Method for Automatically Coupling a Coaxial Superluminescent Diode to a Spectral Analyzer Using a Mounting Stage

Abstract

The present invention relates to the field of superluminescent diode manufacturing, and discloses a coaxial superluminescent diode automatic coupling stage equipped with a spectral analyzer, including a coaxial SLD automatic coupling stage cabinet. At the bottom end inside the coaxial SLD automatic coupling stage cabinet, there is an automatic coupling stage main unit. On both sides above the automatic coupling stage main unit, an optical power meter and a spectral analyzer are installed. In this invention, when the spectral data is unqualified, the drive current is automatically increased in a set step size, but does not exceed the maximum operating current of the set die, until both are qualified and enter the sealing and soldering process. When increasing the drive current and the output power exceeds the maximum upper limit, the coupling efficiency needs to be automatically reduced until both are qualified and enter the sealing and soldering process. After the coaxial SLD automatic coupling stage is equipped with a spectral analyzer, it realizes synchronous testing and synchronous screening of the output optical power and spectral characteristics, improves production efficiency, and executes a compensation program according to the spectral data to improve the product qualification rate.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of superluminescent diode manufacturing, and specifically to a method for an automatic coupling stage of a coaxial superluminescent diode to carry a spectral analyzer. Background Art

[0002] A superluminescent diode (SLD) is a semiconductor optoelectronic device with characteristics such as high output power and wide spectral width. It is suitable for use in optical coherence tomography (OCT) imaging systems and fiber optic gyroscopes (FOG), etc., and is widely used in industries, medical fields, and military applications. The superluminescent diode (SLD) with a small-volume coaxial pigtail package is favored by everyone.

[0003] When using a coaxial pigtail package SLD, there are not only power requirements but also strict requirements for spectral characteristics. Therefore, in the process of manufacturing a coaxial pigtail package SLD, not only the output optical power needs to be tested by an optical power meter, but also the spectral characteristics need to be tested by a spectral analyzer. Only the products with both the output optical power and spectral characteristics meeting the requirements are qualified products. Currently, the mainstream coaxial SLD automatic coupling stages only judge the power requirements. After the power meets the requirements, soldering is carried out. After the soldering is completed, a separate spectral test is carried out. When the spectral test is unqualified, the drive current is increased to ensure the spectral characteristics. At this time, if the output optical power exceeds the maximum upper limit value, the SLD can only be scrapped, no compensation treatment can be carried out, and all materials can only be scrapped and cannot be recycled. This causes serious waste of labor and materials.

[0004] Therefore, we have designed a method for an automatic coupling stage of a coaxial superluminescent diode to carry a spectral analyzer. Summary of the Invention

[0005] Aiming at the deficiencies of the prior art, the present invention provides a method for an automatic coupling stage of a coaxial superluminescent diode to carry a spectral analyzer, which solves the problem that the currently mainstream coaxial SLD automatic coupling stages only judge the power requirements. After the power meets the requirements, soldering is carried out. After the soldering is completed, a separate spectral test is carried out. When the spectral test is unqualified, the drive current is increased to ensure the spectral characteristics. At this time, if the output optical power exceeds the maximum upper limit value, the SLD can only be scrapped, no compensation treatment can be carried out, and all materials can only be scrapped and cannot be recycled, resulting in serious waste of labor and materials.

[0006] In order to achieve the above object, the technical solution adopted by the present invention is:

[0007] A coaxial superluminescent diode automatic coupling stage equipped with a spectral analyzer, including a coaxial SLD automatic coupling stage cabinet. At the bottom inside the coaxial SLD automatic coupling stage cabinet, there is an automatic coupling stage main unit. On both sides above the automatic coupling stage main unit, an optical power meter and a spectral analyzer are installed. On one side above the optical power meter and the spectral analyzer, there is an automatic coupling operation table. On one side of the automatic coupling operation table, a beam splitting module is installed. On both sides inside the automatic coupling operation table, temperature reduction adjustment components are provided. On both sides at one end above the automatic coupling operation table, display screens are installed. At the bottom on one side of the coaxial SLD automatic coupling stage cabinet, a three-beam laser spot welder is installed. The beam splitting modules are electrically connected to the spectral analyzer and the optical power meter respectively through single-mode fiber jumpers. On both sides at the bottom inside the automatic coupling stage main unit, a main control board and a PC connection terminal are installed respectively.

[0008] Further, a TO pneumatic fixture is provided at the bottom of the automatic coupling operation table. At the top of the TO pneumatic fixture, there is a coaxial superluminescent diode. Above the coaxial superluminescent diode, there is a ceramic core pneumatic fixture. Inside the ceramic core pneumatic fixture, an inclined surface collimating ceramic core is clamped.

[0009] Further, each of the temperature reduction adjustment components includes an arc-shaped frame. On the side of the arc-shaped frame away from the TO pneumatic fixture, there are support plates. On one side at the bottom of the arc-shaped frame, an electric push rod is rotatably installed. On the side of the electric push rod away from the TO pneumatic fixture, an electric telescopic rod is rotatably installed. Inside the arc-shaped frame, cold air pipes are inserted. Inside the arc-shaped frame, a plurality of groups of air outlet pipes penetrating to one side inside the cold air pipes are evenly arranged. On both sides at the top of the automatic coupling operation table, air pumps are installed. The output ends of the air pumps are communicated with the middle position at the top of the cold air pipes through conduits.

[0010] Further, at the output ends of the three-beam laser spot welder, spot welding guns are installed through energy fibers. The beam splitting module is electrically connected to the inclined surface collimating ceramic core through a single-mode collimating fiber.

[0011] Further, the PC connection terminals are electrically connected to the main control board and the three-beam laser spot welder through serial communication docking wires. The output ends of the PC connection terminals are electrically connected to the spectral analyzer and the optical power meter respectively through communication conversion docking wires.

[0012] Further, the coaxial superluminescent diode automatic coupling includes the following processes. Step 1, install the spectral analyzer in the coaxial SLD automatic coupling stage cabinet, place it between the automatic coupling stage main unit and the automatic coupling operation table, and install it together with the optical power meter.

[0013] Step 2: The optical splitting module is placed beside the automatic coupling operation table. The optical splitting module (consisting of 1 optical splitter and 3 optical flange plates, with the optical splitter having a splitting ratio of 50%:50%). The inner part of the optical flange plate 1 of the optical splitting module is connected to the input end of the optical splitter, and the outer part is connected to the single-mode collimated fiber connector end with the connector model FC / APC. The inner parts of the optical flange plates 2 and 3 of the optical splitting module are respectively connected to the 2 output ends of the optical splitter, and the outer parts are respectively connected to an optical power meter and a spectral analyzer through single-mode fiber jumpers. For the coupling of SLD devices with different wavelengths, the optical splitting module with different wavelengths and single-mode fiber jumpers with different wavelengths are correspondingly replaced;

[0014] Step 3: The optical power meter and the spectral analyzer are connected to the PC connection end in the automatic coupling table host. Using GPIB real-time synchronous communication, after the automatic coupling operation table 7 completes automatic light finding under the control of the upper computer software, it obtains the real-time output optical power, synchronously scans the output spectrum, obtains spectral data, and determines whether the spectral characteristics are qualified. When both the optical power and the spectral data are qualified, it enters the sealing and soldering procedure, and automatically activates the three-beam laser spot welder 17 to complete the sealing and soldering;

[0015] Step 4: When one of them is unqualified, it enters the compensation procedure. When the power is unqualified, the drive current is automatically increased in accordance with the set step size, but does not exceed the set maximum operating current of the chip until both are qualified and enter the sealing and soldering procedure; when the spectral data is unqualified, the drive current is automatically increased in accordance with the set step size, but does not exceed the set maximum operating current of the chip until both are qualified and enter the sealing and soldering procedure. When the output power exceeds the maximum upper limit during the increase of the drive current, the coupling efficiency needs to be automatically reduced until both are qualified and enter the sealing and soldering procedure; when the compensation procedure is still unqualified after execution, the material recycling procedure is executed, without sealing and soldering, and the material is withdrawn for recycling.

[0016] The beneficial effects of the present invention are as follows:

[0017] In this invention, when one of them is unqualified, it enters the compensation procedure. When the power is unqualified, the drive current is automatically increased in accordance with the set step size, but does not exceed the set maximum operating current of the chip until both are qualified and enter the sealing and soldering procedure; when the spectral data is unqualified, the drive current is automatically increased in accordance with the set step size, but does not exceed the set maximum operating current of the chip until both are qualified and enter the sealing and soldering procedure. When the output power exceeds the maximum upper limit during the increase of the drive current, the coupling efficiency needs to be automatically reduced until both are qualified and enter the sealing and soldering procedure; when the compensation procedure is still unqualified after execution, the material recycling procedure is executed, without sealing and soldering, and the material is withdrawn for recycling. Thus, after the coaxial SLD automatic coupling table is equipped with a spectral analyzer, it realizes the synchronous testing and synchronous screening of the output optical power and spectral characteristics, improves production efficiency, executes the compensation procedure according to the spectral data, improves the product qualification rate, and saves the unqualified products caused by the inability to correct the coupling efficiency. Description of the Drawings

[0018] Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the coaxial SLD automatic coupling structure equipped with an optical spectrum analyzer (OSA) according to the present invention;

[0019] Figure 2 Schematic diagram of the principle of the automatic coupling stage equipped with an optical spectrum analyzer (OSA) according to the present invention;

[0020] Figure 3 Partial structure schematic diagram of the present invention;

[0021] Figure 4 Partial perspective view of the present invention;

[0022] Figure 5 Schematic diagram of the structure of the arc-shaped frame according to the present invention.

[0023] In the figure: 1. Coaxial SLD automatic coupling stage cabinet; 2. Automatic coupling stage main body; 3. Main control board; 4. PC connection end; 5. Optical spectrum analyzer; 6. Optical power meter; 7. Automatic coupling operation table; 701. TO pneumatic fixture; 702. Coaxial superluminescent light-emitting diode; 703. Inclined plane collimating ceramic fiber core; 704. Ceramic fiber core pneumatic fixture; 8. Temperature reduction adjustment component; 801. Air pump; 802. Arc-shaped frame; 803. Support plate; 804. Cold air duct; 805. Air outlet duct; 806. Electric push rod; 807. Electric telescopic rod; 9. Spot welding gun; 10. Display screen; 11. Serial communication docking wire; 12. Communication conversion docking wire; 13. Single-mode fiber optic jumper; 14. Single-mode collimated optical fiber; 15. Energy optical fiber; 16. Beam splitting module; 17. Three-beam laser spot welder. Specific embodiments

[0024] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention clearer, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of the present invention. Apparently, the described embodiments are some, but not all, of the embodiments of the present invention. All other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art based on the embodiments of the present invention without creative efforts shall fall within the protection scope of the present invention.

[0025] Refer to Figures 1-5: A coaxial superluminescent diode automatic coupling stage equipped with a spectral analyzer, including a coaxial SLD automatic coupling stage cabinet 1. At the bottom end inside the coaxial SLD automatic coupling stage cabinet 1, there is an automatic coupling stage main unit 2. On both sides above the automatic coupling stage main unit 2, there are an optical power meter 6 and a spectral analyzer 5 installed. On one side above the optical power meter 6 and the spectral analyzer 5, there is an automatic coupling operation console 7. On one side of the automatic coupling operation console 7, there is a beam splitting module 16 installed. On both sides inside the automatic coupling operation console 7, there are temperature reduction adjustment components 8 installed. On both sides at one end above the automatic coupling operation console 7, there are display screens 10 installed. At the bottom end on one side of the coaxial SLD automatic coupling stage cabinet 1, there is a three-beam laser spot welder 17 installed. The beam splitting modules 16 are electrically connected to the spectral analyzer 5 and the optical power meter 6 respectively through single-mode fiber jumpers 13. On both sides at the bottom end inside the automatic coupling stage main unit 2, a main control board 3 and a PC connection terminal 4 are installed respectively.

[0026] After the coaxial SLD automatic coupling stage is equipped with the spectral analyzer 5, it realizes the synchronous testing and synchronous screening of the output optical power and spectral characteristics, improves the production efficiency, executes a compensation program according to the spectral data, improves the product qualification rate, and saves the unqualified products caused by the inability to correct the coupling efficiency.

[0027] Refer specifically to Figure 1 , at the bottom of the automatic coupling operation console 7, there is a TO pneumatic fixture 701. On the top of the TO pneumatic fixture 701, there is a coaxial superluminescent diode 702. Above the coaxial superluminescent diode 702, there is a ceramic core pneumatic fixture 704. Inside the ceramic core pneumatic fixture 704, there is an inclined plane collimating ceramic core 703 clamped. The ceramic core pneumatic fixture 704 is used to clamp and fix the inclined plane collimating ceramic core 703, which provides convenience for subsequent welding and reduces the labor cost at the same time.

[0028] Refer specifically to Figure 1, the temperature reduction and adjustment components 8 all include arc-shaped frames 802. On the side of the arc-shaped frames 802 away from the TO pneumatic fixture 701, support plates 803 are provided. On one side of the bottom of the arc-shaped frames 802, electric push rods 806 are rotatably installed. On the side of the electric push rods 806 away from the TO pneumatic fixture 701, electric telescopic rods 807 are rotatably installed. Inside the arc-shaped frames 802, cold air pipes 804 are inserted. Inside the arc-shaped frames 802, multiple groups of air outlet pipes 805 that penetrate to one side inside the cold air pipes 804 are evenly arranged. On both sides of the top of the automatic coupling operation table 7, air pumps 801 are installed. The output ends of the air pumps 801 are communicated with the middle position at the top of the cold air pipes 804 through conduits. The temperature reduction and adjustment components 8 are used to cool the welding points, making the welding rate of the welding points faster and accelerating the solidification efficiency of the welding points. When temperature reduction is required, the air pumps 801 pump external gas under the action of electricity and guide it through the conduits into the inside of the cold air pipes 804 and spray it out through the air outlet pipes 805. At the same time, the output ends of the electric push rods 806 extend or shorten under the action of electricity, thereby adjusting the height of the arc-shaped frames 802. Then, the output ends of the electric telescopic rods 807 extend or shorten under the action of electricity, thereby driving the support plates 803 and the arc-shaped frames 803 to deflect downward to adjust the spraying angle of the cold air.

[0029] Refer specifically to Figure 1 , the output ends of the three-beam laser spot welder 17 are respectively equipped with spot welding guns 9 through energy optical fibers 15. The beam splitting module 16 is electrically connected to the inclined plane collimating ceramic fiber core 703 through a single-mode collimating optical fiber 14. SLD devices with different wavelengths are coupled, and the beam splitting module 16 with different wavelengths and the single-mode optical fiber jumper 13 with different wavelengths are correspondingly replaced.

[0030] Refer specifically to Figure 1 , the PC connection ends 4 are electrically connected to the main control board 3 and the three-beam laser spot welder 17 through serial communication docking wires 11. The output ends of the PC connection ends 4 are respectively electrically connected to the spectral analyzer 5 and the optical power meter 6 through communication conversion docking wires 12.

[0031] Refer specifically to Figure 1 , the automatic coupling of the coaxial superluminescent light-emitting diode includes the following processes. Step 1, install the spectral analyzer 5 in the coaxial SLD automatic coupling table cabinet 1, place it between the automatic coupling table host 2 and the automatic coupling operation table 7, and install it together with the optical power meter 6;

[0032] Step 2: The optical splitting module 16 is placed beside the automatic coupling operation table 7. The optical splitting module 16 consists of one optical splitter with a 1:2 split ratio, 3 FC / APC connectors, and 3 optical flanges. The splitting ratio of the optical splitter is 50%:50%. The inner part of the optical flange 1 of the optical splitting module 16 is connected to the input end of the optical splitter, and the outer part is connected to the connector end of the single-mode collimating fiber 14. The connector model is FC / APC. The inner parts of the optical flanges 2 and 3 of the optical splitting module 16 are respectively connected to the two output ends of the optical splitter, and the outer parts are respectively connected to the optical power meter 6 and the spectral analyzer 5 through single-mode fiber jumpers 13. For the coupling of SLD devices with different wavelengths, the optical splitting module 16 with different wavelengths and the single-mode fiber jumper 13 with different wavelengths are correspondingly replaced.

[0033] Step 3: The optical power meter 6 and the spectral analyzer 5 are connected to the PC connection end in the automatic coupling table host 2 through GPIB for real-time synchronous communication. After the automatic coupling operation table 7 completes automatic light search under the control of the upper computer software, it obtains the real-time output optical power, synchronously scans the output spectrum, obtains spectral data, and judges whether the spectral characteristics are qualified. When both the optical power and the spectral data are qualified, it enters the sealing and soldering procedure, and automatically starts the three-beam laser spot welder 17 to complete the sealing and soldering.

[0034] Step 4: When one of them is unqualified, it enters the compensation procedure. When the power is unqualified, the driving current is automatically increased in accordance with the set step size, but does not exceed the maximum working current of the chip set, until both are qualified and enter the sealing and soldering procedure. When the spectral data is unqualified, the driving current is automatically increased in accordance with the set step size, but does not exceed the maximum working current of the chip set, until both are qualified and enter the sealing and soldering procedure. When the output power exceeds the maximum upper limit during the increase of the driving current, the coupling efficiency needs to be automatically reduced until both are qualified and enter the sealing and soldering procedure. When the compensation procedure is still unqualified, the material recovery procedure is executed, and no sealing and soldering is performed, and the material is withdrawn for recycling.

[0035] The above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention, rather than to limit it; although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those of ordinary skill in the art should understand that: they can still modify the technical solutions recorded in the foregoing embodiments, or perform equivalent replacements for some of the technical features; and these modifications or replacements do not make the essence of the corresponding technical solutions deviate from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention.

Claims

1. A coaxial superluminescent diode automatic coupling stage equipped with a spectral analyzer, including a coaxial SLD automatic coupling stage cabinet (1), Characterized in that: At the bottom end inside the coaxial SLD automatic coupling stage cabinet (1), there is an automatic coupling stage main unit (2). On both sides above the automatic coupling stage main unit (2), an optical power meter (6) and a spectral analyzer (5) are installed. On one side above the optical power meter (6) and the spectral analyzer (5), there is an automatic coupling operation console (7). On one side of the automatic coupling operation console (7), a beam splitting module (16) is installed. On both sides inside the automatic coupling operation console (7), temperature reduction adjustment components (8) are provided. On both sides at one end above the automatic coupling operation console (7), display screens (10) are installed. At the bottom end of one side of the coaxial SLD automatic coupling stage cabinet (1), a three-beam laser spot welder (17) is installed. The beam splitting modules (16) are electrically connected to the spectral analyzer (5) and the optical power meter (6) respectively through single-mode fiber jumpers (13). On both sides at the bottom end inside the automatic coupling stage main unit (2), a main control board (3) and a PC connection terminal (4) are installed respectively, The coaxial superluminescent diode automatic coupling includes the following processes. Step 1, install the spectral analyzer (5) in the coaxial SLD automatic coupling stage cabinet (1), place it between the automatic coupling stage main unit (2) and the automatic coupling operation console (7), and install it together with the optical power meter (6); Step 2, place the beam splitting module (16) beside the automatic coupling operation console (7). The beam splitting module (16) consists of 1 beam splitter and 3 optical flanges. The splitting ratio of the beam splitter is 50%:50%. Inside the optical flange 1 of the beam splitting module (16), it is connected to the input end of the beam splitter, and outside, it is connected to the joint end of the single-mode collimated fiber (14). The joint model is FC / APC. Inside the optical flanges 2 and 3 of the beam splitting module (16), they are respectively connected to the 2 output ends of the beam splitter, and outside, they are connected to the optical power meter (6) and the spectral analyzer (5) respectively through single-mode fiber jumpers (13). For SLD devices with different wavelengths to be coupled, replace the beam splitting module (16) with different wavelengths and the single-mode fiber jumpers (13) with different wavelengths correspondingly; Step 3, the optical power meter (6) and the spectral analyzer (5) are in real-time synchronous communication with the PC connection terminal in the automatic coupling stage main unit (2). After the automatic coupling operation console (7) completes automatic light finding under the control of the upper computer software, it obtains the real-time output optical power, synchronously scans the output spectrum, obtains spectral data, and judges whether the spectral characteristics are qualified. When both the optical power and the spectral data are qualified, enter the sealing and welding procedure, and automatically turn on the three-beam laser spot welder (17) to complete the sealing and welding; Step 4: When one of the items is unqualified, enter the compensation program. When the power is unqualified, the drive current is automatically increased in set steps, but not exceeding the maximum operating current of the die set, until both items are qualified and enter the sealing and soldering program; when the spectral data is unqualified, the drive current is automatically increased in set steps, but not exceeding the maximum operating current of the die set, until both items are qualified and enter the sealing and soldering program. When the output power exceeds the maximum upper limit during the increase of the drive current, the coupling efficiency needs to be automatically reduced until both items are qualified and enter the sealing and soldering program; when the compensation program is still unqualified after execution, execute the material recycling program, do not seal and solder, and withdraw the materials for recycling.

2. A coaxial superluminescent light-emitting diode automatic coupling stage equipped with a spectral analyzer according to claim 1, characterized in that: a TO pneumatic fixture (701) is provided at the bottom of the automatic coupling operation table (7), a coaxial superluminescent light-emitting diode (702) is provided on the top of the TO pneumatic fixture (701), a ceramic core pneumatic fixture (704) is provided above the coaxial superluminescent light-emitting diode (702), and an inclined surface collimating ceramic core (703) is clamped inside the ceramic core pneumatic fixture (704).

3. A coaxial superluminescent light-emitting diode automatic coupling stage equipped with a spectral analyzer according to claim 2, characterized in that: each of the temperature reduction adjustment components (8) includes an arc-shaped frame (802), a support plate (803) is provided on one side of the arc-shaped frame (802) away from the TO pneumatic fixture (701), an electric push rod (806) is rotatably installed on one side of the bottom of the arc-shaped frame (802), an electric telescopic rod (807) is rotatably installed on the side of the electric push rod (806) away from the TO pneumatic fixture (701), a cold air duct (804) is inserted inside each of the arc-shaped frames (802), and a plurality of groups of air outlet ducts (805) penetrating to one side inside the cold air duct (804) are uniformly arranged inside each of the arc-shaped frames (802). Air pumps (801) are installed on both sides of the top of the automatic coupling operation table (7), and the output ends of the air pumps (801) are communicated with the middle positions at the tops of the cold air ducts (804) through conduits.

4. A coaxial superluminescent light-emitting diode automatic coupling stage equipped with a spectral analyzer according to claim 2, characterized in that: the output ends of the three-beam laser spot welder (17) are respectively equipped with spot welding guns (9) through energy optical fibers (15), and the beam splitting module (16) is connected to the inclined surface collimating ceramic core (703) through a single-mode collimating optical fiber (14).

5. A coaxial superluminescent light-emitting diode automatic coupling stage equipped with a spectral analyzer according to claim 1, characterized in that: the PC connection ends (4) are electrically connected to the main control board (3) and the three-beam laser spot welder (17) through serial communication docking wires (11), and the output ends of the PC connection ends (4) are electrically connected to the spectral analyzer (5) and the optical power meter (6) through communication conversion docking wires (12).

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