JP3293115B2 - Optical fiber array and optical waveguide module coupling method - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method for simplifying the rough positioning of an optical fiber array and an optical waveguide module and coupling them in a short time.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG.
FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a conventional method for coupling an optical fiber array and an optical waveguide module described in Japanese Patent Publication No.

To couple the optical fiber array and the optical waveguide module, first, the optical waveguide module 10 is set on a fixed base (not shown), and the optical fiber array 12 is set on an adjustment base (not shown). Optical waveguide module 10
The optical fiber array 12 is abutted against the end face on the incident side.
Next, an NFP is placed on the exit side end face of the optical waveguide module 10.
(Near field pattern) A device (not shown) is arranged, and while the field pattern of the light emitted from the optical waveguide 14 included in the optical waveguide module 10 is monitored by a display device, the position of the optical fiber array 12 is finely adjusted. The optical axis of each optical fiber core wire 16 and the corresponding optical waveguide 14 are aligned.

[0004] Thereafter, the NFP device is moved from the output end side of the optical waveguide module 10, and an optical fiber (not shown) connected to an optical power meter is abutted on each of the output side end faces of the optical waveguide 14.

Next, while monitoring the emitted light with the optical power meter, the position of the optical fiber array 12 is finely adjusted by the adjusting table, and the optical fiber array 12 is positioned at a position where the coupling loss is minimized.

[0006] After optically positioning the optical fiber array 12 with respect to the optical waveguide module 10 in this manner, an ultraviolet curable resin is dropped and the optical fiber module 12 is positioned.
And the optical fiber array 12 are bonded and fixed.

Further, the other optical fiber array 18 is positioned with respect to the optical waveguide module 10 by the same procedure as described above, and is bonded and fixed.

[0008]

In such a conventional method, the field pattern of the light emitted from the optical waveguide 14 included in the optical waveguide module 10 is displayed by an NFP device disposed on the exit side end face of the optical waveguide module 10. It is necessary to finely adjust the position of the optical fiber array 12 while monitoring with an apparatus, and to align the optical axis of each optical fiber core wire 16 with the corresponding optical waveguide 14. Moreover, the optical waveguide module 10 and the optical fiber array 12
Has a very small size. Therefore, this conventional technique has a problem that it is complicated and requires a long working time.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an optical fiber array and an optical waveguide module capable of shortening the operation time by simplifying the operation of roughly positioning the optical fiber array and the optical waveguide module. It is to provide a coupling method.

[0010]

To achieve the above object, the present invention provides a method for coupling an optical fiber array having aligned optical fibers to an optical waveguide module having an optical waveguide. To an optical fiber array
Corner of the intersection between the upper surface and the side surface
By forming the first chamfer, the optical fiber array
The line of intersection between the upper surface of b and the first chamfered part is
Parallel and horizontal distance from optical fiber
And the optical fiber array
The line of intersection between the side of b and the first chamfered part is
Parallel and perpendicular distance from optical fiber
Forming a first side mark formed on the optical waveguide module;
The corner of the intersection between the top and side of the
By forming the second chamfered portion by chamfering, the optical waveguide
The line of intersection between the top of the module and the second chamfer is
Parallel to the path and horizontal distance from the optical waveguide
In addition to the specified second upper surface mark, the optical waveguide module
The line of intersection between the side surface of the joule and the second chamfer is
Parallel to the optical waveguide and in the vertical direction from the optical waveguide.
Forming a second side surface mark, and a first top surface mark.
Mark and the second top mark are aligned in the vertical direction.
And the first side mark and the second side mark are
The method includes a step of positioning the optical fiber array and the optical waveguide module so as to be aligned in a horizontal direction, and a step of fixing the optical fiber array and the optical waveguide module.

[0011]

[0012]

[0013]

According to the present invention, the optical fiber array has
Chamfering the corner of intersection between the top and side of the machine by machining
Is parallel to the optical fiber and
A first upper surface mark defining the horizontal distance between them, and
Parallel to and perpendicular to the optical fiber
A first side mark with a prescribed distance in the direction is provided at the same time.
You. In addition, the optical waveguide module has an upper surface and side surfaces.
By chamfering the corner of intersection by machining
Horizontal distance parallel to the waveguide and from the optical waveguide
Is defined for the second top surface mark and the optical waveguide
Parallel and vertical distance from optical waveguide specified
A second side mark is provided at the same time. And the first upper surface
The mark and the second upper surface mark are aligned in the vertical direction
And the first side mark and the second side mark are
After positioning so that it is straight in the horizontal direction ,
The optical fiber array and the optical waveguide module are fixed.
Therefore, the positioning can be performed simply, and the coupling between the optical fiber array and the optical waveguide module can be performed in a short time.

[0014]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, the same or corresponding parts have the same reference characters allotted.

FIGS. 1A and 1B are a plan view and a side view showing a state before the optical fiber arrays 12 and 18 are coupled to both end faces of the optical waveguide module 10, respectively. The optical waveguide module 10 is provided with five optical waveguides 14, and the optical fiber arrays 12 and 18 are provided with five optical fibers 20 and 22, respectively, corresponding to the optical waveguides 14. The optical waveguide module 10 is made of SiO ₂
Alternatively, it is configured on a silicon substrate.

First, the corner of the optical waveguide module 10 is chamfered.
The upper surface of the optical waveguide module 10 and
Marks are provided on the sides. The processing of this chamfer is based on the optical waveguide
Relative to the optical waveguide 14 included in the module 10
This is performed so as to increase the accuracy of the position. That is, FIG.
As shown in FIG.₁And placed on the edge
X is the horizontal distance from the optical fiber 14₁, Chamfer
Intersection line L _TwoAnd the optical fiber 1 placed at the end
Y is the vertical distance from₁And x₁, Y₁
The accuracy of the length has been increased. So in this case
Is the intersection line L₁, L_TwoBecomes a mark.

Similarly, the optical fiber arrays 12 and 18 are also chamfered, and the marks L ₃ and L ₄ are provided on the optical fiber array 12 and the marks L ₅ and L ₆ are provided on the optical fiber array 18 (see FIG. 1). ). The accuracy of the relative positions of the marks L ₃ and L ₄ with respect to the optical fiber 20 is increased, and the accuracy of the relative positions of the marks L ₅ and L ₆ with respect to the optical fiber 22 is increased.

Next, while monitoring an image as shown in FIG. 1A with a television camera (not shown) installed above the optical waveguide module 10 and the optical fiber array 12, By moving at least one of the fiber arrays 12,
To line a mark L ₃ provided in the mark L ₁ and the optical fiber array 12 provided in the optical waveguide module 10. Similarly, a television camera (not shown) installed on the side of the optical waveguide module 10 and the optical fiber array 12 monitors the image shown in FIG. to line a mark L ₂ and mark L ₄ provided in the optical fiber array 12.

Subsequently, similarly, the optical waveguide module 10
By monitoring the image shown in FIG. 1A by a television camera (not shown) installed above the optical fiber array 18 and moving the optical fiber array 18, the to line a mark L ₅ provided on the mark L ₁ and the optical fiber array 18 which is. Similarly, a television camera (not shown) provided on the side of the optical waveguide module 10 and the optical fiber array 18 monitors the image shown in FIG. The mark L ₂ and the mark L ₆ provided on the optical fiber array 18
And are aligned.

As described above, since the relative positions of the marks L _{1 to} L ₆ with respect to the optical waveguide 14 and the optical fibers 20 and 22 are precisely set, the marks L ₁ and L ₃ are aligned and the marks L _{1 to} L ₃ are aligned. by the ₂ and mark L ₄ in a straight line, it is possible to wick adjusting an optical waveguide 14 and the optical fiber 20. Similarly, the mark L ₁ and the mark L ₅ are aligned, and the mark L ₂ and the mark L ₆
Are aligned, the optical waveguide 14 and the optical fiber 22 can be aligned. As described above, since it is not necessary to observe the light from the end face of the optical waveguide module 10, the operation time can be reduced.

Finally, the optical fiber array 12 is bonded and fixed to the optical waveguide module 10. Optical fiber array 18
The same applies to. Depending on the processing accuracy of the mark, precise optical axis alignment may be performed between the optical waveguide module 10 and the optical fiber array 12 before the adhesive fixing. This optical axis alignment work can be automatically performed using a stage (adjustment table) connected to a personal computer and a light amount measuring device. The same applies to the optical fiber array 18.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing another embodiment of the mark. In this embodiment, the mark is constituted by a V groove L ₁₁ formed on the upper surface of the optical waveguide module 10 and a V groove L ₁₂ formed on the side surface. Then, as shown in FIG. 3, the vertical and V groove L ₁₁ and the horizontal distance between the optical fiber 14 arranged on the end x _2, V grooves L ₁₂ and the optical fiber 14 disposed at the end distance is taken as y _2, the length of the accuracy of the x _2, y ₂ are high.

Similarly, V-grooves are formed on the optical fiber arrays 12 and _{18 so} that the marks L ₁₃ and L
₁₄ are provided, and marks L ₁₅ and L ₁₆ are provided on the optical fiber array 18 (not shown). Then, the accuracy of the relative positions of the marks L ₁₃ and L ₁₄ with respect to the optical fiber 20 is increased, and the accuracy of the relative positions of the marks L ₁₅ and L ₁₆ with respect to the optical fiber 22 is increased.

[0024]

As described above, according to the present invention, since the operation of roughly positioning the optical fiber array and the optical waveguide module is simplified, the optical fiber array capable of shortening the operation time is provided. A method of coupling the optical waveguide module can be obtained.

[Brief description of the drawings]

1A and 1B are a plan view and a side view showing a state before an optical fiber array is coupled to both end faces of an optical waveguide module.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an optical waveguide module provided with a mark by forming a chamfer.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an optical waveguide module provided with a mark by forming a V groove.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating a conventional method for coupling an optical fiber array and an optical waveguide module.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 optical waveguide module, 12, 18 optical fiber array, 14 optical waveguide, 20, 22 optical fiber, L ₁
~L _6, L ₁₁ ~L ₁₆ ... mark.

────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (56) References JP-A-4-343304 (JP, A) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) G02B 6/30 G02B 6/24

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] 1. A method of coupling an optical fiber array having aligned optical fibers to an optical waveguide module having an optical waveguide, the method comprising:
Chamfering the corner by machining to form a first chamfer
The upper surface of the optical fiber array and the first chamfer
The line of intersection with the optical fiber is parallel to the optical fiber and
A first specified horizontal distance from the optical fiber;
A top surface mark and a side surface of the optical fiber array
And the first chamfered portion is aligned with the optical fiber.
And the vertical distance from the optical fiber is
The step of defining the first side surface mark and the intersection of the upper surface and the side surface of the optical waveguide module
Chamfered by machining to form a second chamfer
By doing so, the upper surface of the optical waveguide module and the second
The line of intersection with the chamfer is parallel to the optical waveguide and
A second distance defined in the horizontal direction from the optical waveguide;
The upper surface mark and the side of the optical waveguide module
A line of intersection between a surface and the second chamfered part is paired with the optical waveguide.
Are parallel and perpendicular to the optical waveguide.
Setting the second upper surface mark to a predetermined second side surface mark, and making the first upper surface mark and the second upper surface mark perpendicular to each other.
Direction, and said first side mark
And the second side mark are aligned in a horizontal direction.
Become such, process and binding method for the optical fiber array and the optical waveguide module with a step of fixing the optical fiber array and the optical waveguide module for positioning the optical fiber array and the optical waveguide module.