Micro-opto-electro-mechanical system (MOEMS)
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An integrated optical fiber alignment mirror module comprising:
- a first wafer having a first surface and a second surface, the wafer having a groove formed in and extending along the first surface and parallel to the second surface;
a groove end reflector formed in an end of the groove in the first wafer;
a layer having a first region, the layer being attached to the first surface;
a first substrate mirror fashioned from the first region of the layer;
an optical device on the first wafer; and
an optical path extending between the groove and the optical device via optical communication between the groove end reflector and the first substrate mirror whereby light emitted from one of the optical device and an object in the groove travels to the other of the optical device and the object in the groove via the optical path.
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Abstract
A MEMS-based adjustable mirror module allows faster, lower cost, and easier alignment of optical fibers in substrates. Movable mirrors formed on the substrate allow adjustment of the light path after the optical fiber is attached, after which the mirrors are affixed in place to prevent misalignment.
22 Citations
31 Claims
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1. An integrated optical fiber alignment mirror module comprising:
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a first wafer having a first surface and a second surface, the wafer having a groove formed in and extending along the first surface and parallel to the second surface;
a groove end reflector formed in an end of the groove in the first wafer;
a layer having a first region, the layer being attached to the first surface;
a first substrate mirror fashioned from the first region of the layer;
an optical device on the first wafer; and
an optical path extending between the groove and the optical device via optical communication between the groove end reflector and the first substrate mirror whereby light emitted from one of the optical device and an object in the groove travels to the other of the optical device and the object in the groove via the optical path. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31)
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15. An integrated optical fiber alignment mirror module comprising:
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a groove formed in a substrate, the groove having an end in the substrate, the end being inclined relative to a bottom of the groove, the inclination of the end being less than 90 degrees as measured from an imaginary extension of the bottom of the groove to a surface of the end;
an optical element in the groove and positioned to allow light to shine between the optical element and the surface of the end of the groove; and
the surface of the end of the groove being substantially reflective so that light incident thereon from the optical element reflects from the surface and out of the groove.
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26. A method comprising:
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forming a groove in a substrate on which an optical device resides;
forming a groove end reflector at an end of the groove;
forming first and second actuators on a surface of the substrate;
forming first and second substrate reflectors on the first and second actuators, respectively, to establish an optical path between the groove end reflector and the optical device;
mounting an optical fiber in the groove with an end of the fiber in optical communication with the groove end reflector so that light can travel between the optical path and the end of the optical fiber;
causing light to travel along the optical path;
adjusting positions of the first and second substrate mirrors with their respective actuators to maximize light transmission between the optical device and the optical fiber; and
affixing the first and second substrate mirrors in respective positions corresponding to maximized light transmission on the optical path.
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Specification