Avanex Corporation

Corning Incorporated

Marc G Brun

Michael Ushinsky

Scott M Hellman

Paul A Townley-Smith

Heinrich G Muller

Jean-Pierre Themont

Mark Francis Krol

Christopher Philip Brophy

Sylvain M Gremetz

Optical package and module designs use multiple-port (e.g. six-port) optical packages to create compact DWDM modules, add/drop packages, heat dissipation packages, optical amplifier filters, and the like.

Multiple-port optical package and DWDM module

A multiple-port optical device uses improved fiber ferrules comprising various capillary designs and shapes to precisely position optical fibers and, in particular, the optical fiber cores. The fibers are screened for geometric characteristics which further aide in precisely positioning the fiber cores. The ferrules, capillaries, fibers, and adhesives are combined to reduce adverse thermal effects and maintain the position of the fibers over a broad range of environmental conditions in which DWDM packages and modules are required to operate.

Precision fiber ferrules

An apparatus and method of manufacturing multiple-port optical devices and packages includes the steps of positioning pairs of screened optical fibers in a precision ferrule of a collimating assembly; determining a desired angle of incidence (AOI) for an optical element; positioning the assembly in a movable fixture; moving the assembly into engagement with an optical element holder unit having an optical element mounted thereto; micro-tilting the element holder to actively align the optical element and fibers to preferably achieve an insertion loss (IL) less than about 0.2 dB; and curing adhesive to initially secure the aligned optical element assembly.

Six-port optical package and method of manufacturing

Multiple -port optical package and DWDM module

Methods of making a multiple-port optical device include precisely positioning pairs of optical fibers inside of a fiber ferrule using a positioning means, such as shaped capillaries or an external clamp, to hold the position of the fibers while adhesive is applied to the fibers and cured. The external precision positioning means comprise silicon wafers which are etched to form capillaries or guides for the fibers. Adhesive is applied to the fibers and wicked into the fiber ferrule capillary to completely fill the capillary. The external positioning means is removed after curing and the fiber ferrule is polished for use in optical devices such as multiple-port DWDM filter packages.

Methods of making a multiple-port optical package

The present invention relates to a collimator assembly for use in an optical switch. The collimator assembly includes an integrated LED/photodiode plane disposed in a dual microlens array. The integrated LED/photodiode plane results in a relatively simple way to manufacture high port count collimator arrays with integrated monitoring capabilities. The LED/photodiode plane can be readily produced using standard electronics manufacturing technology.

Integrated LED/photodiode collimator array

An apparatus and method of building multiple-port optical devices characterizes optical filters according to a desired angle of incidence. Fiber ferrules are manufactured to precisely position at least two pairs of optical fibers inside the ferrules. The fiber ferrules are then characterized according to the distance between the fiber cores of the fiber pairs (i.e. the separation distance). The filters and the fiber ferrules are matched according to predetermined tolerances. The filter, or other optical element, is optically aligned with each pair of optical fibers and bonded into place. Light signals, such as DWDM signals, are then transmitted through the devices and the single filter or optical device operates on the multiple signals.

Method of matching optical elements and fiber ferrules

The present invention includes a tool ( ) for positioning optical waveguide fibers ( ) on an adhesive coated substrate ( ) including a holder ( ) and a pressure source. The holder ( ) includes a chamber ( ) coupled to the pressure source and multiple recesses ( ) configured to position the optical waveguide fibers ( ). Each recess ( ) includes a reference surface ( ) and is connected to the chamber ( ) by a passageway ( ). The pressure source is configured to selectively increase and decrease the pressure in the chamber ( ). The invention also includes a method of making optical waveguide fiber array blocks using the tool ( ).

Growing community of inventors

Vaux Le Penil, France

Marc G Brun