Optical component welding apparatus

Abstract

An optical component welding apparatus for welding together first and second optical components each having an optical axis and a contact surface. The apparatus includes an X--Y stage for fixing the first optical component and aligning the optical axis of the first optical component in an X-axis and Y-axis direction. A fixing disk has a plurality of apertures extending radially and intersecting one another at a center of the fixing disk with respect to the radial direction, and includes a clamp for fixing the second optical component in the center of the fixing disk with respect to the axial and radial directions thereof such that the contact surface of the second optical component faces the contact surface of the first optical component. A holding member has a plurality of apertures each formed in a position respectively corresponding to a position of one of the plurality of apertures of the fixing disk, and the holding member releasably holds the fixing disk and is adapted to carry the fixing disk for axial movement thereof in a Z-axis direction. A Z stage for moving the holding member in the Z-axis direction is provided for fitting the respective contact surfaces of the first and second optical components to each other, and laser emitting heads emit a laser beam through corresponding apertures of the fixing disk and holding member to weld the first and second optical components together at the respective fitted contact surfaces thereof, with the optical axes of the first and second optical components in alignment with each other.