Electro-optical module for transmitting and/or receiving optical signals on at least two optical data channels

• US 6,757,460 B2
• Filed: 06/28/2001
• Issued: 06/29/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 05/23/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Infineon Technologies Fiber Optics GmbH (Infineon Technologies AG)
• Original Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
• Inventors: Melchior, Lutz, Plickert, Volker
• Primary Examiner(s): Healy, Brian
• Assistant Examiner(s): Wood, Kevin S.
• Application Number:
  US09/894,675
• Publication Number:
  US 20020176662A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,097 Days
• Field of Search: 385/31-93, 385/79, 385/85
• US Class Current: 385/31
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/2817 using reflective elements to split or combine optical signals
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4246 Bidirectionally operating package structures

Abstract

The invention relates to an electro-optical module for transmitting and/or receiving optical signals on at least two optical data channels which are carried in an optical waveguide. The optical waveguide in the module forms at least two optical waveguide sections, with each section having at least one inclined end surface. The inclined end surfaces of the optical waveguide sections are positioned axially one behind the other. Light is injected into or light is output from the optical waveguide for a specific optical data channel by light for the optical data channel being passed to an inclined end surface, or emerging from it, at an angle to the optical axis of the optical waveguide.

Claims

1. An electro-optical module for transmitting and/or receiving light of a plurality of optical data channels, comprising:

an optical waveguide for carrying light of a plurality of optical data channels, said optical waveguide having an optical axis;

at least one optical component, said optical component selected from the group consisting of a transmitting component providing light that is injected into said optical waveguide, and a detecting component that receives and detects light output from said optical waveguide;

a first glass ferrule;

a second glass ferrule; and

a wavelength-selective filter;

said optical waveguide forming at least two optical waveguide sections;

said at least two optical waveguide sections including a first optical waveguide section having an inclined end surface and a second optical waveguide section having an inclined end surface;

said inclined end surface of said first optical waveguide section being positioned along the optical axis and adjacent said inclined end surface of said second optical waveguide section;

said inclined end surface of said second optical waveguide section configured to perform a function selected from the group consisting of;

injecting light for one of said plurality of said optical data channels into said optical waveguide when the injected light is provided to said inclined end surface of said second optical waveguide section at an angle relative to the optical axis of said waveguide, and

outputting light of one of said plurality of said optical data channels from said optical waveguide at an angle relative to the optical axis of said waveguide;

said first glass ferrule receiving said first optical waveguide section and having an end surface that is inclined to correspond to said inclined end surface of said first optical waveguide section, said first glass ferrule being transparent for the light of the plurality of the optical channels;

said second glass ferrule receiving said second optical waveguide section and having an end surface that is inclined to correspond to said inclined end surface of said second optical waveguide section, said second glass ferrule being transparent for the light of the plurality of the optical channels;

said wavelength-selective filter coating at least one end surface that is selected from the group consisting of said inclined end surface of said first optical waveguide section and said inclined end surface of said second optical waveguide section; and

light coupled between said optical component and at least one glass ferrule selected from a group consisting of said first glass ferrule and said second glass ferrule without being guided by an optical waveguide.

2. The module according to claim 1, wherein said inclined end surface of said first optical waveguide section and said inclined end surface of said second optical waveguide section are coplanar.

3. The module according to claim 1, wherein said inclined end surface of said first optical waveguide section and said inclined end surface of said second optical waveguide section are coplanar.

4. The module according to said claim 3, wherein said inclined end surface of said first optical waveguide section and said inclined end surface of said second optical waveguide section each form an angle of essentially 45°

with respect to the optical axis of said optical waveguide.

24. The module according to claim 1, wherein said optical waveguide is a single-mode waveguide.

25. The module according to claim 1, comprising:

a plurality of wavelength selective filter coatings that are selective for different wavelengths;

said at least two waveguide sections defining a plurality of waveguide sections having a plurality of inclined end surfaces; and

each one of said plurality of said different wavelength selective coatings being associated with a respective one of the plurality of the optical data channels and being coated on a respective one of said plurality of said inclined end surfaces.

28. The module according to claim 1, wherein said inclined surface of said first waveguide section and said inclined end surface of said second waveguide section are adjacent and form a beam splitter.

29. The module according to claim 28, wherein said beam splitter is a 50/50 beam splitter.

5. An electro-optical module for transmitting and/or receiving light of a plurality of optical data channels, comprising:

a wavelength-selective filter;

an optical waveguide for carrying light of a plurality of optical data channels, said optical waveguide having an optical axis, said optical waveguide forming at least two optical waveguide sections, said at least two optical waveguide sections including a first optical waveguide section having an inclined end surface and a second optical waveguide section having an inclined end surface;

at least one optical component, said optical component selected from the group consisting of a transmitting component providing light that is injected into said optical waveguide, and a detecting component that receives and detects light output from said optical waveguide;

a first glass ferrule;

a second glass ferrule; and

a mounting tube receiving said first glass ferrule, said first optical waveguide section, said second glass ferrule, and said second optical waveguide section;

said mounting tube axially positioning said first glass ferrule with respect to said second glass ferrule;

said inclined end surface of said first optical waveguide section being positioned along the optical axis and adjacent said inclined end surface of said second optical waveguide section;

said inclined end surface of said second optical waveguide section configured to perform a function selected from the group consisting of;

injecting light for one of said plurality of said optical data channels into said optical waveguide when the injected light is provided to said inclined end surface of said second optical waveguide section at an angle relative to the optical axis of said waveguide, and

outputting light of one of said plurality of said optical data channels from said optical waveguide at an angle relative to the optical axis of said waveguide;

said first glass ferrule receiving said first optical waveguide section and having an end surface that is inclined to correspond to said inclined end surface of said first optical waveguide section, said first glass ferrule being transparent for the light of the plurality of the optical channels;

said second glass ferrule receiving said second optical waveguide section and having an end surface that is inclined to correspond to said inclined end surface of said second optical waveguide section, said second glass ferrule being transparent for the light of the plurality of the optical channels;

said wavelength-selective filter coating at least one end surface that is selected from the group consisting of said inclined end surface of said first optical waveguide section and said inclined end surface of said second optical waveguide section; and

light coupled between said optical component and at least one glass ferrule selected from a group consisting of said first glass ferrule and said second glass ferrule without being guided by an optical waveguide.

6. The module according to claim 5, wherein said mounting tube is formed with a radial opening for insertion of an immersion means, said radial opening formed adjacent said first optical waveguide section and said second optical waveguide section.

7. The module according to claim 5, comprising:

a semiconductor pack for mounting on a printed circuit board, said optical component located in said semiconductor pack;

said mounting tube having a side mounted to said semiconductor pack.

8. The module according to claim 5, wherein said mounting tube is formed with a longitudinal slot, said mounting tube surrounds said first glass ferrule and said second glass ferrule and exerts a spring force on said first glass ferrule and said second glass ferrule.

9. The module according to claim 8, comprising:

a holder;

said mounting tube 40 formed with a fixing structure for fixing said mounting tube on said holder.

10. The module according to claim 9, wherein said fixing structure is longitudinal grooves.

11. The module according to claim 5, comprising:

a holder;

said mounting tube formed with a fixing structure for fixing said mounting tube on said holder.

12. The module according to claim 11, wherein said fixing structure is longitudinal grooves.

13. The module according to claim 5, comprising:

immersion means;

said first optical waveguide section and said second optical waveguide section defining a gap therebetween;

said immersion means filling said gap and having a matched refractive index.

14. The module according to claim 13, wherein said mounting tube 40 is formed with a radial opening for insertion of an immersion means, said radial opening formed adjacent said first optical waveguide section and said second optical waveguide section.

15. The module according to claim 5, comprising:

a plurality of waveguide sections having inclined surfaces, said plurality of said waveguide sections including said at least two waveguide sections;

said at least one optical component including a plurality of optical components that are each selected from the group consisting of a transmitting component providing light that is injected into said optical waveguide, and a detecting component that receives and detects light output from said optical waveguide;

said plurality of said optical components being sequentially located;

each one of said plurality of said optical components being associated with an inclined surface selected from the group consisting of said inclined surfaces of said plurality of said waveguide sections.

16. The module according to claim 15, wherein said plurality of said optical components are located along the optical axis.

17. The module according to claim 5, wherein said second optical waveguide section has an optical axis and said optical component has an optical axis that runs essentially perpendicular to the optical axis of said second optical waveguide section.

22. The module according to claim 5, comprising:

a coupling lens;

said optical component and said inclined end surface of said second optical waveguide section defining a beam path therebetween;

said coupling lens located in the beam path between said optical component and said inclined end surface of said second optical waveguide section.

18. An electro-optical module for transmitting and/or receiving light of a plurality of optical data channels, comprising:

an optical waveguide for carrying light of a plurality of optical data channels, said optical waveguide having an optical axis;

at least one optical component, said optical component selected from the group consisting of a transmitting component providing light that is injected into said optical waveguide, and a detecting component that receives and detects light output from said optical waveguide; and

a TO-can holding said optical component;

said optical waveguide forming at least two optical waveguide sections;

said at least two optical waveguide sections including a first optical waveguide section having an inclined end surface and a second optical waveguide section having an inclined end surface;

said inclined end surface of said first optical waveguide section being positioned along the optical axis and adjacent said inclined end surface of said second optical waveguide section;

said inclined end surface of said second optical waveguide section configured to perform a function selected from the group consisting of;

injecting light for one of said plurality of said optical data channels into said optical waveguide when the injected light is provided to said inclined end surface of said second optical waveguide section at an angle relative to the optical axis of said waveguide, and

outputting light of one of said plurality of said optical data channels from said optical waveguide at an angle relative to the optical axis of said waveguide.

19. The module according to claim 18, comprising:

a first glass ferrule receiving said first optical waveguide section and having an end surface that is inclined to correspond to said inclined end surface of said first optical waveguide section, said first glass ferrule being transparent for the light of the plurality of the optical channels;

a second glass ferrule receiving said second optical waveguide section and having an end surface that is inclined to correspond to said inclined end surface of said second optical waveguide section, said second glass ferrule being transparent for the light of the plurality of the optical channels;

a mounting tube that receives said first glass ferrule, said first optical waveguide section, said second glass ferrule, and said second optical waveguide section and that and axially positions said first glass ferrule with respect to said second glass ferrule; and

a mounting pack that accommodates said TO can, said mounting pack including a retaining cap for accommodating and holding said mounting tube.

20. The module according to claim 19, wherein said mounting pack is formed with a window through which light can pass.

21. The module according to claim 19, wherein said mounting pack is formed of a translucent material.

23. An electro-optical module for transmitting and/or receiving light of a plurality of optical data channels, comprising:

an optical waveguide for carrying light of a plurality of optical data channels, said optical waveguide having an optical axis; and

at least one optical component, said optical component selected from the group consisting of a transmitting component providing light that is injected into said optical waveguide, and a detecting component that receives and detects light output from said optical waveguide;

said optical waveguide forming at least two optical waveguide sections;

said at least two optical waveguide sections including a first optical waveguide section having an inclined end surface and a second optical waveguide section having an inclined end surface;

said inclined end surface of said first optical waveguide section being positioned along the optical axis and adjacent said inclined end surface of said second optical waveguide section;

said inclined end surface of said second optical waveguide section configured to perform a function selected from the group consisting of;

injecting light for one of said plurality of said optical data channels into said optical waveguide when the injected light is provided to said inclined end surface of said second optical waveguide section at an angle relative to the optical axis of said waveguide, and

outputting light of one of said plurality of said optical data channels from said optical waveguide at an angle relative to the optical axis of said waveguide;

said second optical waveguide section having a core;

said first optical waveguide section being adjacent said second optical waveguide section and having a core that is larger than said core of said second waveguide section.

26. An optical waveguide structure for transmitting and/or receiving light of a plurality of optical data channels, comprising:

an optical waveguide for carrying light of a plurality of optical data channels, said optical waveguide having an optical axis;

a wavelength-selective filter;

a first glass ferrule; and

a second glass ferrule;

said optical waveguide forming at least two optical waveguide sections;

said at least two optical waveguide sections including a first optical waveguide section having an inclined end surface and a second optical waveguide section having an inclined end surface;

said inclined end surface of said first optical waveguide section being positioned along the optical axis and adjacent said inclined end surface of said second optical waveguide section;

said inclined end surface of said second optical waveguide section configured to perform a function selected from the group consisting of;

injecting light for one of said plurality of said optical data channels into said optical waveguide when the injected light is provided to said inclined end surface of said second optical waveguide section at an angle relative to the optical axis of said waveguide, and

outputting light of one of said plurality of said optical data channels from said optical waveguide at an angle relative to the optical axis of said waveguide;

said first glass ferrule receiving said first optical waveguide section and having an end surface that is inclined to correspond to said inclined end surface of said first optical waveguide section, said first glass ferrule being transparent for the light of the plurality of the optical channels;

said second glass ferrule receiving said second optical waveguide section and having an end surface that is inclined to correspond to said inclined end surface of said second optical waveguide section, said second glass ferrule being transparent for the light of the plurality of the optical channels; and

said wavelength-selective filter coating at least one end surface that is selected from the group consisting of said inclined end surface of said first optical waveguide section and said inclined end surface of said second optical waveguide section.

27. An optical waveguide structure for transmitting and/or receiving light of a plurality of optical data channels, comprising:

an optical waveguide for carrying light of a plurality of optical data channels, said optical waveguide having an optical axis;

said optical waveguide forming at least two optical waveguide sections;

said at least two optical waveguide sections including a first optical waveguide section having an inclined end surface and a second optical waveguide section having an inclined end surface;

said inclined end surface of said first optical waveguide section being positioned along the optical axis and adjacent said inclined end surface of said second optical waveguide section;

said inclined end surface of said second optical waveguide section configured to perform a function selected from the group consisting of;

injecting light for one of said plurality of said optical data channels into said optical waveguide when the injected light is provided to said inclined end surface of said second optical waveguide section at an angle relative to the optical axis of said waveguide, and

outputting light of one of said plurality of said optical data channels from said optical waveguide at an angle relative to the optical axis of said waveguide;

said second optical waveguide section having a core;

said first optical waveguide section being adjacent said second optical waveguide section and having a core that is larger than said core of said second waveguide section.

30. An optical waveguide structure for transmitting and/or receiving light of a plurality of optical data channels, comprising:

a wavelength-selective filter;

an optical waveguide for carrying light of a plurality of optical data channels, said optical waveguide having an optical axis, said optical waveguide forming at least two optical waveguide sections, said at least two optical waveguide sections including a first optical waveguide section having an inclined end surface and a second optical waveguide section having an inclined end surface;

a first glass ferrule;

a second glass ferrule; and

a mounting tube receiving said first glass ferrule, said first optical waveguide section, said second glass ferrule, and said second optical waveguide section;

said mounting tube axially positioning said first glass ferrule with respect to said second glass ferrule;

said inclined end surface of said first optical waveguide section being positioned along the optical axis and adjacent said inclined end surface of said second optical waveguide section;

said inclined end surface of said second optical waveguide section configured to perform a function selected from the group consisting of;

injecting light for one of said plurality of said optical data channels into said optical waveguide when the injected light is provided to said inclined end surface of said second optical waveguide section at an angle relative to the optical axis of said waveguide, and

outputting light of one of said plurality of said optical data channels from said optical waveguide at an angle relative to the optical axis of said waveguide;

said first glass ferrule receiving said first optical waveguide section and having an end surface that is inclined to correspond to said inclined end surface of said first optical waveguide section, said first glass ferrule being transparent for the light of the plurality of the optical channels;

said second glass ferrule receiving said second optical waveguide section and having an end surface that is inclined to correspond to said inclined end surface of said second optical waveguide section, said second glass ferrule being transparent for the light of the plurality of the optical channels; and

said wavelength-selective filter coating at least one end surface that is selected from the group consisting of said inclined end surface of said first optical waveguide section and said inclined end surface of said second optical waveguide section.