Optical alignment mount with height adjustment

• US 20040264870A1
• Filed: 08/20/2003
• Published: 12/30/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 08/20/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: John P. Konicek, Michael Knipfer, Timothy A. Skunes
• Original Assignee: John P. Konicek, Michael Knipfer, Timothy A. Skunes
• Inventors: Skunes, Timothy A., Konicek, John P., Knipfer, Michael
• Application Number:
  US10/644,650
• Publication Number:
  US 20040264870A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 385/52
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/266 the optical element being an attenuator
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3636 the mechanical coupling means being grooves G02B6/3652 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/366 the additional structures allowing for adjustment or alignment in all dimensions, i.e. 3D microoptics arrangements, e.g. free space optics on the microbench, microhinges or spring latches, with associated microactuating elements for fine adjustment or alignment
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3843 with auxiliary facilities for movably aligning or adjusting the fibre within its ferrule, e.g. measuring position or eccentricity testing the alignment of axes, including eccentricity, G01B11/27
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4219 Mechanical fixtures for holding or positioning the elements relative to each other in the couplings; Alignment methods for the elements, e.g. measuring or observing methods especially used therefor
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/422 Active alignment, i.e. moving the elements in response to the detected degree of coupling or position of the elements G02B6/4233, G02B6/4234 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4226 Positioning means for moving the elements into alignment, e.g. alignment screws, deformation of the mount
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4236 Fixing or mounting methods of the aligned elements
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4237 Welding

Abstract

An optical alignment mount for adjusting a height of an optical component includes a component mount adapted to receive an optical component. A height of the optical component in the mount can be adjusted and fixed as desired.

Claims

1. An optical alignment mount for adjusting a height of an optical component relative to a substrate comprising:

a component mount adapted to receive an optical component, the component mount having a pivot surface; and

a pivot support configured to engage the pivot surface of the component mount to change the height of the optical component relative to the substrate.

2. The optical alignment mount of claim 1 wherein the pivot support includes a socket.

3. The optical alignment mount of claim 2 wherein the socket comprises a v-groove.

4. The optical alignment mount of claim 3 wherein the component mount includes a cylindrically shaped pivot surface.

5. The optical alignment mount of claim 2 wherein the socket comprises a hole.

6. The optical alignment mount of claim 5 wherein the component mount includes a spherical pivot surface.

7. The optical alignment mount of claim 6 wherein the hole is chamfered.

8. The optical alignment mount of claim 1 including a bonding material to fixedly secure the component mount to the pivot support.

9. The optical alignment mount of claim 8 wherein the bonding material comprises an adhesive.

10. The optical alignment mount of claim 9 wherein the bonding material comprises solder.

11. The optical alignment mount of claim 1 wherein the component mount is welded to the pivot support.

12. The optical alignment mount of claim 1 wherein the light which interacts with the optical component is directed generally parallel to a plane of the substrate.

13. The optical alignment mount of claim 12 wherein the light couples to another optical component mounted to the substrate.

14. An optical alignment mount for adjusting a height of an optical component relative to a substrate comprising:

an optical component mount with a curved pivot surface and adapted to receive an optical component, the center of curvature of the pivot surface defining a pivot point; and

a pivot support adapted to engage the pivot surface of the optical component mount to change the height of the optical component relative to the substrate.

15. The optical alignment mount of claim 14 wherein the optical component is offset from the pivot point.

16. The optical alignment mount of claim 14 wherein the curved pivot surface is cylindrically shaped.

17. The optical alignment mount of claim 14 wherein the curved pivot surface is spherically shaped.

18. The optical alignment mount of claim 14 wherein the pivot support includes a socket.

19. The optical alignment mount of claim 17 wherein the socket comprises v-groove.

20. The optical alignment mount of claim 17 wherein the socket comprises a hole.

21. The optical alignment mount of claim 14 including a bonding material, the bonding material fixedly securing the optical component mount to the pivot support.

22. The optical alignment mount of claim 20 wherein the bonding material comprises an adhesive.

23. The optical alignment mount of claim 20 wherein the bonding material comprises solder.

24. The optical alignment mount of claim 14 wherein the optical component mount is fixedly secured to the pivot support.

25. The optical alignment mount of claim 14 wherein the light which interacts with the optical component is directed generally parallel to a plane of the substrate.

26. The optical alignment mount of claim 25 wherein the light couples to another optical component mounted to the substrate.

27. An optical alignment mount for adjusting a height of an optical component relative to a substrate comprising:

an optical component mount adapted to receive an optical component and further having a socket; and

a pivot support with a curved pivot surface configured to engage the socket of the optical component mount to change the height of the optical component relative to the substrate.

28. A method of adjusting a height of an optical component relative to a substrate comprising:

obtaining an optical component mount adapted to receive an optical component;

placing the optical component mount in a pivot support;

pivoting the optical component mount in the pivot support to change the height of the optical component relative to the substrate.

29. The method of claim 28 wherein the optical component mount has a spherical surface.

30. The method of claim 28 including fixing the optical component mount to fix the optical component at a desired height.

31. The method of claim 30 wherein fixing comprising bonding.

32. The method of claim 28 wherein the light which interacts with the optical component is directed generally parallel to a plane of the substrate.

33. The method of claim 32 wherein the light couples to another optical component mounted to the substrate.