Plug-in fiber coupling unit, fiber coupling system and method for coupling optical fibers to integrated optical waveguides

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method, as well as a fiber coupling unit, for coupling optical fibers to optical waveguides that are integrated into a substrate. The coupling unit features a contact surface for contacting the surface of the substrate with the integrated waveguides, as well as trench structures for accommodating optical fibers. The end faces of inserted fibers and/or a raised structure on the edge of the contact surface form a coupling or stopping face for the end face of the substrate with the integrated waveguides. At least one opening is produced in the contact surface and designed for accommodating a mechanical connecting element in a form-fitting fashion or guiding a mechanical connecting element parallel to the contact surface and perpendicular to the coupling or stopping face in a form-fitting fashion. Alternatively, the contact surface may also be rigidly connected to a connecting element protruding from the contact surface. The proposed method and the proposed fiber coupling unit, the coupling substrate of which consists of a glass or polymer material, make it possible to cost-effectively realize the coupling of optical glass fibers to integrated waveguides with minimal effort.