Configuring optical fibers in a multi-chip module

• US 6,516,121 B2
• Filed: 04/26/2001
• Issued: 02/04/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 04/26/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Interconnect Technology LLC
• Original Assignee: Interconnect Technology LLC
• Inventors: Laor, Herzel
• Primary Examiner(s): Ullah, Akm E.
• Application Number:
  US09/843,136
• Publication Number:
  US 20020009270A1
• Time in Patent Office: 649 Days
• Field of Search: 385/49, 385/50, 385/51, 385/80, 385/88-94, 385/14, 385/83, 385/33, 385/130, 385/147, 385/76, 264/1.25, 264/1.29, 264/1.7, 427/163.2, 174/259, 174/60, 174/158, 298/46, 298/50
• US Class Current: 385/49
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4202 for coupling an active element with fibres without intermediate optical elements, e.g. fibres with plane ends, fibres with shaped ends, bundles
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4225 by a direct measurement of the degree of coupling, e.g. the amount of light power coupled to the fibre or the opto-electronic element
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4236 Fixing or mounting methods of the aligned elements
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4237 Welding
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/43 Arrangements comprising a plurality of opto-electronic elements and associated optical interconnections
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2224/05599 Material
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2224/45 of an individual wire connector
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2224/45015 being circular
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2224/45099 Material
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2224/4809 Loop shape
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2224/48137 the bodies being arranged next to each other, e.g. on a common substrate
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2224/49175 Parallel arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2224/78 Apparatus for connecting with wire connectors
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2224/78301 Capillary
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2224/78313 Wedge
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2224/85 using a wire connector
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2224/85399 Material
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 24/45 of an individual wire connector
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 24/48 of an individual wire connector
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 24/49 of a plurality of wire connectors
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 24/78 : Apparatus for connecting with wire connectors
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 24/85 : using a wire connector wire bonding in general B23K20/004
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/00 : Indexing scheme for arrangements or methods for connecting or disconnecting semiconductor or solid-state bodies as covered by H01L24/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/00011 : Not relevant to the scope of the group, the symbol of which is combined with the symbol of this group
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/00014 : the subject-matter covered by the group, the symbol of which is combined with the symbol of this group, being disclosed without further technical details
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/01006 : Carbon [C]
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/12042 : LASER
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/12043 : Photo diode
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/14 : Integrated circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/207 : Diameter ranges
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/30107 : Inductance
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49155 : Manufacturing circuit on or in base

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a methodology, structure and process (200) for routing connecting, and forming optical fibers between optical ports such as optical transmitters and receivers/detectors to create optical pathways for signal transfer therebetween. More particularly, when connecting timed optoelectronic chips on a Multi Chip Module, an optical fiber is aligned above an optical port (202), the fiber and the port surface are heated (204), (206) and contacted (208) creating an adhesion bond therebetween. The fiber is then routed (210) to another optical port for connection (214). The fiber may then be connected to additional ports (218) or severed (220). Once severed, the optical pathway may be adjusted to synchronize timing between optoelectronic chips. If a chip'"'"'s timing is advanced or delayed, the connecting optical pathway may be lengthened (224) or shortened (226). Last, the optical fibers are annealed (228) to relieve internal stresses and cure surface defects.

Claims

1. A method for connecting an optical fiber between optical ports comprising the steps of:

a) providing an optical fiber having an end portion;

b) heating the end portion of the optical fiber to soften the end portion;

c) contacting the softened end portion with a first optical port so as to create an optical connection between the optical fiber and the optical port for transfer of optical signals therebetween;

d) routing the optical fiber to a second optical port;

e) connecting the optical fiber to the second port

f) relieving stresses within the optical fiber after attachment.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the optical fiber has a homogenous cross section.

3. A method according to claim 1, wherein optical fiber contains a core portion for transmitting optical signals and a cladding portion encasing the core portion for preventing light leakage from the core portion.

4. A method according to claim 1, wherein the first optical port is a light emitting port and is connected to a second light receiving port wherein the optical fiber transmits an optical signal from the first port to the second port.

5. A method according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the optical ports is a fiber optic cable.

6. A method according to claim 1, wherein at least one optical port is contained in an optoelectronic chip.

7. A method according to claim 1, wherein an initial optical device is connected to multiple optical ports using separate optical fibers.

8. A method according to claim 1, wherein an initial optical port is connected to multiple optical ports using a single fiber optic cable to create a bus connection between all the optical ports.

9. A method according to claim 1, wherein connecting the optical fiber to the second port further comprises the steps of:

a) contacting the optical fiber to the second optical transmission port; and

b) heating section of the optical fiber in contact with the optical transmission port so as to create an optical connection between the optical fiber and the optical port for transfer of optical signals therebetween.

10. A method according to claim 9, wherein the contacting step comprises using a mechanical pawl to press the optical fiber'"'"'s longitudinal axis into contact with the second transmission port.

11. A method according to claim 10, wherein the pawl is shaped so as to create a neck in the fiber at the second port (more of an apparatus claim?).

12. A method according to claim 10, wherein the optical connection is shaped to allow photons to enter into an optical fiber'"'"'s cladding and couple with the second optical transmission port.

13. A method according to claim 10, wherein the pawl is transparent to at least one laser wavelength.