Optical communication signal source

Abstract

An optical communication signal source package and assembly for coupling optical signals to the end of an optical fiber includes first and second semiconductor laser diodes capable of being operated in a redundant fashion for increased reliability or to provide wavelength division multiplexing for increases in bandwidth and information carrying capability. The laser diodes are supported with their mounting flanges in a common plane and are oriented to provide parallel beams of polarized light having perpendicular E-field vectors. A connector carried by the support positions the optical fiber at the target area where an optics system focuses the light beams. An optical coupling device such as a polarizing beam splitter or a holographic beam separator is responsive to the orthogonal light beams to direct both light beams toward the optical fiber with minimum decrease in amplitude. The package includes no moving parts or highly frequency selective components. The package is employed in a compact communication signal coupling assembly permitting short electrical lead lengths and high circuit density.