages, e.g. shape, construction, internal or external details the coupling comprising intermediate optical elements, e.g. lenses, holograms the intermediate optical component consisting of a short length of fibre, e.g. fibre stub
-
- 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
- G02B6/4204—Packages, e.g. shape, construction, internal or external details the coupling comprising intermediate optical elements, e.g. lenses, holograms
-
- 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
- G02B6/4248—Feed-through connections for the hermetical passage of fibres through a package wall
-
- 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
- G02B6/44—Mechanical structures for providing tensile strength and external protection for fibres, e.g. optical transmission cables
- G02B6/4401—Optical cables
- G02B6/4415—Cables for special applications
- G02B6/4427—Pressure resistant cables, e.g. undersea cables
- G02B6/4428—Penetrator systems in pressure-resistant devices
Landscapes
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Optics & Photonics (AREA)
- Optical Couplings Of Light Guides (AREA)
Abstract
An optical coupling arrangement, for coupling an optical fibre 3 to a small light source 7 such as a semiconductor laser, consists of a cylindrical ferrule 1 having a capillary bore 2 in which the fibre 3 is accommodated with its free end located flush with an end surface of the ferrule, a convergent lens 6, preferably cylindrical, supported on the said end of the ferrule, suitably by means of a collar 5 fitted around the ferrule, means 8 for supporting the light source 7 in such a position, in close proximity to the lens and in axial alignment with the fibre, that the light emitted by the light source will be focussed by the lens into the fibre core, and a connecting member 11, suitably a metal cylinder, for securing the ferrule and the light source support together in the required relative positions. The manufacture of the coupling, including the alignment of the fibre, lens and light source, is described. <IMAGE>
Description
SPECIFICATION
Optical coupling arrangements
This invention relates to arrangements for coupling optical fibre waveguides to light sources.
It is an object of the invention to provide an improved arrangement for coupling an optical fibre two a light source of small light-emitting area in relation to the diameter of the fibre core, that is to say the axial region of the fibre along which light waves are propagated in operation and into which the output from the light source is required to be launched. It is to be understood that the term "light", as used herein, means radiation in the visible, ultra violet or infra red region of the spectrum.
According to the invention an optical coupling arrangement, for coupling an end of an optical fibre to a light source having a light-emitting area each demension of which is smaller than the diameter of the light wave-propagating core of the fibre, includes a cylindrical ferrule having a capillary bore for accommodating an optical fibre with the free end of the fibre located flush with one end surface of the ferrule, a convergent lens supported on the said end surface of the ferrule so as to lie adjacent to the free end of the fibre so located, means for supporting a said light source in such a position, in close proximity to the lens and in axial alignment with the said capillary, that the light emitted by the light source in operation will be focussed by the lens into the fibre core, and a connecting member for securing the ferrule and the light source support means together in the required relative positions.
The coupling arrangement of the invention is particularly suitable for coupling an optical fibre to a semiconductor laser. Suitable support means for the laser includes a metal block, which conveniently is cylindrical or hemi-cylindrical and of substantially the same diameter as the ferrule supporting the fibre, the laser being mounted on or in a surface of the block located adjacent to the said end surface of the ferrule. The block is suitably supported on a base plate, which can be mounted on a jig during the assembly of the coupling for adjusting the position of the block to achieve correct alignment of the laser with the lens and the optical fibre core.
Since the output of such a laser is divergent, to the extent of 100" and 20 respectively in two planes orthogonal to one another, the lens incorporated in the coupling arrangement, for focussing the laser output into the optical fibre core, is preferably of cylindrical form, and is so disposed in relation to the position of the laser that the longitudinal axis of the lens will lie in the plane of maximum divergence of the laser output. A preferred form of lens consists of a short length of silica fibre of diameter substantially equal to that of the core of the optical fibre to be inserted into the ferrule.The lens might be attached to the aforesaid end surface of the ferrule itself, but preferably an additional support member for the lens is provided in the form of a metal collar fitted around the end portion of the ferrule, the ends of a cylindrical lens being attached to diametrically opposed portions of the end surface of the collar which adjoins the said end surface of the ferrule, so that the lens lies across the capillary bore of the ferrule, with its longitudinal axis orthogonal to the axis of the capillary.
The ferrule may be formed of glass, or of a suitable metal or alloy such as brass. The connecting member, by means of which the ferrule and the light source support means are secured together in the required relative positions, is suitably a hollow metal cylinder surrounding both the block (or other suitable support member) on which the light source is mounted and part of the length of the ferrule, one end of the cylinder being attached to the exterior of the ferrule, and the other end thereof being attached to an additional member, such as a base plate, on which the said support means is mounted.
Preferably the ferrule, light source support, and connecting member are enclosed in a metal casing.
Preferably, also, a tubular sleeve of plastics material is attached to the end of the ferrule remote from the lens, extending for a few centimetres, to provide additional protection for a length of the optical fibre adjacent to the coupling. The metal casing may be formed with an aperture through which the said sleeve extends.
A specific form of coupling arrangement in accordance with the invention, including an optical fibre and a light source in situ, is shown in part-sectional elevation in the accompanying diagrammatic drawing, and will now be described by way of example.
Referring to the drawing, the coupler of the example consists of a glass ferrule 1 which has a capillary bore 2 into which an optical fibre 3 is inserted, and to the rear end of which a polyvinyl chloride sleeve 4 is attached to provide protection for a portion of the fibre adjacent to the ferrule, a brass collar 5 fitting closely around the front end portion of the ferrule 1 and providing a support for a silica fibre lens 6, a brass support for a semiconductor laser chip 7 comprising a hemi-cylindrical block 8 mounted on a hexagonal base plate 9 fitted with a securing screw 10, and a connecting member in the form of a brass cylinder 11, one end of which is attached to the base plate 9, and the other end of which is attached to the ferrule 1 and the collar 5.
The ferrule 1, collar 5 with lens 6, block 8 with laser chip 7, and connecting cylinder 11 are all enclosed in a brass casing consisting of a cylinder 12, one end of which is attached to the base plate 9, and the other end of which is closed by a plate 13 which has a central aperture 14 through which the sleeve 4 extends. The various parts of the coupler are attached together by means of an epoxy resin adhesive, indicated in the drawing by hatched areas.
To form the coupling, the ferrule 1 and collar 5 are first assembled together and glued at 16, the sleeve 4 is slipped over the optical fibre 3 and the fibre is then inserted into the capillary 2 until the free end 15 of the fibre is flush with the front end surface of the ferrule, the fibre being fixed in position by means of an epoxy resin adhesive of refractive index substantially matching that of the fibre material, which adhesive is introduced into the capillary, and the sleeve 4 is glued to the rear end of the ferrule at 17.
The lens fibre is then placed in position diagonally across the collar 5 and ferrule 1, with its longitudinal axis lying orthogonally to the optical fibre 3, and the ends of the lens are glued to the collar 5.
The laser support base plate 9 is mounted on a brass mounting plate 20, which has a central aperture through which the screw 10 passes, and which is held in position by the nut 21. The brass cylinder 11 is fixed to the base plate 9 by adhesive 18, the ferrule-fibre-lens assembly is inserted into the cylinder 11, and then the relative positions of the laser and the lens and fibre end 15 are adjusted to ensure correct alignment of these elements.To carry out this adjustment, the remote end of the optical fibre 3 is connected to a photodetector (not shown in the drawing), the laser is operated to launch light into the fibre end 15 through the lens, and the light output from the remote end of the fibre is monitored while the relative positions of the laser and the lens and fibre end are varied in four ways, namely by varying the separation between the laser and the lens by axial movements of the ferrule, and by carrying out lateral movements of the block 8 both parallel to and at right angles to the axis of the lens and rotation of the block 8 with respect to the axis of the fibre 3, the laser support being mounted on a jig (not shown) for effecting these movements.All these adjustments are carried out simultaneously until the output from the optical fibre is optimised, indicating that the correct alignment has been achieved, and the cylinder 11 is then glued to the ferrule 1 and the collar 5, at 19. The cylinder 11 is formed with notches (not shown) to enable the laser to be observed during the alignment procedure. Finally the outer casing 13, 14 is fixed in position and glued around the outside of the base plate 9 and to the cylinder 11 and sleeve 4 as shown.
The mounting plate 20 is not an essential part of the coupler, but its use is advantageous in that it facilitates handling of the laser support during assembly of the coupling, it increases the rigidity of the whole assembly, and its presence ensures that tightening of the nut 21 after alignment of the laser
and fibre will not cause the block 8 to move.
A specific example of a coupling arrangement of the form described above with reference to the
drawing is designed for coupling an optical fibre
composed of silica, with a suitable refractive index
modifying dopant, of diameter 120 microns with a
core of 50 microns diameter, and having a protective
coating of polyurethane resin 15 microns thick, to a
semiconductor laser of light-emitting area, typically,
12 microns by 1 micron. In this example, the lens
employed is a length of silica fibre 50 microns in
diameter. The ferrule 1 and the block 8 are both 4
mm in diameter, the capillary 2 being 150 to 200
microns in diameter. The sleeve 4 has an externai
diameter of 1.0 mm and fits loosely over the fibre 3.
The external diameter of the collar 5 is 8 mm, the
connecting cylinder has a internal diameter of 9.5
mm, and the external diameter of the outer casing 13
is 15 mm.
Claims (9)
1. An optical coupling arrangement, for coupling an end of an optical fibre to a light source havng a light-emitting area each dimension of which is smaller than the diameter of the light wavepropagating core of the fibre, which arrangement includes a cylindrical ferrule having a capillary bore for accommodating an optical fibre with the free end of the fibre located flush with one end surface of the ferrule, a convergent lens supported on the said end surface of the ferrule so as to lie adjacent to the free end of the fibre so located, means for supporting a said light source in such a position, in close proximity to the lens and in axial alignment with the said capillary, that the light emitted by the light source in operation will be focussed by the lens into the fibre core, and a connecting member for securing the ferrule and the light source support means together in the required relative positions.
2. An arrangement according to Claim 1,for coupling an end of an optical fibre to a light source consisting of a semiconductor laser, wherein the said support means for the laser consists of a cylindrical or hemicylindrical metal block of substantially the same diameter as the said ,ferrule, with a surface, on or in which the laser is mounted in use of the arrangement, located adjacent to the said end surface of the ferrule.
3. An arrangement according to Claim 2, wherein the said lens is of cylindrical form and is so disposed in relation to the position of the laser on said support means that the longitudinal axis of the lens will lie in the plane of maximum divergence of the laser output.
4. An arrangement according to Claim 3, wherein the said lens consists of a length of silica fibre of diameter substantially equal to the diameter of the core of the optical fibre to be inserted into the ferrule.
5. An arrangement according to Claim 3 or 4, wherein a metal collar is fitted around a portion of the ferrule with an end surface of the collar adjoining said end surface of the ferrule, for supporting the cylindrical lens, the ends of the lens being attached to diametrically opposed portions of said end surface of the collar so that the lens lies across the capillary bore of the ferrule with its longitudinal axis orthogonal to the axis of the capillary.
6. An arrangement according to any preceding
Claim, wherein the said connecting member for securing the ferrule and the light source support means together consists of a hollow metal cylinder surrounding both the light source support means and part of the length of the ferrule, one end of the said cylinder being attached to the exterior of the ferrule, and the other end thereof being attached to a
member on which the said support means is mounted.
7. An arrangement according to any preceding
Claim, wherein the ferrule, light source support means, and connecting member are enclosed in a
metal casing.
8. An arrangement according to any preceding
Claim, wherein a tubular sleeve of plastics material,
of suitable internal diameter for accommodating an
optical fibre, is attached to the end of the ferrule
remote from the lens, for protection of a length of the optical fibre adjacent to the coupling.
9. An optical coupling arrangement according to
Claim 1,for coupling an end of an optical fibre to a semiconductor laser, substantially as shown in, and as hereinbefore described with reference to, the accompanying drawing.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB7922052A GB2026194A (en) | 1978-07-24 | 1979-06-25 | Optical fibre coupling |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB7830872 | 1978-07-24 | ||
| GB7922052A GB2026194A (en) | 1978-07-24 | 1979-06-25 | Optical fibre coupling |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| GB2026194A true GB2026194A (en) | 1980-01-30 |
Family
ID=26268317
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB7922052A Withdrawn GB2026194A (en) | 1978-07-24 | 1979-06-25 | Optical fibre coupling |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| GB (1) | GB2026194A (en) |
Cited By (11)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB2127990A (en) * | 1982-09-29 | 1984-04-18 | Gen Electric Co Plc | Coupling optical fibre and opto-electronic device |
| GB2128768A (en) * | 1982-10-12 | 1984-05-02 | Hitachi Ltd | Connecting optical fibre to a light emitting device |
| FR2536867A1 (en) * | 1982-11-30 | 1984-06-01 | Thomson Csf | METHOD OF ALIGNING AN OPTOELECTRONIC DEVICE |
| US4475788A (en) * | 1981-01-22 | 1984-10-09 | Selenia, Industrie Elettroniche Associate, S.P.A. | Coupling between laser and optical fiber |
| EP0137485A2 (en) * | 1983-10-12 | 1985-04-17 | Siemens Aktiengesellschaft | Glas fibre feed-through for an opening in a box |
| DE3606588A1 (en) * | 1986-02-28 | 1987-09-03 | Siemens Ag | Gas-tight feedthrough of a glass fibre |
| US4779947A (en) * | 1983-12-26 | 1988-10-25 | Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba | Optical-fiber coupling device |
| US5177806A (en) * | 1986-12-05 | 1993-01-05 | E. I. Du Pont De Nemours And Company | Optical fiber feedthrough |
| US5222170A (en) * | 1987-04-03 | 1993-06-22 | Bt&D Technologies Ltd. | Optical fiber device fabrication |
| GB2312526A (en) * | 1996-04-23 | 1997-10-29 | Baillie Hamilton William John | Light emitting device housed in a containment |
| WO2002029464A1 (en) * | 2000-10-05 | 2002-04-11 | Alcatel | Low-stress inner structure for optoelectronic housing |
-
1979
- 1979-06-25 GB GB7922052A patent/GB2026194A/en not_active Withdrawn
Cited By (17)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US4475788A (en) * | 1981-01-22 | 1984-10-09 | Selenia, Industrie Elettroniche Associate, S.P.A. | Coupling between laser and optical fiber |
| GB2127990A (en) * | 1982-09-29 | 1984-04-18 | Gen Electric Co Plc | Coupling optical fibre and opto-electronic device |
| GB2128768A (en) * | 1982-10-12 | 1984-05-02 | Hitachi Ltd | Connecting optical fibre to a light emitting device |
| FR2536867A1 (en) * | 1982-11-30 | 1984-06-01 | Thomson Csf | METHOD OF ALIGNING AN OPTOELECTRONIC DEVICE |
| EP0112211A1 (en) * | 1982-11-30 | 1984-06-27 | Thomson-Csf | Method of aligning an opto-electronic device |
| US4728787A (en) * | 1982-11-30 | 1988-03-01 | Thomson-Csf | Alignment process for an electro-optical device |
| US4707066A (en) * | 1983-10-12 | 1987-11-17 | Siemens Aktiengesellschaft | Glass fiber bushing through a wall opening of a housing and method of manufacture |
| EP0137485A3 (en) * | 1983-10-12 | 1985-05-15 | Siemens Aktiengesellschaft | |
| EP0137485A2 (en) * | 1983-10-12 | 1985-04-17 | Siemens Aktiengesellschaft | Glas fibre feed-through for an opening in a box |
| US4779947A (en) * | 1983-12-26 | 1988-10-25 | Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba | Optical-fiber coupling device |
| DE3606588A1 (en) * | 1986-02-28 | 1987-09-03 | Siemens Ag | Gas-tight feedthrough of a glass fibre |
| US5177806A (en) * | 1986-12-05 | 1993-01-05 | E. I. Du Pont De Nemours And Company | Optical fiber feedthrough |
| US5222170A (en) * | 1987-04-03 | 1993-06-22 | Bt&D Technologies Ltd. | Optical fiber device fabrication |
| GB2312526A (en) * | 1996-04-23 | 1997-10-29 | Baillie Hamilton William John | Light emitting device housed in a containment |
| WO2002029464A1 (en) * | 2000-10-05 | 2002-04-11 | Alcatel | Low-stress inner structure for optoelectronic housing |
| FR2815138A1 (en) * | 2000-10-05 | 2002-04-12 | Cit Alcatel | LOW STRESS INTERNAL STRUCTURE FOR OPTOELECTRICAL BOX |
| US6736554B2 (en) | 2000-10-05 | 2004-05-18 | Avanex Corp. | Low-stress internal structure for optoelectronic housing |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| WAP | Application withdrawn, taken to be withdrawn or refused ** after publication under section 16(1) |