Apparatus providing simplified alignment of optical fiber in photonic integrated circuits

• US 9,715,070 B2
• Filed: 11/28/2016
• Issued: 07/25/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 01/02/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
• Inventors: Smythe, John, Sandhu, Gurtej, Meade, Roy, Bi, Lei
• Primary Examiner(s): Lepisto, Ryan
• Assistant Examiner(s): Chiem, Erin
• Application Number:
  US15/362,578
• Publication Number:
  US 20170139163A1
• Time in Patent Office: 239 Days
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/30 for use between fibre and thin-film device
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/32 having lens focusing means positioned between opposed fibre ends with lens being an integral part of the single fibre end G02B6/262
• 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 6/4206 Optical features G02B6/4207, G02B6/421 take precedence
• 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 6/4226 Positioning means for moving the elements into alignment, e.g. alignment screws, deformation of the mount
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4227 Active alignment methods, e.g. procedures and algorithms
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4239 Adhesive bonding; Encapsulation with polymer material
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/42 Piezoelectric device making
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49 Method of mechanical manufacture

Abstract

A structure for optically aligning an optical fiber to a photonic device and method of fabrication of same. The structure optically aligns an optical fiber to the photonic device using a lens between the two which is moveable by actuator heads. The lens is moveable by respective motive sources associated with the actuator heads.

Claims

1. A method aligning an optical fiber with a photonic device, the method comprising:

disposing an alignment lens between an optical fiber and a photonic device, wherein the alignment lens is coupled to three cantilever arms, each containing a respective actuator head at a free end and each associated with a respective motive source associated for causing movement of the lens; and

activating the respective motive sources to move one or more of the cantilever arms to cause movement of the lens to a position in which the optical fiber is optically aligned with the photonic device.

2. A method as in claim 1, wherein the motive source comprises a respective piezoelectric structure for causing movement of a respective actuator head.

3. A method as in claim 2, wherein activating the piezoelectric structure causes a bending movement of a respective cantilever arm to move a respective actuator head.

4. A method as in claim 3, wherein each piezoelectric structure is provided on a respective cantilever arm.

5. A method as in claim 1, wherein two of the actuator heads support opposite sides of the lens from below and are provided with a downwardly sloping inclined area for engaging with the lens.

6. A method as in claim 5, wherein the inclined area comprises a planar area.

7. A method as in claim 5, wherein the inclined area comprises a curved area.

8. A method as in claim 5, wherein the inclined area comprises a series of steps.

9. A method as in claim 1, further comprising:

detecting light received by at least one of the photonic device and the optical fiber; and

based on the detected light, activating one or more of the motive sources to improve the optical alignment of the optical fiber and the photonic device.

10. A method aligning an optical fiber with a photonic device, the method comprising:

providing an optical fiber;

providing a photonic device;

disposing an alignment lens between the optical fiber and a photonic device;

disposing three actuator heads adjacent to the alignment lens, each actuator head being positioned at a free end of a respective cantilever arm that is movable by a respective motive source; and

activating one or more of the motive sources to move the lens to a position in which the optical fiber is optically aligned with the photonic device.

11. A method as in claim 10, wherein the motive sources comprise respective piezoelectric structures for causing movement of respective actuator heads.

12. A method as in claim 11, wherein activating the piezoelectric structure causes a bending movement of a respective cantilever arm to move a respective actuator head.

13. A method as in claim 12, wherein each piezoelectric structure is provided on a respective cantilever arm.

14. A method as in claim 10, wherein two of the actuator heads support opposite sides of the lens from below and are provided with a downwardly sloping inclined area for engaging with the lens.

15. A method as in claim 14, wherein the inclined area comprises a planar area.

16. A method as in claim 14, wherein the inclined area comprises a curved area.

17. A method as in claim 14, wherein the inclined area comprises a series of steps.

18. A method as in claim 10, further comprising:

detecting light received by at least one of the photonic device and the optical fiber; and

based on the detected light, activating one or more of the motive sources to improve the optical alignment of the optical fiber and the photonic device.