Method of optically coupling an uptapered single-mode optical fiber to

Abstract

A method of optically coupling an optoelectronic device having a photoactive element to an uptapered single-mode optical fiber which connects said optoelectronic device to an external device includes securing a graded index lens to a substrate carrier within a housing at a distance calculated to provide a known magnification of a light beam emanating from said element, and further includes mechanically positioning and actively aligning the fiber to said magnified light beam to achieve optimal optical coupling to said optoelectronic device. The location of a plurality of reference marks and surfaces are determined such that the photoactive element, the lens and the uptapered end of the single-mode optical fiber may be positioned with respect to these references for precise optical coupling using an active alignment for final adjustments. The reference surfaces include a pedestal for the laser and a plurality of stops for the lens integrally formed with the substrate. The method also includes mechanically positioning the uptapered fiber within a fiber tube which is removably secured to a flange. The precisely calculated alignment based on the spacing of said photoactive element, the magnification of said lens, and the fiber positioning is achieved by mechanical means.