NPO optical coupling light engine

Abstract

The optical engine of this invention includes at least: an array of light sources, multiple lenses, an array of optical fibers, and transparent adhesive. The micro point light source and the lenses together define the central axis of a light source structure. The multiple fiber cores each have a central axis. The central axes of the light source structure are aligned with each other axially. The transparent adhesive is placed between the array of optical fibers and the array of light sources, allowing the transparent adhesive to spread between them through capillary action. When the transparent adhesive is in a relatively movable state, a micro-horizontal effect is formed. Subsequently, the array of light sources is actuated, causing the lenses to form local light spots. When the local light field exhibits an asymmetrical distribution, an optical force with a lateral component is generated in the transparent adhesive, causing the central axis of the light source structure and the central axis of the fiber core to align with each other axially, forming a micro-aligned state. After curing, the NPO optical coupling light engine is completed, thereby improving the coupling stability and assembly tolerance.

Claims

1. An NPO optical coupling light engine, comprising at least: an array light source having a first carrier plate and a plurality of micro point light sources, the first carrier plate having a first surface, a second surface, and a plurality of first conductive components formed on the second surface, the plurality of micro point light sources being arrayed in a local area of ​​the first surface and electrically coupled to the first conductive components; a plurality of lenses respectively located on the light emission paths of the plurality of micro point light sources, the micro point light sources and the lenses jointly defining a central axis of a light source structure; an array optical fiber having a plurality of fiber cores arranged in an array and capable of being jointly positioned at an optical fiber connector, the plurality of fiber cores each having a central axis, the central axis of the light source structure being axially aligned with the central axis; and a transparent adhesive disposed between the array optical fiber and the array light source, forming a connection between the array optical fiber and the array light source.

2. The NPO optical coupling optical engine as described in claim 1, wherein, The optical engine is manufactured using the following steps: An array light source is provided, comprising a plurality of miniature point light sources and lenses respectively disposed on the light emission paths of the plurality of miniature point light sources, wherein the miniature point light sources and the lenses together define a central axis of a light source structure; An array optical fiber is provided, having a plurality of fiber cores arranged in an array and capable of being jointly positioned at an optical fiber connector; Mechanical alignment is performed, placing one end of the fiber core adjacent to the lens; A first dispensing is performed, introducing transparent adhesive between the array light source and the array optical fiber, the transparent adhesive spreading between the array light source and the array optical fiber by capillary action, allowing the array light source and the array optical fiber to form a micro-leveling effect in a state where the transparent adhesive is relatively movable, causing the two to automatically tend to be parallel or at the same height in the orientation angle direction; The array light source is activated, causing it to form a local light spot in the transparent adhesive through the lens. When any local light spot is slightly offset relative to the corresponding fiber core, resulting in an asymmetrical distribution of the local light field, an optical force with a lateral component is generated in the transparent adhesive, causing the central axis of the light source structure to align with each other axially, thus forming a micro-centering state. A second dispensing is performed to apply a fixing adhesive between the array light source and the array optical fiber. Finally, heating is applied to cure the transparent adhesive and the fixing adhesive, thus completing the NPO optical coupling.

3. The NPO optical coupling optical engine as described in claim 2, wherein, The lens is disposed in the light-emitting path of the miniature point light source in an encapsulated manner; or, the lens is fixed to the light-emitting path of the miniature point light source with another transparent adhesive.

4. The NPO optical coupling optical engine as described in claim 2, wherein, The thickness of the transparent adhesive is 10μm to 30μm, its refractive index is between 1.2 and 1.55, and its viscosity is between 200cp and 2000cp.

5. The NPO optical coupling optical engine as described in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein, The array light source is mounted on a second carrier plate and electrically connected to a silicon photonic integrated circuit via a plurality of second conductive components.

6. The NPO optical coupling optical engine as described in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein, The lens is encapsulated and disposed in the light-emitting path of the miniature point light source.

7. The NPO optical coupling optical engine as described in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein, The lens is fixed to the light-emitting path of the miniature point light source with another transparent adhesive.

8. The NPO optical coupling optical engine as described in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein, The micro point light source is a micro light-emitting diode (Micro LED) with a light divergence angle of 120 to 150 degrees; or, the micro point light source is a vertical cavity surface-emitting laser (VCSEL).

9. The NPO optical coupling optical engine as described in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein, The first and second surfaces are arranged adjacent to each other; or the first and second surfaces are arranged opposite to each other.

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