JPH0921930A - Optical module and its production - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make it possible to protect an optical element and to closely install a holder for holding optical parts to the optical element by providing the holder with a structure acting as a partition between its welded point and the optical element. SOLUTION: This optical module is composed of a sub-carrier 4 which holds the optical element 1, such as semiconductor laser, having an optical waveguide and a ball lens holder 3 which holds a ball lens 2 for coupling the light emitted from the optical element 1 to an optical fiber and is mounted by welding at the sub-carrier 4. The ball lens holder 3 is previously provided with the partition 5 between its welded point and the optical element 1. The partition protects the optical element 1 when welding. Then, the atmosphere is substantially segmented by the partition 5 even if splashes exist or evaporated matter exists during the welding work, and therefore, the end face of the optical element 1 is no longer damaged by the environmental change associated with the welding work and the optical element 1 is closely provided with the ball lens holders 3.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an optical module incorporating an optical element and an optical element for coupling light emitted from the optical element to, for example, an optical fiber, and a method for manufacturing the same.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In optical communication, for example, an optical module is used to optically couple an optical waveguide element such as a light source, a receiver, an optical amplifier, and an optical fiber as an information transmission medium. In such an optical module, it is an important requirement that the optical coupling between the optical waveguide and the optical fiber be performed with high efficiency and that the change with time be small.

Therefore, in the conventional optical module, the laser welding method is used to fix the ball lens holder 3 to the subcarrier 4 as shown in FIG. In FIG. 3, 1 is an optical element such as a semiconductor laser, and 2 is a ball lens which is an example of an optical component for coupling the light emitted from the optical element to, for example, an optical fiber. The ball lens 2 is incorporated in a ball lens holder 3, and the lens holder 3 is fixed by welding two sides of the lens holder 3 to the subcarrier 4 at two points.

[0004]

In the above-mentioned conventional example, since the lens holder is welded, the work is very close to the end face of the optical element. Further, in laser welding, scattered objects may be scattered in all directions during welding, and some may drift in the atmosphere. Since the end surface of the optical element is easily broken by the reaction with the substance in the atmosphere, the scattered matter generated in the laser welding work may damage the end surface of the optical element during the work. Therefore, when fixing the ball lens holder by the laser welding method, it is necessary to protect the end surface of the optical element. For example, a plate is provided on the jig of the lens holder and this plate is placed between the optical element and the lens holder during welding. However, it was impossible to bring the lens holder close to the lens holder without a gap.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to the present invention, a holder for holding an optical component is provided with a structure serving as a partition wall between the welded portion and the optical element, thereby protecting the optical element and making the holder an optical element. It is possible to provide without a gap.

[0006]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIG. 1 is a drawing which best represents the features of the embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, 1 is an optical element such as a semiconductor laser having an optical waveguide, and 2 is an optical coupling. A component for performing the process is, for example, a ball lens. Reference numeral 3 denotes a ball lens holder in which a ball lens is assembled, which is a component to be welded. Reference numeral 4 is a substrate for mounting an optical element, a ball lens holder, etc., which is a subcarrier. Reference numeral 5 is a partition wall, which is a main part of the present invention, and is formed integrally with the ball lens holder 3. As for the ball lens holder 3, a brim-shaped protrusion is commonly provided on the left and right sides on the side surface on the optical element 1 side in which the ball lens is incorporated. This is plastically deformed to surround the optical element 1.
At this time, the structure does not interfere with the structure of the subcarrier 4 for die-bonding the optical element 1. The welding of the ball lens holder 3 and the subcarrier 4 is performed from the side surface. In FIG. 1, the boundary part in contact with the subcarrier 4 is welded on the side surface on the other side of the partition as viewed from the optical element 1.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing another embodiment of the present invention. 2, the same members as those in FIG. 1 are designated by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted. In this embodiment, the partition wall 15 is formed separately from the ball lens holder 13, and the partition wall 15 is previously welded at the welding point 6 before the ball lens holder 3 is fixed to the subcarrier 4, so that the ball It is attached to the lens holder 3. (The lower welding point is not visible due to the configuration in the figure, but 6
It is on the opposite side of the ball lens. ) The welding of the ball lens holder 3 and the subcarrier 4 is performed from the side surface. In FIG. 2, the boundary portion in contact with the subcarrier 4 on the side surface on the other side of the partition wall 15 when viewed from the optical element 1 is welded.

[0008]

According to the present invention, the atmosphere is substantially divided by the partition walls even if there are scattered substances or vaporized substances during the welding operation. The end face of the optical element is not damaged by the environmental change.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an example of a conventional optical module.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Optical element 2 Ball lens 3 Ball lens holder 4 Sub carrier 5 Partition wall 6 Welding point 13 Ball lens holder 15 Partition wall

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. An optical module comprising a subcarrier holding an optical element, and a holder holding an optical component to which light emitted from the optical element is guided and attached to the subcarrier by welding. An optical module having a structure serving as a partition wall between the welded portion and the optical element. 2. The optical module according to claim 1, wherein the optical component comprises a ball lens that couples light emitted from the optical element to an optical fiber. 3. A method of manufacturing an optical module, wherein a holder holding an optical component for guiding light emitted from the optical element is attached to a subcarrier holding the optical element by welding, and the welding point and the optical portion are previously attached to the holder. A method for manufacturing an optical module, characterized in that a structure is provided between the element and a partition to protect the optical element during welding.