The present invention relates to an optical connecting device, an optical processing apparatus, and a method for fabricating an optical processing apparatus. This application claims the benefit of priority from Japanese Patent application No. 2016-191409 filed on Sep. 29, 2016, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.
International Publication WO2002/079831 discloses an optical fiber array.
An optical connecting device according to one aspect of the present invention includes: a holder including a first end face, a second end face, a first part, and a second part, the first end face and the second end face being arranged in a direction of a first axis, and the first part and the second part being arranged in a direction of a second axis intersecting the direction of the first axis; a guiding member supported by the first part and the second part and having a side face, the side face extending in the direction of the first axis between the first part and the second part; a plurality of optical fibers arranged along a reference plane between the first part and the second part in a direction of a third axis intersecting the direction of the second axis and the direction of the first axis; and a resin body disposed between the first part and the second part, the plurality of optical fibers extending from the first end face in the direction of the first axis, the holder having a first side face extending in the direction of the first axis, each of the first part and the second part having a first portion and a second portion, and the first portion and the second portion being arranged in the direction of the first axis, the first portion in one of the first part and the second part having a first groove extending in the direction of the second axis, the first groove having a first supporting face and a second supporting face, and the first supporting face and the second supporting face supporting the guiding member, the first portion in another of the first part and the second part having a third supporting face, the third supporting face supporting the guiding member, the second portion of the first part having a first opening extending from one of the first side face and the first end face to the first groove, in the first portions of the first part and the second part, the resin body being disposed between the side face of the guiding member and the first supporting face and the second supporting face of the first groove and between the side face of the guiding member and the third supporting face of the second part, and in the second portions of the first part and the second part, the resin body being disposed in the first opening.
An optical processing apparatus according to another aspect of the present invention includes: an optical connecting device; and a semiconductor device mounting the optical connecting device so as to be optically coupled thereto, the semiconductor device including an optical coupling element optically coupled to the optical connecting device. The optical connecting device includes: a holder including a first end face, a second end face, a first part, and a second part, the first end face and the second end face being arranged in a direction of a first axis, and the first part and the second part being arranged in a direction of a second axis intersecting the direction of the first axis; a guiding member supported by the first part and the second part and having a side face, the side face extending in the direction of the first axis between the first part and the second part; a plurality of optical fibers arranged along a reference plane between the first part and the second part in a direction of a third axis intersecting the direction of the second axis and the direction of the first axis; and a resin body disposed between the first part and the second part, the plurality of optical fibers extending from the first end face in the direction of the first axis, the holder having a first side face extending in the direction of the first axis, each of the first part and the second part having a first portion and a second portion, and the first portion and the second portion being arranged in the direction of the first axis, the first portion in one of the first part and the second part having a first groove extending in the direction of the second axis, the first groove having a first supporting face and a second supporting face, and the first supporting face and the second supporting face supporting the guiding member, the first portion in another of the first part and the second part having a third supporting face, the third supporting face supporting the guiding member, the second portion of the first part having a first opening extending from one of the first side face and the first end face to the first groove, in the first portions of the first part and the second part, the resin body being disposed between the side face of the guiding member and the first supporting face and the second supporting face of the first groove and between the side face of the guiding member and the third supporting face of the second part, and in the second portions of the first part and the second part, the resin body being disposed in the first opening.
A method for fabricating an optical processing apparatus according to still another aspect of the present invention includes steps of: preparing an optical connecting device; preparing a semiconductor device including an optical coupling element; mounting the optical connecting device on the semiconductor device to form a product such that the optical connecting device is optically coupled to the semiconductor device; and subjecting the product to heat treatment for reflowing. The optical connecting device includes: a holder including a first end face, a second end face, a first part, and a second part, the first end face and the second end face being arranged in a direction of a first axis, and the first part and the second part being arranged in a direction of a second axis intersecting the direction of the first axis; a guiding member supported by the first part and the second part and having a side face, the side face extending in the direction of the first axis between the first part and the second part; a plurality of optical fibers arranged along a reference plane between the first part and the second part in a direction of a third axis intersecting the direction of the second axis and the direction of the first axis; and a resin body disposed between the first part and the second part, the plurality of optical fibers extending from the first end face in the direction of the first axis, the holder having a first side face extending in the direction of the first axis, each of the first part and the second part having a first portion and a second portion, and the first portion and the second portion being arranged in the direction of the first axis, the first portion in one of the first part and the second part having a first groove extending in the direction of the second axis, the first groove having a first supporting face and a second supporting face, and the first supporting face and the second supporting face supporting the guiding member, the first portion in another of the first part and the second part having a third supporting face, the third supporting face supporting the guiding member, the second portion of the first part having a first opening extending from one of the first side face and the first end face to the first groove, in the first portions of the first part and the second part, the resin body being disposed between the side face of the guiding member and the first supporting face and the second supporting face of the first groove and between the side face of the guiding member and the third supporting face of the second part, and in the second portions of the first part and the second part, the resin body being disposed in the first opening.
The above-described objects and the other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention become more apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the present invention proceeding with reference to the attached drawings.
The optical fiber array disclosed in International Publication WO2002/079831 includes a substrate having V-shaped grooves and U-shaped grooves, guide pins disposed in the U-shaped grooves, an array of optical fibers disposed in the V-shaped grooves, and a lid for pressing the guide pin and the optical fiber. The guide pins and the optical fibers make contact with the support face of the lid.
An optical connecting device including an array of optical fibers is optically connected to another optical component. The other optical component can be an optical connector, and may be an active device, such as a semiconductor device. Providing the optical connecting device with an improved heat tolerance can extend the application thereof. The optical connecting device includes several components made of different materials. These materials have respective thermal expansion coefficients, and the components of different materials are thermally deformed according to their respective thermal expansion coefficients. Studies conducted by the inventors reveal that one way to improve the heat tolerance of the optical connecting device is to reduce stress caused by the difference in thermal deformations thereof.
It is an object of one aspect of the present invention to provide an optical connecting device with a desired heat tolerance. It is another object of another aspect of the present invention to provide an optical processing apparatus including the optical connecting device. It is an object of still another aspect of the present invention to provide a method for fabricating an optical processing apparatus including the optical connecting device.
Specific embodiments according to the above aspects will be described below.
An optical connecting device according to an embodiment includes: (a) a holder including a first end face, a second end face, a first part, and a second part, the first end face and the second end face being arranged in a direction of a first axis, and the first part and the second part being arranged in a direction of a second axis intersecting the direction of the first axis; (b) a guiding member supported by the first part and the second part and having a side face, the side face extending in the direction of the first axis between the first part and the second part; (c) a plurality of optical fibers arranged along a reference plane between the first part and the second part in a direction of a third axis intersecting the direction of the second axis and the direction of the first axis; and (d) a resin body disposed between the first part and the second part, the plurality of optical fibers extending from the first end face in the direction of the first axis, the holder having a first side face extending in the direction of the first axis, each of the first part and the second part having a first portion and a second portion, and the first portion and the second portion being arranged in the direction of the first axis, the first portion in one of the first part and the second part having a first groove extending in the direction of the second axis, the first groove having a first supporting face and a second supporting face, and the first supporting face and the second supporting face supporting the guiding member, the first portion in another of the first part and the second part having a third supporting face, the third supporting face supporting the guiding member, the second portion of the first part having a first opening extending from one of the first side face and the first end face to the first groove, in the first portions of the first part and the second part, the resin body being disposed between the side face of the guiding member and the first supporting face and the second supporting face of the first groove and between the side face of the guiding member and the third supporting face of the second part, and in the second portions of the first part and the second part, the resin body being disposed in the first opening.
The optical connecting device allows the first portions of the first and second parts to hold the guide member therebetween with the resin body, which is disposed between the side face of the guide member and the first and second supporting faces of the first groove and between the side face of the guide member and the supporting face of the second part, and is also disposed between the second portions of the first part and the second part. The guide member held by the holder is deformed by temperature change in the optical connecting device. The first opening, which is located in the first side face or the first end face of the holder, does not extend in the direction of the second axis in which the first and second parts of the holder are arranged, but is deepened inward to communicate with the first groove in the holder. The resin body is also disposed in the first opening between the first part and the second part, and extends from the first side face or the first end face of the holder to the first groove through the first opening, which communicates with the first groove. The resin body in the second portion, specifically in the first opening with few restrictions imposed by the holder, can be deformed more easily than that in the first portion of the holder. This ease of deformation is effective in reducing the stress of the resin body.
In the optical connecting device according an embodiment, the first end face is in the first portions of the first part and the second part, the resin body is in contact with the side face of the guiding member in the second portions of the first part and the second part, and the first opening extends from the first side face of the holder in the direction of the third axis.
In the optical connecting device, the first opening is deepened from the first side face in the direction of the third axis, so that the resin body continues from the first opening to the first groove. The continuous resin makes it possible to reduce the stress of the resin body.
In the optical connecting device according to an embodiment, the second portion of the first part has a groove extending from the first side face to the first groove, and the groove has a depth shallower than that of the first groove.
In the optical connecting device, providing the first opening with the groove of a depth smaller than the first groove hardly reduces the mechanical strength of the holder.
In the optical connecting device according to an embodiment, the second portion of the first part has a groove extending from the first side face to the first groove, and the groove has a depth larger than that of the first groove.
In the optical connecting device, providing the first opening with the groove of a depth larger than the first groove makes it easy for resin in the first groove to flow to the groove, working as the first opening before curing.
In the optical connecting device according to an embodiment, the second portions of the first part and the second part are apart from the end face and the second end face, the holder has a second side face opposite to the first side face, the second portion of the first part has a second opening and a third opening, the second opening is disposed in the second side face, and the third opening connects the second opening to the first groove, the second opening extends in a direction of the second side face to the first side face, the resin body is in contact with the side face of the guiding member in the second portions of the first part and the second part, and is disposed in the first opening, and the resin body extends from the first groove in the second opening and the third opening in the second portions of the first part and the second part.
In the optical connecting device, the resin body in each first groove communicates with the resin body in not only the first opening but also the second and third openings.
In the optical connecting device according to an embodiment, the first opening, the second opening and the third opening are aligned in a line.
In the optical connecting device, the resin body in the first groove is continuous with that in the first opening, the second opening, and the third opening, which are linearly aligned. The alignment of these openings makes it easy for the resin in the openings to deform in the direction of the alignment.
In the optical connecting device according to an embodiment, the second portions of the first part and the second part are apart from the first end face and the second end face, and the first opening is apart from the plurality of optical fibers.
In the optical connecting device, the first opening does not interfere with the arrangement of the optical fibers.
In the optical connecting device according to an embodiment, the first end face is in the first portions of the first part and the second part, the first opening is in the first end face, and the guiding member protrudes from the first groove and extends in the first opening.
In the optical connecting device, the resin body in the first groove is continuous with the resin portion in the first opening, which can more easily deform as compared with the resin body in the first groove.
In the optical connecting device according to an embodiment, the guiding member includes a guide pin made of metal.
In the optical connecting device, the guide member can include a guide pin.
In the optical connecting device according to an embodiment, the guiding member includes a guide pipe made of metal.
In the optical connecting device, the guide member can include a guide pipe.
An optical processing apparatus according to an embodiment includes: (a) an optical connecting device; and (b) a semiconductor device mounting the optical connecting device so as to be optically coupled thereto, the semiconductor device including an optical coupling element optically coupled to the optical connecting device. The optical connecting device includes: a holder including a first end face, a second end face, a first part, and a second part, the first end face and the second end face being arranged in a direction of a first axis, and the first part and the second part being arranged in a direction of a second axis intersecting the direction of the first axis; a guiding member supported by the first part and the second part and having a side face, the side face extending in the direction of the first axis between the first part and the second part; a plurality of optical fibers arranged along a reference plane between the first part and the second part in a direction of a third axis intersecting the direction of the second axis and the direction of the first axis; and a resin body disposed between the first part and the second part, the plurality of optical fibers extending from the first end face in the direction of the first axis, the holder having a first side face extending in the direction of the first axis, each of the first part and the second part having a first portion and a second portion, and the first portion and the second portion being arranged in the direction of the first axis, the first portion in one of the first part and the second part having a first groove extending in the direction of the second axis, the first groove having a first supporting face and a second supporting face, and the first supporting face and the second supporting face supporting the guiding member, the first portion in another of the first part and the second part having a third supporting face, the third supporting face supporting the guiding member, the second portion of the first part having a first opening extending from one of the first side face and the first end face to the first groove, in the first portions of the first part and the second part, the resin body being disposed between the side face of the guiding member and the first supporting face and the second supporting face of the first groove and between the side face of the guiding member and the third supporting face of the second part, and in the second portions of the first part and the second part, the resin body being disposed in the first opening.
The optical processing apparatus can include a device formed by a fabricating process requiring a reflow step.
A method for fabricating an optical processing apparatus according to an embodiment includes steps of: (a) preparing an optical connecting device; (b) preparing a semiconductor device including an optical coupling element; (c) mounting the optical connecting device on the semiconductor device to form a product such that the optical connecting device is optically coupled to the semiconductor device; and (d) subjecting the product to heat treatment for reflowing. The optical connecting device includes: a holder including a first end face, a second end face, a first part, and a second part, the first end face and the second end face being arranged in a direction of a first axis, and the first part and the second part being arranged in a direction of a second axis intersecting the direction of the first axis; a guiding member supported by the first part and the second part and having a side face, the side face extending in the direction of the first axis between the first part and the second part; a plurality of optical fibers arranged along a reference plane between the first part and the second part in a direction of a third axis intersecting the direction of the second axis and the direction of the first axis; and a resin body disposed between the first part and the second part, the plurality of optical fibers extending from the first end face in the direction of the first axis, the holder having a first side face extending in the direction of the first axis, each of the first part and the second part having a first portion and a second portion, and the first portion and the second portion being arranged in the direction of the first axis, the first portion in one of the first part and the second part having a first groove extending in the direction of the second axis, the first groove having a first supporting face and a second supporting face, and the first supporting face and the second supporting face supporting the guiding member, the first portion in another of the first part and the second part having a third supporting face, the third supporting face supporting the guiding member, the second portion of the first part having a first opening extending from one of the first side face and the first end face to the first groove, in the first portions of the first part and the second part, the resin body being disposed between the side face of the guiding member and the first supporting face and the second supporting face of the first groove and between the side face of the guiding member and the third supporting face of the second part, and in the second portions of the first part and the second part, the resin body being disposed in the first opening.
The method of fabricating the optical processing apparatus can reduce the possibility of breakage of the optical connecting device occurring in and after the reflow process.
Teachings of the present invention can be readily understood by considering the following detailed description with reference to the accompanying drawings shown as examples. Referring to the accompanying drawings, embodiments of an optical connecting device, an optical processing apparatus, a method for fabricating an optical connecting device, and a method for fabricating an optical processing apparatus according to the present invention will be described. To facilitate understanding, identical reference numerals are used, where possible, to designate identical elements that are common to the figures.
With reference to
The optical connecting device 11 (11a, 11b, 11c, 11d, 11e, and 11f) includes a holder 13, a guide member 15, a plurality of optical fibers 17, and a resin body 19. The holder 13 includes a first end face 13a and a second end face 13b, which are arranged in the direction of the first axis Ax1, and a first side face 13c extending in the direction of a first axis Ax1. Further, the holder 13 includes a first part 21 and a second part 23, which are arranged in the direction of a second axis Ax2 intersecting that of the first axis Ax1. The first and second parts 21 and 23 are made of, for example, glass, which can include, for example, quartz, Tempax, Pyrex (registered trademark). The material of the resin body 19 may include, for example, a silicone-based, epoxy-based or acrylic-based resin.
The guide member 15 is supported by the first part 21 and the second part 23. The guide member 15 has an outer side face 15a, which extends from one of the guide member 15 end to the other end. The guide member 15 is disposed between the first and second parts 21 and 23 and extends in the direction of the first axis Ax1. The guide member 15 may include, for example, a guide pin. The guide pin can be made of, for example, metal, and the metal guide pin includes, for example, copper, nickel, iron, cobalt, tungsten or an alloy containing one or more of these metals. The guide pin working as the guide member 15 has the outer side face 15a. The outer side face 15a extends in the direction of the first axis Ax1 between the first and second parts 21 and 23. Alternatively, the guide member 15 may include a guide pipe. The guide pipe can be made of, for example, metal, and the metal guide pipe includes, for example, copper, nickel, iron, cobalt, tungsten or an alloy containing one or more of these metals. The guide pipe working as the guide member 15 has an inner face 15b in addition to the outer face 15a, and the outer and inner faces 15a and 15b extend in the direction of the first axis Ax1 between the first and second parts 21 and 23. Specifically, the inner side face 15b extends from one end of the guide member 15 to the other end in the direction of the first axis Ax1 to define a through-hole 15d.
The optical fibers 17, which are disposed between the first and second parts 21 and 23, are arranged along the reference plane REF in the direction of a third axis Ax3, the direction of which intersects the directions of the first and second axes Ax1 and Ax2. Each of the optical fibers 17 extends from the first end face 13a in the direction of the first axis Ax1. The resin body 19 is disposed between the first and the second parts 21 and 23, which support the optical fibers 17.
The first part 21 has a first portion 21a and a second portion 21b, which are arranged in the direction of the first axis Ax1, and the second part 23 has a first portion 23a and a second portion 23b, which are arranged in the direction of the first axis Ax1. The first portion (21a or 23a) of either one of the first part 21 and the second part 23, for example, the first portion 21a of the first part 21 in the present embodiment, has a channel or groove 25 extending in the direction of the first axis Ax1. The first groove 25 has a first supporting face 25a and a second supporting face 25b, which support the guide member 15. The first portion (23a or 21a) of the other of the first part 21 and the second part 23, specifically, the first portion 23a of the second part 23 in the present embodiment has a third supporting face 25c supporting the guide member 15. If needed, the second part 23 may have a second groove 27, which provides the third supporting face 25c. The second groove 27 has a fourth side face 27b and a fifth side face 27c. The first supporting face 25a, the second supporting face 25b, and the third supporting face 27a extend in the direction of the first axis Ax1. The second portion 21b of the first part 21 has a first opening 29a, and the first opening 29a communicates with the first groove 25 and is provided in the first side face 13c or the first end face 13a of the holder 13.
In the first portions 21a and 23a, the resin body 19 is disposed between the side face of the guide member 15 (the outer face 15a) and the first and second supporting faces 25a and 25b of the first groove 25 and between the third supporting face 27a of the second part 23 and the side face (the outer face 15a) of the guide member 15. In the second portions 21b and 23b, the resin body 19 is provided in the first opening 29a.
The optical connecting device 11 (11a, 11b, 11c, 11d, 11e, and 11f) allows the first portion 21a of the first part 21 and the first portion 23a of the second part 23 to hold the guide member 15 therebetween by use of the resin body 19, which is disposed between the outer side face 15a of the guide member 15 and the first and second supporting faces 25a and 25b of the first groove 25 and between the outer face 15a of the guide member 15 and the supporting face 27a of the second part 23, and the resin body 19 is also disposed between the second portion 21a of the first part 21 and the second portion 23b of the second part 23. The guide member 15 held by the holder 13 is deformed by temperature changes in the optical connecting device 11. The first opening 29a, which is located in the first end face 13a or the first side face 13c of the holder 13, does not extend in the direction of the second axis Ax2 in which the first part 21 and the second part 23 are arranged, and is deepened inward to communicate with the first groove 25 in the holder 13. The resin body 19 is also disposed in the first opening 29a of the holder 13 between the first and second parts 21 and 23, and extends in the first opening 29a, which communicates with the first groove 25, from the first side face 13c or the first end face 13a of the holder 13 to the first groove 25. The holder with the first opening 29a, which extends inward from the first side face 13c or the first end face 13a, places less restriction in deformation on the resin body 19 in the second portions (21b and 23b), specifically in the first opening 29a, so that the resin in the first opening 29a can be deformed more easily than that in the first portion of the holder 13. This ease of deformation is effective in reducing the stress of the resin body 19.
With reference to
As shown in
In the present embodiment, the first part 21 includes a first portion 21a, a second portion 21b and another first portion 21a, which are arranged in the direction of the axis Ax1. The first portion 21a and the other first portion 21a include a first end face 21e and a second end face 21f, respectively. The grooves 31 are separated from the first end face 21e and the second end face 21f, which are included by the first portion 21a and the other first portion 21a of the first part 21 (the first portion 23a of the second part 23), respectively. Furthermore, the second portion 21b of the first part 21 and the second portion 23b of the second part 23 are separated from the first end face 13a and the second end face 13b. Each groove 31 has a bottom face 31a extending along the reference plane REFB, and the reference plane REF forms an angle ALPHA with respect to the reference plane REFB. The angle ALPHA is preferably in the range of, for example, 0 to 70 degrees measured in a clockwise direction defined as the positive direction. In the present embodiment, the groove 31 on the first side face 21c of the first part 21 is aligned with the groove 31 on the second side face 21d. If needed, these grooves 31 on the first and second sides 21c and 21d may not be aligned with each other in the first part 21.
In fabricating the optical connecting device 11a, optical fibers (if needed, a guide member) are arranged between the members for the first and second parts 21 and 23, and resin is applied to an array of the optical fibers on one of the members. The resin thus applied is cured to fix the optical fibers with the members. In order to fill the gap between the outer face 15a of the guide member 15 and the supporting faces (25a, 25b, 27a, 27b, and 27c) of the first and second grooves 25 and 27 with the resin body 19 (or an additional resin), resin for the resin body 19 can be supplied from the first opening 29a and the second opening 29b, and an excess resin of the resin thus supplied flows out of the end portions (the end portion(s) on the first and second end faces 13a and/or 13b) of the first and second grooves 25 and 27.
In the optical connecting device 11a thus fabricated, the holder 13 and the guide member 15 deform in response to temperature changes thereof. The deformation of the guide member 15 is transmitted to the resin body 19. In the holder 13, the resin body 19 is provided in the first and second openings 29a and 29b, which extend in one direction from the first groove 25 to the first side face 13c (the first side face 21c of the part 21) and another direction from the first groove 25 to the second side face 13d (the second side face 21d of the first part 21) in the present embodiment, respectively, specifically, along the direction of the third axis Ax3. These directions are different from the direction (the second axis Ax2) of the arrangement of the first and second parts 21 and 23 bonded to each other. The first and second openings 29a and 29b thus arranged allow the resin body 19 to deform along the first and second openings 29a and 29b.
The resin body 19 is disposed in the first portions 21a and 23a between the first part 21 and the second part 23, and is in direct contact with the outer face 15a of the guide member 15 in the first and second grooves 25 and 27. The resin body 19 in the second portions 21b and 23b can deform in the first and second opening 29a and 29b free from the holder 13 in the direction in which the reference plane REF extends. This deformation is useful for reducing the internal stress of the resin body 19.
In the optical connecting device 11a, the first opening 29a (the second opening 29b), which extends from the first groove 25 in the direction of the third axis Ax3 to reach the first side face 13c, makes it possible to reduce stress in the resin body 19 continuous from the first groove 25 to the first opening 29a (the second opening 29b). The first opening 29a (the second opening 29b) can provide the optical connecting device 11a with a desired heat tolerance.
With reference to
As shown in
The resin body 19 is in direct contact with the outer face 15a of the guide member 15 in the second portions 21b and 23b of the first and second parts 21 and 23, and is provided continuously in the first opening 29a, the second opening 29b, and the third opening 29c. The resin body 19 extends from the first grooves 25 into the third opening 29c in the second portion 21b of the first part 21 and the second portion 23b of the second part 23, and the third opening 29c can connect the resin body 19 in the first opening 29a and one of the first grooves 25 with the resin body 19 in the second opening 29b and the other of the first grooves 25, so that the resin body 19 forms a single resin as a whole. The resin body 19 is continuous not only to the first opening 29a and the one of the first grooves 25 but also the second opening 29b and the other of the first grooves 25 via the third opening 29c. In the present embodiment, the grooves 31 have a depth smaller than that of each first groove 25. The addition of the grooves 31 shallower than the first grooves 25 to the holder 13 hardly reduces the mechanical strength of the holder 13. The grooves 31 are fabricated using, for example, a precision grinding machine.
In fabricating the optical connecting device 11b, the optical fibers 17 (if needed, the guide member 15) are arranged between members for the first and second parts 21 and 23, and these members thus arranged hold the optical fibers 17 with resin for bonding, which is applied to the optical fibers 17 and the members and cured, to provide the holder 13. In order to fill gaps between the outer face 15a of the guide member 15 and the faces (25a, 25b, 27a, 27b, and 27c) of the first grooves 25 and the second grooves 27 with the resin body 19, resin (or additional resin) can be supplied thereto through the first and second openings 29a and 29b and, if any, surplus resin of the resin thus supplied flows out from the ends of the first grooves 25 and the second grooves 27 (ends located at the first end face 13a and the second end face 13b). In fabricating the optical connecting device 11b, the third opening 29c is useful to introduce resins (or additional resins), which are supplied from the first opening 29a and the second opening 29b, into the first opening 29a, the second opening 29b and the two grooves 31.
In the optical connecting device 11b thus fabricated, the holder 13 and the guide member 15 deform according to the temperature changes of the optical connecting device 11b. The deformation of the guide member 15 causes that of the resin body 19, which extends to the first opening 29a, the second opening 29b, and the third opening 29c of the holder 13. The first opening 29a extends in a direction (for example, in the direction of the third axis Ax3) from one of the first grooves 25 to the first side face 13c (the first side face 21c of the first part 21), and the second opening 29b extends in the direction from the other first groove 25 to the second side face 13d (the second side face 21d of the first part 21), and the first and second openings 29a and 29b are connected via the respective first grooves 25 to the third opening 29c. The above directions are different from the arrangement direction (the second axis Ax2) in which the first and second parts 21 and 23 bonded are arranged. The resin body 19 has portions in the first and second openings 29a and 29b, which deform along the first and second openings 29a and 29b, respectively.
The resin body 19 provided between the first part 21 and the second part 23 is in contact with the outer side face 15a of the guide member 15 in the first and second grooves 25 and 27, and holds the guide member 15 in the first portion 21a of the first part 21 and the first portion 23a of the second part 23. The resin body 19 in the second portions 21b and 23b is deformed in the first and second openings 29a and 29b with less restriction provided by the holder 13 in the direction in which the reference plane REF extends. This deformation is effective in reducing the internal stress of the resin body 19.
The optical connecting device 11b, having the first and second openings 29a and 29b that extend in the direction of the third axis Ax3 to reach the first and second side faces 13c and 13d, respectively, allows the resin body 19 to continue from the first and second openings 29a and 29b to the respective first grooves 25, thereby making it possible to reduce the internal stress therein. The third opening 29c connects the two first grooves 25 to each other, so that the resin body 19 in the third opening 29c is effective in reducing, if any, imbalance in stress in the resin body 19 between the first opening 29a and the second opening 29b. Such optical connecting device 11b has a desired heat tolerance.
With reference to
As shown in
The resin body 19 is in contact with the outer side face 15a of the guide member 15 in the second portions 21b and 23b of the first and second parts 21 and 23, and is provided in the first opening 29a, the second opening 29b, and the third opening 29c. In the second portions 21b and 23b, the third opening 29c guides the resin body 19 therein both to the first opening 29a and one of the first grooves 25 and to the second opening 29b and the other first grooves 25 to integrate the resin body 19 in the first to third openings 29a, 29c and 29c, thereby forming a continuous resin. The resin body 19 not only is disposed in the first groove 25 and the first opening 29a but continuously extends to the second opening 29b via the third opening 29c. In the present embodiment, the grooves 31 are deeper than the first grooves 25, and the deep grooves 31 allows resin, which has not been cured yet, to flow out from the first grooves 25 to the first opening 29a, the second opening 29b, and the third opening 29c. The resin body 19 may not fill the deep groove 31, and then has a void in the grooves 31. The grooves 31 are fabricated with, for example, a precision grinding machine.
In fabricating the optical connecting device 11c, the optical fibers 17 (if needed, the guide member 15) are arranged on the members for the first part 21 and the second part 23, and liquid resin is provided on the arrangement of the optical fibers 17, and the liquid resin thus provided is cured to secure the optical fibers 17 to the members. In order to fill gaps between the outer face 15a of the guide member 15 and the faces (25a, 25b, 27a, 27b, and 27c) of the first and second grooves 25 and 27 with the resin body 19, liquid resin can be supplied from the first opening 29a and/or the second opening 29b by injection, and the space between the first part 21 and the second part 23 is provided with a desired amount of resin, and if any, a surplus of the resin thus injected can flow out into the first opening 29a, the second opening 29b and the third opening 29c through the first and second grooves 25 and 27. In fabricating the optical connecting device 11c, the third opening 29c makes it possible to form an integral resin independently of the difference between amounts of resin supplied from the first opening 29a and the second opening 29b.
In the first portion 21a and the further first portion 21a, preferably, the resin body 19 is not provided in the first groove 25 and the second groove 27. The second portion 21b and the other second portion 21b disable the supplied resin to flow into the first portion 21a, which is closer to the first end face 21e, and the still other first portion 21a, which is closer to the second end face 21f, respectively, and can prevent the supplied resin from overflowing therefrom to the end of the guide member 15. The second portion 21b and the other second portion 21b each may be apart from the first end face 21e and the second end face 21f, respectively, by a distance in the range of 100 to 2000 micrometers. The second portion 21b, the other second portion 21b, and the other first portion 21a, which is between the second portion 21b and the other second portion 21b, can provide the members with the primary adhesion.
In the optical connecting device 11c thus fabricated, temperature changes thereof cause the holder 13 and the guide member 15 to deform according to the respective thermal properties, and the deformation of the guide member 15 is transferred to the resin body 19, which is continuously disposed in the first opening 29a and the first opening 29b of the holder 13. The first opening 29a extends in the direction from the first groove 25 to the first side face 13c (the first side face 21c of the first part 21), specifically, in the direction of the third axis Ax3, and the second opening 29b extends in the direction from the first groove 25 to the second side face 13d (the second side face 21d of the first part 21). These directions are different from the direction in which the first and second parts 21 and 23 are arranged (the second axis Ax2). The resin body 19 can deform in the first, second and third openings 29a, 29b and 29c.
In the first portion 21a of the first part 21 and the first portion 23a of the second part 23, the resin body 19 provided between the first part 21 and the second part 23 is in direct contact with the outer face 15a of the guide member 15 in the first and second grooves 25 and 27. In the second portion 21b, the second portion 23b and the other second portion 23b, the resin body 19 between the first part 21 and the second part 23 can deform in the first and second openings 29a and 29b, without being restricted by the holder 13, in the direction in which the reference plane REF extends. This deformation is effective in lowering the stress of the resin body 19.
In the optical connecting device 11c, the first and second openings 29a and 29b extend in the direction of the third axis Ax3 to reach the first and second side faces 13c and 13d, respectively, and the resin body 19 continuously extending in the directions from the first grooves 25 to the first and second openings 29a and 29b makes it possible to reduce the internal stress of the resin body 19. The third opening 29c connects the two first grooves 25, so that the resin body 19 in the third opening 29c is effective in reducing imbalance in stress of the resin body 19 between the first opening 29a and the second opening 29b. Such an optical connecting device 11c can provide a desired heat resistance.
Referring to
As shown in
In the present embodiment, the second portion 21b, the first portion 21a, and another second portion 21b are arranged in the direction of the first axis Ax1, and the second portion 21b and the other second portion 21b include a first end face 21e and a second end face 21f, respectively. The grooves 31 are outside the first portion 21a (23a) of the first part 21 (the second part 23), and are positioned on the first end face 21e and the second end face 21f. In the second portion 21b of the first part 21, the grooves 31 are deeper than the first groove 25, and the grooves in the second portion 23b of the second part 23 has a depth equal to or greater than that of the second groove 27. The grooves 31 on the first end face 21e of the first part 21 are aligned with the grooves 31 on the second end face 21f of the first part 21.
In fabricating the optical connecting device 11d, the optical fibers 17 (if needed, the guide member 15) are arranged between members for the first and second parts 21 and 23, and are fixed between these members with resin by curing. In order to fill gaps between the outer face 15a of the guide member 15 and the faces (25a, 25b, 27a, 27b, and 27c) of the first and second grooves 25 and 27 with the resin body 19, a desired amount of liquid resin is supplied thereto, so that a part of the resin is left between the first part 21 and the second part 23, and excess resin flows from the first and second grooves 25 and 27 into the first opening 29a. The first portion 21a, which is between the second portion 21b and the further second portion 21b, can provide the members with the main adhesion.
Each of the first and second end faces 13a 13b is disposed in the second portions 21b and 23b of the first and second parts 21 and 23. The guide member 15 protrudes from the first and second grooves 25 and 27 into the first opening 29a. This protrusion can prevent resin for the resin body 19 from contaminating the end or inner side of the guide member 15.
In the optical connecting device 11d thus fabricated, the holder 13 and the guide member 15 deform in response to temperature changes of the optical connecting device 11d. The deformation of the guide member 15 is transmitted to the resin body 19. The resin body 19 continues from the first and second grooves 25 and 27 to the first openings 29a, which are recessed from the first end face 13a, and the first openings 29a extend in directions from the first groove 25 to the first end face 13a (the first end face 21e) and the second end face 13b (the second end face 21f) (for example, the direction of the first axis Ax1). These directions are different from the direction (the direction of the second axis Ax2) in which the first and second parts 21 and 23 bonded are arranged. The first openings 29a allow the resin body 19 to deform therein.
The resin body 19 provided between the first part 21 and the second part 23 is brought into contact with the outer face 15a of the guide member 15, which is in each of the first and second grooves 25 and 27, in the first portions 21a and 23a of the first and second parts 21 and 23, and can deform in the second portion 21b and the second portion 23b free from restriction imposed by the holder 13 in the direction in which the plane REF extends. This deformation is effective in reducing the internal stress of the resin body 19.
In the optical connecting device 11d, the first opening 29a extends in the direction of the first axis Ax1 to the first end face 13a (the second end face 13b), and allows the resin body 19, continuing from the first groove 25 to the first opening 29a, to reduce the internal stress. The optical connecting device 11d can provide a desired heat resistance.
With reference to
The first portion 21a, the second portion 21b, the other first portion 21a, the other second portion 21b, the further first portion 21a, the further second portion 21b, and the still other first portion 21a are arranged in the direction of the first axis Ax1. In the present embodiment, the optical connecting device 11e has a structure formed by combining the first opening 29a that the optical connecting device 11a shown in
In fabricating the optical connecting device 11e, the optical fibers 17 (if needed, the guide member 15) are arranged between members for the first and second parts 21 and 23, and these members are fixed therebetween with resin by curing. In order to fill gaps between the outer face 15a of the guide member 15 and the faces (25a, 25b, 27a, 27b, and 27c) of the first and second grooves 25 and 27 with the resin body 19, liquid resin is supplied thereto from the first opening 29a in the other second portion 21b, so that a desired amount of the liquid resin is left in the first and second grooves 25 and 27, and surplus resin flows from the first and second grooves 25 and 27 into the first opening 29a, the second opening 29b, and the third opening 29c, which are located in each of the second portion 21b and the further second portion 21b. In fabricating the optical connecting device 11e, the third opening 29c receives resin from the two first grooves 25 independent of the difference in the amounts of supplied resin between the first opening 29a and the second opening 29b.
Preferably, the resin body 19 is not provided in the first and second grooves 25 and 27 that the first portion 21a and the still other first portion 21a each include. The second portion 21b and the other second portion 21b disable the supplied resin to flow into the first portion 21a, which is closer to the first end face 21e, and the still other first portion 21a, which is closer to the second end face 21f, and can present the supplied resin from overflowing therefrom to the end of the guide member 15. The first portion 21a, which is between the second portion 21b and the other second portion 21b, and the other first portion 21a, which is between the further second portion 21b and the further second portion 21b, can provide the members with the main adhesion.
The optical connecting device 11e thus fabricated can reduce stress in the resin body 19 because of the action of the first opening 29a that the optical connecting device 11a contains shown in
With reference to
The second portion 21b, the first portion 21a, another second portion 21b, another first portion 21a, and a further second portion 21b are arranged in the direction of the first axis Ax1. In the present embodiment, the optical connecting device 11f has the first opening 29a, the second opening 29b and the third opening 29c that the optical connecting device 11b contains shown in
In fabricating the optical connecting device 11f, the optical fibers 17 (if needed, the guide member 15) are arranged between members for the first and second parts 21 and 23, and these members are fixed therebetween with resin by curing. In order to fill gaps between the outer face 15a of the guide member 15 and the faces (25a, 25b, 27a, 27b, and 27c) of the first and second grooves 25 and 27 with the resin body 19, the first opening 29a and the second opening 29b are used to supply liquid resin to the first and second grooves 25 and 27. The third opening 29c can average an unevenness of resin supplied through the first and second openings 29a and 29b. The first portion 21a, which is between the second portion 21b and the other second portion 21b, and the other first portion 21a, which is between the other second portion 21b and the further second portion 21b, provide the members with a main adhesion. Surplus resin flows out from the ends of the first grooves 25 and the second grooves 27 to the first openings 29a located on the end faces, and remains in the first openings 29a.
The first and second end faces 13a and 13b are provided in the second portion 21b of the first part 21 and the second portion 23b of the second part 23. The guide member 15 protrudes from the first and second grooves 25 and 27 into the first opening 29a. This protrusion can prevent the resin body 19 from covering the end of the guide member 15.
The optical connecting device 11f thus fabricated can reduce stress in the resin body 19 because of the action of the first, the second and the third openings 29a, 29b and 29c, which the optical connecting device 11b shown in
As shown in
As shown in
As shown in
As shown in
If needed, the guide member 15 can be placed in the first groove 25 of the first part 21 before the second part 23 is placed on the support grooves 33 of the first part 21, the optical fibers 17 and the resin. An assembly including the first product SP1 and the guide member 15 is referred to as a second product SP2.
As shown in
As shown in
As shown in
The above steps bring a stub type optical connecting device 11 to completion.
As shown in
As shown in
In the present embodiment, the grating couplers GC1 to CG4 are prepared for the optical receiver. Signal light beams from the grating couplers GC1 to CG4 are provided to the light receiving elements PD through the optical circuit WC. In the present embodiment, the optical circuit WC includes optical waveguides WG1 to WG4. The grating couplers GC1 to CG4 are optically coupled to photodiodes PD1 to PD4 via the optical waveguides WG1 to WG4, respectively. The photodiodes PD1 to PD4, which are integrated in the silicon photonic semiconductor device, are connected to an electric circuit TIA (for example, a transimpedance amplifier), which are integrated in the silicon photonic semiconductor device, via conductive lines EL1 to EL4. The electric circuit TIA performs processing (for example, current-voltage conversion, amplification) of electric signals (for example, photocurrent) from the photodiodes PD1 to PD4 to generate electric signals in response to the received signal light beams.
In addition, the grating couplers GC6 to CG10 are prepared for the optical transmitter. In the present embodiment, the laser light beam from the grating coupler GC6 is supplied to an optical modulator MD. The optical modulator MD includes, for example, a Mach-Zehnder modulator MZIA, MZIB, MZIC, and MZID. The Mach-Zehnder modulators MZIA to MZID receive the electric signals EM 1 to EM 4 from a drive circuit, Driver, which are integrated in the silicon photonic semiconductor device, respectively, and generate modulated light beams in response to the electric signals EM1 to EM4. These modulated light beams propagate through the optical waveguides WG7 to WG10 to the grating couplers GC7 to CG10, respectively.
The silicon photonics semiconductor element SiPhD includes a first portion 71a, a second portion 71b, and a third portion 71c, which are arranged in a line. The first portion 71a includes an arrangement of grating couplers GC0 to CG11, which are arranged along one edge that the first portion 71a includes. The second portion 71b includes optical elements, such as semiconductor light receiving elements and/or optical modulators. The third portion 71c includes electric circuits, such as the electric circuit TIA and the drive circuit, Driver.
Referring to
Sizes of an exemplary fiber stub according to the present embodiment.
Length: in the range of 1 to 5 mm, for example 3 mm.
Width: in the range of 2 to 10 mm, for example 6 mm.
Height: in the range of 2 to 10 mm, for example 5 mm.
Having described and illustrated the principle of the invention in a preferred embodiment thereof, it is appreciated by those having skill in the art that the invention can be modified in arrangement and detail without departing from such principles. We therefore claim all modifications and variations coining within the spirit and scope of the following claims.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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2016-191409 | Sep 2016 | JP | national |