JP5457913B2 - Optical module device and manufacturing method thereof - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an optical module device used in a photoelectric conversion device, a method for manufacturing the optical module device, and the like.

  An example of a photoelectric conversion device is disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 4022498. If the photoelectric conversion device is used, for example, an electrical signal on the substrate can be communicated between the substrate and the optical fiber as an optical signal to the optical fiber, and conversely, an optical signal on the optical fiber can be electrical signal to the substrate. it can.

  In order to enable conversion between light and electricity, the photoelectric conversion device includes a light receiving and emitting element on a substrate. Examples of the light emitting / receiving element include a VCSEL (Vertical Cavity Surface Emission Laser) and a photodiode. The Bixel converts the electrical signal on the substrate into an optical signal and emits it, and the photodiode converts the optical signal from the optical fiber into an electrical signal. In the photoelectric conversion device, a light emitting / receiving element provided on a substrate is aligned with an optical fiber that can be externally attached.

  Conventionally, alignment of the light receiving / emitting element and the optical fiber in the photoelectric conversion device, in other words, the alignment of the optical axis of the light receiving / emitting element and the optical axis of the optical fiber has conventionally been considered to be indispensable. It was. For this reason, the optical fiber and the light emitting / receiving element are positioned separately, and much time and effort have been devoted to adjusting the positional relationship between them.

  Incidentally, as described in the above patent publication, there are single mode fibers having a diameter of about 10 μm and multimode fibers having a relatively large diameter of about 50 μm. The single mode fiber has a narrow path for light, and therefore it is necessary to align the light receiving / emitting element and the optical axis with high accuracy. Conventionally, in consideration of the alignment of the single mode fiber, the optical axes of the light emitting / receiving element and the optical fiber, including the multimode fiber, have always been aligned with high accuracy.

Patent No. 4022498

  However, the multimode fiber has a wider light path as compared with the single mode fiber, and accordingly, an error in axial alignment can be allowed. The applicant of the present application pays attention to this point for the first time, revising the conventional fixed idea that the light receiving / emitting element and the optical fiber must be aligned with high accuracy, and the optical axis of the light receiving / emitting element and the optical axis of the optical fiber are changed. We thought to make the alignment work easier. The background to the present invention is as described above. Therefore, the present invention is mainly applied to a multimode fiber, but is not necessarily applicable to a single mode fiber, and an appropriate accuracy is ensured. If possible, the same configuration can be applied not only to a multimode fiber but also to a single mode fiber. Therefore, the present invention is applicable not only to multimode fibers and single mode fibers, but also to both.

  The present invention is an optical module device in which an installation space in which a light emitting / receiving element is installed and a positioning means for positioning an optical fiber are integrally formed, and the receiving unit installed using the installation space is provided. The optical module device is characterized in that the optical axis of the light emitting element and the optical axis of the optical fiber positioned by using the positioning means are aligned through the optical module device.

In the optical module device, the optical module device and air may be substantially interposed between an end face of the optical fiber and a light emitting / receiving surface of the light emitting / receiving element.
In the optical module device, a light condensing unit may be provided on a boundary surface between the optical module device and the air on the optical module device side.

  In the optical module device, only the optical module device may be substantially interposed between the end face of the optical fiber and the light receiving / emitting surface of the light emitting / receiving element.

Further, in the optical module device, a filling material other than the optical module device and air may be substantially interposed between the end face of the optical fiber and the light emitting / receiving surface of the light emitting / receiving element.
In the optical module device, it is preferable that the filling material has a refractive index that approximates a refractive index of the optical module device.

  Further, in the optical module device, the optical module device capable of intersecting both the optical axis of the optical fiber and the optical axis of the light emitting / receiving element between the end face of the optical fiber and the light receiving / emitting surface of the light receiving / emitting element. The optical axes are aligned by reflecting the emitted light from the end face of the optical fiber) or the light receiving / emitting surface of the light emitting / receiving element by the reflecting means. May be.

  In the optical module device, the reflecting means may have a light collecting function.

  Furthermore, in the above optical module device, the positioning means may include an insertion hole that can guide the optical fiber.

  Furthermore, in the above optical module device, the positioning means may include a V-groove that is open on the upper surface of the optical module device and can guide the optical fiber.

  Moreover, the said optical module apparatus WHEREIN: The said positioning means may position the said optical fiber horizontally with respect to the said board | substrate.

  In the optical module device, the positioning unit may position the optical fiber perpendicular to the substrate.

Furthermore, in the optical module device, a plurality of optical fibers may be arranged in parallel to form a multicore.
The optical module device may be mounted on a substrate together with the light emitting / receiving element.
The optical fiber is preferably a multimode fiber.
Furthermore, it is preferable that the optical module device has a refractive index that is the same as or close to the refractive index of the optical fiber.
In addition, the said optical module apparatus can be mounted in a photoelectric conversion connector, and you may comprise a photoelectric conversion apparatus by making this photoelectric conversion connector a pair with another connector.

  Further, the present invention provides an optical module device in which a step of mounting a light receiving / emitting element on a substrate, an installation space in which the light receiving / emitting element is installed, and a positioning means for positioning an optical fiber are integrally formed, Mounting the light emitting / receiving element mounted on a substrate in the installation space in a manner such that the light emitting / receiving element is installed in the installation space, and positioning the optical fiber using the positioning means. Of an optical module device in which the optical axis of the light emitting / receiving element installed using the optical fiber and the optical axis of the optical fiber positioned using the positioning means are aligned via the optical module device It features a method.

In the optical module device, the step of mounting the optical module device on the substrate may include a step of mounting a pre-shaped optical module device on the light emitting / receiving element mounted on the substrate. .
In the optical module device, the step of mounting the optical module device on the substrate may include a step of directly forming the optical module device on the substrate using a mold.

  Further, in the optical module device, the positioning means may include an insertion hole that can guide the optical fiber, and the step of positioning the optical fiber may be a step of inserting the optical fiber into the insertion hole. .

  In the optical module device, the positioning means includes a V-groove that is open on an upper surface of the optical module device and can guide the optical fiber, and the step of positioning the optical fiber includes the step of positioning the optical fiber. The step of disposing the optical fiber in the recess may further comprise a step of closing the upper portion of the V-groove with a pressing member after the step.

  According to the present invention, the optical axis of the light emitting / receiving element and the optical axis of the optical fiber can be easily aligned.

1 is a perspective view of an optical module device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a perspective view of an optical module device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is a side view which shows one usage example of the optical module apparatus by 1st embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the method of solving the problem of refractive index. It is a perspective view of the optical module apparatus by 2nd embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view of the optical module apparatus by 2nd embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the manufacturing method of the optical module apparatus by 2nd embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the other manufacturing method of the optical module apparatus by 2nd embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view of the optical module apparatus by 3rd embodiment of this invention. It is a side view which shows the usage example of the optical module apparatus by 3rd embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the method of solving the problem of refractive index. It is a figure which shows the manufacturing method of the optical module apparatus by 3rd embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the other manufacturing method of the optical module apparatus by 3rd embodiment of this invention.

  A preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. 1 and 2 are perspective views of an optical module device 10 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. These drawings represent the same optical module device 10 at different angles.

The optical module device 10 is generally rectangular as a whole. However, a part of the front bottom is cut out into a substantially rectangular shape. This notch is used as an installation space, for example, an installation (accommodation) space 42 in which the light emitting / receiving element 12 is installed. The light emitting / receiving element 12 is positioned with respect to the optical module 10 at an appropriate position in the installation space 42 formed larger than the light receiving / emitting element 12.
Further, a plurality of linear round holes 22 having a predetermined length are provided in parallel from the back side surface to the installation space 42 side. When positioning the optical fiber 15, by inserting each optical fiber 15 into each of these round holes 22, the plurality of optical fibers 15 can be guided in a certain direction and easily positioned. As already described, the optical fiber 15 referred to in the present application includes both a multimode fiber and a single mode fiber. By being inserted into the round hole 22, the optical fiber 15 is positioned horizontally with respect to the optical module device 10 (also with respect to a substrate (11 in FIG. 3) on which the device 10 is mounted). Furthermore, by providing a plurality of round holes 22, a multi-core structure can be obtained. In addition, although it is arbitrary, in order to facilitate insertion, a guide 23 for the optical fiber 15 may be provided near the entrance of the round hole 22.

  The optical module device 10 is integrally molded using a molding material such as resin. As a result, all the parts included in the optical module device 10 can be integrally formed. Since at least a part of the optical module device 10 is used as a portion that transmits light, it is preferable that the whole is formed of a transparent or translucent material. Further, considering the refractive index of light emitted from the optical fiber 15, the material is preferably set to the same refractive index as the material of the optical fiber 15 or a refractive index approximate thereto. Examples of materials that satisfy the above requirements include PEI resin and PMMA resin.

  FIG. 3 is a lateral view showing an example of use of the optical module device 10 ′ similar to FIGS. 1 and 2. 3 is different from the optical module device 10 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 in that the distal end side 32 is closed. Except for this point, the optical module device 10 ′ shown in FIG. This is exactly the same as the optical module device 10 shown.

  The optical module device 10 ′ is mounted on the substrate 11 in such a manner that the light emitting / receiving element 12 mounted in advance on the substrate 11 is enclosed by a relatively large installation space 42. Thereafter, an optical fiber 15 is retrofitted to the mounted optical module device 10 '. The light emitting / receiving element 12 mounted on the substrate 11 can transmit and receive electrical signals to and from the substrate 11 and can receive power supply through the substrate 11.

  In the optical fiber 15, an optical signal is transmitted / received to / from the outside on the end face 16 on the distal end side of the round hole 22. In addition, since transmission / reception of the optical signal in the optical fiber 15 is performed along the axial direction 19 of the fiber, it is not necessary to cut the end face 16 of the optical fiber 15 to 45 ° or the like. It suffices to provide a cut surface substantially perpendicular to the axial direction 19 with the accuracy required for transmission and reception of optical signals.

  In the light emitting / receiving element 12, the optical signal is transmitted / received to / from the outside through the light emitting / receiving surface 13 exposed on the upper surface. In the optical module device 10 ′, an optical axis 19 of light emitted from the end face 16 or incident on the end face 16, and an optical axis 20 of light emitted from the light receiving / emitting face 13 or incident on the light receiving / emitting face 13 are: In other words, after passing through a part 31 of the optical module device 10 ′, they are aligned with each other via the module device 10 ′. According to this apparatus 10 ′, the optical axis 19 and the optical axis 20 can be easily aligned by simply inserting the optical fiber 15 into the round hole 22 (manually or using a machine). Therefore, the conventional alignment work becomes unnecessary.

  In the example shown in FIG. 3 (the same applies to FIG. 1 and the like), it should be noted that the end face 16 of the optical fiber 15 and the light receiving / emitting face 13 of the light receiving / emitting element 12 are orthogonal to each other. As a result, in order to align the optical axis 19 and the optical axis 20, it is necessary to bend the light direction between the end face 16 and the light emitting / receiving surface 13 by approximately 90 degrees. For example, it is possible to change the direction of the light by using the reflecting means 26 provided between the end face 16 and the light receiving and emitting face 13 and capable of intersecting both optical axes 19 and 20 at substantially right angles. This reflection means 26 can also be integrally formed as a part of the module device, like the other parts. In addition, in FIG. 3 etc., the vertical hole 28 extended perpendicularly | vertically above the reflection means 26 is a hole for extracting the metal mold | die at the time of performing integral molding. When the vertical hole 28 is covered with another material, it is possible to easily prevent the foreign material from adhering to the surface of the reflecting means 26 and deteriorating the reflection characteristics.

  A condensing function can also be added to the reflecting means 26. Light emitted from the end face 16 or the light emitting / receiving surface 13 is likely to diverge, but divergence can also be prevented by adding a condensing function to the reflecting means 26 provided therebetween. In order to add a condensing function, for example, the reflecting means 26 may be formed as a concave spherical mirror (prism) in which the collision side of the emitted light is recessed. By setting it as a concave spherical shape, the emitted light from the end surface 16 or the light emitting / receiving surface 13 can be focused on a desired position. If the focusing position is appropriately adjusted, it is possible to allow a certain amount of mounting deviation of the light emitting / receiving element 12.

  If no processing is performed, air may be interposed between the end face 16 and the light emitting / receiving surface 13 in addition to the optical module device 10 ′. For example, air is interposed in the gap between the end surface 16 and the tip of the round hole 22 between the end surface 16 and the reflecting means 26, and similarly, between the light receiving and emitting surface 13 and the reflecting means 26, 31 b between the light receiving and emitting surface 13. And the air in the installation space 42 may be interposed in the gap between the optical module device 10 '. Since the refractive index of air (refractive index≈1) and that of resin (refractive index> 1) are greatly different, the presence of air increases the refractive index difference at the air interface, resulting in a problem of reflection loss. obtain.

  In order to solve the above problem, for example, when the optical fiber 15 is inserted into the round hole 22 with respect to the air interposed in the gap between the end face 16 and the tip of the round hole 22, the refractive index is applied to the end face 16 of the optical fiber 15. The refractive index can be adjusted by applying a matching agent or sealing the gap between the end face 16 of the optical fiber 15 and the tip of the round hole 22 with a gel whose refractive index is matched.

  For the air intervening in the gap between the light emitting / receiving surface 13 and the optical module device 10 ′, for example, the optical module device is deformed to the boundary surface on the optical module device 10 side between the optical module device 10 and the air. By providing the condensing means 44 formed by the above, it is possible to improve the light coupling efficiency. As such a condensing means 44, in the example of FIG. 3, a convex spherical mirror having a raised installation space side is used.

  The above problem can also be solved by using the configuration shown in FIG. 4 is a lateral view showing an example of use of the optical module device 10 ″ similar to FIGS. 1 and 2 in the same manner as in FIG. 3. The gap between the end face 16 and the tip of the round hole 22 is shown. 3, when the optical fiber 15 is inserted into the round hole 22, a refractive index matching agent is applied to the end face 16 of the optical fiber 15, or the end face 16 and the tip of the round hole 22 are used. The refractive index is adjusted by sealing the gap with a gel. On the other hand, the gap between the light emitting / receiving surface 13 and the optical module device 10 ″ is between the end face 16 and the tip of the round hole 22. Similar to the gap, the refractive index is adjusted by sealing between them with a refractive index matching agent or gel, that is, by filling with a filling material having a refractive index approximate to the refractive index of the optical module device. ing. As a result, in the example shown in FIG. 4, only the optical module device is substantially interposed between the end surface 16 and the light emitting / receiving surface 13.

  As described above, there is a method in which air is not interposed in the gap from the beginning without applying a refractive index matching agent or gel. For example, a method is conceivable in which an optical module device is directly formed on the light emitting / receiving element 12 using a mold placed on the substrate 11. The apparatus obtained by this method has substantially the same configuration as the apparatus 10 ″ shown in FIG. 4. This manufacturing method will be described later.

  5 and 6 show an optical module device 10A according to a second embodiment of the present invention. These figures correspond to FIGS. 1 and 2 of the first embodiment, respectively. 5 and 6, the same reference numerals as those in FIGS. 1 and 2 are attached to the same members as those in FIGS. 1 and 2. In the second embodiment, the V-groove 24 is used in place of the round hole 22 shown in FIG. 1 or the like for positioning the optical fiber. However, except for the V-groove 24 and the configuration related thereto, It may be considered that the configuration is exactly the same as that shown in FIG. A step 34 is provided on the upper surface of the optical module device 10 </ b> A, and a V-groove 24 that can guide the optical fiber 15 is formed on the accessible lower surface of the lower step. The optical fiber 15 can be easily positioned by a method of guiding the optical fiber 15 along these V grooves 24.

  With reference to FIG. 7, an example of a manufacturing method of the optical module device 10A according to the second embodiment shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 will be described. In step (a), the light emitting / receiving element 12 is mounted on the substrate 11. Next, in step (b), the optical module device 10A molded in advance is mounted on the top of the light emitting / receiving element 12 mounted on the substrate 11. At this time, the optical module device 10A is mounted by a method in which the light emitting / receiving element 12 mounted on the substrate 11 is included in the installation space 42 of the optical module device 10A. Thereafter, in steps (c) and (d), the optical fiber 15 is positioned from above in the V groove 24 of the optical module device 10 </ b> A mounted on the substrate 11. The optical fiber 15 is positioned at an optimum position along the recess of the V-groove 24. By this processing, the optical axis (19) of the light on the end face 16 and the optical axis (20) of the light emitting / receiving surface 13 are easily aligned through the optical module device 10A. Finally, in step (e), the opened upper part is closed with a pressing member (lid) 18 and at the same time, the optical fiber 15 positioned by the V-groove 24 is fixed. When the pressing member 18 is fixed, the boundary between the light emitting / receiving element 12 and the optical fiber 15 is preferably sealed with a matching agent or gel. Accordingly, refractive index matching can be performed, and malfunction due to return light to the light emitting / receiving element 12 can be prevented. Although not particularly illustrated, when the round hole 22 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is used as the positioning means instead of the V-groove 24, the optical fiber 15 is rounded in steps (c) and (d). Will be inserted.

  With reference to FIG. 8, another manufacturing method of the optical module device 10A according to the second embodiment shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 will be described. First, in step (a), the light emitting / receiving element 12 is mounted on the substrate 11. Next, in step (b), a mold 21 is arranged so as to cover the light emitting / receiving element 12 mounted on the substrate 11 from above, and a resin is poured into the mold 21. As a result, the optical module device 10A is directly molded on the substrate 11. Obviously, in this case, air cannot substantially intervene between the optical module device 10A and the light receiving and emitting element 12, and therefore, the optical module device 10A and the light receiving and receiving device can be received without using a refractive index matching agent or gel. The light emitting element 12 can be easily and completely sealed. The subsequent processes in steps (c) to (e) are the same as those in FIG.

  9 and 10 show an optical module device 10B according to a third embodiment of the present invention. These figures correspond to FIGS. 2 and 3 of the first embodiment, respectively. 9 and 10, the same reference numerals as those in FIGS. 2 and 3 are assigned to the same members as those in FIGS. 2 and 3. In this embodiment, the optical fiber 15 is positioned perpendicular to the substrate 11 using the round hole 22. In this case, as shown in FIG. 10, since the optical axes 19 and 20 are both vertical, the positions of the end face 16 and the light emitting / receiving surface 13 are not required without using the reflecting means 26 as in the first embodiment. They can be aligned with each other simply by adjusting. Other configurations are the same as those in the embodiment shown in FIG.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 4 in the first embodiment and is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of the optical module device 10B ′ that compensates for the influence of the refractive index due to the presence of air. The details are as described with reference to FIG.

  FIGS. 12 and 13 illustrate a method for manufacturing the optical module device 10B according to the third embodiment shown in FIGS. FIG. 12 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 7 in the second embodiment, FIG. 13 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 8 in the second embodiment, and the details thereof are as described in FIGS. In the example shown in FIG. 12, in particular, as shown in step (b), a pre-shaped optical module device 10B is mounted on top of the light emitting / receiving element 12 mounted on the substrate 11, whereas FIG. In the example shown in FIG. 13, in particular, as shown in step (b), a mold 21B is disposed on the light emitting / receiving element 12 mounted on the substrate 11, and an optical module is poured by pouring resin into the mold 21B. The apparatus 10B is directly molded on the substrate 11. In the third embodiment, since the optical fiber 15 is positioned perpendicularly to the substrate 11, the positioning means is preferably a round hole 22 instead of the V-groove (24) as shown in FIG. Each optical fiber 22 can be inserted and positioned vertically with respect to each of the round holes 22.

  Although not particularly illustrated, the optical module device 10 of the present invention includes various ICs such as terminals, laser diode drivers or transimpedance amplifiers, signal relay parts that allow wiring to remote terminals, The photoelectric conversion connector can be configured by being mounted on the connector together with the components. Furthermore, by using such a photoelectric conversion connector as a plug connector in combination with a receptacle connector, a photoelectric conversion device can be configured. Those skilled in the art will be able to easily use such applications.

  The present invention can be widely applied to photoelectric conversion devices.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Optical module apparatus 11 Board | substrate 12 Light emitting / receiving element 13 Light receiving / emitting surface 15 Optical fiber 16 End surface 19 Optical axis 20 Optical axis 21 Mold 22 Insertion hole (round hole)
24 V-groove 26 Reflecting means 42 Installation space 44 Condensing means

Claims (2)

The optical fiber formed over the entire length of the optical fiber is positioned by using an installation space in which the light receiving and emitting elements are installed and an open surface of the optical module device extending to one side of the optical fiber. and grooves for the open surface formed by utilizing the optical module device extending to said one side of said optical fiber, an orthogonal relationship with respect to the longitudinal direction of the optical axis and the optical fiber of the optical fiber a reflecting means may cross with both the optical axis of a said optical element, said a reflective means formed by utilizing a hole extending along the optical axis of the optical element, the said optical element An optical module device integrally formed in a sealed state ,
The optical axis of the light emitting / receiving element installed using the installation space and the optical axis of the optical fiber positioned using the groove are aligned via the optical module device. An optical module device. The reflecting means is formed between an end face of the optical fiber and a light receiving / emitting face of the light receiving / emitting element, and the reflecting means reflects light emitted from the end face of the optical fiber or the light receiving / emitting face of the light receiving / emitting element. The optical module apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the optical axes are aligned with each other by being reflected by the light beam.

Images