JPH0627324A - Method for assembling optical device and assembling jig therefor - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To obtain method and a jig for assemfling an optical device capable of improving the accuracy of an optical axis. CONSTITUTION:A metallic optical element holding member 14 which holds an optical isolator is supported with automatic alignment structure, and a direction of theta can be adjusted by pressing the joining planes 14b, 17b of the optical element holding member 14 with a metallic fiber holding member 17 which holds the terminal part of an optical fiber 11 with prescribed pressure, and optical axis alignment is performed by moving the optical element holding member 14 in the horizontal direction and adjusting directions of (x), (y), and (alpha), and after that, assembling is performed by welding the joining planes 14b, 17b of the holding members 14, 17.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an optical element such as an active optical element such as a light emitting element of a semiconductor laser or a light receiving element of a photodiode or a passive optical element such as an optical isolator or an optical circulator, and an end portion of an optical fiber. The present invention relates to an assembling method of an optical device and an assembling jig for assembling the optical device so that the components are arranged on the same optical axis.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art For example, in an optical isolator device as an optical device, an optical isolator held by a metal optical element holding member and an end portion of an optical fiber held by a metal fiber holding member are conventionally the same optical axis. After aligning the optical axes so as to be arranged above, the joining surfaces of both holding members are welded together to be assembled.

An optical communication system to which an optical isolator device is applied transmits light oscillated by a laser light source to a communication destination. The transmitted laser light is reflected to the outside for some reason, and the reflected light is reflected. When is returned and is incident on the laser light source, the oscillation of the laser light source becomes unstable and communication is hindered. Therefore, the optical isolator device prevents the reflected light from returning to the laser light source.

Therefore, the above-mentioned optical axis alignment is performed by, for example, μ
A precision of the order of m is required, and when welding both holding members, it is necessary to press the joining surfaces of both holding members against each other with a predetermined pressure and to hold the holding members by an assembly jig so that the holding members do not move.

As such an assembly jig, a conventional jig shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 8, the clamping mechanism 1 including the V block 2 and the pressing member 3 is used in two sets, one for the optical element holding member and the other for the fiber holding member, and the optical element holding member 4 and the fiber holding member 4'are respectively provided. I was holding.

Further, as another conventional example, the optical element holding member 4 is held by a rack and pinion mechanism which makes a spherical movement, and one holding mechanism 1 shown in FIG. 7 is used.

[0007]

However, in the method of using two sets of the sandwiching mechanism 1 shown in FIG. 7, even if the highly accurate V block 2 is used, the sandwiching mechanism (V block 2) 1 as shown in FIG. 8 is used. Depending on how to attach, the holding members 4 and 4'may not be parallel to each other due to the inclination of μm order.
There is a problem that the optical axis shift e of 5 to 5 μm occurs, and the original purpose of the optical isolator device cannot be achieved.

Further, if a complicated mechanism such as a rack and pinion mechanism that moves spherically is used, the optical axis deviation e can be solved, but there is a problem that the cost is increased.

Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and provides an optical device assembling method and its assembling jig capable of improving the accuracy of the optical axis by a simple assembling jig. The purpose is to do.

[0010]

In order to achieve the above object, an optical device assembling method according to a first aspect of the present invention is such that an optical element held by a metallic optical element holding member and a metallic fiber holding member hold the optical element. In the method for assembling an optical device, the optical axes are aligned so that the end portions of the optical fibers are arranged on the same optical axis, and then the joining surfaces of the holding members are welded together to assemble. Supports one of the holding members by a self-aligning structure, presses the joining surfaces of the two holding members with a predetermined pressure to adjust the θ direction, and makes the holding members parallel to the joining surface. It is characterized by moving and adjusting the x, y, and α directions. In the following, the θ, x, y and α directions are shown in FIGS.
Means the direction shown in.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of assembling an optical device according to the first aspect, wherein the self-centering structure includes one columnar shape of the holding member and the columnar holding member. It is characterized by comprising a combination with a conical contact surface that can contact.

Further, the optical device assembling method according to claim 3 is the assembling method according to claim 2, wherein in the optical axis alignment, the joint surfaces of the both holding members are pressed with a predetermined pressure in the θ direction. At the time of adjustment, the position in the α direction is regulated by utilizing the pressure mark formed on the cylindrical holding member, and x, y,
The feature is that adjustment in the α direction is facilitated.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an optical device assembling method according to the second or third aspect, wherein the abutting surface is formed of at least three claws. To do.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the optical device assembling method according to the fourth aspect, at least one of the claws forms a pressure mark on the cylindrical holding member. It is characterized in that it has a mountain-shaped projection portion for.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the method of assembling the optical device according to the first, second, third, fourth or fifth aspect, a metal fiber holding tube is attached to an end of the optical fiber. A guide hole capable of moving the fiber holding tube in the optical axis direction is formed in the fiber holding member, and the fiber holding tube is moved in the optical axis direction to adjust the z direction. It is characterized by welding. In the following, the z direction means the direction shown in FIG.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided an optical device assembling method according to the first, second, third, fourth, fifth or sixth aspect, wherein the optical element is an optical isolator. It is a thing.

According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an assembly jig for an optical device, wherein the optical element held by the metal optical element holding member and the end portion of the optical fiber held by the metal fiber holding member have the same optical axis. In the assembly jig applied to the method for assembling the optical device in which the joining surfaces of the holding members are assembled by welding after aligning the optical axes so that the holding members are automatically arranged to support one of the holding members. It is characterized by having an aligning structure and a pressing movement means capable of relatively moving the holding members in parallel with each other while pressing the joining surfaces of the holding members with a predetermined pressure. is there.

The assembly jig for an optical device according to claim 9 is the assembly jig according to claim 8, wherein the self-centering structure includes one cylindrical shape of the holding member and the cylindrical holding member. It is characterized by comprising a combination with a conical contact surface that can contact.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an optical device assembling jig according to the ninth aspect, wherein the cylindrical holding member presses the joint surfaces of the two holding members with a predetermined pressure to form θ. It is characterized in that a pressure mark can be formed when the direction is adjusted.

The assembly jig for an optical device according to claim 11 is the assembly jig according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that the contact surface is formed of at least three claws. is there.

According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an optical device assembling jig according to the eleventh aspect, wherein at least one of the claws is a mountain for forming a pressure mark on the cylindrical holding member. It is characterized by having a shape protrusion.

According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an optical device assembling jig according to the eighth, ninth, tenth, eleventh or twelfth aspect, wherein a metal fiber holding tube is attached to an end of the optical fiber. A guide hole for moving the fiber holding tube in the optical axis direction is formed in the fiber holding member.

Further, the assembly jig of the optical device according to claim 14 is the assembly jig according to claim 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 or 13, wherein the optical element is an optical isolator. It is what

[0024]

The operation of the assembling method of the optical device having the above construction and the assembling jig thereof will be described.

According to the method of assembling the optical device of the first aspect, since one of the holding members is supported by the self-aligning structure so that the θ direction can be adjusted, a simple assembling jig can be used. It is possible to improve the accuracy of the optical axis by bringing the joint surfaces of both members into close contact with each other.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for assembling an optical device, which comprises a combination of one cylindrical shape of the holding member and a conical contact surface with which the cylindrical holding member can abut. Since the θ direction can be adjusted by the self-centering structure, the joint surfaces of both members can be brought into close contact with each other by a simple assembly jig to improve the accuracy of the optical axis.

According to the assembling method of the optical device of the third aspect, the pressure mark formed on the cylindrical holding member is utilized to
Since the position in the direction is regulated to facilitate the adjustment in the x, y and α directions, the optical axis alignment becomes easy.

According to the assembling method of the optical device of the fourth aspect, since the contact surface is formed by at least three claws, stable adjustment can be performed.

According to the assembling method of the optical device of the fifth aspect, the pressure mark is easily formed on the cylindrical holding member by the mountain-shaped protrusion.

According to the method of assembling the optical device of the sixth aspect, the z-direction can be adjusted by moving the fiber holding tube in the optical axis direction.

According to the optical device assembling method described in claim 7, in the optical isolator, a simple assembling jig is used.
It is possible to improve the accuracy of the optical axis.

According to the assembling jig of the optical device of the eighth aspect, one of the holding members is supported by the self-centering structure so that the θ direction can be adjusted. The close contact improves the optical axis accuracy. Further, since the assembly jig is composed of the self-aligning structure and the pressing moving means, the structure becomes simple.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an optical device assembling jig, which comprises a combination of one columnar shape of the holding member and a conical contact surface with which the columnar holding member can abut. Since the θ direction can be adjusted by the self-centering structure, the joint surfaces of both members are in close contact with each other, and the optical axis accuracy is improved. Further, since the assembly jig is composed of the self-aligning structure and the pressing moving means, the structure becomes simple.

According to the assembly jig of the tenth aspect, the position in the α direction is regulated by using the pressure mark formed on the cylindrical holding member to facilitate the adjustment in the x, y and α directions. Therefore, the optical axis alignment becomes easy.

According to the assembling jig for the optical device of the eleventh aspect, since the contact surface is formed of at least three claws, stable adjustment can be performed.

According to the assembling jig of the optical device according to the twelfth aspect, the mountain-shaped protrusion makes it easier for pressure marks to be formed on the cylindrical holding member.

According to the optical device assembling jig of the thirteenth aspect, the z-direction can be adjusted by moving the fiber holding tube in the optical axis direction.

According to the assembling jig of the optical device of the fourteenth aspect, in the optical isolator, the accuracy of the optical axis can be improved by a simple assembling jig.

[0039]

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view showing an optical isolator device as an optical device according to the present invention.

The optical isolator device 10 shown in the figure has an optical isolator 13 as an optical element disposed between the ends 11a and 12a of a pair of optical fibers 11 and 12.

The optical isolator 13 is made of SUS304.
The optical element holding member 14 having a cylindrical shape and made of a metal such as the above is held at a substantially central portion with a predetermined positional accuracy.

Ends 11 of the optical fibers 11, 12
Fiber holding tubes (ferrules) 15 and 16 made of metal such as SUS316 are attached to a and 12a, respectively.

The fiber holding tube 15 of the one optical fiber 11 is held by the fiber holding member 17, and the fiber holding tube 16 of the other optical fiber 12 holds the optical element so that the optical axis of the optical holding tube 16 is aligned with that of the optical isolator 13. The member 14 is fitted in a through hole 14a provided in the lower surface 14c of the member 14 and is joined and held by YAG laser welding or the like.

The fiber holding member 17 is made of SUS304.
A guide hole 17a for moving the fiber holding tube 15 is provided in the center of the optical fiber 11 so that the position of one optical fiber 11 in the optical axis direction z can be adjusted.

Then, as will be described later, after the optical axes are aligned so that the optical isolator 13 and the end portion 11a of the one optical fiber 11 are arranged on the same optical axis, the holding members 14 and 17 of the both holding members 14 and 17 are aligned. The optical isolator device 10 is assembled by welding the joint surfaces 14b and 17b to each other.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an embodiment of an assembly jig for an optical device according to the present invention.

The assembly jig 20 shown in the figure has a pressing and moving means 21 for pressing and moving the optical element holding member 14, and a supporting member 22 for supporting the fiber holding member 17.

The pushing / moving means 21 has a contact lever 21.
The L-shaped member 23 in which a and the drive lever 21b are connected to each other in an L-shape by welding or screwing and the optical element holding member 14 are placed on the contact surface 21d described later, and the fiber holding member 1
There is provided a moving mechanism (not shown) for moving in the horizontal directions x and y and the rotating direction α in a state of being pressed against 7. The entire L-shaped member 23 can rotate about a fulcrum 21c formed near the L-shaped intersection. The drive lever 21b has a structure in which the contact lever 21a is lifted upward by being pressed by a plunger (not shown).

The abutment lever 21a has a plurality of (for example, three) claws formed in an inverted conical shape, which can be placed on the tip side thereof so that the joint surface (upper surface) 14b of the optical element holding member 14 faces upward. The contact surface 21d is formed. In addition, when the mountain-shaped protrusion 21e is formed on one of the three claws and the joint surfaces 14b and 17b of both holding members 14 and 17 are pressed with a predetermined pressure to adjust the θ direction, the optical element Pressure marks 14 'are formed at the corners of the holding member 14. As a result, the position in the α direction is regulated by using the pressure mark 14 ′, and the adjustment in the x, y, α directions becomes easy. Also, three nails 2
1c allows the optical element holding member 14 to be mounted stably. It is desirable that the contact lever 21a has a higher hardness than the optical element holding member 14. Further, the contact lever 21a has a structure in which the optical element holding member 14 is placed on the contact surface 21d with the joining surface (upper surface) 14b facing upward, but the lower surface 14c of the optical element holding member 14 faces upward. The contact surface 21d may be covered from above. Further, the optical element holding member 14 is formed by the cylindrical shape of the optical element holding member 14 and the contact surface 21d formed in an inverted conical shape.
It forms a self-centering structure that automatically adjusts the θ direction.

As shown in FIG. 8, the supporting member 22 is provided with a holding mechanism 1 for a fiber holding member, which is composed of a V block 2 and a holding member 3.

Next, as an embodiment of the method of assembling the optical device of the present invention, a method of assembling the optical isolator device 10 using the assembling jig 20 having the above construction will be described.

First, the through hole 14 of the optical element holding member 14
The fiber holding tube 16 attached to the end 12a of the other optical fiber 12 is inserted into a, and joined by YAG laser welding or the like. As a result, the points where the optical element holding member 14 and the end 12a of the other optical fiber 12 are located are provisionally positioned in the optical axis directions z and x, y.

Next, the joint surface 14 of the optical element holding member 14
It is placed on the contact surface 21d of the pressing moving means 21 of the assembly jig 20 with b facing upward.

Then, the fiber holding member 17 is held by the holding mechanism 1 of the supporting member 21, and as shown in FIG.
The optical element holding member 14 is pressed upward against the fiber holding member 17 by a moving mechanism (not shown) of the pressing moving means 21.

As shown in FIG. 4, the optical element holding member 14 makes its posture vertical by the self-centering mechanism. That is, the θ direction is automatically adjusted. At this time, pressure marks 14 'are formed at the corners of the optical element holding member 14. The pressure mark 14 ′ regulates the position of the optical element holding member 14 in the α direction, and the optical element holding member 14 in the horizontal direction x,
It is easy to adjust y and the rotation direction α.

Next, as shown in FIG. 5, the pressing moving means 2
The optical element holding member 14 is moved in the horizontal directions x and y and the rotation direction α by a moving mechanism (not shown) to actually pass light through the pair of optical fibers 11 and 12 and the optical isolator 13, and the adjustment is performed based on the amount of light. Then, when the amount of light becomes maximum, the joining surfaces 14b, 17b of the optical element holding member 14 and the fiber holding member 17 are joined by YAG laser welding or the like. The fiber holding tube 15 integrated with one of the optical fibers 11 is moved in the optical axis direction z to adjust the position of the focal point 13a, and the light is actually passed through the pair of optical fibers 11 and 12 and the optical isolator 13 as well. Adjustment is performed based on the amount of light, and when the amount of light is maximized, the fiber holding member 17 and the fiber holding tube 15 attached to the end 11a of the one optical fiber 11 are joined by YAG laser welding or the like, The optical isolator device 10 is assembled.

According to the above-described embodiment, the optical axis shift e can be suppressed to 1 μm as compared with the conventional 3 to 5 μm. Therefore, the accuracy of the optical axis can be improved with a simple assembling jig. It is possible to provide a possible method of assembling an optical device and a jig for assembling the same.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment,
Various modifications can be made without changing the gist of the invention.

[0060]

According to the invention of the assembling method according to claim 1 described in detail above, one of the holding members is supported by the self-centering structure so that the θ direction can be adjusted.
Since the joint surfaces of both members are in close contact with each other, it is possible to provide an optical device assembling method capable of improving the optical axis accuracy with a simple assembling jig.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for assembling an optical device, which comprises a combination of one cylindrical shape of the holding member and a conical contact surface with which the cylindrical holding member can abut. Since the θ direction can be adjusted by the self-centering structure, the joint surfaces of both members will be in close contact with each other, and the optical axis accuracy can be improved with a simple assembly jig. A method of assembling the device can be provided.

According to the optical device assembling method of the third aspect, the pressure mark formed on the cylindrical holding member is utilized to
Since the position in the direction is regulated to facilitate the adjustment in the x, y and α directions, the optical axis alignment becomes easy.

According to the assembling method of the optical device of the fourth aspect, since the abutting surface is formed by at least three claws, stable adjustment is possible.

According to the method of assembling the optical device of the fifth aspect, the mountain-shaped protrusion makes it easier for pressure marks to be formed on the cylindrical holding member.

According to the assembling method of the optical device of the sixth aspect, the adjustment in the z direction becomes possible by moving the fiber holding tube in the optical axis direction.

According to the optical device assembling method described in claim 7, in the optical isolator, a simple assembling jig is used.
It is possible to improve the accuracy of the optical axis.

According to the assembling jig of the optical device described in claim 8, one of the holding members is supported by the self-centering structure so that the θ direction can be adjusted. The close contact improves the optical axis accuracy. Further, since the assembly jig is composed of the self-aligning structure and the pressing moving means, the structure becomes simple. Therefore, it is possible to provide an assembly jig for an optical device capable of improving the accuracy of the optical axis with a simple assembly jig.

According to the assembling jig of the optical device according to the ninth aspect, from one combination of the cylindrical shape of the holding member and the conical contact surface with which the cylindrical holding member can abut, Since the θ direction can be adjusted by the self-centering structure, the joint surfaces of both members are in close contact with each other, and the optical axis accuracy is improved. Further, since the assembly jig is composed of the self-aligning structure and the pressing moving means, the structure becomes simple. Therefore, it is possible to provide an assembly jig for an optical device capable of improving the accuracy of the optical axis with a simple assembly jig.

According to the assembly jig of the tenth aspect, the position in the α direction is regulated by using the pressure mark formed on the cylindrical holding member to facilitate the adjustment in the x, y and α directions. Therefore, the optical axis alignment becomes easy.

According to the assembling jig for the optical device of the eleventh aspect, since the contact surface is formed by at least three claws, stable adjustment can be performed.

According to the assembling jig for the optical device of the twelfth aspect, the pressure mark is easily formed on the cylindrical holding member by the mountain-shaped protrusion.

According to the assembling jig for the optical device of the thirteenth aspect, it is possible to adjust in the z direction by moving the fiber holding tube in the optical axis direction.

According to the assembling jig of the optical device of the fourteenth aspect, in the optical isolator, the accuracy of the optical axis can be improved by a simple assembling jig.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an embodiment of an assembly jig for an optical device of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line AA in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a principle view showing an embodiment of an assembling method of the optical device of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a principle view showing an embodiment of an optical device assembling method according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a principle view showing an embodiment of an assembling method of the optical device of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view showing an optical isolator device as an optical device according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a plan view showing a conventional method for assembling an optical device.

FIG. 8 is a vertical sectional view showing a conventional method for assembling an optical device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 11, 12 Optical fiber 11a, 12a End of optical fiber 13 Optical isolator (optical element) 14 Optical element holding member 14b, 17b Bonding surface 14 'Pressure mark 15, 16 Fiber holding tube 17 Fiber holding member 17a Guide hole 20 Assembly jig 21 Pressing Moving means 21d Contact surface 21e Mountain-shaped protrusion 22 Support member

Claims (14)

[Claims] 1. Optical axis alignment is performed so that an optical element held by a metal optical element holding member and an end portion of an optical fiber held by a metal fiber holding member are arranged on the same optical axis. After that, in the method of assembling the optical device in which the joining surfaces of the both holding members are welded to each other, the optical axis alignment is performed by supporting one of the holding members by a self-aligning structure and joining surfaces of the both holding members. The assembly of the optical device is characterized in that the two members are pressed by a predetermined pressure to adjust the θ direction, and the holding members are relatively moved in parallel to the joint surface to adjust the x, y and α directions. Method. 2. The self-aligning structure comprises a combination of one cylindrical shape of the holding member and a conical contact surface with which the cylindrical holding member can abut. The method for assembling the optical device according to claim 1. 3. The optical axis alignment is performed when the joint surfaces of the holding members are pressed with a predetermined pressure to adjust the θ direction,
Using the pressure mark formed on the cylindrical holding member, α
3. The method for assembling an optical device according to claim 2, wherein the position in the direction is regulated to facilitate the adjustment in the x, y and α directions. 4. The method for assembling an optical device according to claim 2, wherein the contact surface is formed by at least three claws. 5. The method for assembling an optical device according to claim 4, wherein at least one of the claws has a mountain-shaped projection portion for forming a pressure mark on the cylindrical holding member. 6. A fiber holding tube made of metal is attached to an end portion of the optical fiber, and a guide hole for moving the fiber holding tube in the optical axis direction is formed in the fiber holding member. The method for assembling the optical device according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5, wherein the fiber holding member and the fiber holding tube are welded after moving in the axial direction to adjust the z direction. 7. The method for assembling an optical device according to claim 1, wherein the optical element is an optical isolator. 8. The optical axis alignment is performed so that the optical element held by the metal optical element holding member and the end portion of the optical fiber held by the metal fiber holding member are arranged on the same optical axis. After that, in an assembly jig applied to an assembling method of an optical device in which the joining surfaces of the holding members are welded to each other, a self-aligning structure for supporting one of the holding members, and a joining surface of the holding members. An assembly jig, comprising: a pressing movement unit that can relatively move the holding members in parallel with each other while pressing each other with a predetermined pressure. 9. The self-centering structure comprises a combination of one cylindrical shape of the holding member and a conical contact surface with which the cylindrical holding member can abut. The assembly jig according to claim 8. 10. The columnar holding member is capable of forming a pressure mark when the joining surfaces of the two holding members are pressed with a predetermined pressure to adjust the θ direction. The described assembly jig. 11. The assembly jig according to claim 9, wherein the contact surface is formed of at least three claws. 12. The assembly jig according to claim 11, wherein at least one of the claws has a mountain-shaped protrusion for forming a pressure mark on the cylindrical holding member. 13. A fiber holding tube made of metal is attached to an end portion of the optical fiber, and a guide hole for moving the fiber holding tube in the optical axis direction is formed in the fiber holding member. The assembly jig according to 8, 9, 10, 11 or 12. 14. The assembly jig according to claim 8, wherein the optical element is an optical isolator.