Self-registering microlens for laser diodes

• US 5,420,722 A
• Filed: 10/25/1993
• Issued: 05/30/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 10/25/1993
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Creo Products Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Creo Products Incorporated
• Inventors: Bielak, Richard R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Sugarman, Scott J.
• Application Number:
  US08/140,924
• Time in Patent Office: 582 Days
• Field of Search: 359/708, 359/709, 359/710, 359/711, 359/712, 359/718, 359/719, 359/642, 359/819
• US Class Current: 359/708
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 3/06 with cylindrical or toric faces
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4204 the coupling comprising intermediate optical elements, e.g. lenses, holograms encapsulated active devices H01S5/02208, H01L33/52
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 7/025 using glue
• CPC Class Codes: H01S 5/005 Optical components external to the laser cavity, specially adapted therefor, e.g. for homogenisation or merging of the beams or for manipulating laser pulses, e.g. pulse shaping H01S5/026, H01S5/18388 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01S 5/02326 Arrangements for relative positioning of laser diodes and optical components, e.g. grooves in the mount to fix optical fibres or lenses

Abstract

A cylindrical microlens is mounted directly to a laser diode die by using reference edges touching the die at the emitting face and at the top face. Three edges are used to have a stable mounting. The cylindrical microlens, including the reference edges, is manufactured by drawing a glass preform, thus the edges are in perfect register with the optical center of the microlens.

Claims

1. A microlens for use in conjunction with a light emitting laser diode die having two exposed surfaces, comprising:

a first optical surface;

a second optical surface;

a plurality of reference edges projecting from said microlens, accurately located relative to said first and second optical surfaces, said microlens positionable with respect to said die such that said reference edges contact the two exposed surfaces of said die so as to locate said optical surfaces accurately relative to a point at which said light is emitted from said die.

2. A microlens as claimed in claim 1 wherein the lens is an aspheric cylindrical lens manufactured by being drawn from a softened glass preform incorporating said optical surfaces and reference edges.

3. A microlens as claimed in claim 1 wherein the focal length of the lens is between 60 microns and 600 microns.

4. A micronlens as claimed in claim 1 wherein the number of reference edges equals to three.