Method of aligning optical connector with optical assembly

Abstract

A method of aligning an optical connector with an optical assembly is disclosed. Methods and apparatus are provided for aligning an optical connector with an optical component, such as a photonic integrated circuit (PIC). An example method includes providing an optical assembly including at least one optical port on a surface of the optical assembly, where the optical assembly includes a first correction device and a second correction device. The method further includes aligning the optical connector with a first correction device to effect a first position setting of the optical connector. The method may include aligning the optical connector with a second correction device to effect a second position setting of the optical connector. The optical connector may be moved a predefined distance while maintaining the first position setting and the second position setting to place the optical connector in an operational position relative to the at least one optical port.

Description

[0001] Cross - Reference to Related Applications

[0002] This application claims priority to Greek Patent Application No. 20230101010, filed on December 7, 2023, the entire content of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein. Technical Field

[0003] Example embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to aligning an optical connector with an optical component (such as a photonic integrated circuit (PIC)). Background Art

[0004] Fiber optic communication allows data to be transmitted over longer distances and at higher data transmission rates (bandwidths) than cables. Data is transmitted through optical fibers in the form of optical signals, and optical connectors are used to connect optical fibers (usually bundled in cables) to other optical components. A photonic integrated circuit (PIC) is a microchip that includes two or more photonic elements that form a functional circuit to detect, generate, transport, and process light. In a fiber optic network, an optical connector can be optically coupled to an optical component (such as a PIC), and the alignment of the optical connector with the optical component affects the strength of the connection and the quality of the signal. The applicant has found many deficiencies and problems associated with conventional methods for establishing a connection between an optical fiber and an optical component (such as a PIC-to-fiber connection). Through applied effort, ingenuity, and innovation, many of the identified problems have been solved by developing the solutions embodied in the embodiments of the present disclosure, and many examples are described in detail herein. Summary of the Invention

[0005] Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to aligning an optical connector with an optical component. In some embodiments, an optical component including at least one optical port on a surface of the optical component may include a first alignment device and a second alignment device. Aligning the optical connector with the first alignment device enables a first position setting of the optical connector. Aligning the optical connector with the second alignment device enables a second position setting of the optical connector. Moving the optical connector a predefined distance while maintaining the first position setting and the second position setting positions the optical connector in an operating position relative to the at least one optical port.

[0006] In some embodiments, the first position setting of the optical connector may be the tilt of the optical connector.

[0007] In some embodiments, the second position setting of the optical connector may be the lateral position of the optical connector.

[0008] In some embodiments, the predefined distance may be the distance between the second alignment device and the at least one optical port.

[0009] In some embodiments, the first alignment device may include a grating formed in the surface of the optical component.

[0010] In some embodiments, the grating may define a grating period, and the grating period may be based on the wavelength of the collimated beam used to align the optical connector with the first alignment device.

[0011] In some embodiments, the grating may define one of a square pattern, a ramp sawtooth pattern, or a sine wave pattern.

[0012] In some embodiments, the grating may be configured to have an area larger than the area of at least one optical port.

[0013] In some embodiments, the second alignment device may include a grating formed in the surface of the optical component.

[0014] The grating may define a period based on the wavelength of the collimated beam used to align the optical connector with the second alignment device.

[0015] In some embodiments, the grating may be configured to match the configuration of at least one optical port such that the centering of the optical fiber of the optical connector relative to the second alignment device corresponds to the centering of the optical fiber of the optical connector relative to at least one optical port.

[0016] In some embodiments, the optical connector may include an optical fiber array.

[0017] In some embodiments, at least one optical port may be a first optical port, and the optical component further includes a second optical port spaced apart from the first optical port. Each of the first optical port and the second optical port may be associated with the first alignment device and the second alignment device. The optical fiber of the optical connector may be a first optical fiber, and the optical connector further includes a second optical fiber. Aligning the optical connector with the first alignment device may include: aligning the first optical fiber with the first alignment device associated with the first optical port to achieve a first position setting of the first optical fiber, and aligning the second optical fiber with the first alignment device associated with the second optical port to achieve a first position setting of the second optical fiber. Aligning the optical connector with the second alignment device may include: aligning the first optical fiber with the second alignment device associated with the first optical port to achieve a second position setting of the first optical fiber, and aligning the second optical fiber with the second alignment device associated with the second optical port to achieve a second position setting of the second optical fiber. While maintaining the first position setting and the second position setting of the first optical fiber and the second optical fiber of the optical connector, the optical connector is moved a predefined distance so that the optical connector is in an optimized operating position relative to the first optical port and the second optical port.

[0018] An optical component according to some aspects is also provided. The optical component may include at least one optical port configured to receive an optical signal from an optical fiber of an optical connector. The optical component may include a first alignment device configured to align the optical fiber of the optical connector to achieve a first position setting of the optical connector. The optical component may include a second alignment device configured to align the optical fiber of the optical connector to achieve a second position setting of the optical connector. Moving the optical connector a predetermined distance while maintaining the first position setting and the second position setting serves to align the optical fiber of the optical connector with the at least one optical port.

[0019] In some embodiments, the first alignment device may be spaced apart from the second alignment device.

[0020] In some embodiments, the at least one optical port may be disposed between the first alignment device and the second alignment device.

[0021] In some embodiments, the at least one optical port may be disposed between the first alignment device and the second alignment device.

[0022] In some embodiments, the optical component may include a plurality of optical ports, and each optical port may be associated with the first alignment device and the second alignment device.

[0023] In some embodiments, the first alignment device may include a grating formed in a surface of the optical component, and the grating may define one of a square pattern, a ramp serrated pattern, or a sine wave pattern.

[0024] In some embodiments, the grating may be configured to have an area larger than the area of the at least one optical port.

[0025] In some embodiments, the second alignment device may include a grating formed in a surface of the optical component, and the grating may be configured to match the configuration of the at least one optical port such that the optical fiber of the optical connector being centered relative to the second alignment device corresponds to the optical fiber of the optical connector being centered relative to the at least one optical port.

[0026] The above summary of the invention is only for summarizing some example embodiments to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the present disclosure. Therefore, it should be understood that the above embodiments are merely examples and should not be construed as narrowing the scope or spirit of the present disclosure in any way. It should be understood that the scope of the present disclosure covers many potential embodiments in addition to the embodiments summarized here, some of which will be further described below. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] Certain example embodiments of the present disclosure have been generally described above and will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Components shown in the figures may or may not be present in certain embodiments described herein. Some embodiments may include fewer (or more) components than shown in the figures.

[0028] Figure 1A is a top - view plan view of a photonic integrated circuit (PIC) having a first correction device and a second correction device according to some embodiments described herein;

[0029] Figure 1B is according to some embodiments described herein Figure 1A of the PIC in a cross - sectional side view;

[0030] Figure 2 shows the alignment of an optical connector with the PIC according to some embodiments described herein to obtain a first position setting through the first correction device;

[0031] Figure 3 shows the alignment of an optical connector with the PIC according to some embodiments described herein to obtain a second position setting through the second correction device;

[0032] Figure 4A and Figure 4B is a schematic diagram of a grating for forming a first correction device and a second correction device in the surface of the PIC according to some embodiments described herein;

[0033] Figure 5 is a process flow diagram showing a method of aligning an optical connector with the PIC according to some embodiments described herein;

[0034] Figure 6A is a top - view plan view of a PIC having a plurality of optical ports and corresponding first and second correction devices according to some embodiments described herein; and

[0035] Figure 6B is according to some embodiments described herein Figure 6A of the PIC in a cross - sectional side view. Detailed Description

[0036] Now, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not all, embodiments are shown. In fact, the present disclosure may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements. Like numbers always refer to like elements. As used herein, the terms "front", "rear", "top", etc. are used for illustrative purposes in the examples provided hereinafter to describe the relative positions of certain components or portions of components. Additionally, as will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art in light of the present disclosure, the terms "substantially" and "about" indicate that the referenced element or associated description is accurate within the applicable engineering tolerances.

[0037] An optical fiber is a flexible, transparent fiber made by drawing glass or plastic into a compressed diameter. Optical fibers can be used for telecommunications, long-distance transmission, power transmission, light transmission, sensor applications, and computer networking. An optical fiber can include a core surrounded by a cladding material with a lower refractive index. In some cases, an optical fiber can include a cylindrical dielectric waveguide that transmits light along its axis through a process of total internal reflection. Materials used to manufacture optical fibers can include silica, fluorozirconate (fluoride glass), fluoroaluminate, chalcogenide glass, crystalline materials, and / or combinations of these materials.

[0038] An optical connector can refer to a device formed or attached to the end of at least one optical fiber for connecting the optical fiber to an optical component (such as a photonic integrated circuit (PIC)) in order to accommodate, contain, store, and / or effect the connection between at least one optical fiber and the optical component. An optical connector can be a single optical fiber or multiple optical fibers. In some cases, regardless of the configuration of the optical component, the external portion of the optical connector (e.g., the outer surface of the optical fiber) can include a material that is the same as or similar to the surface material of the optical component.

[0039] The optical components described herein (to which an optical connector can be connected) can refer to optoelectronic devices having at least one optical port capable of receiving an optical connector. Although for ease of explanation, the following description, illustration, and drawings refer to a PIC as the optical component, embodiments of the present invention contemplate various types of optical components and can be used with various types of optical components. Examples of the optical components described herein can include, for example, a PIC, a photodetector array (PD array), a vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser (VCSEL), or an array surface-emitting / receiving device. An optical component can connect an optical connector and the optical fiber therein, accommodate an optical connector and the optical fiber therein, and / or communicate with an optical connector and the optical fiber therein.

[0040] A PIC can refer to a microchip that includes at least two or more photonic components that form a functional circuit. Generally, photonic components are capable of processing light and can be used to detect, generate, and / or transport light within the PIC and components connected to the PIC. The PIC can include materials such as silicon, silicon nitride, silicon photonics, silica, lithium niobate, indium phosphide, and / or gallium arsenide. The PIC can be attached to the optical fiber of an optical connector via an array of optical ports disposed on the PIC surface. In some cases, the optical ports can receive a collimated beam from the optical fiber of the optical connector (e.g., light that has minimal divergence during propagation, as described in more detail below). To achieve a more efficient coupling of the PIC to the optical connector (e.g., between the optical port and the optical fiber), the optical connector should be properly aligned with the PIC with respect to the rotational and lateral positions of the optical connector relative to the PIC to allow light to be transmitted between a given optical fiber and the corresponding optical port. Thus, achieving more precise alignment helps center the beam from the optical fiber relative to the corresponding optical port on the PIC surface where the light is directed.

[0041] As described above, a collimated beam can refer to a beam of light or other electromagnetic radiation having parallel or approximately parallel rays. Generally, the degree of scattering of a collimated beam may be different from that of a non-collimated beam (e.g., a collimated beam exhibits minimal divergence, or even no divergence, compared to a non-collimated beam). Although a perfectly collimated beam may not spread with distance, diffraction may prevent the formation of a perfectly collimated beam. Thus, while it can be understood that in practice a collimated beam may not have perfectly parallel rays, the phrase "collimated beam" as used herein can refer to a beam having approximately parallel rays. A collimated beam can also have an associated wavelength that can remain constant or be adjusted throughout the alignment process.

[0042] The attachment or coupling of an optical fiber to an optical component can be performed in a number of fields and industries related to technologies involving optical communication, optical sensors, and quantum computing. The optical connector can include an array of optical fibers attached to the optical component to direct light from the optical fibers into the corresponding optical ports on the optical component surface, thereby enabling communication between the optical fiber and the optical component. The connection between the optical component and the optical connector can be completed after aligning the components via subsequent bonding or other attachment processes. The accuracy and precision of the alignment of at least one optical fiber of the optical connector with the optical port of the optical component can vary the strength and communication capabilities between the optical component and the optical fiber, as will be understood by those skilled in the art in light of the present disclosure.

[0043] The coupling of an optical component and an optical connector can be highly sensitive to misalignment height. For example, since collimated light has parallel rays and minimal divergence, if the optical fiber is not properly aligned with the corresponding optical port, it may impair the function of the optical component and / or its ability to communicate efficiently with the optical component. The alignment of the optical component and the optical connector may be further complicated by the difficulty of obtaining feedback on alignment during the coupling process. Simultaneous alignment with respect to at least four degrees of freedom (e.g., two degrees of freedom related to tilt and two degrees of freedom related to lateral position) may be required to form a robust connection between the optical port of the optical component and the optical fiber of the optical connector. However, conventional methods for coupling an optical component and an optical connector may not adequately address the possible variations in the orientation of the optical connector relative to the optical component that may occur during attachment.

[0044] To address these and other issues, embodiments of the present invention are directed to aligning an optical connector with an optical component. Specifically, embodiments of the devices and methods described herein provide alignment of the optical port of the optical component relative to the corresponding optical fiber of the optical connector through separate and sequential alignment, thereby avoiding problems caused by misaligned coupling and placement sensitivity. According to embodiments of the present invention, alignment of the optical fiber of the optical connector with the corresponding optical port of the optical component can be achieved by pre-determining and pre-setting degrees of freedom using correction devices formed directly on the optical component. As described in more detail below, embodiments of the alignment method can be used for coupling an optical component and an optical connector to facilitate a secure orientation alignment bond and enhance communication between the optical components.

[0045] Reference Figure 1A and Figure 1B and, top and cross-sectional side views of an optical component in the form of a PIC 102 are shown, respectively, according to some embodiments. The PIC 102 may include at least one optical port 104, a first correction device 106, and a second correction device 108. The first correction device 106 may be spaced apart from the second correction device 108 on the surface 103 of the PIC 102. For example, the optical port 104 may be disposed between the first correction device 106 and the second correction device 108 (e.g., in the region between the first and second correction devices). In some embodiments, as shown, the first correction device 106 and the second correction device 108 may be disposed on opposite sides of at least one optical port 104. Those skilled in the art will understand from the present disclosure that at least one optical port 104 may be configured to receive light from an optical connector 202, such as Figure 2 and Figure 3the optical signal of the optical fiber as shown). For example, the optical port 104 may be configured to receive collimated light and optically communicate with the optical connector 202 based on the alignment between the optical connector and the optical port 204, as described in more detail below. In this regard, the first correction device 106 may be configured to align the optical fiber 204 of the optical connector 202 to achieve the first position setting of the optical connector. The second correction device 108 may be configured to align the optical fiber 204 of the optical connector 202 to achieve the second position setting of the optical connector.

[0046] Referring to Figure 2 , the first position setting of the optical connector 202 may be the tilt of the optical connector relative to the PIC 102, and more specifically, the tilt relative to the optical port 104 on the PIC surface to which the optical fiber of the optical connector will be optically coupled. "Tilt" may refer to the rotational position of the optical connector 202 about the X-axis (e.g., the first rotational position RX representing one degree of freedom) and about the Y-axis (e.g., the second rotational position RY representing the second degree of freedom). In other words, determining the first position setting of the optical connector 202 may involve adjusting the first rotational position RX and the second rotational position RY to achieve the best incidence of the light beam 206 on the first correction device 106, and the best incidence is the incidence of the light beam 206 on the first correction device 106 that achieves the maximum power input of the light entering the corresponding optical port to which the optical fiber will be coupled.

[0047] Thus, in some cases, the first correction device 106 may include a grating fabricated or formed in the surface 103 of the PIC 102. The grating may be defined, etched, stamped, cut, or otherwise formed on the surface 103 of the PIC 102. The position and dimensions of the grating associated with the first correction device 106 may be configured (e.g., sized and shaped) such that once the optical connector 202 is subsequently moved to the appropriate position with respect to the optical port (as described below), the optical fiber 204 can be aligned with the optical port 104. In other words, the first correction device 106 may be configured such that once the first position setting (RX, RY) is determined using the first correction device 106, the first position setting for achieving the best incidence with respect to the optical port 104 can also be determined, because it is the same.

[0048] In this regard, the grating may define the grating period based on the wavelength of the beam 206 (e.g., collimated beam) used during the alignment process. The period of the grating associated with the first correction device 106 may be adjusted, for example, based on the optimal incidence of the beam 206 relative to the first correction device 106, as described in more detail below. For example, the collimated beam 206 may be reflected by the grating of the first correction device 106 and received by a circulator circuit (not shown) configured to separate the outgoing light from the incoming reflected light. The reflected light may be measured at the optical connector 202 to determine whether the rotational position of the optical connector is such that optimal incidence has been achieved. For example, if the reflected light received at the optical connector 202 is less than a threshold level compared to the transmitted light, the first position settings (RX, RY) may need to be adjusted until the threshold level (e.g., optimal incidence) is reached (e.g., more light is reflected and reaches the optical connector). Alignment of the optical fiber 204 with the first correction device 106 may be achieved regardless of the lateral position of the optical fiber or the optical connector relative to the optical port 104 of the PIC 102.

[0049] Thus, in some embodiments, the area of the first correction device 106 in the XY plane (e.g., the area of the grating) may be larger than the area of at least one optical port 104 in the XY plane and larger than the cross-sectional area of the beam 206 incident on the first correction device. Thus, the larger area may provide a greater tolerance for laterally positioning the optical connector 202 within the XY plane because the beam 206 does not need to be centered relative to the first correction device 106 to determine the first position settings.

[0050] Now referring Figures 1A - 1B and Figure 3 , the optical fiber 204 of the optical connector 202 may then be positioned relative to the second correction device 108 such that a second position setting may be determined via the second correction device 108 in accordance with some embodiments described herein. The second position setting of the optical connector 202 may be the lateral position of the optical connector along the X-axis and along the Y-axis that centers the beam 206 relative to the center of the second correction device 108. In this regard, the optical connector 202 may be moved along the X-axis (one degree of freedom in the XY plane) and along the Y-axis (the other degree of freedom in the XY plane) while maintaining the first position settings of the optical connector until a position is reached where the collimated beam 206 incident on the second correction device 108 is centered relative to the center of the second correction device.

[0051] Thus, in some embodiments, the second alignment device 108 may include a grating formed in the surface of the PIC 102. In some embodiments, the grating may be substantially the same as the grating defined in the first alignment device 106 to achieve an optimal incidence with respect to the beam 206 incident on the second alignment device. For example, once the second position setting (RX, RY) of the optical connector 202 is achieved, the second alignment device 108 may be configured such that the grating reflects the collimated beam 206 with the maximum power of light. Thus, the grating of the second alignment device 108 may define the grating period based on the wavelength of the collimated beam and the inclination at which the collimated beam is emitted from the optical fiber 204 of the optical connector 202. Thus, the grating may be configured to match the configuration of at least one optical port 104 such that the optical fiber 204 of the optical connector 202 is centered with respect to the second alignment device 108 corresponding to the centering of the optical fiber of the optical connector with respect to the optical port.

[0052] In some embodiments, the second alignment device 108 may define an area smaller than the area of the first alignment device 106, and the area may more closely approximate the area of the optical port 104 and the cross-sectional area of the beam 206. In this way, when the threshold cross-sectional area of the beam incident on the second alignment device is received, the alignment of the beam 206 with the second alignment device 108 may be determined. For example, in the case where the cross-sectional area of the light is less than or equal to the cross-sectional area of the second alignment device, perfect alignment (e.g., perfect centering) of the beam 206 with respect to the second alignment device 108 will be achieved, which corresponds to the reception of the maximum reflected light.

[0053] After determining the second position setting using the second alignment device 108, the optical connector 202 may be moved to a coupling position with respect to the optical port 104 by moving the optical connector 202 a predefined distance d while maintaining the first position setting and the second position setting. The predefined distance d may be the distance between the center of the second alignment device 108 and the center of at least one optical port 104 to which the optical fiber of the optical connector 202 is to be coupled. The predefined distance d may be a measurement of the distance along the X-axis, while the positions along the remaining two axes (e.g., the Y-axis and the Z-axis) remain unchanged. For example, the distance d (such as Figure 3As shown, it may be known due to the manufacturing specifications for forming the PIC including the second correction device 108 and the optical port 104. Since the second position setting of the optical connector 202 is determined (e.g., the light beam 206 is centered relative to the second correction device 108), and since the position of the center of the optical port 104 relative to the center of the second correction device 108 is known (thereby defining the distance d), moving the optical connector 202 a predefined distance d can place the optical connector in an optimal operating position with respect to the optical port 104 of the PIC 102. In other words, the optimal operating position can enable the optical connector 202 to be coupled to the PIC 102, thereby achieving a more robust and direct optical connection for transmitting light between the optical fiber 204 and the optical port 104.

[0054] Reference Figure 4A and Figure 4B And as described above, each of the first correction device 106 and the second correction device 108 may include gratings 400A, 400B formed on the surface of the PIC 102, where the gratings define a grating period 402. The grating period 402 may be such a distance at which a single instance of the repeating pattern defining the gratings 400A, 400B is defined. For example, in Figure 4A the pattern is a ramp sawtooth pattern, while in Figure 4B the pattern is a square pattern, as shown. In still other embodiments, the grating may be configured according to a sine wave pattern (not shown). In the Figure 4A embodiment shown, the grating period 402 of the ramp sawtooth pattern grating 400A may define a grating angle 208. In such an embodiment, the length of the grating period 402 can be calculated using the following formula:

[0055] l = F * W / sin(A)

[0056] In the formula shown above, W represents the wavelength of the collimated light beam 206, F is a scaling factor, and A is the grating angle 208. The grating patterns forming the first correction device 106 and the second correction device 108 may include at least one grating period 402. In addition, the grating depth 406 defined by the grating pattern can be determined based on the wavelength of the collimated light beam 206, the grating angle 208, and the length l of the period 402. For example, the grating depth can be obtained using the following formula:

[0057] d = l / tan(A)

[0058] In the formula above, d represents the grating depth 406, which can be calculated based on the length l of the period 402 and A, where A represents the grating angle 208. Thus, if the optical fiber is aligned with the first correction device 106, the first correction device can be configured to reflect the collimated light beam 206 at an angle corresponding to the grating angle 208.

[0059] Reference Figure 5 , which shows a method 500 for aligning an optical connector with an optical component. The method may include providing an optical component that includes at least one optical port on an optical component surface, and the optical component may include a first alignment device and a second alignment device (block 502). The optical fiber of the optical connector may be aligned with the first alignment device to achieve a first position setting of the optical connector (block 504). In some cases, the first alignment device may include a grating formed in the optical component surface, and the grating is configured to align the optical connector and the optical component to achieve the first position setting. The first position setting of the optical connector may be, for example, the tilt of the optical connector, as described above. The optical connector may be aligned with the second alignment device to achieve a second position setting of the optical connector (block 506). The second position setting of the optical connector may be the lateral position of the optical connector, as described above. In some embodiments, the gratings of the first alignment device and the second alignment device may define a grating period based on the wavelength of the collimated beam and the grating angle. Then, the optical connector may be moved a predefined distance while maintaining the first position setting and the second position setting, so that the optical connector is in an operating position relative to at least one optical port (block 508). The predefined distance may be the distance between the second alignment device and at least one optical port. The operating position may couple the optical fiber of the optical connector to the optical component.

[0060] Now turning to Figure 6A and Figure 6B , in some embodiments, the optical component (which may be the PIC 102 as described in the above example) may include a plurality of optical ports, and each optical port may be associated with a first alignment device and a second alignment device. For example, in some cases, at least one optical port may be a first optical port 604A, and the PIC 102 may further include a second optical port 604B spaced apart from the first optical port, as Figure 6A shown. Each of the first optical port 604A and the second optical port 604B may be associated with a corresponding first alignment device 106 and a second alignment device 108. The optical fiber 204 of the optical connector 202 (as Figure 2 and Figure 3 shown) may include a first optical fiber, and the optical connector may further include a second optical fiber (for example, the optical connector may include an optical fiber array). Thus, aligning the optical connector 202 with the first alignment device 106 may include aligning the first optical fiber with the first alignment device 106 associated with the first optical port 604A, and aligning the second optical fiber with the first alignment device 106 associated with the second optical port 604B, to achieve the first position setting of the optical connector 202.

[0061] In addition, aligning the optical connector 202 with the second alignment device 108 may include: aligning the first optical fiber 204 with the second alignment device associated with the first optical port 604A to achieve a second position setting of the first optical fiber, and aligning the second optical fiber with the second alignment device associated with the second optical port 604B to achieve a second position setting of the second optical fiber. Then, the optical connector can be moved a predefined distance (d) while maintaining the first and second position settings of the first and second optical fibers 204 so that the optical connector 202 is in an operating position relative to the PIC 102. The operating position can be optimized relative to the first optical port 604A and the second optical port 604B.

[0062] Those skilled in the art of these embodiments, having benefited from the foregoing description and the teachings presented in the related drawings, will think of many modifications and other embodiments of the disclosure described herein. Although the drawings only show some components of the methods and systems described herein, it should be understood that various other components can also be part of any optical component or optoelectronic element. In addition, in some cases, the foregoing methods may include fewer steps, while in other cases may include additional steps. For example, although the foregoing apparatus, system, and method relate to a first alignment device for determining a first position setting and a second alignment device for determining a second position setting, it should be understood that the terms "first" and "second" are used only for convenience of reference. Thus, in some embodiments, the second position setting (e.g., the lateral position of the optical connector along the X-axis and along the Y-axis) may be determined first in time, and the first position setting (e.g., the rotational position of the optical connector about the X-axis and about the Y-axis) may be determined second in time. Thus, in some cases, the steps of the foregoing methods can be modified in any order and in any combination.

[0063] Accordingly, it should be understood that the present disclosure is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed herein, and modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Although specific terms are used herein, they are used only in a general and descriptive sense and not for purposes of limitation.

Claims

1. A method for aligning an optical connector with an optical component, the method comprising: providing an optical assembly comprising at least one optical port on a surface of the optical assembly, wherein the optical assembly comprises a first correction device and a second correction device; aligning the optical connector with the first correction device to achieve a first position setting of the optical connector; aligning the optical connector with the second correction device to achieve a second position setting of the optical connector; as well as The optical connector is moved a predefined distance while maintaining the first position setting and the second position setting to place the optical connector in an operational position relative to the at least one optical port. 2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the first position setting of the optical connector is a tilt of the optical connector. 3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the second positional setting of the optical connector is a lateral position of the optical connector.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the predefined distance is a distance between the second correction device and the at least one optical port.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the first correction device comprises a grating formed in the surface of the optical component.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the grating defines a grating period, and wherein the grating period is based on a wavelength of a collimated light beam used to align the optical connector with the first correction device.

7. The method of claim 5, wherein the grating defines one of a square pattern, a ramped sawtooth pattern, or a sine wave pattern.

8. The method of claim 5, wherein the grating is configured to have an area larger than an area of ​​the at least one optical port.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the second correction device comprises a grating formed in the surface of the optical component.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the grating defines a period based on a wavelength of a collimated light beam used to align the optical connector with the second correction device.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein the grating is configured to match a configuration of the at least one optical port such that centering of the optical fiber of the optical connector relative to the second correction device corresponds to centering of the optical fiber of the optical connector relative to the at least one optical port.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the optical connector comprises an optical fiber array.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the at least one optical port is a first optical port, the optical assembly further comprises a second optical port spaced apart from the first optical port, wherein each of the first optical port and the second optical port is associated with a first correction device and a second correction device, wherein the optical fiber of the optical connector is a first optical fiber, and wherein the optical connector further comprises a second optical fiber, wherein: Aligning the optical connector with the first alignment device comprises: aligning the first optical fiber with the first correction device associated with the first optical port to achieve a first position setting of the first optical fiber, and aligning the second optical fiber with the first correction device associated with the second optical port to achieve a first positional setting of the second optical fiber; Aligning the optical connector with the second alignment device comprises: aligning the first optical fiber with the second correction device associated with the first optical port to achieve a second positional configuration of the first optical fiber, and aligning the second optical fiber with the second correction device associated with the second optical port to achieve a second positional configuration of the second optical fiber; and The optical connector is moved a predefined distance while maintaining the first and second positional settings of the first and second optical fibers of the optical connector to bring the optical connector into an optimized operating position relative to the first and second optical ports.

14. An optical component comprising: at least one optical port configured to receive an optical signal from an optical fiber of the optical connector; a first alignment device, wherein the first alignment device is configured to align the optical fiber of the optical connector to achieve a first position setting of the optical connector; and a second correction device, wherein the second correction device is configured to align the optical fiber of the optical connector to achieve a second position setting of the optical connector; Wherein, moving the optical connector by a predetermined distance while maintaining the first position setting and the second position setting is used to align the optical fiber of the optical connector with the at least one optical port.

15. The optical assembly of claim 14, wherein the first correction device is spaced apart from the second correction device.

16. The optical assembly of claim 15, wherein the at least one optical port is disposed between the first correction device and the second correction device.

17. The optical assembly of claim 14, wherein the optical assembly comprises a plurality of optical ports, and wherein each optical port is associated with a first correction device and a second correction device.

18. The optical component of claim 14, wherein the first correction device comprises a grating formed in the surface of the optical component, wherein the grating defines one of a square pattern, a ramped sawtooth pattern, or a sine wave pattern.

19. The optical component of claim 18, wherein the grating is configured to have an area that is larger than an area of ​​the at least one optical port.

20. The optical component of claim 14, wherein the second correction device comprises a grating formed in the surface of the optical component, wherein the grating is configured to match the configuration of the at least one optical port such that centering of the optical fiber of the optical connector relative to the second correction device corresponds to centering of the optical fiber of the optical connector relative to the at least one optical port.

Images