JPH0961673A - Optical semiconductor module - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To simplify the manufacturing process of the optical semiconductor module, which needs to have its lens and lens holder machined with high machining precision, given high optical characteristics, and positioned precisely, and then lower the cost of the product. SOLUTION: The optical semiconductor module which has an optical semiconductor element 20 held at one end of its main body and also has a connection part for an optical connector at the other end so that its optical axis is aligned with the optical semiconductor element 20 is constituted by arranging a sleeve 30 into which the ferrule 60 of the optical connector is inserted and held inside the main body and also arranging a fiber bus tab 40 having an optical fiber 42 embedded along the center axis so that one end is inserted into the sleeve 30 and the other end extends to nearby the optical semiconductor element 20.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to an optical semiconductor module used for optical communication.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art The structure of a receptacle type optical semiconductor module is shown in FIG.
One end of 1 is used as an optical connector connecting portion 72, an element holding member 73 is joined to the other end side, and the element holding member 73 is provided with an optical semiconductor element 74 such as a laser diode (LD) or a photodiode (PD), A sleeve 75 for inserting and holding a ferrule on the optical connector side is provided inside the receptacle body 71, and a lens holder 76 is interposed between the sleeve and the optical semiconductor element 74 to form a lens 7
7 is arranged.

An optical connector (not shown) having a ferrule holding an optical fiber is connected to the optical connector connecting portion 72, and this ferrule is inserted into the sleeve 75 to transmit the optical signal of the optical semiconductor element 74. be able to. For example, when the optical semiconductor element 74 is a light emitting element such as an LD, the light emitted from the optical semiconductor element 74 is converged by the lens 77 and transmitted to the optical fiber in the ferrule held in the sleeve 75. In the case of a light receiving element such as a PD, the light emitted from the optical fiber in the ferrule held in the sleeve 75 is converged by the lens 77 and transmitted to the optical semiconductor element 74.

Therefore, the optical semiconductor element 74, the lens 77, and the sleeve 75 are precisely aligned with each other, and each member is fixed by welding or the like.

[0005]

However, in the above optical semiconductor module, the optical semiconductor element 74 and the lens 7 are used.
7. Since the three members of 7 and the sleeve 75 must have their central axes (optical axes) aligned with each other, the lens 77 and the lens holder 76 are required to have high processing accuracy and optical characteristics. It is difficult to simplify the manufacturing process because it is necessary to align
As a result, there is a problem that the cost of the product becomes high.

Depending on the application, the space between the lens 77 and the lens holder 76 may be hermetically sealed. In this case, it is necessary to provide a sealant at the joint between the two.
There has been a problem that pretreatment is required for the sealing portion and a step of discharging the sealing agent is required, which further complicates the manufacturing process.

[0007]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Therefore, according to the present invention, an optical semiconductor is provided which holds an optical semiconductor element at one end of a main body and has a connecting portion with an optical connector at the other end so as to align the optical axis with the optical semiconductor element. In the module, the sleeve for inserting and holding the ferrule of the optical connector is arranged inside the main body, and the fiber stub in which the optical fiber is embedded in the central axis direction, one end is inserted into the sleeve, and the other end is It is characterized in that it is arranged so as to extend to the vicinity of the optical semiconductor element.

That is, according to the present invention, the transmission of light between the ferrule on the optical connector side inserted into the sleeve and the optical semiconductor element is performed by the fiber stub. Since one end of this fiber stub is inserted into the sleeve, the fiber stub contacts the ferrule on the optical connector side and the other end extends to the vicinity of the optical semiconductor element, so that the fiber stub and the optical fiber can be connected without using a converging lens. Light can be transmitted between semiconductor elements.

As described above, according to the present invention, it is not necessary to use a lens. Further, since one end of the fiber stub is inserted into the sleeve, the fiber stub is automatically aligned with the sleeve, and the alignment may be performed only when the optical semiconductor element is bonded. Therefore, the manufacturing process can be simplified.

By molding the sleeve and the fiber stub on a resin body, the manufacturing process can be further simplified.

Alternatively, the main body may be made of metal, and the inner and outer peripheral surfaces of the fiber stub may be plated to be joined with solder or the like for airtight sealing.

Further, by imparting a lens action to the end surface of the optical fiber provided in the fiber stub on the optical semiconductor element side, the light transmitted between the fiber stub and the optical semiconductor element can be converged.

Similarly, the spot diameter of the light transmitted between the fiber stub and the optical semiconductor element is made larger by making the core diameter of the optical fiber provided in the fiber stub at the end surface on the optical semiconductor element side larger than the core diameter of other portions. The diameter can be reduced to ensure reliable transmission.

Further, the present invention provides an optical semiconductor module which holds an optical semiconductor element at one end of the main body and has a connecting portion with an optical connector at the other end so as to align the optical axis with the optical semiconductor element. A sleeve for inserting and holding the ferrule of the optical connector is arranged inside, and a lens is held inside the sleeve.

That is, since the lens is held in the sleeve, the central axes of the lens and the sleeve are automatically aligned without using the lens holder, and the manufacturing process can be simplified.

[0016]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION A first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

As shown in the receptacle type optical semiconductor element module in FIG. 1, a receptacle body 10 made of resin is used.
Has an element holding portion 12 and is joined with the optical connector connecting portion 11. The element holding portion 12 is provided with an optical semiconductor element 20. A sleeve 30 is provided inside the receptacle body 10, and the sleeve 30
A fiber stub 40 is provided so that one end is inserted therein and the other end extends to the vicinity of the optical semiconductor element 20.

The receptacle body 10 is made of polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), liquid crystal polymer (LC).
P), polyetherimide (PEI), or other resin, and the sleeve 30 and the fiber stub 40 are integrally molded by a manufacturing method described later. The optical connector connecting portion 11 is composed of a fitting portion 11a and a case 11b so that an SC type optical connector can be connected.

The optical semiconductor element 20 is composed of a light emitting element such as an LD or a light receiving element such as a PD, and is joined to the element holding portion 12 of the receptacle body 10 by means of press fitting or adhesion.

Further, the sleeve 30 is a cylindrical body made of metal or ceramics, and the ferrule 60 on the optical connector side is inserted into the inner peripheral surface of the sleeve 30, and the outer peripheral surface is completely held by the receptacle body 10. ing.

The fiber stub 40 has an optical fiber 42 in a central through hole of a ferrule 41 made of ceramics.
And is fixed with an adhesive or the like. The fiber stub 42 has one end inserted into the sleeve 30 and the other end protruding from the sleeve 30.
And is extended to the vicinity of the optical semiconductor element 20.

Therefore, when the optical connector is connected, the ferrule 60 on the connector side is
The light emitted from the optical fiber 61 in the ferrule 60 is abutted on the optical fiber 61 and is transmitted to the optical semiconductor element 20 through the optical fiber 42 in the fiber stub 40. At this time, since the fiber stub 40 extends close to the optical semiconductor element 20, light can be transmitted to the optical semiconductor element 20 without using a lens. The fact that the fiber stub 40 extends to the vicinity of the optical semiconductor element 20 means that the distance d between the end face of the fiber stub 40 and the optical semiconductor element 20 is 6 mm or less.

As described above, by providing the fiber stub 40, the fiber stub 40 acts as a stopper for the ferrule 60 on the side of the optical connector, and ensures the transmission of light between the optical fiber 61 in the ferrule 60 and the optical semiconductor element 20. You can

Since one end of the fiber stub 40 is inserted into the sleeve 30, the central axis (optical axis) of the sleeve 30 automatically coincides with that of the optical semiconductor element 20. Therefore, the manufacturing process can be simplified.

Next, a method of manufacturing the optical semiconductor module shown in FIG. 1 will be described.

As shown in the structure of the mold in FIG. 2, first, one end of the fiber stub 40 is joined to the sleeve 30 by press fitting or adhesion, and the sleeve 30 is fitted into the cylindrical part 101 of the upper mold 100, and the lower part is fitted. Space 1 formed by each mold in a state where the mold 110 and the side mold 120 are combined
By pouring resin into 30 and molding
The receptacle body 10 is formed. At this time, the receptacle body 10 is configured to hold the outer peripheral surface of the sleeve 30 over the entire length and also hold the fiber stub 40.

When the resin is hardened, it is taken out of the mold, the optical connector joining portion 11 is joined, and the optical semiconductor element 20 is joined to obtain an optical semiconductor module.

According to the above manufacturing method, it is possible to easily obtain the optical semiconductor module in which the axial displacement of the sleeve 30 is prevented.

Next, a second embodiment will be described.

As shown in the receptacle type optical semiconductor element module in FIG. 3, the metallic receptacle body 10 has a through hole in the center, one end side is the optical connector connecting portion 11, and the other end side is made of metal. Fiber stub holding member 14
And the element holding member 13 are joined by YAG welding or the like. An optical semiconductor element 20 including a light emitting element such as an LD or a light receiving element such as a PD is joined to the element holding member 13, and a sleeve 30 is provided inside the receptacle body 10.
And the fiber stub 40 is provided so that one end is inserted into the sleeve 30 and the other end extends to the optical semiconductor element 20.

In the fiber stub 40, the inner peripheral surface 43 of the center through hole of the ferrule 41 made of ceramics is plated with gold or the like, and the metal-coated optical fiber 42 is inserted into the center hole and fixed by soldering or the like. It was done. Also,
The outer peripheral surface 44 of the fiber stub 40 is also plated with gold or the like. One end of the fiber stub 40 is inserted into the sleeve 30 and the other end projects from the sleeve 30 to the counterbore 14a of the fiber stub holding member 14. Solder or the like is filled and joined.

As described above, by plating the inner peripheral surface 43 and the outer peripheral surface 44 of the ferrule 41 forming the fiber stub 40 with gold or the like and fixing them with solder or the like, the optical semiconductor element 20 is fixed at the fiber stub 40 portion. It can be hermetically sealed.

In this fiber stub 40,
The end surface on the side of the optical semiconductor element 20 is a tapered surface or a spherical surface such that the central portion projects. That is, the end surface 45 of the optical fiber 42 on the optical semiconductor element 20 side is a convex tapered surface or a spherical surface, and functions as a convex lens.

Therefore, when an optical connector is connected to this optical semiconductor module, the light transmitted from the optical connector side passes through the optical fiber 42 of the fiber stub 40 and is converged by the lens action of the end face 45 of the optical fiber 42. Semiconductor device 20
Therefore, it is not necessary to provide a lens as a separate member.

By holding one end of the fiber stub 40 inserted in the sleeve 30, the central axis (optical axis) of the fiber stub 40 automatically coincides with the sleeve 30. On the other hand, when the optical semiconductor element 20 is bonded, the optical semiconductor element 20 is previously bonded to the element holding member 13 by means such as adhesion, press fitting, and welding, and the element holding member 13 and the fiber stub holding member 14 are YAG welded. However, at this time, positioning is performed so that the optical axis direction of the optical semiconductor element 20 and the central axis of the fiber stub 40 coincide with each other, and the distance between the optical semiconductor element 20 and the end face of the fiber stub 40 is sufficiently small. After that, it is fixed by YAG welding.

In this way, the sleeve 30, fiber stub 40, and optical semiconductor element 20 can be easily and accurately positioned.

Next, a third embodiment will be described.

The structure of the optical semiconductor module itself is similar to that shown in FIG. 1 or FIG. 3, but as shown in FIG.
End face 4 of the optical fiber 42 provided on the optical semiconductor element 20 side
5, the diameter D of the core 42a is larger than that of the other portions. That is, the optical fiber 42 includes a core 42a having a high refractive index and a clad 42b having a low refractive index around the core 42a.
In general, the diameter of the core 42a is constant, but the diameter D of the core 42a at the end face 45 is increased.

The optical fiber 42 having the diameter D of the core 42a enlarged as described above can reduce the spread angle of the light emitted from the end face 45, and therefore the light transmitted to the optical semiconductor element 20 without using a lens. The spot diameter can be reduced.

For example, when a PD is used as the optical semiconductor element 20, its light receiving surface generally has a diameter of about 80 to 100 μm, so that if the spot diameter of the transmitted light exceeds this, the light cannot be transmitted completely. In a normal optical fiber having a core diameter of about 10 μm, the spot diameter is 1 at a position where the distance from the end face of the optical fiber is about 500 μm.
Since it becomes 00 μm, the distance between the optical fiber end face and the optical semiconductor element 20 must be 500 μm or less.

On the other hand, according to the present invention, by setting the core diameter D of the end face 45 to 15 μm or more, preferably 20 μm or more, the distance until the spot diameter of the light emitted from the end face 45 becomes 100 μm. The thickness can be 700 μm or more, preferably 1000 μm or more. Therefore, the distance between the end surface 45 of the optical fiber 42 and the optical semiconductor element 20 can be increased, and the design allowable range can be increased.

Further, as shown in FIG. 4A, the fiber stub 40 has an end face 45 on the optical semiconductor element side as an inclined face to prevent reflection, and one end face 46 on the side of the optical connector has a spherical shape to the side of the optical connector. The efficiency of coupling with the ferrule is improved.

In the above embodiment, if the end face 45 of the optical fiber 42 of the fiber stub 40 is provided with an AR coating for preventing reflected return light, the reflection of light on this end face 45 can be prevented. it can.

Further, the sleeve 30 and the fiber stub 4
As a material of the ferrule 41 forming 0, zirconia ceramics having high strength and toughness are preferable, and Y is particularly preferable.
Partially stabilized zirconia ceramics containing at least one stabilizer such as ₂ O ₃ , MgO, CaO, CeO ₂ , Dy ₂ O ₃ are most suitable.

Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described.

The structure of the optical semiconductor module itself is the same as that shown in FIG. 1 or FIG. 3, but the inside of the sleeve 30 is shown as a sectional view of only the sleeve 30 and its inside as shown in FIG. Fiber stub 40 and lens 50
It has a structure with.

The sleeve 30 and the fiber stub 40
Is similar to the previous embodiment, but the fiber stub 40 is located entirely within the sleeve 30 and is press fit or adhesively secured. Further, the lens 50 is fixed in the sleeve 30 by press fitting or adhesion in a state of being in contact with the end surface 45 of the fiber stub 40 on the optical semiconductor element 20 side.

Therefore, when connected to the optical connector, the light transmitted from the optical connector side passes through the fiber stub 40, is converged by the lens 50, and is transmitted to the optical semiconductor element 20. At this time, attach the lens 50 to the sleeve 4
Since the central axes of the sleeve 30 and the lens 50 are automatically aligned with each other by directly fixing the optical semiconductor module to the inner side of 0, and a lens holder is not required, it is possible to easily manufacture a high-precision optical semiconductor module. is there.

The lens 50 is made of a material whose refractive index is the same as or similar to that of the optical fiber on the optical connector side or the optical fiber 42 of the fiber stub 40, such as quartz, fused silica, FK, BK. ing. Moreover, since the lens 50 is in contact with the end face 45 of the fiber stub 40, reflection of light at the end face 45 and the end face of the lens 50 is prevented, and attenuation of light is suppressed to enable high-speed optical communication. To do.

As the lens 50, a refractive index distribution type SELFOC microlens can be used.

Further, in FIG. 5A, the fiber stub 4
Although the structure in which 0 is provided in the sleeve 30 is shown, the fiber stub 40 does not necessarily have to be provided. For example, the sleeve 30 is provided with the lens 50, and the ferrule holding one end of the optical fiber is attached to the sleeve 3
It is possible to construct a pigtail type optical semiconductor module by inserting and fixing the optical fiber into the optical fiber, and using the other end of the optical fiber as an optical connector.

Further, as another embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5 (B), the fiber stub 4 provided in the sleeve 30 is provided.
The pre-aligned lens 50 may be directly bonded to the end surface of the optical semiconductor element 20 on the side of 0.

Further, as another embodiment, FIG.
As shown in (1), the optical semiconductor element 20 is joined to the resin-made receptacle body 10, a sleeve 30 is provided inside, and the fiber stub 40 is held in the sleeve 30, and
A lens 50 is bonded between the fiber stub 40 and the optical semiconductor element 20 in the through hole of the receptacle body 10.

As a modification of FIG. 6 (A), FIG.
As shown in (B), inside the receptacle body 10,
A metal sleeve holder 55 for holding the sleeve 30 may be provided, and the lens 50 may be joined to the inside of the sleeve holder 55.

[0055]

As described above, according to the present invention, the optical semiconductor element is held at one end of the main body, and the other end has an optical connector having a connecting portion for aligning the optical axis with the optical semiconductor element. In a semiconductor module, a sleeve for inserting and holding a ferrule of an optical connector is arranged inside a main body forming an optical connector connecting portion, and a fiber stub in which an optical fiber is embedded in a central axis direction is provided at one end in the sleeve. By inserting and arranging so that the other end extends close to the optical semiconductor element, it is not necessary to use a converging lens, and moreover, the alignment between the sleeve, fiber stub, and optical semiconductor element can be easily and highly accurate. Therefore, the manufacturing process can be simplified and the cost can be reduced.

By molding the sleeve and the fiber stub on a resin body, the manufacturing process can be further simplified.

Alternatively, the main body may be made of metal, and the inner and outer peripheral surfaces of the fiber stub may be plated to hermetically seal.

Further, by giving a lens effect to the end face of the optical fiber provided in the fiber stub on the optical semiconductor element side, the light transmitted between the fiber stub and the optical semiconductor element can be converged.

Similarly, the light transmitted between the fiber stub and the optical semiconductor element is converged by making the core diameter of the end face of the optical fiber provided in the fiber stub on the optical semiconductor element side end surface larger than the core diameter of other portions. Can be made.

Further, the present invention provides an optical semiconductor module in which an optical semiconductor element is held at one end of a main body and a connecting portion with an optical connector is provided at the other end so as to align the optical axis with the optical semiconductor element. Inside the body that makes the connection,
By arranging the sleeve for inserting and holding the ferrule of the optical connector and holding the lens inside the sleeve, the central axes of the lens and the sleeve are automatically aligned without using the lens holder. The manufacturing process can be simplified and the cost can be reduced.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a first embodiment of an optical semiconductor module of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining a manufacturing process of the optical semiconductor module of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a second embodiment of an optical semiconductor module of the present invention.

FIG. 4A is a sectional view of only the fiber stub in the third embodiment of the optical semiconductor module of the present invention,
(B) is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a portion A in (A).

FIG. 5A is a vertical cross-sectional view of the inside of the sleeve in the fourth embodiment of the optical semiconductor module of the present invention, and FIG. 5B is a vertical cross-sectional view of the inside of the sleeve showing still another embodiment.

6A and 6B are vertical cross-sectional views showing another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a vertical sectional view of a conventional optical semiconductor device module.

[Explanation of symbols]

 10: Receptacle body 11: Optical connector connecting part 12: Element holding part 13: Element holding member 14: Fiber stub holding member 20: Optical semiconductor element 30: Sleeve 40: Fiber stub 41: Ferrule 42: Optical fiber 43: Inner peripheral surface 44: Outer peripheral surface 45: End surface 50: Lens 60: Ferrule 61: Optical fiber

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Kazuo Ujiie 30 Toyochi, Kitami-shi, Hokkaido Kyocera Corporation Kitami factory, Hokkaido

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. An optical semiconductor element is held at one end of a main body, and a connecting portion for an optical connector is provided at the other end so as to align the optical axis with the optical semiconductor element, and an optical connector of the optical connector is provided inside the main body. A sleeve for inserting and holding the ferrule is arranged, and a fiber stub in which an optical fiber is embedded in the central axis direction is arranged so that one end is inserted into the sleeve and the other end extends to the vicinity of the optical semiconductor element. An optical semiconductor module characterized by: 2. The optical semiconductor module according to claim 1, wherein the sleeve and the fiber stub are molded in a resin body. 3. The optical semiconductor module according to claim 1, wherein the main body is made of metal and the inner and outer peripheral surfaces of the fiber stub are plated. 4. The optical semiconductor module according to claim 1, wherein an end surface of the optical fiber provided in the fiber stub on the optical semiconductor element side has a shape which acts as a lens. 5. The optical semiconductor module according to claim 1, wherein a core diameter of an end face of the optical fiber provided in the fiber stub on the optical semiconductor element side is larger than core diameters of other portions. 6. An optical semiconductor element is held at one end of the main body, and a connecting portion for an optical connector is provided at the other end so as to align the optical axis with the optical semiconductor element, and an optical connector of the optical connector is provided inside the main body. An optical semiconductor module, wherein a sleeve for inserting and holding a ferrule is arranged, and a lens is held inside the sleeve.