JP7179659B2 - Optical receptacles and optical modules - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an optical receptacle and an optical module having the same.

2. Description of the Related Art In optical communication using optical fibers, an optical module having a light-emitting element for transmission or a light-receiving element for reception is used. The optical module has an optical receptacle that optically couples a light emitting element or light receiving element and an end face of an optical fiber. In the optical module on the transmission side, the optical receptacle causes light including communication information emitted from the light emitting element (hereinafter referred to as "signal light") to enter the end surface of the optical fiber. On the other hand, in the optical module on the receiving side, the optical receptacle guides the signal light emitted from the end face of the optical fiber to the light receiving element. An optical receptacle that collectively couples a plurality of light-emitting elements or light-receiving elements and end faces of a plurality of optical fibers is sometimes called a lens array because it has a plurality of lens surfaces arranged at a predetermined pitch.

An optical module on the transmission side includes, in addition to a light emitting element, a light receiving element for monitoring the output of light emitted from the light emitting element. For example, Patent Literature 1 discloses an optical communication module that includes a monitor section (light receiving element) that monitors part of the light emitted from a surface emitting laser.

JP 2012-163903 A

FIG. 1 shows an example of an optical communication module disclosed in Patent Document 1. FIG. In the optical communication module disclosed in Patent Document 1, laser light emitted from the surface emitting laser 10 and incident on the optical coupling member 32 by the first lens portion 50 is reflected by the reflecting portion 62 toward the optical fiber 21 . Thus, in the optical communication module, the surface emitting laser 10 and the optical fiber 21 are coupled.

Further, in the optical communication module disclosed in Patent Document 1, laser light emitted from the surface emitting laser 10 and incident on the optical coupling member 32 through the first lens portion 50 is transmitted through the transmission surface 71, and transmitted through the monitor portion 40. (Light-receiving element), the output is monitored.

Here, in the optical communication module disclosed in Patent Document 1, of the laser light emitted from the surface emitting laser 10, only the output of the peripheral portion of the luminous flux (the light transmitted through the transmission surface 71) can be monitored. Therefore, the output of the entire luminous flux of the surface emitting laser 10 cannot be monitored. Therefore, the optical communication module disclosed in Patent Document 1 may not be able to properly monitor the output from the surface emitting laser 10 .

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and provides an optical receptacle and an optical module capable of more appropriately monitoring the output from a light emitting element by monitoring the entire light emitted from the light emitting element. intended to provide

The optical receptacle according to the present invention is arranged between a photoelectric conversion device having a light emitting element and a light receiving element for monitoring light emitted from the light emitting element, and an optical transmission body. An optical receptacle for optically coupling the end surface of the optical transmission body, comprising: a first optical surface for receiving light emitted from the light emitting element; and a signal light directed to the end face of the optical transmission body, the monitor light is condensed and transmitted toward the light receiving element, and the signal light is directed to the end face of the optical transmission body. and a second optical surface that emits the signal light reflected by the light separation unit toward an end surface of the optical transmission body, wherein the light separation unit includes the first optical surface. and a plurality of divided light-condensing surfaces for condensing and transmitting incident light toward the light-receiving element, and a plurality of divided light-condensing surfaces formed in regions different from the divided light-condensing surfaces for transmitting light incident on the first optical surface to the second and a plurality of divided reflecting surfaces for reflecting toward an optical surface, wherein the divided reflecting surfaces are inclined surfaces with respect to the optical axis of the light incident on the first optical surface, and the divided light condensing surface and the divided The reflective surfaces are alternately arranged in the tilt direction of the divided reflective surfaces in a virtual center section of the optical receptacle that includes the optical axis of the light incident on the first optical surface and the optical axis of the signal light. .

An optical module according to the present invention includes a photoelectric conversion device having a light emitting element and a light receiving element for monitoring light emitted from the light emitting element, and an optical receptacle according to the present invention.

ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the optical receptacle and optical module which can monitor the output from a light emitting element more appropriately by monitoring the whole light emitted from the light emitting element can be provided.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a conventional optical communication module. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view (optical path diagram) of the optical module according to the first embodiment. 3A to 3C are diagrams showing the configuration of the optical receptacle according to Embodiment 1. FIG. FIG. 4 is a partially enlarged view showing the configuration of the light splitting section and the optical path. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view (optical path diagram) of the optical module according to the second embodiment.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Hereinafter, embodiments according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[Embodiment 1]
(Configuration of optical module)
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view (optical path diagram) of the optical module 100 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. In this figure, hatching of the cross section of optical receptacle 300 is omitted in order to show the optical path in optical receptacle 300 . In the following description, regarding the optical receptacle 300, the surface on the optical transmission body 400 side is referred to as the "front", and the surface on the photoelectric conversion device 200 side is referred to as the "bottom".

As shown in FIG. 2 , the optical module 100 has a transmission photoelectric conversion device 200 having a light emitting element 220 and an optical receptacle 300 arranged on the photoelectric conversion device 200 . During use, the optical transmission member 400 is connected to the front surface of the optical receptacle 300 (the surface located on the right side in FIG. 2). That is, the optical receptacle 300 is arranged between the photoelectric conversion device 200 and the optical transmission body 400 . Optical receptacle 300 optically couples light emitting element 220 of photoelectric conversion device 200 and end surface 410 of optical transmission body 400 .

A photoelectric conversion device 200 for transmission has a light emitting element 220 and a light receiving element 230 on a substrate 210 .

The light emitting element 220 is arranged on the substrate 210 and emits light L in a direction perpendicular to the substrate surface. The light emitting element 220 is, for example, a vertical cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL).

The light receiving element 230 receives monitor light Lm for monitoring the output of the light emitting element 220 . In this embodiment, the light receiving element 230 is arranged on the substrate 210 so as to be in line with the light emitting element 220 at a position farther from the optical transmission body 400 than the light emitting element 220 is. Light receiving element 230 is, for example, a photodetector.

Optical receptacle 300 is arranged on substrate 210 such that first optical surface 310 (described later) and light emitting element 220 face each other, and light separation section 340 (described later) and light receiving element 230 face each other. By arranging the optical receptacle 300 in this way, the light emitting element 220 and the end surface 410 of the optical transmission body 400 are optically coupled, and the monitor light Lm separated by the light separating section 340 is focused on the light receiving element 230. and the output of light emitting element 220 is monitored.

An optical transmission body 400 corresponding to the light emitting element 220 is connected to the optical receptacle 300 . Normally, a ferrule (not shown) or the like is attached to the end of the optical transmission body 400 , and by inserting this ferrule into the recess on the front side of the optical receptacle 300 , the second optical surface 350 of the optical receptacle 300 and the The end face 410 of the optical transmission body 400 is positioned at the opposing position.

Optical transmission body 400 is, for example, an optical waveguide or an optical fiber. The optical fiber may be single mode or multimode.

(Optical module operation)
In optical module 100 according to the present embodiment, light L emitted from light emitting element 220 of photoelectric conversion device 200 enters optical receptacle 300 through first optical surface 310 . The light L that has entered the optical receptacle 300 is sequentially reflected by a first reflecting surface 320 (described later) and a second reflecting surface 330 (described later) and reaches the light separation section 340 . The light separator 340 separates the light L into monitor light Lm and signal light Ls. The monitor light Lm is emitted toward the light receiving element 230 of the photoelectric conversion device 200 while being condensed by the light separating section 340 . Signal light Ls is emitted from second optical surface 350 toward end face 410 of optical transmission body 400 .

(Configuration of optical receptacle)
Optical module 100 of the present embodiment is mainly characterized by the configuration of optical receptacle 300 . Therefore, optical receptacle 300 will be described in detail again below.

3A to 3C are diagrams showing the configuration of the optical receptacle 300. FIG. 3A is a left side view of optical receptacle 300, FIG. 3B is a bottom view of optical receptacle 300, and FIG. 3C is a cross-sectional view of optical receptacle 300 taken along line CC in FIG. 3B. Note that hatching is omitted in FIG. 3C.

As shown in FIGS. 3A-C, optical receptacle 300 is a substantially rectangular parallelepiped member. Optical receptacle 300 is formed using a material that is optically transparent to light of wavelengths used for optical communications. Examples of such materials include transparent resins such as polyetherimides and cyclic olefin resins. Optical receptacle 300 may be manufactured in one piece, for example by injection molding.

Optical receptacle 300 according to the present embodiment has first optical surface 310 , second optical surface 350 , first reflecting surface 320 , second reflecting surface 330 , and light separation section 340 .

First optical surface 310 is arranged to face light emitting element 220 , and allows light emitted from light emitting element 220 to enter optical receptacle 300 . In the present embodiment, first optical surface 310 is arranged on the bottom side of optical receptacle 300 and is a convex lens surface convex toward light emitting element 220 . Moreover, in the present embodiment, the first optical surface 310 converts the light emitted from the light emitting element 220 into collimated light. In addition, although the first optical surface 310 is a convex lens surface in the present embodiment, the shape of the first optical surface 310 is not particularly limited, and may be a flat surface.

The number of first optical surfaces 310 is not particularly limited, and may be one or plural. In this embodiment, the number of first optical surfaces 310 is one. Note that when a plurality of light emitting elements 220 are arranged in a line, the same number of first optical surfaces 310 as the light emitting elements 220 may be arranged in a line. Furthermore, when the light emitting elements 220 are arranged in two or more rows, the first optical surfaces 310 may also be arranged in the same number of rows.

The second optical surface 350 is arranged to face the end surface 410 of the optical transmission body 400 , and emits the signal light Ls emitted from the light emitting element 220 and passing through the optical receptacle 300 toward the optical transmission body 400 . Let In the present embodiment, second optical surface 350 is arranged on the front side of optical receptacle 300 and is a convex lens surface that is convex toward optical transmission body 400 .

The number of second optical surfaces 350 is not particularly limited, and may be one or plural. In this embodiment, the number of second optical surfaces 350 is one. In addition, when a plurality of optical transmission bodies 400 are arranged in a row, the same number of second optical surfaces 350 as the optical transmission bodies 400 may be arranged in a row. Furthermore, when the optical transmission bodies 400 are arranged in two or more rows, the second optical surfaces 350 may also be arranged in the same number of rows.

The first reflecting surface 320 reflects the light L incident on the first optical surface 310 toward the second reflecting surface 330 . In the present embodiment, first reflecting surface 320 is formed in a concave portion arranged on the top surface side of optical receptacle 300 .

The second reflecting surface 330 reflects the light reflected by the first reflecting surface 320 toward the light separation section 340 . In the present embodiment, second reflecting surface 330 is formed in a concave portion arranged on the top surface side of optical receptacle 300 .

FIG. 4 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the light separating section 340 and the optical path. Hatching is omitted in FIG. 4 as well. The light separation section 340 will be described in detail below with reference to FIG.

The light separating section 340 has a plurality of divided light-condensing surfaces 341 that converge the incident light L on the light receiving element 230 and a plurality of divided reflecting surfaces 342 that reflect the incident light L toward the end surface 410 of the optical transmission body 400 . and

Further, in the present embodiment, the light separating section 340 has a plurality of stepped surfaces 343 that connect the split condensing surfaces 341 and the split reflecting surfaces 342 respectively.

Each of the divided light-condensing surfaces 341 condenses and transmits the light L incident on the first optical surface 310 toward the light-receiving element 230 . The plurality of divided light-condensing surfaces 341 are arranged so as to exist evenly over the entire reaching area (irradiation spot) of the light reaching the light separating section 340 .
As shown in FIG. 4, in this embodiment, the plurality of divided light-condensing surfaces 341 have different angles of inclination with respect to the incident light L. As shown in FIG. Specifically, in the present embodiment, a plurality of divided beams are arranged so that the incident angle of the incident light L with respect to the divided beams-condensing surface 341 becomes smaller as it is closer to the front side (second optical surface 350 side). The inclination angle of the surface 341 is adjusted. As a result, the light L incident on the plurality of divided light-condensing surfaces 341 is refracted in a direction approaching the inclined surface of the divided reflecting surface 342 and is condensed on the light receiving element 230 . Further, by adjusting the inclination angles of the plurality of divided light-condensing surfaces 341 in this way, it is possible to facilitate injection molding of the optical receptacle 300 having the divided light-condensing surfaces 341 .

The plurality of divided reflecting surfaces 342 are formed in regions different from the divided condensing surfaces 341 and reflect the light L incident on the first optical surface 310 toward the second optical surface 350 . The plurality of split reflecting surfaces 342 are also arranged so as to exist evenly over the entire reaching area (irradiation spot) of the light reaching the light separating section 340 . The plurality of divided reflecting surfaces 342 are inclined surfaces with respect to the optical axis of the light L that is incident thereon. The plurality of divided reflecting surfaces 342 are each inclined so as to approach the front from the top surface of the optical receptacle 300 toward the bottom surface. In this embodiment, the inclination angles of the plurality of divided reflecting surfaces 342 are all 45° with respect to the optical axis of the light reflected by the second reflecting surface 330 . In addition, in the present embodiment, the divided reflecting surfaces 342 are arranged at predetermined intervals on one virtual plane.

The plurality of stepped surfaces 343 are parallel surfaces to the optical axis of the incident light L, and connect the split condensing surface 341 and the split reflecting surface 342 . In this embodiment, the step surface 343 is a surface parallel to the optical axis of the light reflected by the second reflecting surface 330 .

Note that, as shown in FIG. 4, the divided light condensing surface 341 and the divided reflecting surface 342 correspond to the optical receptacle 300 including the optical axis of the light L incident on the first optical surface 310 and the optical axis of the signal light Ls. are alternately arranged in the tilt direction of the divided reflecting surfaces 342 in the virtual central cross section of .

In the central virtual cross section and other virtual cross sections parallel thereto, the ratio of the cross-sectional length of the divided light-condensing surface 341 to the total length of the cross-section of the divided light-condensing surface 341 and the cross-section of the divided reflecting surface 342 is may be maximum at the central imaginary cross section of , and gradually decrease as the distance from the central imaginary cross section increases. For example, in FIG. 4, the ratio of the split light-condensing surface 341 may be reduced in the cross section in the direction toward the back or front of the paper. That is, the plurality of divided light-condensing surfaces 341 may have a shape obtained by dividing a circular convex lens surface into strips. In this case, when viewed from the top (bottom view), part of the outer edge of each divided light-condensing surface 341 is located on one circumference (corresponding to the outer circumference of the convex lens surface).

Also, the ratio of the length of the cross section of the divided light-condensing surface 341 to the total length of the cross section of the divided light-condensing surface 341 and the cross section of the divided reflecting surface 342 may be the same even if it is distant from the central virtual cross section. . That is, the plurality of split light-condensing surfaces 341 may have a shape obtained by splitting the cylindrical lens surface into strips. Here, the direction away from the virtual cross section is, for example, the direction perpendicular to the virtual cross section.

(Operation of optical receptacle)
In the optical receptacle 300 according to the present embodiment, the plurality of divided light-condensing surfaces 341 of the light separation section 340 converge and transmit the light L incident on the first optical surface 310 toward the light receiving element 230 . On the other hand, the plurality of divided reflection surfaces 342 of the light separation section 340 reflect the light L incident on the first optical surface 310 toward the end surface 410 of the optical transmission body 400 .

(effect)
Optical receptacle 300 according to the present embodiment can separate monitor light Lm from the entire light L emitted from light emitting element 220 and incident on optical receptacle 300, not from a biased portion. Therefore, optical receptacle 300 can more appropriately monitor light L emitted from light emitting element 220 .

In addition, in the optical receptacle 300, the monitor light Lm can be condensed at an arbitrary position in the photoelectric conversion device 200 by individually adjusting the inclination angles of the plurality of divided light condensing surfaces 341 in the light separating section 340. . For example, the plurality of divided light-condensing surfaces 341 can converge the light on the light-receiving elements 230 arranged directly below the divided light-condensing surfaces 341, or converge the light on the light-receiving elements 230 arranged at positions other than directly below the divided light-condensing surfaces 341. can also Accordingly, in the optical receptacle 300, the monitor light Lm can be condensed according to the positions of the light emitting element 220 and the light receiving element 230 in the photoelectric conversion device 200, and the degree of freedom in designing the photoelectric conversion device 200 can be increased. .

[Embodiment 2]
Hereinafter, the second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 5, focusing on differences from the first embodiment. In addition, in Embodiment 2, the same code|symbol is attached|subjected about the same structure as Embodiment 1, and the description is abbreviate|omitted.

(Configuration and operation of optical module)
The optical module 100 according to the second embodiment is different from the light receiving element 230 according to the first embodiment in that the light receiving element 230 is arranged closer to the front side (optical transmission body 400 side) than the light emitting element 220 in the photoelectric conversion device 201. Different from module 100 .

Further, in the optical module 100 according to the second embodiment, the first reflecting surface 320, the second reflecting surface 330, and the light separating section 340 in the optical receptacle 301 are arranged in accordance with the arrangement of the light emitting element 220 and the light receiving element 230 described above. It is also different from the optical module 100 according to the first embodiment in that the arrangement is changed.

In the optical module 100 according to the second embodiment as well, the light L emitted from the light emitting element 220 and incident on the first optical surface 310 is sequentially reflected by the first reflecting surface 320 and the second reflecting surface 330 to reach the light separation section. Reach 340. The light separating section 340 separates the light from the second reflecting surface 330 into the monitor light Lm and the signal light Ls, converges the monitor light Lm toward the light receiving element 230, and converts the signal light Ls to the optical transmission body 400. toward the end face 410 of the .

(effect)
Optical receptacle 301 according to the second embodiment has the same effects as optical receptacle 300 according to the first embodiment.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The optical receptacle and optical module according to the present invention are useful for optical communication using optical transmission bodies.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 10 surface-emitting laser 21 optical fiber 32 optical coupling member 40 monitor section 50 first lens section 62 reflection section 71 transmission surface 100 optical module 200, 201 photoelectric conversion device 210 substrate 220 light emitting element 230 light receiving element 300, 301 optical receptacle 310 first optics Surface 320 First Reflecting Surface 330 Second Reflecting Surface 340 Light Separating Section 341 Split Condensing Surface 342 Split Reflecting Surface 343 Stepped Surface 350 Second Optical Surface 400 Optical Transmission Body 410 End Face L of Optical Transmission Body L Incident Light Lm Monitor Light Ls signal light

Claims (8)

a photoelectric conversion device having a light emitting element and a light receiving element for monitoring light emitted from the light emitting element; An optical receptacle for optical coupling, comprising:
a first optical surface for receiving light emitted from the light emitting element;
The light incident on the first optical surface is separated into monitor light directed toward the light receiving element and signal light directed toward the end surface of the optical transmission body, and the monitor light is condensed and transmitted toward the light receiving element, and the an optical separation unit that reflects signal light toward an end face of the optical transmission body;
a second optical surface that emits the signal light reflected by the light separation unit toward an end surface of the optical transmission body;
The light separation section is
a plurality of divided light-condensing surfaces for condensing and transmitting the light incident on the first optical surface toward the light-receiving element;
a plurality of divided reflecting surfaces formed in regions different from the divided light-condensing surfaces and reflecting light incident on the first optical surface toward the second optical surface;
the split reflection surface is an inclined surface with respect to the optical axis of the light incident on the first optical surface;
The divided light-condensing surface and the divided reflective surface are inclined at the center imaginary cross section of the optical receptacle including the optical axis of the light incident on the first optical surface and the optical axis of the signal light. are alternately arranged in the direction of
The plurality of divided light-condensing surfaces are arranged so as to exist in the entire irradiation spot of the light reaching the light separation section,
The plurality of divided light-condensing surfaces are formed so that light emitted from each divided light-condensing surface enters one light receiving element,
optical receptacle. In the central virtual cross section and other virtual cross sections parallel to the central virtual cross section, the ratio of the length of the cross section of the divided light condensing surface to the total length of the cross section of the divided light condensing surface and the cross section of the divided reflecting surface is , the maximum at the central imaginary cross-section, and gradually decrease with distance from the central imaginary cross-section. 3. The plurality of divided light-condensing surfaces according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a part of the outer edge of each divided light-condensing surface is positioned on one circumference when viewed from above. optical receptacle. 4. The optical receptacle according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the plurality of divided light-condensing surfaces have different angles with respect to the optical axis of incident light. The optical receptacle according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the plurality of divided light-condensing surfaces each refract the incident light so that the traveling direction of the incident light approaches the inclined direction. 6. The light separating section according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising a plurality of stepped surfaces that are parallel to the optical axis of the incident light and connect the split condensing surface and the split reflecting surface. or the optical receptacle according to claim 1. The optical receptacle according to any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising a reflecting surface that reflects light incident on the first optical surface toward the light separation section. a photoelectric conversion device having a light-emitting element and a light-receiving element for monitoring light emitted from the light-emitting element;
an optical receptacle according to any one of claims 1 to 7;
An optical module having

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