JPH06130254A - Optical component coupler - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To obtain a device capable of deciding the arrangement of an optical component to be confronted with each other simply and with high accuracy and performing fine adjustment for coinciding positions by forming a pair of specific regulating parts on respective confronting plane of first and second substrates, and performing positioning by engaging their regulating parts with each other when the first substrate is loaded on the second substrate. CONSTITUTION:A pair of regulating parts 33b, 34b and 33c, 34c whose cross- sections are formed in V-shape and projected and recessed in parallel are formed at both sides of the groove parts 33a, 34a of confronting parts on the first and second substrates 33, 34 in a direction of Y-axis. In other words, the positioning in a direction of X-axis between the substrates 33, 34 can be performed by engaging the regulating parts 33b, 34b with 33c 34c when the second substrate 34 is loaded on the first substrate 33. The regulating parts 33b, 34b and 33c, 34c are formed by etching, a high accuracy machine, or a method of cutting, etc. Therefore, they can be formed with high accuracy, and the positioning of the first and second substrates 33, 34 can be performed with high accuracy by engaging the regulating parts 33b, 34b with 33c, 34c.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an optical coupling device for optically coupling a multi-core optical fiber array with an optical transmitting device array or an optical receiving device array.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, in the fields of communication / broadcasting, optical communication has become possible due to digitization of transmission signals and improvement of their signal speeds, widening of communication networks, and dramatic increase in the number of signals to be handled. The system is being put to practical use rapidly.
Further, in the field of information processing and the like, the speeding up of processing speed and the development of parallel computers and the like are being actively conducted.

Under such circumstances, a small-sized and high-density optical wiring technique using an optical transmission line for the wiring in the device has recently been attracting attention. This technology uses a multi-fiber optical fiber array for the signal transmission line, and aims to realize an optical coupling part between the multi-fiber optical fiber array and the optical transmitting device array or the optical receiving device array in a small size, high reliability, and low cost. It is a thing. FIG. 7 shows an optical coupling device that optically couples a conventional multi-core optical fiber array and an optical transmission device array.

In FIG. 7, reference numeral 1 denotes a ribbon fiber which is a multi-fiber optical fiber array, and a plurality of fiber lines 1a are bundled in a line. Reference numeral 2 denotes a laser chip which is a transmitter device array, and here, a plurality of laser emission ports 2a are provided on one side at equal intervals and in a straight line.

First, the laser chip 1 is fixed by visual measurement at a marker position which is previously marked on a specific portion of the laser chip mounting substrate 11. Further, each fiber line of the ribbon fiber 1 is fixed to the fiber line fixing V groove group 12a formed in advance on the fiber line fixing substrate 12. These substrates 11 and 12 are aligned and fixed on the position fixing substrate 13 while monitoring the optical coupling power. In the above optical coupling, a microlens array (not shown) is provided between the fiber line 1a and the laser emission port 2a.
May be inserted to improve the coupling efficiency.

However, in the above-described optical component coupling apparatus, the laser chip 2 is fixed and the laser chip mounting substrate 11, the fiber line fixing substrate 12 and the alignment on the substrate are performed by an eye-checking operation. Therefore, it takes a lot of time and effort, which is a major cause of cost increase. Furthermore, because there are many adjustment points,
There are many problems in terms of optical coupling accuracy and reliability.

Therefore, in the prior art, in order to adjust the optical axis between the optical components automatically by self-alignment with a simple structure,
As shown in FIG. 8 or FIG. 9, there has been proposed an optical component coupling device using a male component of a commercially available multi-fiber optical connector.

In FIG. 8, reference numeral 21 denotes a male part of the multi-fiber optical connector. At the end of the ribbon fiber 1, a plurality of fiber wires are arranged and fixed in a row with a resin mold 22 at equal intervals, and at the same time, from both sides thereof. A pair of guide pins 23 are configured to project in parallel.

For such a multi-fiber optical connector component 21, a laser chip mounting substrate 25 is preliminarily formed with a groove 26 having a width equal to the width of the laser chip 2 by a method such as etching, high precision machining or cutting. Further, both side surfaces thereof are cut out with a width equal to the inner width of the pair of guide pins 23 of the optical connector part 21, and the laser chip position fixing substrate 27 is cut.
Fixed to. The plurality of laser emission ports 2a of the laser chip 2 are the number of fiber lines on the multi-core optical connector component 21 side,
It shall be the same as the interval.

That is, the optical component coupling device having the above structure is
The substrate 2 with the laser chip 2 mounted and fixed on the groove 26
5 is fixed on the position fixing substrate 27, and the multi-fiber optical connector component 21 is arranged and fixed by aligning the pair of guide pins 23 along the side surface of the substrate 25. As a result, the optical axes of the laser emission ports 2a of the laser chip 2 and the fiber lines 1a on the multi-fiber optical connector component 21 side are automatically adjusted.

On the other hand, in FIG. 9, 21 is a male side component of the multi-fiber optical connector, which is the same as that of FIG. With respect to such a multi-fiber optical connector component 21, a groove 29 having a width equal to the width of the laser chip 2 is previously formed on the laser chip mounting substrate 28 by a method such as etching, high precision machining or cutting. At the same time, optical connector parts 21 on both sides
A pair of V-shaped grooves 30 for guiding the pair of guide pins 23 at a position having a width equal to the diameter thereof are formed.

That is, the optical component coupling device having the above structure is
The laser chip 2 is mounted and fixed on the groove 29 of the substrate 28, the guide pin 23 is aligned with the V-shaped groove 26 of the same substrate 28, and the multi-fiber optical connector component 21 is arranged and fixed. As a result, the optical axes of the laser emission ports 2a of the laser chip 2 and the fiber lines 1a on the multi-fiber optical connector component 21 side are automatically adjusted.

However, in the apparatus shown in FIG. 8, it is very difficult to accurately cut out both side surfaces of the laser chip mounting substrate 25 with respect to the position where the laser chip positioning groove 26 is formed, and a pair of guides is used. Pin 23
The processing accuracy of is not very high due to the material. Therefore, there remains a problem of accuracy in the alignment between the laser emission port 2a and the fiber line 1a.

On the other hand, in the apparatus shown in FIG. 9, the laser chip positioning groove 29 is formed on the laser chip mounting substrate 28, and at the same time, the V-shaped groove 30 for guiding the guide pin is formed by the same method (for example, etching). Therefore, it is possible to obtain higher accuracy than the device of FIG. However, in this case as well, it depends on the processing accuracy of the guide pin 23, and even if the accuracy on the substrate 28 side can be increased, the accuracy problem still remains in the alignment.

Further, in any of the devices shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, it is difficult to perform adjustment after alignment, and for example, it is almost impossible to adjust the optical axis on the order of several μm for a fiber core wire having a diameter of 10 μm. is there.

[0016]

As described above, in the conventional optical component coupling device, there is a problem in accuracy in determining the arrangement of the first and second optical components to be opposed to each other, and fine adjustment is difficult. Met.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and it is possible to easily and accurately determine the positions of optical components to be opposed to each other, and to perform optical component coupling that enables fine adjustment of alignment. The purpose is to provide a device.

[0018]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides an optical component coupling device for arranging and optically coupling first and second optical components to be opposed to each other.
And a first substrate on which the optical components of
And a second substrate on which the second optical component is positioned and fixed so as to have a desired relative positional relationship with the first optical component in the mounted state. ,
By forming a pair of restricting portions having a V-shaped cross section in parallel on each of the facing surfaces of the second substrate and fitting the restricting portions together when the second substrate is mounted on the first substrate, Characterized by positioning between the spaces

[0019]

In the optical component coupling device having the above structure, the first optical component can be positioned by merely disposing the first optical component 31 with its end aligned with the groove of the first substrate.
The second optical component can be positioned simply by arranging the ends in alignment with the groove portions of the board, and when the second board is mounted on the first board, the respective restricting parts are fitted together. By doing so, the positioning between the substrates can be performed. Therefore, if the regulation portions are formed with high precision by forming each of the regulation portions by a method such as etching, high-precision machining, or cutting, the first and second substrates can be positioned with high precision by fitting the regulation portions. As a result, the first and second optical components mounted on them can be positioned with high precision as a result.

[0020]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to FIG.

FIG. 1 shows the configuration of a first embodiment according to the present invention, in which 31 is a first optical component and 32 is a second optical component. Here, an optical component coupling device that optically couples the optical components 31 and 32 by arranging the optical components at relative positions to perform optical axis alignment is shown.

This optical component coupling device includes a first optical component 31.
Is mounted on the first substrate 33, and the first optical component 31 is mounted on the first substrate 33.
And a second substrate 34 on which the second optical component 32 is positioned and fixed so as to have a desired relative positional relationship.

The first substrate 33 has a bottom surface corresponding to the width of the first optical component 31 and a groove portion 33a having an appropriate depth in the center of the top surface.
Are formed in the Y-axis direction (the optical axis directions of the first and second optical components 31 and 32) in the figure. That is, the first optical component 31 can be positioned only by arranging the first optical component 31 with its end aligned with the groove 33a.

On the other hand, the second substrate 34 also includes the first substrate 3
A bottom surface corresponding to the width of the second optical component 32 and a groove portion 34a having an appropriate depth are formed in the center of the surface facing the third optical element 32 in the Y-axis direction in the drawing. That is, the second optical component 32 can be positioned only by arranging the second optical component 32 with its end aligned with the groove 34a.

On the first and second substrates 33, 34, a pair of regulating portions 33b, 34b, 3 having V-shaped cross sections and formed in parallel on both sides of the groove portions 33a, 34a of the facing surface are provided.
3c and 34c are formed in the Y-axis direction in the figure. That is,
When the second substrate 34 is mounted on the first substrate 33, by fitting the respective restricting portions 33b and 34b, 33c and 34c, respectively, the X-axis direction (Y-axis direction) between the substrates 33 and 34 in the figure. Can be positioned in a direction orthogonal to and horizontal to the substrates 33 and 34.

The restricting portions 33b and 34b, 33c and 34
Each c is formed by a method such as etching, high-precision machining or cutting. Therefore, they can be formed with high precision, and the restricting portions 33b and 34b, 33c and 34c can be formed.
The first and second substrates 33 and 34 can be positioned with high precision by fitting the above, and the first and second optical components 31 and 32 mounted on these can be positioned with high precision as a result. You can

FIG. 2 shows a second embodiment according to the present invention. However, in FIG. 2, the same parts as those in FIG. 1 are designated by the same reference numerals, and different parts will be described here.

In the first embodiment, the case in which the positioning in the X-axis direction can be performed by self-alignment has been described, but it is also applicable to the positioning in the Y-axis direction. Therefore, the second substrate 3
4 is formed in a U-shape, and restricting portions 33b and 34b, 33c and 34c parallel to the Y axis are provided on the first and second substrates 33 and 34, respectively, on both sides of the groove portions 33a and 34a, and X
A pair of restricting portions 33d and 34d, 33e and 34e, which are parallel to the axis and have a V-shaped cross section and are formed in parallel, are provided on both sides of the extension portion.

According to this structure, the second substrate 34 is connected to the first substrate.
When mounted on the board 33 of the
4b, 33c and 34c, 33d and 34d, 33e and 34
By fitting e respectively, the positioning between the substrates 33 and 34 can be performed by self-alignment not only in the X-axis direction but also in the Y-axis direction in the drawing.

FIG. 3 shows a third embodiment according to the present invention. However, in FIG. 3, the same parts as those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and different parts will be described here.

In other words, this optical component coupling device utilizes the first substrate 33 and mounts the third optical component 36 on the third substrate 35. Third substrate 3
5 is exactly the same as the second substrate 34, and the first substrate 33
A bottom surface corresponding to the width of the third optical component 36 and a groove portion 35a having an appropriate depth are formed in the center of the surface opposed to and in the Y-axis direction in the figure. Thereby, the third optical component 36 can be positioned only by arranging the third optical component 36 with its end aligned with the groove 35a.

The first substrate 33 is formed on both sides of the groove 35a.
So as to be fitted with the restriction portions 33b and 33c, the pair of restriction portions 35b and 3 have V-shaped cross sections and are formed in parallel.
5 is formed in the Y-axis direction in the figure. That is, when the third board 35 is mounted on the first board 33, the restriction portions 33b and 35b, 33c and 35c are fitted to each other so that the boards 33 and 35 can move in the X-axis direction in the drawing. Can be positioned.

The restricting portions 35b and 35c are formed by a technique such as etching, high precision machining or cutting. Therefore, the restriction portions 33b, 33 of the first substrate 33
It can be formed with the same high precision as c, and the first and third substrates 3 can be formed by fitting the restricting portions 33b and 35b and 33c and 35c.
The second and third optical components 3 mounted on the second and third substrates 34 and 35, which enable highly accurate positioning of the third and third substrates 35 and 35.
As a result, it is possible to position 2, 36 with high accuracy.

According to this configuration, the first optical component 31
Instead of being mounted directly on the first substrate 33, the third substrate 35 can be used to mount it indirectly. FIG. 4 shows a fourth embodiment according to the present invention. However, in FIG. 4, the same parts as those in FIGS. 1, 3 and 7 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and different parts will be described here.

The optical component coupling apparatus of this embodiment optically couples the ribbon fiber 1 and the laser chip 2 shown in FIG. 7, and the fiber line 1a of the ribbon fiber 1 is attached to the second substrate 34 and the laser Chip 1 is the third substrate 35
Attached to.

The second substrate 34 is formed with a V groove group 34f for arranging a plurality of fiber lines 1a at a predetermined interval in the optical axis direction, instead of the groove portion 34a described above. After disposing the fiber wire 1a, it is fixed by the fixing plate 37. On the other hand, the laser chip 1 is disposed in the groove portion 35a of the third substrate 35 with their ends aligned.

The second and third substrates 34 and 35 having the fiber line 1a and the laser chip 2 arranged on the first substrate 33 are respectively restricted portions 33b and 34b, 33c and 34.
By mounting c together, the fiber line 1a and the laser chip 2 can be positioned in the X-axis direction in the figure in a self-aligning manner.

Here, it is assumed that the ribbon fiber 1 has a fiber diameter of 125 μm and its core has a diameter of 10 μm. On the other hand, the restriction portions 33b, 33
The pitch of the concavities and convexities of c, 34b, and 34c can be realized on the order of several μm by the above-described forming method. Therefore, even if the laser optical axis is deviated from the center of the core of the fiber line in the initial setting, the restricting portions 33b and 34b, 33c and 34 are formed.
By shifting the fitting position of c in the X-axis direction, the position can be adjusted every several μm, and thus the laser optical axis can be aligned with the core center with extremely high accuracy.

In the above embodiment, as in the second embodiment, the substrates 33, 34 and 35 are perpendicular to the y axis and are perpendicular to the y axis.
By providing the restricting portion having the V-shaped cross section in a horizontal direction with respect to each of the facing positions of the substrates 33, 34, and 35, the positioning in the Y-axis direction is simultaneously performed in a self-aligning manner. It can be carried out. Further, it is also possible to adjust the position every several μm in the Y-axis direction. FIG. 5 shows a fifth embodiment according to the present invention. However, in FIG. 5, the same parts as those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the characteristic parts will be mainly described here.

FIG. 5 shows one pair of regulating parts (33 as an example).
FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional view of the first and second substrates 33 and 34 in which (b, 34b) is taken out. Here, the first substrate 33
The number of irregularities of the regulating portion 33b on the side of the second substrate 34 is increased several times (four times in the figure) than the number of irregularities of the regulating portion 34b on the side of the second substrate 34, and the number of meshes with the regulating portion 34b is set as one group, and the depth is increased in group units Are made shallower in order. The same applies to other control units.

According to this structure, by shifting the mounting position of the second substrate 34 with respect to the first substrate 33, the height of the second substrate 34 with respect to the first substrate 33 (perpendicular to the X and Y axes). (Z-axis direction) can be adjusted. When applied to the embodiment of FIG. 4, the third substrate 35 is used with respect to the first substrate 33.
Can be adjusted, and if the configuration of the embodiment of FIG. 2 is applied together, adjustment in all directions of the X, Y, and Z axes becomes possible.

6A and 6B show a sixth embodiment according to the present invention. FIG. 6A is a perspective view showing the external appearance, and FIG. 6B is a sectional view taken along the line AA of FIG. 6A. However, in FIG. 6, the same parts as those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the characteristic parts will be mainly described here.

FIG. 6 shows each fiber wire 1 of the ribbon fiber 1.
1 shows a configuration of an optical component coupling device that optically couples a with a photodiode chip array (hereinafter referred to as PD chip) 38.

The PD chip 38 is arranged at an appropriate position in the groove 33a formed in the center of the first substrate 33. Further, each fiber line 1a of the ribbon fiber 1 has a V-groove group 34 formed in the center of the second substrate 34 in the optical axis direction.
It is arranged at f and is fixed by a transparent fixing plate 37.

On the first and second substrates 33 and 34, X-axis direction restricting portions 33b and 34b, 33c and 34c and X-axis direction restricting portions 33d and 34d, 33e and 34e are formed, respectively. The second substrate 34 is mounted and fixed on the first substrate so that the end portion of the fiber line 1a is located directly above the PD chip 38.

At this time, in the second substrate 34 to which each fiber wire 1a is attached, the side surface (including the fiber wire 1a and the fixing plate 37) on which the end of the fiber wire 1a is located is the first substrate 33. Is sliced at an angle of, for example, 45 ° with respect to the facing surface of. As a result, the end face of the fiber line 1a exhibits the same effect as when a reflecting mirror at 45 ° to the optical axis is arranged, and the signal light transmitted through the fiber line 1a is at the end face of the first substrate. P placed on 33
It is reflected toward the D chip 38.

Therefore, if the arrangement of the second substrate 34 is adjusted in the X and Y axis directions so that the reflected optical axis of the fiber line 1a and the incident optical axis of the PD chip 38 coincide with each other, the optical axes can be aligned with high precision. Thus, the fiber line 1a and the PD chip 38 can be optically coupled. The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0048]

As described above, according to the present invention, there is provided an optical component coupling device capable of easily and accurately determining the positions of optical components to be opposed to each other and enabling fine adjustment of alignment. be able to.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a first embodiment of an optical component coupling device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing a configuration of a second embodiment according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing the configuration of a third embodiment according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view showing the configuration of a fourth embodiment according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view showing the configuration of a fifth embodiment according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view and a sectional view showing the configuration of a sixth embodiment according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a conventional optical component coupling device.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing another configuration of the conventional optical component coupling device.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing another configuration of the conventional optical component coupling device.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Ribbon fiber, 1a ... Fiber line, 2 ... Laser chip, 11 ... Laser chip mounting substrate, 12 ... Fiber line fixing substrate, 12a ... Fiber line fixing V groove group, 13
... Position fixing board, 21 ... Multi-core optical connector male part, 2
2 ... Resin molding degree, 23 ... Guide pin, 25 ... Laser chip mounting substrate, 26 ... Laser chip positioning groove, 2
7 ... Position fixing substrate, 28 ... Laser chip mounting substrate,
29 ... Laser chip positioning groove, 30 ... Guide pin guiding V-shaped groove, 31 ... First optical component, 32 ... Second optical component, 33 ... First substrate, 33a ... Groove portion, 33b, 33c
... X-axis direction restricting portion, 33d, 33e ... Y-axis direction restricting portion,
34 ... 2nd board | substrate, 34a ... Groove part, 34b, 34c ... X
Axial direction restricting portion, 34d, 34e ... Y-axis direction restricting portion, 34
f ... V groove group, 35 ... Third substrate, 35a ... Groove portion, 35
b, 35c ... X-axis direction restricting portion, 36 ... Third optical component, 3
7 ... Fixed plate, 38 ... PD chip.

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. An optical component coupling device for arranging and optically coupling first and second optical components to be opposed to each other, a first substrate on which the first optical component is positioned and mounted, and the first substrate. And a second substrate on which the second optical component is positioned and fixed so as to have a desired relative positional relationship with the first optical component in the mounted state. By forming a pair of restricting portions having a V-shaped cross section in parallel on each of the facing surfaces of the second substrate and fitting the restricting portions together when the second substrate is mounted on the first substrate, An optical component coupling device characterized by positioning between substrates. 2. A third substrate, which is mounted on the first substrate and on which the first optical component is positioned and mounted, has a cross section on each of the facing surfaces of the first and third substrates. V
It is characterized in that a pair of regulating portions having a V-shape and formed in parallel with each other are formed in parallel, and when the third substrate is mounted on the first substrate, the regulating portions are fitted to each other to position the substrates. The optical component coupling device according to claim 1. 3. The optical component coupling device according to claim 1, wherein the pair of restricting portions are formed in two directions orthogonal to each other. 4. The pair of restricting portions has at least one unevenness formed in a plurality of rows, and the other has a position adjusting function for adjusting the position by fitting into any one of them. The optical component coupling device according to claim 1. 5. The height adjusting function of the pair of restricting portions, wherein one of the concavities and convexities is formed in a plurality of rows and the depths thereof are different from each other, and the other is fitted to an arbitrary one to adjust the height. 3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that
An optical component coupling device according to any one of 1. 6. The first optical component is a light receiving element, the second optical component is an optical fiber, and the signal light from the optical fiber is guided to a light receiving surface of the light receiving element.
The first substrate includes a groove portion for arranging the light receiving element, and the second substrate includes a groove portion for fixing the optical fiber on a surface facing the first substrate along the surface thereof. In a state where the optical fiber is fixed, the end portion and the side surface of the optical fiber are obliquely cut with respect to the facing surface,
In a state where the light receiving element is arranged on the first substrate so that the light receiving surface faces upward, the first, so that the end portion of the optical fiber is located above the light receiving surface of the light receiving element,
The optical component coupling device according to claim 1, wherein the pair of restriction portions are formed on the second substrate, respectively.