Optical fiber array and method of producing the same

Abstract

The present application relates to a kind of optical fiber array, fixed part is combined by substrate and cover plate, and a plurality of optical fibers are arranged in each V groove in fixed part, the optical port surface and the tail fiber surface of opposite distribution in fixed part are parallel to each other, two side surfaces adjacent to the optical port surface or tail fiber surface in fixed part are parallel to each other, the included angle between one of two side surfaces and the optical port surface is A, the included angle between the other side surface and the optical port surface is B, A is 82 °±0.5 °, A+B=180 °. Processing method, optical fiber is assembled with substrate and cover plate cut into shape;The optical port surface of fixed part is sequentially fine grinding and polishing, and can be directly designed as 8 °±0.5 ° surface.The optical port surface is not used to form 8 °±0.5 ° surface by rough grinding subsequently, only fine grinding and polishing to the optical port surface can be carried out, effectively shorten the grinding time, at the same time, the optical port surface and the tail fiber surface are parallel to each other, facilitate batch cutting processing, and improve production efficiency.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of optical module technology, specifically to an optical fiber array and its manufacturing method. Background Technology

[0002] Common optical modules such as Figure 1 As shown, it includes: an optical transmitter, a silicon photonics chip, and a fiber array. The optical transmitter is coupled to the input waveguide of the silicon photonics chip, and the fiber array is coupled to the output waveguide of the silicon photonics chip. To reduce reflected light, the optical aperture of the fiber array is an 8°±0.5° plane. In traditional solutions, the fiber array includes: a substrate, a cover plate, and optical fibers, as shown in the figure. Figure 2 As shown, several V-grooves are formed on the lower surface of the substrate, and all V-grooves are arranged in rows along the length of the substrate. Several optical fibers are arranged in rows within each V-groove of the fixing part. The cover plate is glued to the substrate and covers all the V-grooves formed on its lower surface. The substrate and the cover plate are combined to form the fixing part to fix the optical fibers. The optical port surface of the fixing part in the optical fiber array is an 8°±0.5° surface, and the pigtail surface is a 0° surface. The two sides of the fixing part adjacent to the optical port surface or the pigtail surface are parallel to each other, and the angle between one of the two sides and the optical port surface is A, and the other side is parallel to the optical port surface. The angle between each side and the optical port surface is B, and A is 82°±0.5°, A+B=180°. One side has a 90° angle with the pigtail surface, and the other side has a 90° angle with the pigtail surface. In this type of fiber array, the optical port surface of the fixed part is processed by grinding. The original optical port surface of the fixed part in the actual incoming material is a 0° surface. However, to obtain an 8°±0.5° surface, the conventional method is: first, rough grinding of the optical port surface to grind it from a 0° surface to an 8°±0.5° surface, and then fine grinding and polishing, specifically as follows... Figure 3 As shown, because the area to be rough-ground is very large, the grinding time is very long, and only one fiber array can be ground at a time, which is very inefficient. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide an optical fiber array and a method for manufacturing the same, so as to overcome the shortcomings of the prior art.

[0004] The technical solution of the present invention to solve the above-mentioned technical problems is as follows:

[0005] An optical fiber array includes: a fixing part composed of a substrate and a cover plate, and a plurality of optical fibers arranged in rows in each V-groove of the fixing part. The optical port surface and the pigtail surface of the fixing part are parallel to each other. Two side surfaces of the fixing part adjacent to the optical port surface or the pigtail surface are parallel to each other. The angle between one of the two side surfaces and the optical port surface is A, and the angle between the other side surface and the optical port surface is B. The value of A is 82°±0.5°, and A+B=180°.

[0006] The beneficial effects of this invention are: the surface of the optical fiber is directly designed as an 8°±0.5° surface, so there is no need to go through rough grinding to form an 8°±0.5° surface. Instead, only fine grinding and polishing of the optical surface is required, which effectively shortens the grinding time. At the same time, the optical surface and the tail fiber surface are made parallel to each other, which facilitates subsequent batch cutting and processing and improves production efficiency.

[0007] Based on the above technical solution, the present invention can be further improved as follows.

[0008] Furthermore, the fixing part has several V-grooves that are divided into multiple groups and each group has multiple grooves that are spaced apart. The fixing part has a cutting groove parallel to the side in the area between two adjacent groups of V-grooves.

[0009] The further beneficial effects of the above are as follows: the fixing part can be cut along the cutting track, thereby dividing a large fixing part into multiple small fixing parts with only one set of V-grooves. Each small fixing part also fixes multiple optical fibers to form a standard optical fiber array. Each standard optical fiber array also satisfies that the optical port surface and the pigtail surface of the fixing part composed of the substrate and the cover plate are parallel to each other, and the two sides of the fixing part adjacent to the optical port surface or the pigtail surface are parallel to each other. The angle between one side and the optical port surface is A, and the angle between the other side and the optical port surface is B. The angle between one side and the pigtail surface is also A, and the angle between the other side and the pigtail surface is also B. The value of A is 82°±0.5°, and A+B=180°. This enables batch cutting processing. Before cutting, a large optical fiber array can be finely ground and polished before cutting, which effectively shortens the grinding time and grinding clamping time. Multiple standard optical fiber arrays can be assembled at the same time, shortening the assembly time and thus improving production efficiency.

[0010] Furthermore, the fixed part has several V-grooves divided into 5 to 10 groups.

[0011] Furthermore, each group has multiple V-grooves that are evenly spaced.

[0012] Furthermore, each group has four V-grooves.

[0013] Furthermore, several V-grooves are formed on the lower surface of the substrate, and all V-grooves are arranged in rows along the length of the substrate. The cover plate is glued to the substrate and covers all the V-grooves formed on its lower surface to fix the optical fiber.

[0014] Based on the above technical solution, the present invention also provides a method for processing an optical fiber array, comprising the following steps:

[0015] S11. Cut the outer contours of the substrate and cover plate into long, narrow prisms, ensuring that the optical port surface and the pigtail surface in the fixing part composed of the substrate and cover plate are parallel to each other, and that the two sides adjacent to the optical port surface or the pigtail surface in the fixing part are parallel to each other. The angle between one side and the optical port surface is A, and the angle between the other side and the optical port surface is B. A is 82°±0.5°, and A+B=180°. Then, assemble the optical fiber, substrate, and cover plate to form an optical fiber array.

[0016] S12. The smooth surface of the fixed part, after being cut and shaped, is then finely ground and polished.

[0017] The further beneficial effects of adopting the above are as follows: the substrate and cover plate are formed by cutting, and the cutting and forming meet the corresponding technical requirements. Therefore, it is not necessary to rough grind the formed bright surface, but only to fine grind and polish the cut bright surface, which effectively shortens the processing time. At the same time, the bright surface and the tail fiber surface are parallel to each other, which facilitates batch cutting and processing, improves production efficiency, and has a high material utilization rate.

[0018] Furthermore, it also includes the following steps:

[0019] S13. Cut the fixing part into segments along the cutting track on the fixing part to obtain multiple small fixing parts with only one set of V grooves, and fix multiple optical fibers in each small fixing part to form a standard optical fiber array.

[0020] The further beneficial effects of adopting the above are as follows: the fixing part can be cut along the cutting path, thereby cutting a large fixing part into multiple small fixing parts with only one set of V-grooves, and each small fixing part also fixes multiple optical fibers to form a standard optical fiber array. This enables batch cutting processing. Before cutting, multiple standard optical fiber arrays can be finely ground and polished at the same time, effectively shortening the grinding time and grinding clamping time. Multiple standard optical fiber arrays can be assembled at the same time, shortening the assembly time and thus improving production efficiency.

[0021] Based on the above technical solution, the present invention also provides a method for processing an optical fiber array, comprising the following steps:

[0022] S21. Cut the outer contours of the substrate and cover plate into long rectangular strips, then assemble the substrate, cover plate and optical fiber to form an optical fiber array, and then finely grind and polish the optical aperture surface cut into shape by the fixing part.

[0023] S22. Then cut the two ends of the fixing part along the length direction. The cut area of ​​each end is a triangular area, so that the outer contour of the fixing part becomes a rhombus. This is to satisfy that the optical aperture surface and the fiber optic surface in the fixing part composed of the substrate and the cover plate are parallel to each other, and the two sides of the fixing part adjacent to the optical aperture surface or the fiber optic surface are parallel to each other. The angle between one side and the optical aperture surface is A, and the angle between the other side and the optical aperture surface is B. A is 82°±0.5°, and A+B=180°.

[0024] The further beneficial effects of the above are as follows: the substrate and cover plate are first formed by cutting, then the cut surface is finely ground and polished, and then the two ends of the fixed part in the length direction are cut, and the cutting meets the corresponding technical requirements. Thus, the surface does not need to be rough ground. This method is the most efficient, effectively shortens the processing time, and makes the surface of the light port parallel to the surface of the tail fiber, which is convenient for batch cutting and processing, improves production efficiency, and has a high material utilization rate.

[0025] Furthermore, it also includes the following steps:

[0026] S23. Cut the fixing part into segments along the cutting path on the fixing part to obtain multiple small fixing parts with only one set of V grooves, and fix multiple optical fibers in each small fixing part to form a standard optical fiber array.

[0027] The further beneficial effects of adopting the above are as follows: the fixing part can be cut along the cutting path, thereby cutting a large fixing part into multiple small fixing parts with only one set of V-grooves, and each small fixing part also fixes multiple optical fibers to form a standard optical fiber array. This enables batch cutting processing. Before cutting, multiple standard optical fiber arrays can be finely ground and polished at the same time, effectively shortening the grinding time and grinding clamping time. Multiple standard optical fiber arrays can be assembled at the same time, shortening the assembly time and thus improving production efficiency. Attached Figure Description

[0028] Figure 1 This is a structural diagram of an optical module in the prior art;

[0029] Figure 2 This is a front view of a fiber optic array in the prior art;

[0030] Figure 3 This diagram illustrates the structural variations of fiber optic arrays in existing technologies.

[0031] Figure 4 This is a front view of the first type of fiber optic array in this invention;

[0032] Figure 5 This is a top view of the first type of fiber optic array in this invention;

[0033] Figure 6 This is a top view of the second type of fiber optic array in this invention;

[0034] Figure 7 This is a top view of the third type of fiber optic array in this invention;

[0035] Figure 8 This is a diagram showing the structural changes of the second type of fiber optic array in this invention;

[0036] Figure 9 This is a diagram showing the structural changes of the third type of fiber optic array in this invention;

[0037] Figure 10 The diagram shows the optical module structure of the fiber array described in this invention.

[0038] The attached diagram lists the components represented by each number as follows:

[0039] 1. Fixing part, 110. Substrate, 120. Cover plate, 130. Optical port surface, 140. Pigtail surface, 150. Side surface, 160. Cutting channel, 170. Cutting area, 2. Optical fiber. Detailed Implementation

[0040] The principles and features of the present invention are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The examples given are only for explaining the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.

[0041] Example 1

[0042] like Figure 4 , Figure 5 As shown, an optical fiber array includes a substrate 110 and a cover plate 120. The substrate 110 and the cover plate 120 are combined to form a fixing part 1. The fixing part 1 has multiple V-grooves arranged in rows along its length direction, and multiple optical fibers 2 are arranged in rows within each V-groove of the fixing part 1. This part of the technology is consistent with the prior art, so it will not be described in detail here. The improvement points of this solution are as follows:

[0043] In the fixing part 1, the optical aperture surface 130 and the pigtail surface 140, which are distributed opposite to each other, are parallel to each other. The two side surfaces 150 adjacent to the optical aperture surface 130 or the pigtail surface 140 in the fixing part 1 are parallel to each other. The angle between one of the two side surfaces 150 and the optical aperture surface 130 is A, and the angle between the other side surface 150 and the optical aperture surface 130 is B. The value of A is 82°±0.5°, and A+B=180°, that is, complementary. Since the optical aperture surface 130 and the pigtail surface 140 are parallel to each other, and the two side surfaces 150 are parallel to each other, the optical aperture surface 130, the pigtail surface 140, and the two side surfaces 150 form a rhombus. Therefore, the angle between one of the two side surfaces 150 and the pigtail surface 140 is also A, and the angle between the other side surface 150 and the pigtail surface 140 is also B. The value of A is 82°±0.5°, and A+B=180°, that is, complementary.

[0044] The surface 130 is designed as an 8°±0.5° surface, so there is no need to perform rough grinding to form an 8°±0.5° surface. Instead, only fine grinding and polishing of the surface 130 is required, which effectively shortens the grinding time. At the same time, the surface 130 and the pigtail surface 140 are made parallel to each other, which facilitates subsequent batch cutting and processing and improves production efficiency.

[0045] The structural diagram of this fiber optic array used in an optical module is shown below. Figure 10 As shown, this is just an example and can be changed according to the actual usage.

[0046] Example 2

[0047] like Figure 6 , Figure 7 As shown, this embodiment is a further improvement on embodiment 1, as detailed below:

[0048] The fixing part 1 has several V-grooves that are divided into multiple groups, with each group having multiple grooves. The fixing part 1 has a cutting groove 160 parallel to the side 150 in the area between two adjacent groups of V-grooves. Therefore, the fixing part 1 can be cut along the cutting groove 160, thereby dividing a large fixing part 1 into multiple small fixing parts 1 with only one group of V-grooves. Each small fixing part 1 also fixes multiple optical fibers 2 to form a standard optical fiber array. Before cutting, a large optical fiber array can be finely ground and polished before cutting. The cut surface is a new side parallel to the original side, which effectively shortens the grinding time and grinding clamping time. Multiple standard optical fiber arrays can be assembled at the same time, shortening the assembly time and thus improving production efficiency.

[0049] Example 3

[0050] like Figure 6 ,Figure 7 As shown, this embodiment is a further improvement on embodiment 2, as detailed below:

[0051] The fixed part 1 has several V-grooves divided into 5 to 10 groups, specifically 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10 groups. Of course, this is just an example and does not exclude other numbers of groups. Theoretically, 2 or more groups are sufficient. The more groups there are, the more standard fiber arrays can be ground at the same time. However, too many groups are not conducive to processing, so the number of groups should be set reasonably.

[0052] In this embodiment, the multiple V-grooves in each group are evenly spaced. As a preferred option, each group has four V-grooves. Of course, in actual applications, it is not excluded that each group has other numbers of V-grooves, such as eight V-grooves. This is just an example.

[0053] Example 4

[0054] like Figure 4 As shown, this embodiment is a further improvement on embodiment 1, 2, or 3, as detailed below:

[0055] A number of V-grooves are formed on the lower surface of the substrate 110. All V-grooves are arranged in a row along the length of the substrate 110. The cover plate 120 is bonded to the substrate 110 with glue and covers all the V-grooves formed on its lower surface, thereby fixing the optical fiber 2 in the V-grooves. This part of the technology is consistent with the existing technology, so it will not be described in detail here.

[0056] Example 5

[0057] like Figure 6 , Figure 8 As shown, a method for processing fiber arrays as described in any one of Examples 1 to 4 includes the following steps:

[0058] S11. The outer contour of the substrate 110 is cut into a long, narrow prism shape, and the outer contour of the cover plate 120 is also cut into a long, narrow prism shape. The optical aperture surface 130 and the fiber optic pigtail surface 140, which are oppositely distributed in the fixing part 1 formed by the substrate 110 and the cover plate 120, are parallel to each other. Furthermore, the two side surfaces 150 adjacent to the optical aperture surface 130 or the fiber optic pigtail surface 140 in the fixing part 1 are parallel to each other, and the clamping distance between one of the two side surfaces 150 and the optical aperture surface 130 is... Angle A is defined as the angle between the other side 150 and the optical port surface 130, and angle B is defined as the angle between A and B. The value of A is 82°±0.5°, and A+B=180°. Angle A is defined as the angle between one side 150 and the pigtail surface 140, and angle B is defined as the angle between the other side 150 and the pigtail surface 140. The value of A is 82°±0.5°, and A+B=180°. Then, the optical fiber 2, substrate 110, and cover plate 120 are assembled to form an optical fiber array.

[0059] S12. The smooth surface 130 of the fixed part 1, which has been cut and shaped, is then finely ground and polished in sequence.

[0060] The substrate 110 and cover plate 120 are formed by cutting, and the cutting process meets the corresponding technical requirements. Therefore, it is not necessary to rough grind the formed bright surface 130. Instead, only fine grinding and polishing of the cut bright surface 130 is required, which effectively shortens the processing time. At the same time, the bright surface 130 and the pigtail surface 140 are parallel to each other, which facilitates batch cutting and processing, improves production efficiency, and has a high material utilization rate.

[0061] Example 6

[0062] like Figure 6 , Figure 8 As shown, this embodiment is a further improvement on Embodiment 5, which includes Embodiment 2, as detailed below:

[0063] The fabrication method for fiber optic arrays also includes the following steps:

[0064] S13. The fixing part 1 is cut into segments along the cutting path 160 to obtain multiple small fixing parts 1 with only one set of V-grooves. Each small fixing part 1 also fixes multiple optical fibers to form a standard optical fiber array. Each standard optical fiber array also satisfies that the optical port surface 130 and the pigtail surface 140 in the fixing part 1, which is composed of the substrate 110 and the cover plate 120, are parallel to each other, and the two side surfaces 150 adjacent to the optical port surface 130 or the pigtail surface 140 in the fixing part 1 are parallel to each other. The included angle between one of the two side surfaces 150 and the optical port surface 130 is A, and the other side surface 150 is the same as the other side surface 150. The included angle between side 150 and optical port 130 is B, and A is 82°±0.5°, A+B=180°. The included angle between one of the two sides 150 and the pigtail surface 140 is also A, and the included angle between the other side 150 and the pigtail surface 140 is also B, with A being 82°±0.5° and A+B=180°. Before cutting, multiple standard fiber arrays can be finely ground and polished simultaneously, effectively shortening the grinding time and grinding clamping time. Multiple standard fiber arrays can be assembled at the same time, shortening the assembly time and thus improving production efficiency.

[0065] Example 7

[0066] like Figure 7 , Figure 9 As shown, a method for processing fiber arrays as described in any one of Examples 1 to 4 includes the following steps:

[0067] S21. Cut the outer contours of the substrate 110 and the cover plate 120 into long rectangular strips, then assemble the substrate 110, the cover plate 120 and the optical fiber 2 to form an optical fiber array, and then finely grind and polish the optical aperture surface 130 cut into the fixing part 1 in sequence.

[0068] S22. Next, cut the two ends of the fixing part 1 along its length. The cut area of ​​each end is a triangular area. The angle between the hypotenuse of one triangular area and the optical surface 130 is A, and the angle between the hypotenuse of the other triangular area and the optical surface 130 is B. The value of A is 82°±0.5°, and A+B=180°. The angle between the hypotenuse of one triangular area and the fiber optic surface 140 is also A, and the angle between the hypotenuse of the other triangular area and the fiber optic surface 140 is also B. The value of A is 82°±0.5°, and A+B=180°. This makes the outer contour of the fixing part 1 a prism shape, so as to meet the requirements of the combination of the substrate 110 and the cover plate 120. In the fixed part 1, the optical aperture surface 130 and the pigtail surface 140 are parallel to each other, and the two side surfaces 150 adjacent to the optical aperture surface 130 or the pigtail surface 140 in the fixed part 1 are parallel to each other. The angle between one side surface 150 and the optical aperture surface 130 is also A, and the angle between the other side surface 150 and the optical aperture surface 130 is also B. The value of A is 82°±0.5°, and A+B=180°. The angle between one side surface 150 and the pigtail surface 140 is also A, and the angle between the other side surface 150 and the pigtail surface 140 is also B. The value of A is 82°±0.5°, and A+B=180°.

[0069] The substrate 110 and cover plate 120 are first formed by cutting. Then, the cut-formed optical surface 130 is finely ground and polished. Then, the two ends of the fixing part 1 in the length direction are cut. After cutting, the corresponding technical requirements are met. Therefore, the optical surface 130 does not need to be rough ground. This method is the most efficient and effectively shortens the processing time. At the same time, the optical surface 130 and the pigtail surface 140 are parallel to each other, which facilitates batch cutting and processing, improves production efficiency, and has a high material utilization rate.

[0070] Example 8

[0071] like Figure 7 , Figure 9 As shown, this embodiment is a further improvement on Embodiment 7, which includes Embodiment 2, as detailed below:

[0072] The fabrication method for fiber optic arrays also includes the following steps:

[0073] S23. The fixing part 1 is cut into segments along the cutting path 160 to obtain multiple small fixing parts 1 with only one set of V-grooves. Each small fixing part 1 also fixes multiple optical fibers to form a standard optical fiber array. Each standard optical fiber array also satisfies that the optical port surface 130 and the pigtail surface 140 in the fixing part 1, which is composed of the substrate 110 and the cover plate 120, are parallel to each other, and the two side surfaces 150 adjacent to the optical port surface 130 or the pigtail surface 140 in the fixing part 1 are parallel to each other. The included angle between one of the two side surfaces 150 and the optical port surface 130 is A, and the other side surface 150 is the same as the other side surface 150. The included angle between side 150 and optical port 130 is B, and A is 82°±0.5°, A+B=180°. The included angle between one of the two sides 150 and the pigtail surface 140 is also A, and the included angle between the other side 150 and the pigtail surface 140 is also B, with A being 82°±0.5° and A+B=180°. Before cutting, multiple standard fiber arrays can be finely ground and polished simultaneously, effectively shortening the grinding time and grinding clamping time. Multiple standard fiber arrays can be assembled at the same time, shortening the assembly time and thus improving production efficiency.

[0074] Although embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described above, it is understood that the above embodiments are exemplary and should not be construed as limiting the present invention. Those skilled in the art can make changes, modifications, substitutions and variations to the above embodiments within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A fiber optic array, comprising: A fixing part (1) composed of a substrate (110) and a cover plate (120), and a plurality of optical fibers (2) arranged in rows in each V-groove of the fixing part (1), characterized in that the optical port surface (130) and the pigtail surface (140) distributed opposite to each other in the fixing part (1), the two side surfaces (150) adjacent to the optical port surface (130) or the pigtail surface (140) in the fixing part (1) are parallel to each other, the included angle between one side surface (150) and the optical port surface (130) is A, the included angle between the other side surface (150) and the optical port surface (130) is B, the value of A is 82°±0.5°, A+B=180°, and the section of the optical fiber (2) in the V-groove is parallel to the side surface (150); The fabrication method for fiber optic arrays includes the following steps: S21. Cut the outer contours of the substrate (110) and cover plate (120) into long rectangular strips, and then assemble the substrate (110), cover plate (120) and optical fiber (2) to form an optical fiber array. Then, finely grind and polish the optical aperture surface (130) cut into shape by the fixing part (1). S22. Then cut the two ends of the fixing part (1) along the length direction. The cut area of ​​each end is a triangular area, so that the outer contour of the fixing part (1) becomes a rhombus.

2. The fiber optic array according to claim 1, characterized in that, The fixing part (1) has a number of V grooves divided into multiple groups, and each group is distributed at intervals with multiple V grooves. The fixing part (1) has a cutting channel (160) parallel to the side (150) in the area between two adjacent groups of V grooves.

3. The fiber optic array according to claim 2, characterized in that, The fixing part (1) has several V-grooves divided into 5 to 10 groups.

4. The fiber optic array according to claim 2, characterized in that, Each group has multiple V-grooves that are evenly spaced.

5. A fiber optic array according to any one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that, Each group has four V-grooves.

6. The fiber optic array according to claim 1, characterized in that, The substrate (110) has several V-grooves on its lower surface. All V-grooves are arranged in a row along the length of the substrate (110). The cover plate (120) is glued to the substrate (110) and covers all the V-grooves on its lower surface to fix the optical fiber (2).

7. The fiber optic array according to claim 1, characterized in that, The processing method also includes the following steps: S23. Cut the fixing part (1) into segments along the cutting path (160) on the fixing part (1) to obtain multiple small fixing parts (1) with only one set of V grooves, and each small fixing part (1) also fixes multiple optical fibers (2) to form a standard optical fiber array.

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