Optical path converting component and method for manufacturing optical path converting component

Abstract

To provide an optical path conversion component capable of accurately aligning the optical axis of an optical waveguide with the optical axis of a lens.SOLUTION: The optical path converting component includes a light transmitting member, one or more lenses, one or more optical waveguides, and a molded portion. The translucent member has a first surface and a second surface forming an angle of less than 90° with the first surface, and includes a region made of glass. The one or more lenses are provided on the second surface. The one or more optical waveguides are provided in the region and optically coupled to the one or more lenses, respectively. The molded portion is provided on the second surface and includes the same constituent material as the constituent material of the one or more lenses. The molded portion has a surface parallel to any one of the outer surfaces of the translucent member excluding the second surface.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an optical path changing component and a method for manufacturing an optical path changing component. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an optical connector unit. This optical connector unit includes a holding member and an optical path conversion member. The holding member is made of glass and is fixed to a substrate having an input / output unit for inputting and outputting optical signals, and holds the end of an optical fiber. The optical path conversion member has a lens portion that focuses and reflects the optical signal. The end faces of the optical fiber and the holding member are obliquely polished. The optical path conversion member is fixed to the obliquely polished end face of the optical fiber and the end face of the holding member. The lens portion converts the direction of the optical signal, thereby optically coupling the optical fiber to the input / output unit. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2020-79862 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] An optical circuit board is a board for transmitting data using optical signals instead of electrical signals. While conventional electronic circuit boards transmit signals using electricity, optical circuit boards communicate by transmitting light using optical waveguides. Compared to electronic circuit boards, optical circuit boards have various advantages, such as high-speed transmission, low loss, reduced electromagnetic interference, and low power consumption.

[0005] An optical circuit board is connected to an external optical waveguide, such as an optical fiber, to input and output optical signals. When connecting an external optical waveguide to an optical circuit board, a slope is provided on a component that holds the optical waveguide, and a reflective lens is provided on the slope, as in the structure described in Patent Document 1, for example. This allows the optical waveguide to be coupled to the optical circuit board.

[0006] However, in such a structure, it is not easy to align the optical axis of the lens with that of the optical waveguide. For example, the core of an optical fiber has an extremely small diameter of 10 μm. Therefore, the optical axis alignment between the optical waveguide and the lens must be performed with extremely high precision, for example, within 1 μm.

[0007] An object of the present disclosure is to provide an optical path changing component that can accurately align the optical axis of an optical waveguide with the optical axis of a lens, and a method for manufacturing the optical path changing component. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] An optical path conversion component according to one embodiment of the present disclosure includes a light-transmitting member, one or more lenses, one or more optical waveguides, and a molded portion. The light-transmitting member has a first surface and a second surface that forms an angle of less than 90° with the first surface and includes a region made of glass. The one or more lenses are provided on the second surface. The one or more optical waveguides are provided in the region and are optically coupled to the one or more lenses, respectively. The molded portion is provided on the second surface and includes the same constituent material as the one or more lenses. The molded portion has a third surface that is parallel to any of the outer surfaces of the light-transmitting member except for the second surface. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide an optical path changing component that can accurately align the optical axis of an optical waveguide with the optical axis of a lens, and a method for manufacturing an optical path changing component. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1]FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically illustrating a side cross section of an optical system according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an optical path changing component. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of the vicinity of the molded portion of the optical path changing component. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a side view showing a portion near the molded portion of the optical path changing component. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is an enlarged perspective view of the molded portion. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a method for manufacturing an optical path changing component according to one embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a part of an optical path changing component according to one modified example. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a side view showing a part of the optical path changing component. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a side cross-sectional view showing a lens and molding portion according to another variation. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] [Description of the embodiments of the present disclosure] First, the contents of the embodiments of the present disclosure will be listed and described. [1] An optical path conversion component according to one embodiment of the present disclosure includes a light-transmitting member, one or more lenses, one or more optical waveguides, and a molded portion. The light-transmitting member has a first surface and a second surface that forms an angle of less than 90° with the first surface, and includes a glass region. The one or more lenses are provided on the second surface. The one or more optical waveguides are provided in the region and are optically coupled to the one or more lenses, respectively. The molded portion is provided on the second surface and includes the same constituent material as the one or more lenses. The molded portion has a surface parallel to any of the outer surfaces of the light-transmitting member except for the second surface.

[0012] In the optical path changing component of [1] above, the molded portion is provided on the same second surface as one or more lenses and contains the same constituent material as the one or more lenses. Therefore, it is easy to form the molded portion in the same process and by the same forming method as the one or more lenses. This increases the accuracy of the relative position between the molded portion and the one or more lenses. Furthermore, the molded portion has a surface parallel to any of the outer surfaces of the light-transmitting member except for the second surface. This allows the parallel surface to be confirmed, for example, using a microscope, and used as a reference for the position of the optical waveguide when forming the optical waveguide by irradiating a laser from any of the surfaces except for the second surface. Therefore, the optical path changing component of [1] above allows the optical axis of each of the one or more optical waveguides to be accurately aligned with the optical axis of each of the one or more lenses.

[0013] [2] In the optical path changing component according to [1] above, the molded portion may be aligned with one or more lenses in a direction parallel to the first surface. In this case, it is possible to easily align the optical axis of each of the one or more optical waveguides with the optical axis of each of the one or more lenses.

[0014] [3] In the optical path changing component according to [1] or [2] above, the one or more lenses and molded portions may be formed by recesses formed on the surface of the second surface. In this case, the one or more lenses and molded portions can be easily formed by, for example, etching. [4] In this case, the second surface may be made of glass.

[0015] [5] In the optical path conversion component according to [1] or [2] above, the lens or lenses and molded parts may be made of resin. In this case, the lens or lenses and molded parts can be easily formed by, for example, three-dimensional nano-printing.

[0016] [6] In the optical path conversion component according to [1] or [2] above, the light-transmitting member may have a first member and a second member. The first member is a glass member that defines the region and has a first surface. The second member is fixed to the first member and has a second surface, one or more lenses, and a molded portion. In this case, the first member in which the optical waveguide is formed and the second member in which the one or more lenses and molded portion are formed can be formed as separate members.

[0017] [7] In the optical path changing component according to [6] above, the material of the second member may be different from the material of the first member. In this case, the material of the second member is not limited to glass, which increases the degree of freedom in selecting the material of the second surface.

[0018] [8] A method for manufacturing an optical path changing component according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is a method for manufacturing an optical path changing component according to [1] or [2] above, and includes a first step and a second step. In the first step, one or more lenses and molded portions are formed in the same process and by the same forming method. In the second step, one or more optical waveguides are formed using the parallel surfaces of the molded portions as positional references.

[0019] The molded portion is provided on the same second surface as one or more lenses and contains the same constituent material as the one or more lenses. Therefore, it is easy to form the molded portion in the same process and by the same forming method as the one or more lenses. This increases the accuracy of the relative position between the molded portion and the one or more lenses. Furthermore, the molded portion has a surface parallel to any of the outer surfaces of the light-transmitting member except for the second surface. This allows the parallel surface to be confirmed, for example, using a microscope, and used as a reference for the position of the optical waveguide when forming the optical waveguide by irradiating a laser from any of the surfaces except for the second surface. Therefore, according to the manufacturing method [8] above, the optical axis of each of the one or more optical waveguides can be accurately aligned with the optical axis of each of the one or more lenses.

[0020] [9] In the method for manufacturing an optical path changing component according to [8] above, in the second step, one or more optical waveguides may be formed by irradiating the region with a laser beam that forms a focal point within the region. In this case, the one or more optical waveguides can be easily formed using the parallel planes as a positional reference.

[0021] [Details of the embodiments of the present disclosure] Specific examples of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to these examples, but is defined by the claims, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims. In the following description, the same elements in the description of the drawings will be given the same reference numerals, and duplicate explanations will be omitted.

[0022] [First embodiment] Fig. 1 is a diagram schematically showing a side cross section of an optical system 100 according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing an optical path changing component 1. As shown in Fig. 1, the optical system 100 includes an optical path changing component 1 and an optical integrated circuit substrate 10. The optical path changing component 1 is mounted on the optical integrated circuit substrate 10.

[0023] Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing the optical path changing component 1. As shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, the optical path changing component 1 includes a light-transmitting member 2, a plurality of reflective lenses 3, a plurality of optical waveguides 4, two molded portions 5 (see Fig. 2), and two guide pins 9. Note that the guide pins 9 are not shown in Fig. 2.

[0024] The light-transmitting member 2 is generally plate-shaped and has a first surface 21, a second surface 22, a third surface 23, and a fourth surface 24. The first surface 21, the second surface 22, the third surface 23, and the fourth surface 24 are, for example, flat and smooth surfaces. The first surface 21 faces the optical integrated circuit substrate 10 and, in one example, is bonded to the optical integrated circuit substrate 10. The first surface 21 has the largest area among the multiple flat surfaces that constitute the outer surface of the light-transmitting member 2. The third surface 23 faces opposite to the first surface 21. The third surface 23 may be parallel to the first surface 21. The normals to the first surface 21 and the third surface 23 are aligned in the thickness direction of the plate-shaped light-transmitting member 2. In a plan view, the first surface 21 and the third surface 23 are, for example, square or rectangular. The second surface 22 connects the first surface 21 and the third surface 23. The second surface 22 is inclined with respect to an imaginary plane parallel to the first surface 21 and forms an angle θ with the first surface 21 that is less than 90°. The angle θ is, for example, equal to or greater than 30° and equal to or less than 45°, and in one example, is 41°. The fourth surface 24 is aligned with the second surface 22 in a direction D1 that is aligned with the first surface 21 and the third surface 23. The fourth surface 24 may or may not be inclined with respect to the imaginary plane parallel to the first surface 21. In the illustrated example, the fourth surface 24 is perpendicular to the imaginary plane parallel to the first surface 21 and forms an angle of 90° with the first surface 21. The second surface 22 is a first end surface of the light-transmitting member 2 in the direction D1, and the fourth surface 24 is a second end surface of the light-transmitting member 2 in the direction D1.

[0025] The light-transmitting member 2 includes a glass region 25 (see FIG. 1). In the illustrated example, the entire light-transmitting member 2 is the region 25. Therefore, the first surface 21, the second surface 22, the third surface 23, and the fourth surface 24 are included in the region 25. The glass material of the region 25 is, for example, quartz glass, alkali-free glass (e.g., EAGLE XG (registered trademark)), or borosilicate glass (e.g., BOROFLOAT (registered trademark)). However, the present invention is not limited to this example, and the region 25 may be made of glass only in part of the light-transmitting member 2.

[0026] The plurality of lenses 3 are provided on the second surface 22. The plurality of lenses 3 have a convex shape on the second surface 22 facing outward from the light-transmitting member 2. The plurality of lenses 3 are arranged in a row along the first surface 21 and in a direction D2 that intersects with the direction D1. This example is not limiting, and the plurality of lenses 3 may be provided in multiple rows, each row extending along the direction D2. Each of the plurality of lenses 3 is formed by a technique such as three-dimensional nano-printing. The constituent material of the plurality of lenses 3 may be the same as or different from the constituent material of the light-transmitting member 2. The constituent material of the plurality of lenses 3 is, for example, a resin.

[0027] The plurality of optical waveguides 4 are provided in region 25 and are optically coupled to the plurality of lenses 3, respectively. Each of the plurality of optical waveguides 4 is formed by irradiating a laser beam having an extremely short pulse width, for example, on the order of femtoseconds, into region 25 from first surface 21 (or third surface 23), focusing the laser beam at a focusing point inside region 25, and moving the focusing point in the optical waveguiding direction. A first end of each of the plurality of optical waveguides 4 is located in a region far from fourth surface 24 and close to second surface 22. However, the first end of each of the plurality of optical waveguides 4 does not reach second surface 22, and a predetermined distance is provided between a lens 3 provided on second surface 22 and the corresponding optical waveguide 4.

[0028] The second end of each of the plurality of optical waveguides 4 is located in an area far from the second surface 22 and close to the fourth surface 24. In the illustrated example, the second end of each of the plurality of optical waveguides 4 reaches the fourth surface 24. A ferrule of an optical connector (not shown) having a ferrule for holding a plurality of optical fibers abuts against the fourth surface 24. The second end of each of the plurality of optical waveguides 4 is optically coupled to a corresponding optical fiber among the plurality of optical fibers.

[0029] The two guide pins 9 protrude from the fourth surface 24. The two guide pins 9 are fitted into two guide pin holes formed in the ferrule of the optical connector, respectively. This allows each of the multiple optical fibers of the optical connector to be aligned with each of the multiple optical waveguides 4 with high precision.

[0030] The two molded portions 5 are provided on the second surface 22. The two molded portions 5 are aligned with the plurality of lenses 3 in the direction D2 parallel to the first surface 21. In the illustrated example, the two molded portions 5 are provided at positions sandwiching a lens row consisting only of the plurality of lenses 3 from both sides in the direction D2. In other words, the two molded portions 5 overlap the plurality of lenses 3 when viewed along the direction D2.

[0031] Each molded portion 5 contains the same constituent material as the constituent material of the plurality of lenses 3. If the plurality of lenses 3 are made of resin, the molded portion 5 is also made of resin. Each molded portion 5 is formed in the same process and by the same forming method as the plurality of lenses 3. For example, if the plurality of lenses 3 are formed by three-dimensional nano-printing, each molded portion 5 is also formed by three-dimensional nano-printing.

[0032] Fig. 3 is an enlarged perspective view showing a portion of the optical path changing component 1 near the molded portion 5. Fig. 4 is a side view showing a portion of the optical path changing component 1 near the molded portion 5. Fig. 5 is an enlarged perspective view of the molded portion 5. As shown in these figures, the molded portion 5 has a convex shape on the second surface 22 facing outward from the light-transmitting member 2.

[0033] The molded portion 5 has a surface 51 and a surface 52. The surface 51 is a flat surface. When a laser beam is focused inside the region 25 to form the optical waveguide 4, the edge of the surface 51 serves as a reference for the focusing position (i.e., the position of the optical waveguide 4). The surface 51 is parallel to any of the outer surfaces of the light-transmitting member 2 except the second surface 22, i.e., the surface onto which the laser beam is irradiated. In this embodiment, the laser beam is irradiated onto the first surface 21 or the third surface 23, so the surface 51 is parallel to the first surface 21 and the third surface 23. The surface 51 has a circular, elliptical, rectangular, or polygonal shape. When the surface 51 is circular, the diameter of the surface 51 is, for example, 20 μm or more and 200 μm or less. The surface 52 is continuous from the surface 51 to the first surface 21. The shape of the surface 52 in a cross section parallel to the first surface 21 may or may not match the shape of the surface 51. For example, when the shape of the surface 51 is circular, the surface 52 may be a cylindrical surface or may have a shape other than a cylindrical surface.

[0034] Referring again to FIG. 1 , the optical integrated circuit substrate 10 has a main surface 11, a plurality of optical waveguides 12, and a plurality of lenses 13. The main surface 11 faces the first surface 21 of the light-transmitting member 2 and, in one example, is bonded to the first surface 21. The plurality of optical waveguides 12 are embedded inside the optical integrated circuit substrate 10 and extend along the main surface 11. A first end of each of the plurality of optical waveguides 12 is located directly below each of the plurality of lenses 3. The plurality of lenses 13 are formed on the main surface 11. A first end of each of the plurality of optical waveguides 12 is optically coupled to the plurality of lenses 3 via each of the plurality of lenses 13. A grating coupler may be provided at the first end of each of the plurality of optical waveguides 12.

[0035] Light 41 propagated through the optical waveguide 4 is emitted from a first end of the optical waveguide 4 and then reaches the lens 3 while expanding. The light 41 is collimated by the lens 3 and reflected toward the first surface 21. The light 41 passes through the first surface 21 and enters the optical integrated circuit substrate 10. Alternatively, the light 41 emitted from the optical integrated circuit substrate 10 enters the first surface 21 of the light-transmitting member 2 along the thickness direction of the light-transmitting member 2. The light 41 is focused by the lens 3 and reflected toward the first end of the optical waveguide 4. The light 41 enters the first end of the optical waveguide 4.

[0036] FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a manufacturing method for an optical path changing component 1 according to one embodiment. As shown in FIG. 6, the manufacturing method for the optical path changing component 1 of this embodiment includes a first step ST1 and a second step ST2. In the first step ST1, multiple lenses 3 and molded portions 5 are formed in the same process using the same forming method. In the second step ST2, multiple optical waveguides 4 are formed using the surface 51 of the molded portion 5 as a positional reference. In the second step ST2, a laser beam that forms a focal point within region 25 is irradiated onto region 25. While the laser beam is focused, the focal point is moved (scanned) along the optical waveguide direction. By repeating this process as many times as the number of optical waveguides, multiple optical waveguides 4 are formed. The wavelength of the laser beam is, for example, 500 nm to 550 nm, or 750 nm to 850 nm, or 1000 nm to 1100 nm. The pulse width of the laser beam is, for example, 50 fs to 500 fs. The average power of the laser beam is, for example, not less than 10 mW and not more than 500 mW. The position of surface 51 in the thickness direction of light-transmitting member 2 (in other words, the light irradiation direction) can be confirmed by adjusting the focus of a microscope used when irradiating the laser beam on surface 51.

[0037] The effects obtained by the optical path changing component 1 and the manufacturing method for the optical path changing component according to the present embodiment described above will be described. In the optical path changing component 1 and the manufacturing method for the optical path changing component according to the present embodiment, the molded portion 5 is provided on the same second surface 22 as the multiple lenses 3 and contains the same constituent material as the multiple lenses 3. Therefore, it is easy to form the molded portion 5 in the same process and by the same forming method as the multiple lenses 3. This improves the accuracy of the relative position between the molded portion 5 and the multiple lenses 3. Furthermore, the molded portion 5 has a surface 51 that is parallel to any of the outer surfaces of the light-transmitting member 2 except for the second surface 22. As a result, when forming the optical waveguide 4 by irradiating a laser beam from a surface parallel to the surface 51, the surface 51 can be confirmed using, for example, a microscope and used as a reference for the position of the optical waveguide 4. Therefore, the optical path changing component 1 and the manufacturing method for the optical path changing component 1 according to the present embodiment can accurately align the optical axis of each of the multiple optical waveguides 4 with the optical axis of each of the multiple lenses 3.

[0038] As in this embodiment, the molded portion 5 may be aligned with the plurality of lenses 3 in the direction D2 parallel to the first surface 21. In this case, it is possible to easily align the optical axis of each of the plurality of optical waveguides 4 with the optical axis of each of the plurality of lenses 3.

[0039] As in this embodiment, the lenses 3 and the molded portion 5 may be made of resin. In this case, the lenses 3 and the molded portion 5 can be easily formed by, for example, three-dimensional nano-printing.

[0040] As in the present embodiment, in the second step ST2, a laser beam that forms a focal point within the region 25 may be irradiated into the region 25 to form a plurality of optical waveguides 4. In this case, the plurality of optical waveguides 4 can be easily formed while using the surface 51 as a positional reference.

[0041] [First Modification] FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a portion of an optical path changing component 1A according to a modified example of the above embodiment. FIG. 8 is a side view showing a portion of the optical path changing component 1A. As shown in these figures, the optical path changing component 1A includes a light-transmitting member 2A instead of the light-transmitting member 2 of the above embodiment. The light-transmitting member 2A has a first member 20 and a second member (microlens array) 30. The first member 20 has a first surface 21, a third surface 23, and a fourth surface 24, similar to the light-transmitting member 2 of the above embodiment. Furthermore, the first member 20 has a surface 26 instead of the second surface 22 of the above embodiment.

[0042] The second member 30 is made of a material different from that of the first member 20, such as resin. The second member 30 is fixed to the first member 20. The second member 30 is translucent and disposed on the surface 26 of the first member 20. The second member 30 is a plate-shaped member having a main surface 33 and a back surface 34. The back surface 34 of the second member 30 faces the surface 26 of the first member 20 and is bonded to the surface 26. The main surface 33 of the second member 30 is the second surface of the translucent member 2A. The main surface 33 is inclined with respect to an imaginary plane parallel to the first surface 21, forming an angle of less than 90° with respect to the first surface 21. The magnitude of this angle is the same as the angle θ in the above embodiment. The main surface 33 is provided with a plurality of lenses 31 and two molded portions 32. The arrangement and shape of the plurality of lenses 31 and two molded portions 32 are the same as the arrangement and shape of the plurality of lenses 3 and two molded portions 5 in the above embodiment. However, the lenses 31 and the two molded portions 32 are molded as one piece with the second member 30 at the main surface 33 .

[0043] As in this modification, the light-transmitting member 2A may have a first member 20 and a second member 30. The first member 20 is a glass member that defines an area 25 and has a first surface 21. The second member 30 is fixed to the first member 20 and has a main surface 33 (second surface), a plurality of lenses 31, and a molded portion 32. In this case, the first member 20 in which the optical waveguide 4 is formed and the second member 30 in which the plurality of lenses 31 and the molded portion 32 are formed can be formed as separate members.

[0044] As described above, the constituent material of the second member 30 may be different from the constituent material of the first member 20. In this case, the constituent material of the second member 30 is not limited to glass, which increases the degree of freedom in selecting the material of the main surface 33 (second surface) on which the multiple lenses 31 and molded portions 32 are provided.

[0045] [Second Modification] Parts (a) and (b) of Figure 9 are side cross-sectional views showing one lens 6 of the multiple lenses 6 and one molding portion 7 of the two molding portions 7, respectively, according to another modification of the above embodiment. The arrangement and function of the multiple lenses 6 and the two molding portions 7 are the same as the arrangement and function of the multiple lenses 3 and the two molding portions 5 of the above embodiment. The molding portion 7 has a surface 71 with the same shape as the surface 51 of the molding portion 5 of the above embodiment.

[0046] As shown in part (a) of Figure 9, the multiple lenses 6 of the optical path changing component are formed by depressions formed in the surface of the second surface 22. Similarly, as shown in part (b) of Figure 9, the two molded portions 7 of the optical path changing component are formed by depressions formed in the surface of the second surface 22. In this case, the multiple lenses 6 and the two molded portions 7 can be easily formed by, for example, etching. The second surface 22 can be made of various etchable materials, and in one example, it is made of glass.

[0047] The optical path conversion component and the method for manufacturing the optical path conversion component according to the present disclosure are not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications are possible. For example, although the optical path conversion component includes multiple optical waveguides and multiple lenses in the above-described embodiment and each modification, the optical path conversion component may include a single optical waveguide and a single lens. Even in such a case, the effects of the above-described embodiment and each modification can be achieved. Furthermore, although the optical path conversion component includes two molded portions in the above-described embodiment and each modification, the number of molded portions is not limited to this. [Explanation of symbols]

[0048] 1,1A...Optical path conversion parts 2,2A…Translucent member 3...Lens 4...Optical waveguide 5,7…molding part 6...Lens 9...Guide pin 10...Optical integrated circuit substrate 11...Main surface 12...Optical waveguide 13...Lens 20...First member 21...Side 1 22…Second side 23...Third side 24…Side 4 25…Area 26…faces 30...Second member 31...Lens 32…Molding part 33...Main surface (second surface) 34…Back side 41...light 51,52,71…face 100...Optical system D1,D2…direction ST1…1st process ST2…2nd process θ…Angle

Claims

1. a transparent member having a first surface and a second surface that forms an angle of less than 90° with respect to the first surface, the transparent member including a glass region; one or more lenses provided on the second surface; one or more optical waveguides provided within the region and optically coupled to the one or more lenses, respectively; a molded portion provided on the second surface and containing the same constituent material as the one or more lenses; Equipped with The molded portion has a surface parallel to any one of the outer surfaces of the light-transmitting member except for the second surface.

2. The optical path changing component according to claim 1 , wherein the molded portion is aligned with the one or more lenses in a direction parallel to the first surface.

3. 3. The optical path changing component according to claim 1, wherein the one or more lenses and the molded portion are shaped by recesses formed in the surface of the second face.

4. 4. The optical path changing component according to claim 3, wherein the second surface is made of glass.

5. 3. The optical path changing component according to claim 1, wherein the one or more lenses and the molded portion are made of resin.

6. The light-transmitting member is a first member made of glass that defines the region and has the first surface; a second member secured to the first member and having the second surface, the one or more lenses, and the molded portion; The optical path changing component according to claim 1 or 2, comprising:

7. 7. The optical path changing component according to claim 6, wherein the second member is made of a material different from that of the first member.

8. A method for manufacturing the optical path changing component according to claim 1 or 2, comprising: a first step of forming the one or more lenses and the molded portion in the same process and by the same forming method; a second step of forming the one or more optical waveguides using the parallel surfaces of the molded portion as a positional reference; A method for manufacturing an optical path changing component, comprising:

9. 9. The method for manufacturing an optical path changing component according to claim 8, wherein in the second step, the one or more optical waveguides are formed by irradiating the region with a laser beam that forms a focal point within the region.

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