JPH0252304A - Optical circuit parts device and optical circuit module - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To facilitate packaging and to improve mass-productivity by incorporating a specific function in the same module and connecting modules by a standardized connection part. CONSTITUTION:A passive module 8 where a directional coupler 9 is contained and an active module 10 which contains a semiconductor laser chip 4 and a photodetector 5 are provided. Then a sleeve 14a penetrates one end wall of the module 8 and ferrules 13a and 13b are inserted into this sleeve 14a to constitute a connection part 12b which couples an optical fiber 6b with one port 9a of the directional coupler 9 optically. A sleeve 14b penetrates the other end wall of the module 8 and one end wall of the module 10 and ferrules 13c-13f are inserted into this sleeve 14b. Then a connection part 12a which couples other two ports 9b and 9c of the directional coupler 9 with the photodetector 5 and semiconductor laser chip 4 optically is constituted and both modules 8 and 10 are connected mutually. Consequently, the packaging is facilitated and the mass-production is made possible.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to an optical circuit component device having a plurality of optical circuits and an optical circuit module thereof.

[Prior Art] In recent years, with the progress of optical communications, it has been desired to supply optical parts such as optical branches, coupling circuits, optical branches/combiners, etc. in large quantities and at low cost. Conventionally, these optical components have been bulk type optical components consisting of a combination of a collimating optical system using a lens, an interference filter, and the like. but,
Since it is difficult to miniaturize and improve reliability of these bulk optical components, improvements have been desired. Therefore, as a method to solve these problems, planar waveguide optical components, that is, optical ICs, are
Attempts are being made to realize shaped optical components.

FIG. 3 shows an example of a bidirectional optical multiplexing/demultiplexing module constructed from planar optical waveguides that has already been proposed (see, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 61-41i911). The circuit ahead includes optical waveguides 2a, 2b, 2c arranged on a silicon substrate 1, an interference film filter 3, a semiconductor laser 41°, a light receiving element 5, an optical fiber halo, a kite 7a of the optical fiber halo, a guide 7b of the light receiving element 5, It is mainly composed of the guide 1-7C of the semiconductor laser 4 and the guides 41 and 7d of the 1,700-step filter 3.

Regarding the operation of this multiplexing/demultiplexing module, the laser beam emitted from the 12-conductor laser 4 passes through the optical waveguide 78, is reflected by the interference film filter 3, and then passes through the optical waveguide 2b and is guided to the optical fiber halo. . The wavelength of this light is λ1. On the other hand, the light of wavelength λ2 incident from the optical fiber halo passes through the leading wave P82b, passes through the filter 3, and further passes through the optical waveguide 2C to reach the light receiving element 5. Filter 3
has a characteristic of allowing light with wavelength λ2 to pass through, but reflecting light with wavelength λ1. Optical components made up of such optical circuits have higher productivity than conventional optical multiplexing/demultiplexing modules made of individual components, and are expected to be made at a lower price and more compact. Ru.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] However, the implementation method is not necessarily easy. For example, when mounting the semiconductor laser 4 on the silicon substrate 1,
It is necessary to insert a metal plate to serve as a heat sink between the semiconductor laser 4 and the silicon substrate 1, and to precisely adjust the height of the metal plate in order to align the optical axes of the semiconductor laser 4 and the optical waveguide 2a. Therefore, a mounting method that satisfies both temperature characteristics and optical characteristics is required. In the case of an optical fiber halo, since the optical axis is different from that of the semiconductor laser 4 and the shape is also different, it is necessary to use a different mounting method in order to satisfy the optical characteristics. Furthermore, in the case of the light receiving element 5, as the frequency of the receiving signal 13 becomes higher, it becomes necessary to shorten the distance from the preamplifier, so it is necessary to consider the electric circuit when mounting the light receiving element 5. Guide the interference filter 3 7
In the step of inserting the filter 3 into the
Since it is thin (less than 1.5 m), its mechanical strength is weak and care must be taken when handling it. As described above, mounting elements having various functions on a flat substrate is extremely complicated in terms of implementation, is inefficient, and is not suitable for mass production. Furthermore, since it is only possible to measure the characteristics of each element individually after mounting them, it is extremely difficult to evaluate the reliability of each element individually.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Therefore, an object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned drawbacks of the conventional light-year multiplication circuit, and to make it 11X easier to implement even in complex and multiplexed optical circuits. iJL's objective is to provide highly capable, compatible, and reliable optical circuit component devices and their optical circuit modules.

[Means for Solving the Problems] In order to achieve such an object, the optical circuit component device of the present invention has the following features:
A plurality of modules each housing an optical circuit having at least one specific function among the plurality of optical circuits, and at least one light guide arranged at standardized regular intervals on each end face of the plurality of modules. It is characterized in that it includes a connecting portion having a wave path or an end face of an optical fiber, and is constructed by collectively connecting each of a plurality of modules by the connecting portion.

The circuit module according to the present invention includes a module body in which an optical circuit having at least one specific function is housed, and a predetermined end face of the module body is provided in correspondence with an input terminal and an output terminal of at least one optical circuit. Optical power output terminals are arranged at regular intervals on the module, the input terminal and the output terminal are optically coupled to the optical guide terminal, and a guide member is installed on the module body for alignment with other module bodies. It is characterized by three things.

[Function] In the present invention, optical circuits with specific functions, for example, active element circuits and passive element circuits, are separately modularized, and connections between each module are made by optical waveguides or end faces of optical fibers arranged at regular intervals. The optical circuit component arrangement is configured by simply connecting via the formed connections, for example by means of guide pins. Examples of each optical circuit component include a semiconductor laser chip, a light receiving element, an optical fiber, and a directional coupler.
It is modularized into a passive module that accommodates active circuits and an active module that accommodates passive circuits. Furthermore, these optical circuit modules can be connected together using a guide bin.

On the other hand, the conventional example shown in Fig. 3 is a hybrid circuit or a composite circuit, so it is mounted on a base material with various functions or on a four-wave optical circuit board, and therefore it requires a mounting method suitable for each element. It is necessary to use JJJLk, and at the same time, it is necessary to fully understand the relationship between elements and implement it on JJJLk. For example, interrelationships such as differences in coupling methods with optical waveguides due to differences in optical position accuracy when mounting semiconductor lasers, photodetectors, and optical fibers, and the relationship between the mounting temperatures of semiconductor lasers and photodetectors are important. . Furthermore, since the semiconductor laser and the light receiving element are mounted on a common optical circuit,
It is difficult to evaluate individual elements after mounting.

On the other hand, in the present invention, since elements with different functions are mounted in each module, the mounting conditions are simple, and there is no problem even if the number of elements increases.

Furthermore, when separating active and passive circuits,
Implementation conditions can be set independently for each implementation, regardless of the implementation environment. Furthermore, since each module can be evaluated, an improvement in yield can be expected. In addition, if technology improves and a high-performance element becomes available, it is possible to improve the performance of the entire device by replacing only the module containing that element with the conventional module. .

The circuit module according to the present invention is advantageous when arrayed elements are mounted because the modical end face is formed of standardized optical waveguides or optical fibers at regular intervals. For example, if the need for multiple similar circuits increases,
The conventional circuit shown in FIG. 3 is not economical because it takes time to implement. However, according to the present invention, by increasing the number of circuits in each module and increasing the number of optical guide terminals in the optical connection section, there is an advantage that it can be easily adapted to array formation. Therefore, especially as the integration of optical devices progresses, arrayed raw conductor lasers, arrayed format A1-tarauto, arrayed 0εIc (optical/electrical integrated circuits) and arrayed elements are used. There is no misalignment of the wiring from the module end face to the module end face in the order of the array, and mounting is not limited by the optical waveguide as in the conventional example shown in FIG.

As described above, the present invention has achieved various advantages and will make a great contribution to promoting higher functionality, 11r production, and economicalization of optical components in the future. Moreover, in the present invention, the connection between GJ, 1,000:I and 1. Since this is done using an optical connection section consisting of the end face of an optical waveguide or the end face of an optical fiber with a standardized interval, the modules are mutually compatible and modules with different functions can be freely combined. . Furthermore, since connections between modules can be easily made all at once using guide bins, there is an advantage that modules can be easily replaced.

[Example code] Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows an example of an optical multiplexing/demultiplexing module as an embodiment of the present invention. Here, 8 is a passive module housing a directional coupler 9. 1O is an ac dip module that accommodates a semiconductor laser dip 4 and a light receiving element 5. A sleeve 14a is inserted into one end wall of the module 8, and the ferrules 13a and 1 are inserted into the sleeve 14a.
3b constitutes a connecting portion +2b for optically coupling between the optical fiber 6b and one of the bauds I to 98 of the directional coupler 9. A sleeve 14b is inserted into the other end wall of the module 8 and one end wall of the module IO, and the ferrules 13G, 13d, +3 are inserted into the sleeve Nb.
By inserting e and 13f, the directional coupler 9
Connection portions for optical coupling between the other two boats 9b and 9C and the light receiving element 5 and the semiconductor laser chip 4+
2a. When connecting both modules 8 and 1O, in order to accurately align the optical axis of the optical coupling at connection part +2a and to easily connect this connection part 12a, it is necessary to connect both modules 8 and 1O. Each opposing end face is provided with a guide bin. With the above-mentioned configuration, an optical multiplexing/demultiplexing module with 1 J of transmitting/receiving units for light having wavelengths λ1 and λ2 can be obtained.

In such an optical circuit, in order to send the signal 5L, the semiconductor laser 4 is modulated, and the output light (wavelength λ1) from the 1'2 conductor 1 no. The light beam is guided into the optical fiber halo a using the optical fiber harrow a, roughly passes through the bow 1-0C, passes through the directional coupler 9, and enters the optical fiber halo b. On the other hand, the light with the wavelength λ2 coming from the optical fiber halo b enters the directional coupler 9, and passes through a different optical waveguide than the light with the wavelength λ from the bow 1-9b to the optical fiber 6C to the light receiving element 5. Used. As described above, it becomes possible to optically branch the lights of wavelengths λ and λ2.

Here, the semiconductor laser 4 and the light receiving element 5 are housed in a hermetically sealed active module IO, and the reliability of these elements is guaranteed by this module. On the other hand, since the passive module 8 including the directional coupler 9 is similarly hermetically sealed, its reliability is guaranteed. Ferrule +3 that goes into the connection parts 12a and 12b
a~+3f rice sleeves 14a, +4b are 1mmφ
It has a diameter of: Note that the connecting portions 12a and 12b are connected to the moshul 8. A mirror-polished structure on the edge of lO is also possible.

FIG. 2 functionally shows an embodiment of a photon joule device configured by multiplexing the optical modules shown in FIG.

Here, 16 is an optical fiber that is multiplexed in the form of a tape fiber, unlike the optical fiber halos 8 to 6c in FIG. Therefore, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the fiber concentrator 17 is interposed at the location where in FIG. 1 there was only the connection portion +2b with the directional coupler 9. In order to facilitate connection with the module 8, this fiber concentrator 17 is
At regular intervals corresponding to each optical fiber of the tape fiber 16, the ferrules 13a, etc. shown in the first figure and the sleeve 1 are arranged.
4a, . . . are arranged at the fiber connection portion +2c. The fiber concentrator 15 having such a configuration is connected to a passive module 8 containing a directional coupler. This passive module 8 has a plurality of directional couplers built in, and each direction +'A coupler has a connection part +'A in the module 8.
2c' and 12d. The connecting portion 12 (2) and 12d connect the optical cable 1 to the terminal 18a with the same spacing as the fiber array of the connecting portion 12c. There are connection holes 19 that can be made into foil, and by inserting the guide bin 11 between the wire concentrator 15 and the passive module 8, optical connections between the wire concentrator 15 and the seal 8 can be made. Perform positioning all at once to connect both.

On the other hand, the active module 10 houses a plurality of semiconductor lasers and light receiving elements, and the light guide terminal 18b of each element is connected to the connection part 12d''.

The connecting part 12d'' has optical power output terminals 18c and 18d arranged at the same spacing as the other connecting parts +2c, +2c' and 12d, and has guard pins for aligning the module 8 and IO. Connecting hole +9 for inserting 4=i1-. Thereby, in the same way as the connection between the connection parts 12c and 12C', the connection parts 12d and 12d' are collectively connected by the pins 1 to 2. Each connection part 12c, 12c', 126.12d' in FIG. 2 is connected to the ferrule 13 and sleeve 1 as shown in FIG.
Is it a structure using 4? J: Yes. On the other hand, connection part +2c
, 12c', 12d, 12d' are mirror surfaces + iJf
114, the optical fiber terminals +8a-18tl may be connected together by a method in which the end faces of the optical fiber terminals 8a to 18tl are brought into close contact with each other, and the structure of the optical fiber terminals is not limited to the above-described form.

In the present invention, for convenience of explanation, it has been expressed that there are a plurality of optical circuits or optical elements in the passive module 8 and the active module 1O, but these optical circuits and optical elements may be arrayed circuits or arrayed elements on the same substrate. The present invention is also applicable to this case, and the present invention is more effectively applied in this case. Further, in the above embodiment, the line concentrator 15, the passive module 8, and the active module l
Although the connection with the active module 10 has been described above, it is possible to extend the functionality by connecting another module to the downstream of the active module 10.

[Effects of the Invention] In the present invention, the J: sea urchin described above is 4,1! In order to simplify the 15-pack installation, we have installed circuits with fixed functions, for example, similar functions, in the same module, and connected the modules using standardized connections.
An example is the separation of passive and active circuits. Furthermore, by modularizing in the form of optical circuits or circuits combined with optical fibers, which facilitates the implementation of mass-produced, 1'1 array elements, etc. , it becomes possible to reduce the price.

Furthermore, since it is possible to develop each module individually, it is possible to develop and improve the performance of each module independently without being restricted by other optical circuits.Furthermore, for the same reason, each module can be developed with reliability. You can keep the publication (17).

In the present invention, since the connection parts of each module are standardized, there is compatibility between modules, and connection is possible no matter what module is installed next to it.In addition, connections between modules can be made all at once using guide bins. Since it is possible to simply perform 11n, various optical circuits can be combined, thereby making it possible to construct optical devices having a wide variety of functions, and thus facilitating compatibility with a variety of components. Therefore, the optical circuit component device constructed according to the present invention is extremely economical.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing an example of the configuration of a waveguide optical multiplexing/demultiplexing module in which an active element part and a passive element part are separated as one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a layout showing another embodiment of the present invention. 3 are perspective views showing an example of a conventional waveguide optical module. DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1...Silicon substrate, 2a, 2b, 2c...Optical waveguide, 3...Hydraulic film filler, 4...Semiconductor laser, 5...Photodetector, 6a, 6b, 6 c-optical fiber, 7a.
...Optical fiber guide, 7b... Light receiving element guide, 7c... Semiconductor laser guide, 7d... Filter guide, 8... Passive module, 9... Directional coupler, lO... Active Module, 11... Guide bin, 12a, 12b, +2c, 12c', +2d, 12d'
--- Connection part, 13a - J13f - Ferrule, 14a, 14b --- Sleeve, 16... Tape fiber, 17... Fiber concentrator, +8a, 18b, 18c, +8d ・= Optical cable terminal, 19... Connection hole. Figure 1 of the cross section blade of the Honsaki Meiji authority example/)laffi Figure 3

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1) An optical circuit component device having a plurality of optical circuits, including a plurality of modules each housing an optical circuit having at least one specific function among the plurality of optical circuits; a connecting part having an end face of at least one optical waveguide or optical fiber arranged at a standardized constant interval on each end face of the module, the connecting part collectively connecting each of the plurality of modules; What is claimed is: 1. An optical circuit component device comprising: 2) A module body in which an optical circuit having at least one specific function is housed; Light guide terminals are arranged at intervals, the input terminal and the output terminal are optically coupled to the light guide terminal, and the module body is provided with a guide member for positioning with other module bodies. An optical circuit module characterized by: