Passive self-alignment technique for array laser transmitters and receivers for fiber optic applications

Abstract

A method of terminating multiple optical fibers, by placing terminal ends of the fibers into a connector to create a fiber end face array, locating a plurality of optical devices on a substrate in an array having a matching geometry as the fiber end face array, and positioning the connector with respect to the substrate to align the fiber end face array with the optical device array. The optical device substrate can be formed as part of a fiber termination fixture which further includes a carrier having two holes adapted to receive respective alignment pins of the connector. The optical device substrate is advantageously affixed to the carrier by forming a first solder ball contact array pattern on a surface of the optical device substrate, forming a second solder ball contact array pattern on a surface of the carrier, wherein the second solder ball contact array pattern matches the first solder ball contact array pattern, and melting a plurality of solder balls disposed between the first solder ball contact array pattern of the optical device substrate and the second solder ball contact array pattern of the carrier such that solder reflow self-aligns the patterns, and further positions the optical device array in a predetermined orientation with respect to the alignment holes in the carrier.