Optical interconnect with tandem ferrule

Abstract

The optical ferrule has a first row and a second row, each comprising a first receiving element and a second receiving element. Furthermore, it comprises a first input member and a second input member offset from each other along the length, a first optical direction changing member and a second optical direction changing member, and an exit window. The second row of the second receiving elements is positioned along the thickness direction of the ferrule, offset from the first row of the first receiving elements. When the first and second optical fibers are received and fixed in the first and second receiving elements, respectively, the first and second central rays emitted from these optical fibers are incident on the integrated optical ferrule via the first and second input members, respectively. The incident first and second central rays are redirected by the first and second optical direction changing members, and the redirected first and second central rays are exited from the integrated optical ferrule through the exit window.

Description

[Overview of the Initiative]

[0001] In some embodiments of the present invention, an integrated optical ferrule is provided. The integrated optical ferrule includes a plurality of rows, each having substantially parallel first and second receiving elements, a plurality of rows including at least a first row and a second row, first and second input members, first and second optical direction changing members, and an output window. The receiving elements of the first and second rows extend along the same longitudinal direction and are arranged along the same width direction perpendicular thereto, and are configured to receive and fix corresponding first and second optical fibers, respectively. The row of second receiving elements is offset from the row of first receiving elements along the thickness direction perpendicular to the longitudinal and width directions. The first and second input members are offset from each other along the longitudinal direction. When the first and second optical fibers are received and fixed in the receiving element, the first and second central rays emitted from these optical fibers enter the integrated optical ferrule through their respective input members. The entered first and second central rays are then redirected from a first direction to a different second direction by their respective optical direction redirecting members, and the redirected first and second central rays are then emitted from the integrated optical ferrule through the exit window.

[0002] In some embodiments of the present invention, an integrated optical ferrule is provided. The integrated optical ferrule includes a first receiving element for receiving and fixing a first optical fiber, a first input member, a first optical direction changing member, and an output window. When the first optical fiber is received and fixed in the first receiving element, a first central ray emitted from the optical fiber is incident on the integrated optical ferrule via the first input member. The incident first central ray is redirected by the first optical direction changing member from a first direction to a different second direction, and the redirected first central ray is emitted from the integrated optical ferrule via the output window. Furthermore, a recess is formed between the input member and the optical direction changing member, and the incident first central ray passes through the recess before being redirected by the optical direction changing member.

[0003] In some aspects of the present invention, an integrated optical ferrule is provided. The integrated optical ferrule includes first and second receiving elements for receiving and fixing first and second optical fibers respectively, first and second input members, first and second optical direction conversion members, and an emission window. When the first and second optical fibers are received and fixed in their respective receiving elements, first and second central light rays radiated from the optical fibers enter the integrated optical ferrule through their respective input members. The incident first and second central light rays are respectively directionally converted by the optical direction conversion members from a first direction to different second directions, and the directionally converted first and second central light rays are emitted from the integrated optical ferrule through the emission window. Further, a recess is formed between the first input member and the first optical direction conversion member, and the second optical direction conversion member is provided on the inner wall thereof.

[0004] In some embodiments of the present invention, an integrated optical ferrule is provided. The integrated optical ferrule includes a plurality of rows, each having substantially parallel first and second receiving elements, a plurality of rows including at least a first row and a second row, a plurality of input members, a configuration in which a plurality of first optical direction changing members and a plurality of second optical direction changing members are alternately provided, and an output window. The receiving elements of the first and second rows extend along the same longitudinal direction and are arranged along a width direction perpendicular thereto, and are configured to receive and fix their respective optical fibers. The row of second receiving elements is offset from the row of first receiving elements along a thickness direction perpendicular to the longitudinal and width directions. The first and second input members are offset from each other along the longitudinal direction. Each second optical direction changing member is positioned in a recess relative to the corresponding first optical direction changing member. When the first and second optical fibers are received and fixed in the receiving element, the central rays emitted from each optical fiber are incident on the integrated optical ferrule via the input member. The incident central rays are redirected by the optical direction changing member from a first direction to a different second direction, and the redirected central rays are emitted from the optical ferrule via the output window. The redirected first and second central rays are then arranged in substantially the same first plane via the output window. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0005] [Figure 1A] Figure 1A shows a typical I / O port spacing in the conventional technology. [Figure 1B] Figure 1B shows an example of spacing between multiple columns according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 1C] Figure 1C shows an example of spacing between multiple columns according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0006] [Figure 2A] Figure 2A is a perspective view of a tandem optical ferrule according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2B] Figure 2B is a perspective view of a tandem optical ferrule according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0007] [Figure 3A] Figure 3A is a perspective view of a tandem optical ferrule according to another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3B] Figure 3B is a perspective view of a tandem optical ferrule according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0008] [Figure 4A] Figure 4A is another perspective view of a tandem optical ferrule according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4B] Figure 4B is another perspective view of a tandem optical ferrule according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0009] [Figure 5A] Figure 5A is a side cross-sectional view of a tandem optical ferrule according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5B] Figure 5B is a side cross-sectional view of a tandem optical ferrule according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0010] [Figure 6A] Figure 6A is a side cross-sectional view of a tandem optical ferrule according to another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6B] Figure 6B is a side cross-sectional view of a tandem optical ferrule according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0011] [Figure 7] Figure 7 shows the incidence angle of the central ray to the input member of an optical ferrule according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0012] [Figure 8A] Figure 8A is a perspective view of a tandem optical ferrule according to another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8B] Figure 8B is a perspective view of a tandem optical ferrule according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0013] [Figure 9A]FIG. 9A is another perspective view of a tandem optical ferrule according to another embodiment shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B of the present invention. [Figure 9B] FIG. 9B is another perspective view of a tandem optical ferrule according to another embodiment shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B of the present invention.

[0014] [Figure 10A] FIG. 10A is a side cross-sectional view of a tandem optical ferrule according to another embodiment shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B of the present invention. [Figure 10B] FIG. 10B is a side cross-sectional view of a tandem optical ferrule according to another embodiment shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B of the present invention. [Figure 10C] FIG. 10C is a side cross-sectional view of a tandem optical ferrule according to another embodiment shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B of the present invention.

[0015] [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional perspective view of a tandem optical ferrule according to another embodiment shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B of the present invention.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0016] In this specification, reference is made to the accompanying drawings. The accompanying drawings form part of the present invention and illustrate various embodiments. Note that the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale. It should be understood by those skilled in the art that other embodiments can be considered without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention. Therefore, the following detailed description should not be construed in a limiting sense.

[0017] The data communication bandwidth specifications for photonic integrated circuits (PICs) are constantly increasing, requiring more input / output (I / O) ports. As shown in Figure 1A, current I / O arrays have a single row of ports. However, due to the area constraints of the PIC, designers need to increase the density of these arrays. One solution to increase array density is to reduce the spacing between waveguides, i.e., to reduce the channel pitch of the I / O port array. As an example, as shown in Figures 1B and 1C, a second row of I / O ports can be added to the first row, which can substantially double the number of available channels compared to a single-row array. In the embodiment of Figure 1B, the second row of I / O ports may be offset from the first row of I / O ports. In the embodiment of Figure 1C, the second row of I / O ports may not be offset and may simply be added collinearly with the existing I / O ports.

[0018] In accordance with some aspects of the present invention, embodiments of an integrated optical ferrule configured to accommodate the expected increase in the number of I / O ports in photonic integrated circuits are described below. For example, in some embodiments, an integrated optical ferrule is provided. The integrated optical ferrule includes a plurality of rows, each having substantially parallel first and second receiving elements, including at least a first and second row, first and second input members offset from each other along the longitudinal direction, first and second optical direction changing members, and an output window.

[0019] In some embodiments, the first and second receiving elements extend along the same longitudinal direction (e.g., the x-axis direction of the ferrule) and are arranged along the same width direction perpendicular thereto (e.g., the y-axis direction), and are configured to receive and secure the first and second optical fibers, respectively. In some embodiments, the row of second receiving elements may be offset from the row of first receiving elements along the thickness direction perpendicular to the longitudinal and width directions (e.g., the z-axis direction).

[0020] In some embodiments, once the first and second optical fibers are received and fixed in their respective receiving elements, the first and second central rays emitted from each optical fiber are incident on an integrated optical ferrule via their respective input members. In some embodiments, the incident central rays are redirected from a first direction to a different second direction by their respective optical redirection members, and the redirected central rays are emitted from the integrated optical ferrule through an exit window.

[0021] In some embodiments, if S1 is the distance over which the first central ray propagates between the first input member and the first optical direction changing member, and S2 is the distance over which the second central ray propagates between the second input member and the second optical direction changing member, then S1 and S2 may be within 20%, 15%, 10%, 5%, or substantially equal to each other.

[0022] In some embodiments, if S11 is the distance over which the first central ray propagates between the first input member and the first optical direction changing member, and S12 is the distance over which the second central ray propagates between the second input member and the second optical direction changing member, then S11 and S12 may differ by at least 30%, or 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%, or 100%.

[0023] In some embodiments, the second row of receiving elements may be offset from the first row of receiving elements by at least 5 μm, or 10 μm, 20 μm, 50 μm, 100 μm, 150 μm, or 200 μm along the thickness direction.

[0024] In some embodiments, the first and second rows may each include at least two, five, or ten receiving elements. Furthermore, each of the first and second receiving elements may include a groove extending along its length.

[0025] In some embodiments, the first and second input members may be offset from each other by at least 10 μm, or 50 μm, 100 μm, 500 μm, 1000 μm, 2000 μm, or 5000 μm along the longitudinal direction.

[0026] In some embodiments, the first and second optical direction deflectors may be offset from each other along the length and thickness directions. In some embodiments, the incident first and second central rays may be deflected by at least 40 degrees, or 50, 60, 70, or 80 degrees, by the respective optical direction deflectors. In some embodiments, the corresponding first and second directions may be at an angle of about 30 to 150 degrees relative to each other.

[0027] In some embodiments, the integrated optical ferrule further includes a bottom surface facing and substantially parallel to the first and second rows, the bottom surface may be provided with an exit window. In some embodiments, each redirected first and second central ray may be emitted through the integrated optical ferrule from different positions in the exit window. In some embodiments, the exit window may be provided with an anti-reflective coating to reduce the reflectivity of incident light with wavelengths greater than 500 nm, or greater than 600 nm, 700 nm, 800 nm, 900 nm, and 1000 nm, by at least 1%, 2%, and 3%.

[0028] In some embodiments, the central rays emitted from the first and second optical fibers may be incident on the corresponding input member at an incident angle greater than 0.5 degrees, or greater than 1 degree, 1.5 degrees, 2 degrees, 3 degrees, 4 degrees, or 5 degrees, respectively.

[0029] In some embodiments, the average size of the first optical direction changing member and the average size of the second optical direction changing member may differ by at least 10%, 20%, 25%, 30%, 35%, 50%, 100%, or three times or four times.

[0030] In some embodiments, the redirected first and second central rays emitted from the integrated optical ferrule through the exit window may be arranged in substantially the same first plane. In some embodiments, the center points of the first and second optical redirecting members may be contained within a second plane substantially perpendicular to the surface of each optical redirecting member.

[0031] In some embodiments, the second optical direction changing members are arranged alternately with the first optical direction changing members along the width direction of the optical ferrule, and each second optical direction changing member may be positioned in a recess relative to the corresponding first optical direction changing member.

[0032] An integrated optical ferrule is provided according to several aspects of the present invention. The integrated optical ferrule includes a first receiving element for receiving and fixing a first optical fiber, a first input member, a first optical direction changing member, and an output window. In some embodiments, once the first optical fiber is received and fixed in the first receiving element, a first central ray emitted from the first optical fiber is incident on the integrated optical ferrule via the first input member. In some embodiments, the incident first central ray is redirected from a first direction to a different second direction by the first optical direction changing member. In some embodiments, the redirected first central ray is emitted from the integrated optical ferrule via the output window. In some embodiments, a recess is formed between the first input member and the first optical direction changing member, and the incident first central ray passes through the recess before being redirected by the optical direction changing member.

[0033] In some embodiments, the integrated optical ferrule has a first composition, and the recess is filled with a different second composition. In some embodiments, the first composition may include one or more polymers, ceramics, glass, alumina, quartz glass, titania, and zirconia. In some embodiments, the second composition may include air. In some embodiments, for at least the same first wavelength in the wavelength range of about 400 nm to about 2000 nm, the refractive index of the first composition may be at least about 0.05, or about 0.1, about 0.15, about 0.2, about 0.3, or about 0.4 greater than the refractive index of the second composition.

[0034] An integrated optical ferrule is provided according to several aspects of the present invention. The integrated optical ferrule includes first and second receiving elements for receiving and fixing first and second optical fibers, respectively; first and second input members; first and second optical direction changing members; and an output window. In some embodiments, once the first and second optical fibers are received and fixed in their respective receiving elements, first and second central rays radiated from the optical fibers are incident on the integrated optical ferrule through their respective input members. In some embodiments, the incident first and second central rays are redirected from a first direction to a different second direction by their respective optical direction changing members. In some embodiments, the redirected first and second central rays are emitted from the integrated optical ferrule through the output window. In some embodiments, a recess is formed between the first input member and the first optical direction changing member, and a second optical direction changing member is provided on its inner wall.

[0035] An integrated optical ferrule is provided according to several aspects of the present invention. The integrated optical ferrule includes a plurality of rows, each having substantially parallel first and second receiving elements, including at least a first and second row, first and second input members offset from each other along the longitudinal direction, a configuration in which a plurality of first optical direction changing members and a plurality of second optical direction changing members are arranged alternately, and an output window. In some embodiments, the first and second receiving elements extend along the same longitudinal direction (e.g., the x-axis direction of the optical ferrule) and are arranged along the same width direction perpendicular thereto (e.g., the y-axis direction). In some embodiments, the receiving elements are configured to receive and fix first and second optical fibers, respectively. In some embodiments, the row of second receiving elements may be offset from the row of first receiving elements along the thickness direction (e.g., the z-axis direction of the optical ferrule).

[0036] In some embodiments, each of the plurality of second optical direction changing members is positioned within a recess relative to the corresponding plurality of first optical direction changing members.

[0037] In some embodiments, once the first and second optical fibers are received and fixed in the receiving elements, the first and second central rays radiated from the optical fibers are incident on the integrated optical ferrule via their respective input members. In some embodiments, the incident first and second central rays are redirected from a first direction to a different second direction by their respective optical redirection members. In some embodiments, the redirected first and second central rays are emitted from the integrated optical ferrule through an exit window, with each emitted ray positioned within substantially the same first plane (exit plane). In some embodiments, the center points of the first and second optical redirection members are contained within a second plane substantially perpendicular to the surface of each optical redirection member.

[0038] In some embodiments, the average size of the first optical direction changing member and the average size of the second optical direction changing member may differ by at least 10%, or 20%, 25%, 30%, 35%, 50%, 100%, or three times or four times.

[0039] Referring to the drawings, Figures 1A to 1C show two examples of typical I / O port spacing in the prior art and a multi-row arrangement that may be used in the embodiments described herein. Figures 1A to 1C will be described elsewhere in this specification.

[0040] Figures 2A and 2B are perspective views of a tandem optical ferrule 300 according to one embodiment of this specification. Figures 3A and 3B are perspective views of a tandem optical ferrule 400 according to another embodiment of this specification. Figures 8A and 8B are perspective views of a tandem optical ferrule 500 according to a further embodiment of this specification. Each of these embodiments will be described separately.

[0041] Returning to Figures 2A and 2B, and referring to both figures together, the integrated optical ferrule 300 includes a plurality of rows of receiving elements, including a first row 10a having at least a first receiving element 11a and a second row 10b having a second receiving element 11b. In some embodiments, the first receiving elements 11a and the second receiving elements 11b of the optical ferrule 300 extend along the same length direction (e.g., the x-axis direction shown in Figure 2A) and are arranged along the same width direction perpendicular thereto (e.g., the y-axis direction shown in Figure 2A). In some embodiments, the first receiving elements 11a and the second receiving elements 11b are provided substantially parallel to each other. In some embodiments, the second receiving elements 11b of the second row 10b are positioned offset from the first receiving elements 11a of the first row 10a along the thickness direction perpendicular to the length and width directions (e.g., the z-axis direction shown in Figure 2A). In some embodiments, the first receiving element 11a and the second receiving element 11b receive and fix the first optical fiber 20a and the second optical fiber 20b, respectively.

[0042] In some embodiments, the integrated optical ferrule 300 further includes a first input member 30a and a second input member 30b (e.g., input surface), which are offset from each other along the longitudinal direction (e.g., the x-direction shown in Figure 2B). In some embodiments, the integrated optical ferrule 300 further includes a first optical direction changing member 40a and a second optical direction changing member 40b.

[0043] In some embodiments, central rays emitted from a first optical fiber 20a or a second optical fiber 20b are incident into the optical ferrule 300 via a first input member 30a or a second input member 30b, respectively. The central rays incident on the input members 30a and / or 30b are redirected from a first direction to a different second direction by the corresponding optical redirection members 40a or 40b, respectively. The redirected central rays are then emitted from the integrated optical ferrule 300 via an exit window (e.g., an exit window 50 shown in Figure 4A).

[0044] In the embodiment of the integrated optical ferrule 300 shown in Figures 2A and 2B, a recess 310 is formed between the first and second input members 30a, 30b and the first and second optical direction changing members 40a, 40b. In some embodiments, the central ray incident into the optical ferrule 300 via the first input member 30a passes through the recess 310 and is then redirected by the first optical direction changing member 40a. In contrast, the central ray incident into the optical ferrule 300 via the second input member 30b is redirected by the second optical direction changing member 40b before reaching the recess 310 and therefore does not pass through the recess 310. Further explanation of the optical path of the ray incident from the optical fiber into the optical ferrule is provided elsewhere in this specification.

[0045] Figures 3A and 3B are perspective views of a tandem optical ferrule 400 according to another embodiment of this specification. While there are similarities between the embodiment of optical ferrule 300 (see Figures 2A and 2B) and the tandem optical ferrule 400, the main difference lies in the arrangement of the optical direction-shifting members. Specifically, in optical ferrule 300, the optical direction-shifting members 40a and 40b were arranged on two planes parallel to each other, separated by a recess 310, whereas in optical ferrule 400, the optical direction-shifting members 140a and 140b are arranged on the same plane without a recess. As described elsewhere in this specification, this configuration difference affects the distance over which the central ray propagates between the input member and the optical direction-shifting members. That is, in optical ferrule 300, the difference in distance between the input member and the optical direction-shifting members is substantially the same whether the ray is incident from the optical fiber of the first receiving element row or from the optical fiber of the second receiving element row. In contrast, in the optical ferrule 400, the propagation distance of light rays incident from the first array of receiving elements may differ significantly from the propagation distance of light rays incident from the second array of receiving elements (see Figures 5A, 5B, 6A, and 6B).

[0046] Returning to Figures 3A and 3B, and referring to both figures together, the integrated tandem optical ferrule 400 includes a plurality of receiving element rows, including a first row 110a having at least a first receiving element 111a and a second row 110b having a second receiving element 111b. In some embodiments, the first receiving element 111a and the second receiving element 111b of the optical ferrule 400 extend along the same length direction (e.g., the x-axis direction shown in Figure 3A) and are arranged along the same width direction perpendicular thereto (e.g., the y-axis direction shown in Figure 3A). In some embodiments, the first receiving element 111a and the second receiving element 111b are provided substantially parallel to each other. In some embodiments, the second receiving element 111b of the second row 110b is positioned offset from the first receiving element 111a of the first row 110a along the thickness direction perpendicular to the length and width directions (e.g., the z-axis direction shown in Figure 3A). In some embodiments, the first receiving element 111a and the second receiving element 111b receive and fix the first optical fiber 120a and the second optical fiber 120b, respectively.

[0047] In some embodiments, the integrated optical ferrule 400 further includes a first input member 130a and a second input member 130b (e.g., input surface), which are offset from each other along the longitudinal direction (e.g., the x-direction shown in Figure 3B). In some embodiments, the integrated optical ferrule 400 further includes a first optical direction changing member 140a and a second optical direction changing member 140b.

[0048] In some embodiments, central rays emitted from a first optical fiber 120a or a second optical fiber 120b are incident on the optical ferrule 400 via a first input member 130a or a second input member 130b, respectively. The central rays incident on the input members 130a and / or 130b are redirected from a first direction to a different second direction by the corresponding optical redirection members 140a or 140b, respectively. The redirected central rays are then emitted from the integrated optical ferrule 400 via an exit window (e.g., an exit window 150 shown in Figure 4B).

[0049] In the embodiment of the integrated optical ferrule 400 shown in Figures 3A and 3B, the first optical direction changing member 140a and the second optical direction changing member 140b are arranged substantially on the same plane. Since this substantially identical plane (see surface 145 in Figure 3A) is inclined with respect to the thickness direction (for example, the z-axis direction in Figure 3A), the light rays whose direction is changed by the optical direction changing members 140a and 140b are emitted from the emission window 150 at positions that are at least partially offset from each other (see Figures 6A and 6B).

[0050] Figures 4A and 4B show other perspective views of the tandem optical ferrules 300 and 400 according to this specification. These figures show perspective views of the optical ferrules 300 and 400 as seen from the bottom. In Figure 4A, the optical ferrule 300 includes a bottom surface 51 facing and substantially parallel to the first row 10a and the second row 10b (at least as shown in Figure 2B). In some embodiments, the bottom surface 51 includes an exit window 50. Similarly, in Figure 4B, the optical ferrule 400 includes a bottom surface 151 facing and substantially parallel to the first row 110a and the second row 110b (at least as shown in Figure 3B). In some embodiments, the bottom surface 151 includes an exit window 150. In several embodiments (not limited to the embodiment shown in Figure 4B), the exit window 151 is coated with an anti-reflective coating 152, which can reduce reflection of incident light with wavelengths greater than 500 nm, or wavelengths greater than 600 nm, 700 nm, 800 nm, 900 nm, and 1000 nm, by at least 1%, or 2%, or 3%.

[0051] Figures 5A and 5B are side cross-sectional views of an embodiment of the tandem optical ferrule 300 shown in Figures 2A and 2B. Figures 6A and 6B are side cross-sectional views of an embodiment of the tandem optical ferrule 400 shown in Figures 3A and 3B. These figures illustrate the optical path through which the light rays emitted from the optical fiber are redirected within the optical ferrule, and the differences between each embodiment.

[0052] Looking at Figures 5A and 5B together, when the first optical fiber 20a and the second optical fiber 20b are received and fixed in the first receiving element 11a and the second receiving element 11b, respectively, the first central ray 21a and the second central ray 21b are incident on the integrated optical ferrule 300 via the first input member 30a and the second input member 30b, respectively. In some embodiments, the incident first central ray 22a and the second central ray 22b are redirected from the first directions 1a and 1b to the different second directions 2a and 2b by the first optical direction redirecting member 40a and the second optical direction redirecting member 40b, respectively. In some embodiments, the redirected first central ray 22a and the second central ray 22b are emitted from the integrated optical ferrule 300 via an emission window 50 provided on the bottom surface 51 of the optical ferrule 300.

[0053] In some embodiments, if the distance over which the first central ray 22a propagates between the first input member 30a and the first optical direction changing member 40a is S1 (see Figure 5A), and the distance over which the second central ray 22b propagates between the second input member 30b and the second optical direction changing member 40b is S2 (see Figure 5B), then S1 and S2 may be within approximately 20%, 15%, 10%, or 5% of each other. In other words, in embodiments of the optical ferrule 300, the distances S1 and S2 may be substantially the same.

[0054] In some embodiments, when the incident first central ray 22a and second central ray 22b are redirected from first directions 1a and 1b to different second directions 2a and 2b, respectively, and the redirected first central ray 22a and second central ray 22b are emitted from the integrated optical ferrule 300 through the emission window 50, a recess 310 is formed between the first input member 30a and the first optical direction redirecting member 40a. In some embodiments, a second optical direction redirecting member 40b is provided on the inner wall 320 of the recess 310. In some embodiments, the corresponding first directions 1a, 1b and second directions 2a, 2b form an angle β1 from about 30 degrees to about 150 degrees.

[0055] Referring to Figures 6A and 6B, in an embodiment of the integrated optical ferrule 400, when the first optical fiber 120a and the second optical fiber 120b are received and fixed in the first receiving element 111a and the second receiving element 111b, respectively, the first central rays 121a and the second central rays 121b radiated from the first optical fiber 120a and the second optical fiber 120b are incident into the integrated optical ferrule 400 via the first input member 130a and the second input member 130b, respectively. In some embodiments, the incident first central rays 122a and the second central rays 122b are redirected by the first optical direction changing member 140a and the second optical direction changing member 140b from first directions 11a and 11b to different second directions 12a and 12b, respectively. In some embodiments, the redirected first central ray 122a and the second central ray 122b are emitted from the integrated optical ferrule 400 through an emission window 150 provided on the bottom surface 151 of the optical ferrule 400.

[0056] In some embodiments, the distance over which the first central ray 122a propagates between the first input member 130a and the first optical direction changing member 140a can be S11 (see Figure 6A), and the distance over which the second central ray 122b propagates between the second input member 130b and the second optical direction changing member 140b can be S12 (see Figure 6B). In some embodiments, the difference between S11 and S12 may be at least 30%, or 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%, 100% or more. In some embodiments, the size of the first optical direction changing member 140a may differ significantly (e.g., be smaller) from the size of the second optical direction changing member 140b, which may be due to the relative difference in the distance over which the rays propagate and the difference in the spread of the rays associated with that propagation. In some embodiments, the corresponding first directions 11a, 11b and second directions 12a, 12b form an angle β1 of about 30 to about 150 degrees (as shown in Figure 5B, which also applies to the optical ferrule 400). In some embodiments, the first optical direction changing member 140a and the second optical direction changing member 140b are arranged on the same plane (e.g., the same planar surface) 145.

[0057] Figure 7 shows the incidence angle of the central ray to the input member of the optical ferrule. Light rays propagating through an optical fiber travel by the mechanism of total internal reflection. In other words, a light ray introduced into an optical fiber propagates through the fiber when it is incident on the inner wall of the fiber at an angle greater than or equal to the critical angle (i.e., incident at an angle greater than or equal to the minimum angle at which total internal reflection occurs, rather than the light passing through to the outside of the fiber). As a result of this "propagation while repeatedly reflecting," each central ray emitted from the first and second optical fibers (for example, rays 21a, 21b, 121a or 121b shown in Figures 5A, 5B, 6A, and 6B) may be incident on the corresponding input member (for example, rays 30a, 30b, 130a or 130b shown in the same figures) at an incidence angle α1 greater than approximately 0.5 degrees, or greater than 1 degree, 1.5 degrees, 2 degrees, 3 degrees, 4 degrees, or 5 degrees.

[0058] Figures 8A and 8B (and Figures 9A-9B and 10A-10C) show various diagrams of the tandem optical ferrule 500, which is a third embodiment according to this specification. Similar to the embodiments of the optical ferrules 300 and 400 described above, the optical ferrule 500 shares many similarities, but the main difference lies in the configuration of the optical direction changing surface. That is, the integrated tandem optical ferrules 300 and 400 employ a configuration that increases the number density of emitted rays by arranging the positions of the emitted rays in a staggered pattern (for example, corresponding to the staggered arrangement of I / O ports on the PIC shown in Figure 1B). In contrast, the integrated tandem optical ferrule 500 has an optical direction changing surface, and the resulting emitted rays correspond to a densely packed, non-staggered arrangement of I / O ports as shown in Figure 1C.

[0059] In some embodiments, the integrated optical ferrule 500 has a plurality of rows, including at least a first row 210a and a second row 210b, each row comprising substantially parallel first receiving elements 211a and second receiving elements 211b. It also includes a first input member 230a and a second input member 230b, which are offset from each other along the longitudinal direction. Furthermore, it includes a first optical direction changing member 240a, a plurality of second optical direction changing members 240b arranged alternately with the first optical direction changing member 240a, and an output window 250 (provided on the bottom surface 251 of the optical ferrule 500).

[0060] In some embodiments, the first receiving element 211a and the second receiving element 211b extend along the same length direction (e.g., the x-axis direction) and are arranged along the same width direction perpendicular thereto (e.g., the y-axis direction), and are configured to receive and fix the first optical fiber 220a and the second optical fiber 220b, respectively. In some embodiments, the second receiving element 211b of the second row 210b is offset from the first receiving element 211a of the first row 210a along the thickness direction perpendicular to the length and width directions (e.g., the z-axis direction in Figure 8A).

[0061] In some embodiments, each second optical direction changing member 240b is positioned within a recess 510b relative to the non-recessed surface 510a where the corresponding first optical direction changing member 240a is located. In some embodiments, the difference between the average size of the first optical direction changing member 240a and the average size of the second optical direction changing member 240b may be at least 10%, or 20%, 25%, 30%, 35%, 50%, 100% or more, or three times or four times or more. As will be described in the description of the remaining figures, this configuration, in which smaller optical direction changing members 240a and larger optical direction changing members 240b positioned within recesses are alternately arranged, causes the light rays emitted through the emission window 250 of the optical ferrule 500 to be aligned in the same plane (corresponding to the non-staggered I / O port pattern shown in Figure 1C), enabling higher density light emission.

[0062] Figures 9A and 9B show additional perspective (cross-sectional) views of a tandem optical ferrule relating to a modified example of the optical ferrule 500 shown in Figures 8A and 8B, for example. Figures 9A and 9B and Figures 10A to 10C are cross-sectional views showing the path through which the central ray passes inside the ferrule. These figures include parts common to many of the elements shown in the preceding figures, and unless otherwise specified herein, components with the same reference numeral should be understood to perform the same function. The main focus of the following description is the optical path of the rays emitted from optical fibers 220a and 220b.

[0063] In some embodiments, the integrated optical ferrule 500 includes a first receiving element 211a and a second receiving element 211b, configured to receive and fix the corresponding first optical fiber 220a and second optical fiber 220b, respectively. In some embodiments, the second receiving element 211b of the second row 210b is offset from the first receiving element 211a of the first row 210a along the thickness direction (e.g., the z-axis) perpendicular to the length and width directions of the optical ferrule.

[0064] In some embodiments, central rays 225a and 225b emitted from optical fibers 220a and 220b enter the optical ferrule 500 and are redirected by corresponding optical redirection members 240a and 240b, respectively. The redirected central rays 225a and 225b exit the optical ferrule 500 through an exit window 250 provided on the bottom surface 251 of the optical ferrule 500. Multiple optical redirection members 240a are arranged on a non-recessed surface 510a and are offset from each other by multiple optical redirection members 240a arranged alternately in recesses 510b.

[0065] Figures 10A and 10C are schematic cross-sectional views further illustrating the optical paths of central rays emitted from optical fibers 220a and 220b. Referring first to Figure 10A, a central ray 221b is emitted from the second optical fiber 220b and incident on the optical ferrule 500 via the input member 230b. The incident central ray 222b propagates within the optical ferrule 500 along the first direction 21b, is redirected to a different second direction 22b by an optical direction changing member (e.g., a mirror) 240b located in the recess 510b, and finally exits the optical ferrule 500 through the exit window 250.

[0066] Similarly, referring to Figure 10B, a central ray 221a is emitted from the first optical fiber 220a and incident on the optical ferrule 500 via the input member 230a. The incident central ray 222a propagates within the optical ferrule 500 along the first direction 21a, is redirected to a different second direction 22a by an optical direction changing member (e.g., a mirror) 240a located on the non-recessed surface 510a, and finally exits the optical ferrule 500 through the exit window 250.

[0067] As shown in Figure 10C (a composite of Figures 10A and 10B), by alternately providing an optical direction changing member 240a located on the non-recessed surface 510a and an optical direction changing member 240b located in the recess 510b, the emitted rays 222a and 222b can be configured to align on the same plane 250a and emit from the emission window 250. By "aligning" the emitted rays on the same plane in this way, the optical ferrule can be used with a PIC device having an I / O port pattern as shown in Figure 1C, and in this example, the number of I / O ports usable in the system can be substantially doubled. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 10C, the distance S21 of the ray 21a propagating between the input member 230a and the optical direction changing member 240a is shorter than the distance S22 of the ray 21b propagating between the input member 230b and the optical direction changing member 240b.

[0068] The alternatingly arranged optical direction-shifting members are shown more clearly in Figure 11. Figure 11 is another cross-sectional view of the optical ferrule 500, showing a configuration cut along a second plane 250b passing through the center points 245a, 245b of the first optical direction-shifting member 240a and the second optical direction-shifting member 240b. In some embodiments, this plane 250b is substantially orthogonal to the planes of the optical direction-shifting members 240a and 240b. This configuration allows incident rays (e.g., rays 21a and 21b) to be redirected within the same plane (e.g., plane 250a shown in Figure 10C) and incident on a port array similar to the I / O port pattern shown in Figure 1C.

[0069] As shown in Figures 10C and 11, the distance S21 of the light ray propagating between the input member 230a and the optical direction changing member 240a is shorter than the distance S22 of the light ray propagating between the input member 230b and the optical direction changing member 240b. Therefore, the light ray propagating over the short distance S21 spreads less than the light ray propagating over the long distance S22. Thus, as shown in Figure 11 at least, the optical direction changing member 240a may be significantly smaller than the corresponding optical direction changing member 240b.

[0070] The term "about" will be understood by those skilled in the art in the context in which it is used and described herein. If the use of "about" applies to quantities representing dimensions, volume, and physical properties, and is not obvious to those skilled in the art in the context in which it is used and described herein, then "about" will be understood to mean within 10 percent of the specified value. A quantity given as a "about" specified value may be exactly that specified value. For example, if it is not obvious to those skilled in the art in the context in which it is used and described herein, then a quantity having a value of "about 1" means that the quantity has a value between 0.9 and 1.1, and that the value can be 1.

[0071] The term "substantially" will be understood by those skilled in the art in the context in which it is used and described herein. If the use of "substantially equal" is not obvious to those skilled in the art in the context in which it is used and described herein, then "substantially equal" will mean "approximately equal" as described by "about" above. If the use of "substantially parallel" is not obvious to those skilled in the art in the context in which it is used and described herein, then "substantially parallel" will mean within 30 degrees of parallel. Directions or planes described as substantially parallel to each other may, in some embodiments, be within 20 degrees or 10 degrees of parallel, and may be parallel or nominally parallel. If the use of "substantially aligned" is not obvious to those skilled in the art in the context in which it is used and described herein, then "substantially aligned" will mean aligned within 20 percent of the width of the aligned objects. Objects described as substantially aligned may, in some embodiments, be aligned within 10 percent or 5 percent.

[0072] All documents, patents, and patent applications cited herein are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety in a manner consistent with this specification. In the event of any inconsistency or conflict between the cited portions and this application, the provisions of this application shall prevail.

[0073] The descriptions of elements in the figures should be understood to apply similarly to corresponding elements in other figures unless otherwise specified. While specific embodiments are illustrated and described herein, those skilled in the art will understand that various alternative and / or equivalent embodiments can be substituted for the specific embodiments disclosed and illustrated herein. This application is intended to encompass any application or variation of the specific embodiments disclosed herein. Accordingly, the disclosure of this application is intended to be limited only by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. It is an integrated optical ferrule, A plurality of rows, comprising at least a first row and a second row, wherein the first row comprises a first receiving element, and the second row comprises a second receiving element, wherein the first and second receiving elements are arranged substantially parallel to each other, extending along the same length direction and arranged along the same width direction perpendicular thereto, and configured to receive and fix corresponding first and second optical fibers, and the second row of the second receiving elements is arranged offset from the first row along the thickness direction perpendicular to the length direction and the width direction, First and second input members, offset from each other along the aforementioned longitudinal direction, First and second optical direction changing members, Ejection window and Equipped with, As a result, when the first and second optical fibers are received and fixed in the first and second receiving elements, respectively, the first and second central rays emitted from the first and second optical fibers, respectively, enter the integrated optical ferrule via the first and second input members, respectively, and the entered first and second central rays are redirected by the first and second optical direction changing members from a first direction to two different second directions, respectively, and the redirected first and second central rays are emitted from the integrated optical ferrule via the exit window, in an integrated optical ferrule.

2. The integrated optical ferrule according to claim 1, wherein S1 is the distance over which the first central ray propagates between the first input member and the first optical direction changing member, and S2 is the distance over which the second central ray propagates between the second input member and the second optical direction changing member, and S1 and S2 are within 20% of each other.

3. The integrated optical ferrule according to claim 1, wherein S11 is the distance over which the first central ray propagates between the first input member and the first optical direction changing member, and S12 is the distance over which the second central ray propagates between the second input member and the second optical direction changing member, and S11 and S12 differ by at least 30%.

4. The integrated optical ferrule according to claim 1, wherein the second row of the second receiving element is offset by at least 5 μm from the first row of the first receiving element along the thickness direction.

5. The integrated optical ferrule according to claim 1, wherein each of the first and second rows includes at least two receiving elements.

6. The integrated optical ferrule according to claim 1, wherein each of the first receiving element and the second receiving element includes a groove extending along the longitudinal direction.

7. The integrated optical ferrule according to claim 1, wherein the first input member and the second input member are arranged offset from each other by at least 10 μm along the longitudinal direction.

8. The integrated optical ferrule according to claim 1, wherein the first optical direction changing member and the second optical direction changing member are arranged offset from each other along the length direction and the thickness direction.

9. The integrated optical ferrule according to claim 1, further comprising a bottom surface facing and substantially parallel to the first and second rows, wherein the bottom surface includes the emission window.

10. The integrated optical ferrule according to claim 1, wherein each central ray emitted from the first and second optical fibers is incident on the corresponding input member at an incident angle of more than 0.5 degrees.

11. The integrated optical ferrule according to claim 1, wherein the first and second central rays are each redirected by at least 40 degrees by the first and second optical direction redirecting members.

12. The integrated optical ferrule according to claim 1, wherein the first direction and the second direction form an angle with respect to each other of approximately 30 degrees or more and approximately 150 degrees or less.

13. The integrated optical ferrule according to claim 1, wherein the first and second central rays, which have been redirected, are each emitted from different positions in the emission window through the integrated optical ferrule.

14. The integrated optical ferrule according to claim 1, wherein the average size of the first optical direction changing member and the average size of the second optical direction changing member differ by at least 10%.

15. The integrated optical ferrule according to claim 1, wherein the second optical direction changing member is arranged alternately with the first optical direction changing member along the width direction of the integrated optical ferrule, and each of the second optical direction changing members is positioned in a recess relative to each of the first optical direction changing members.

Images