Temperature sensing device patterned on an electro-optic transducer die

• US 20060239315A1
• Filed: 04/20/2005
• Published: 10/26/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 04/20/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: II-VI Delaware, Inc. (Coherent Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Finisar Corporation (II-VI Incorporated)
• Inventors: Hosking, Lucy G.
• Granted Patent: US 7,706,421 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 372/34
• CPC Class Codes: H01S 5/02415 by using a thermo-electric cooler [TEC], e.g. Peltier element
• CPC Class Codes: H01S 5/0261 Non-optical elements, e.g. laser driver components, heaters H01S5/0265 takes precedence

Abstract

An optical transmit assembly having a temperature sensor patterned on an electro-optic transducer die. Due to the close proximity of the electro-optic transducer junction and the temperature sensor, the temperature sensor more accurately measures the temperature of the electro-optic transducer junction. This permits for more refined control of the frequency characteristics of optical light emitted by the electro-optic transducer junction since the emitted optical frequencies of most electro-optic transducers are heavily temperature dependent.

Claims

1. An optical transmit assembly comprising:

an electro-optic transducer; and

a temperature sensor patterned on a surface of the electro-optic transducer.

2. An optical transmit assembly in accordance with claim 1, further comprising:

a substrate, wherein the electro-optic transducer is mounted on the substrate.

3. An optical transmit assembly in accordance with claim 2, wherein the surface is most proximate the substrate.

4. An optical transmit assembly in accordance with claim 2, where the surface is most distant from the substrate.

5. An optical transmit assembly in accordance with claim 1, wherein the electro-optic transducer is a laser.

6. An optical transmit assembly in accordance with claim 5, wherein the laser is a Vertical Cavity Surface Emitting Laser (VCSEL).

7. An optical transmit assembly in accordance with claim 5, wherein the laser is an edge emitting laser.

8. An optical transmit assembly in accordance with claim 1, wherein the electro-optic transducer is a Light Emitting Diode (LED).

9. An optical transmit assembly in accordance with claim 1, wherein the temperature sensor is a thin film thermocouple.

10. An optical transmit assembly in accordance with claim 1, wherein the temperature sensor is a Resistance Temperature Detector (RTD).

11. An optical transmit assembly in accordance with claim 1, wherein the temperature sensor is a thermistor.

12. A method for manufacturing an optical transmit assembly comprising:

an act of positioning an electro-optic transducer; and

an act of patterning a temperature sensor on a surface of the electro-optic transducer.

13. A method for manufacturing an optical transmit assembly in accordance with claim 12, further comprising:

an act of mounting the electro-optic transducer on a substrate.

14. A method for manufacturing an optical transmit assembly in accordance with claim 13, wherein the act of mounting the electro-optic transducer on a substrate comprises the following:

an act of mounting the electro-optic transducer on the substrate such that the surface is most proximate the substrate.

15. A method for manufacturing an optical transmit assembly in accordance with claim 13, wherein the act of mounting the electro-optic transducer on a substrate comprises the following:

an act of mounting the electro-optic transducer on the substrate such that the surface is most distant from the substrate.

16. A method for manufacturing an optical transmit assembly in accordance with claim 12, wherein the electro-optic transducer is a laser.

17. A method for manufacturing an optical transmit assembly in accordance with claim 12, wherein the electro-optic transducer is a Light Emitting Diode (LED).

18. A method for manufacturing an optical transmit assembly in accordance with claim 12, wherein the temperature sensor is a thin film thermocouple.

19. A method for manufacturing an optical transmit assembly in accordance with claim 12, wherein the temperature sensor is a Resistance Temperature Detector (RTD).

20. A method for manufacturing an optical transmit assembly in accordance with claim 12, wherein the temperature sensor is a thermistor.