Arrangement and aligning method

Abstract

An arrangement is provided, comprising a light-emitting component, a light-receiving component comprising a light- receiving part, and an actuator, wherein the actuator is configured for an alignment of the light-emitting component and the light-receiving part of the light-receiving component. Further, an aligning method for aligning an arrangement is provided.

Description

[0001] Description

[0002] ARRANGEMENT AND ALIGNING METHOD

[0003] The present disclosure relates to an arrangement and to an aligning method .

[0004] It is an obj ect to provide an arrangement that can be operated ef ficiently .

[0005] A further obj ect is to provide an aligning method for ef ficiently aligning an arrangement .

[0006] According to at least one embodiment of the arrangement , the arrangement comprises a light-emitting component . The lightemitting component can be configured to emit electromagnetic radiation during operation of the light-emitting component . For example , the light-emitting component is configured to emit electromagnetic radiation, e . g . light , during operation of the arrangement . A wavelength of the emitted electromagnetic radiation can be in the ultraviolet (UV) range , the visible range or the infrared ( IR) range of the electromagnetic spectrum, for example .

[0007] The light-emitting component can comprise a semiconductor layer sequence with an active region . For example , the active region comprises a pn-j unction, a quantum well or a multiquantum well .

[0008] The light-emitting component can comprise or consist of a laser diode . The laser diode can also be referred to as a laser . During operation, the laser can be configured to emit coherent electromagnetic radiation . For example , the laser is a vertical cavity surface emitting laser ( short : VCSEL ) or an edge emitting laser . In case the light-emitting component is an edge emitting laser or comprises an edge emitting laser, a vertical alignment between the light-emitting component and the light-receiving part can be more important than a lateral alignment with respect to an incoupling ef ficiency . During operation, the laser can emit coherent electromagnetic radiation . It is possible , that the laser is a ridge laser comprising at least one ridge . It is also possible , that the laser is a multi-ridge laser comprising at least two laser ridges .

[0009] Additionally or alternatively, the light-emitting component can comprise a light-emitting diode ( short : LED) . In particular, the light-emitting component can be any component suitable to emit electromagnetic radiation . It is also possible , that the arrangement comprises more than one lightemitting component . The light-emitting component and the at least one further light-emitting component can be configured to emit electromagnetic radiation which is coupled into a common light-receiving component or received by a lightreceiving component . The light-emitting component and the at least one further light-emitting component can emit electromagnetic radiation of di f ferent colors , e . g . of di f ferent wavelengths .

[0010] According to at least one embodiment of the arrangement , the arrangement comprises a light-receiving component comprising a light-receiving part . The light-receiving component can be a microchip comprising one light-receiving part , in particular at least one light-receiving part . For example , the light-receiving component is a photonic integrated circuit ( short : PIC ) . The PIC might also be referred to as an integrated optical circuit . Thus , the arrangement can be a device comprising at least the light-emitting component and the light-receiving component .

[0011] The light-receiving component can be configured to detect , generate , transport and / or process electromagnetic radiation . It is possible , that the light-receiving component is configured to detect , transport and / or process the electromagnetic radiation emitted by the light-emitting component . This can mean that , during operation, the lightreceiving component can detect , transport and / or process the electromagnetic radiation emitted by the light-emitting component . For example , the light-receiving part of the light-receiving component can transport the electromagnetic radiation emitted by the light-emitting component . In particular, the light-receiving part of the light-receiving component can transport the electromagnetic radiation emitted by the light-emitting component in case the light-receiving part is a waveguide .

[0012] The light-receiving part can comprise or consist of a lens , a mirror, a microelectromechanical system ( short : MEMS ) and / or a waveguide . In particular, the light-receiving part can be or can comprise any optical element , for example any optical element comprising a light-incoupling surface or a lightincoupling facet , e . g . an incoupling facet . For example , i f the light-receiving part comprises at least one waveguide , the light-receiving component can be referred to as waveguide component .

[0013] According to at least one embodiment of the arrangement , the arrangement comprises an actuator . For example , the actuator comprises an electromechanical actuator, a thermal actuator and / or a piezoelectric actuator . The actuator can be configured to move the light-emitting component , the lightreceiving component or a part of the light-receiving component , for instance , by at most 5 pm, for example by at mo st 1 pm .

[0014] With the actuator, it can be possible to compensate a small misalignment , e . g . at most 5 pm or in particular at most 2 pm . Thus , it is not necessary to exactly position the lightreceiving component and the light-emitting component during assembly of the arrangement . Also , a re-positioning or realigning of the light-emitting component and / or of the lightreceiving component during operation of the arrangement is enabled by the actuator .

[0015] According to at least one embodiment of the arrangement , the actuator is configured for an alignment of the light-emitting component and the light-receiving part of the light-receiving component .

[0016] The actuator can be configured to move the light-emitting component , in particular during operation of the arrangement . This can mean that , during operation of the arrangement , the light-emitting component is moved . For example , only the light-emitting component is moved, while a position of the light-receiving component is fixed .

[0017] It is possible , that the actuator is configured to move the light-receiving part facet or a surface of the light-emitting component where electromagnetic radiation is emitted .

[0018] Additionally or alternatively, the actuator can be configured to move at least a part of the light-receiving component or the whole light-receiving component . For example , during operation of the arrangement , at least a part of the lightreceiving component , in particular at least a part of the light-receiving part , or the whole light-receiving component is moved . It is possible , that only a part of the lightreceiving part or of the light-receiving component is moved .

[0019] For achieving a fine tuning, it is possible for the lightemitting component and the light-receiving component to be assigned to di f ferent actuators which are individually controllable . For instance , one actuator is configured to move the light-emitting component while the other actuator is configured to move at least a part of the light-receiving component or the whole light-receiving component .

[0020] According to at least one embodiment , the arrangement comprises a light-emitting component , a light-receiving component comprising a light-receiving part and an actuator, wherein the actuator is configured for an alignment of the light-emitting component and the light-receiving part of the light-receiving component .

[0021] An idea of this embodiment is to provide an arrangement , wherein a light-emitting component and a light-receiving part of a light-receiving component can be ef ficiently aligned .

[0022] For example , a surface of the light-emitting component where electromagnetic radiation is emitted faces the in-coupling facet of the light-receiving part of the light-receiving component .

[0023] During operation, the surface of a light-emitting component where electromagnetic radiation is emitted might move with respect to an incoupling facet of a light-receiving part or vice versa . This movement can be caused by manufacturing tolerances of the light-emitting component or of the lightreceiving part , precision limitations during assembly of the light-emitting component and the light-receiving part on a carrier substrate , temperature and GTE mismatch during operation of the arrangement and / or any kind of mechanical force applied to the arrangement . This movement can cause a misalignment of a light-emitting component , for example of a laser diode , with respect to a light-receiving part facet . Such a misalignment can lead to a signi ficant depletion of an incoupling ef ficiency of electromagnetic radiation emitted by the light-emitting diode into the light-receiving part . This can lead to less optical output power of the light-receiving part as less electromagnetic radiation is transported in the light-receiving part .

[0024] Due to the arrangement comprising an actuator, this movement can be compensated, e . g . by realigning the light-emitting component and the light-receiving component , in particular the light-receiving part facet of the light-receiving part with the actuator . For example , the light-emitting component and the light-receiving component can be aligned in-situ . In- situ can mean in this context , that the light-emitting component and the light-receiving component can be aligned during operation of the arrangement .

[0025] According to at least one embodiment of the arrangement , the actuator comprises a piezoelectric actuator . For example , the actuator comprises or consists of a piezoelectric material , e . g . lead zirconate titanate ( PZT ) or a lead free piezoelectric material . The actuator can produce a displacement when a voltage is applied . For example , the displacement of the actuator depends on a value of the applied voltage . A thickness of the actuator and / or the displacement produced by the actuator can be precisely controlled or adj usted by controlling or adj usting the applied voltage . For example , the thickness of the actuator can be adj usted continuously or stepless .

[0026] The thickness of the actuator can refer to an extension of the actuator along a direction in which the displacement produced by the actuator should take place during operation of the arrangement , for example . For example , the thickness of the actuator is at least 500 pm, for example at least 1 mm or at least 2mm . The thickness of the actuator can be at most 10 mm, for example at most 5 mm or, in particular, at most 2 mm . For example , PZT with a thickness of roughly 1 mm can produce a displacement of approximately 1 pm . The thickness of the actuator can be precisely controlled .

[0027] For example , the actuator comprises a movement span . The movement span can depend on a totality of possible values for the thickness of the actuator . Additionally or alternatively, the movement span can depend on a range of voltages that can be applied to the actuator . In particular, the movement span can correspond to a di f ference between a maximal thickness and a minimal thickness of the actuator . For example , a movement span is at most ± 5 pm, ± 3 pm, ± 2 pm or ± 1 pm .

[0028] It can be possible to compensate a small misalignment , e . g . by moving the light-receiving component and / or the lightemitting component at most 5 pm or in particular at most 2 pm or at most 1 pm with the piezoelectric actuator . Due to the precise displacement of the light-emitting component and / or of the light-receiving component obtained with the piezoelectric actuator the light-emitting component and the light-receiving component can be re-aligned such that a misalignment , especially a small misalignment , can ef ficiently be compensated .

[0029] According to at least one embodiment of the arrangement , the light-receiving component comprises a detector and an auxiliary light-receiving part , wherein the auxiliary lightreceiving part establishes one feedback loop for the alignment between the light-emitting component and the lightreceiving component . The auxiliary light-receiving part can be configured to guide a portion of electromagnetic radiation coupled into the light-receiving part to the detector .

[0030] The detector can be configured to detect the electromagnetic radiation emitted by the light-emitting component . For example , the detector comprises a photodetector or is a photodetector .

[0031] The auxiliary light-receiving part can comprise the same features as the light-receiving part . For example , the auxiliary light-receiving part is configured to transport a portion of the electromagnetic radiation emitted by the light-emitting component . For example , a portion of the electromagnetic radiation coupled into the light-receiving part can subsequently be coupled into the auxiliary lightreceiving part . For this , the auxiliary light-receiving part can be connected with the light-receiving part via a coupler .

[0032] The coupler can be arranged between the light-receiving part and the auxiliary light-receiving part . The coupler can be configured to couple a percentage of the electromagnetic radiation transported in the light-receiving part into the auxiliary light-receiving part . With the coupler a predetermined percentage of the electromagnetic radiation coupled into the light-receiving part can be coupled into the auxiliary light-receiving part , during an alignment process or during operation of the arrangement . For example , at most 10% , at most 5% or at most 1 % of the electromagnetic radiation transported inside the light-receiving part is coupled into the auxiliary light-receiving part during operation or during an alignment of the arrangement . The coupler can be controllable . For example , the coupler couples a predetermined percentage into the auxiliary light-receiving part only during an aligning method is performed . Hence , during the remaining operation time of the arrangement , the optical power in the light-receiving part can be increased .

[0033] The auxiliary light-receiving part can be configured to establish a feedback loop, in particular a closed feedback loop, for the alignment between the light-emitting component and the light-receiving component . This can mean that during an alignment process , for example during operation of the arrangement , the auxiliary light-receiving part establishes a feedback loop for the alignment between the light-emitting component and the light-receiving component . The auxiliary light-receiving part can, for example , guide a portion of the electromagnetic radiation coupled into the light-receiving part to the detector .

[0034] The feedback loop established by the auxiliary lightreceiving part can further comprise the detector, a controller unit , the actuator and / or the light-receiving part . The controller unit can be configured to analyze a signal provided by the detector and / or to control the actuator . Controlling the actuator can, for example , comprise adj usting a displacement produced by the actuator . For example , the actuator is controlled by adj usting a voltage applied to the actuator with the controller unit .

[0035] An idea of this embodiment is to use a feedback loop to easily and ef ficiently align the light-emitting component and the light-receiving component of the arrangement .

[0036] According to at least one embodiment , the arrangement comprises a carrier substrate with a mounting surface , wherein the light-emitting component and the light-receiving component are arranged on the mounting surface . The actuator can be arranged along a vertical direction between the lightemitting component and the carrier substrate and / or between the light-receiving component and the carrier substrate .

[0037] The carrier substrate can be the mechanically carrying component of the arrangement . The carrier substrate can comprise a main extension plane . For example , the carrier substrate can contain electrical and optical functions . Additionally, the carrier substrate can be attached to a system board . The system board can support the transport of electrical and optical signals . An optical signal transport capability can be established using multimode polymer waveguides . For example , the carrier substrate comprises a mounting surface . The mounting surface can be at least approximately parallel to the main extension plane of the carrier substrate . The light-emitting component and the light-receiving component can be arranged on the mounting surface of the carrier substrate . The actuator can be arranged between the light-emitting component and the carrier substrate . For example , the actuator is arranged along a vertical direction between the light-emitting component and the mounting surface of the carrier substrate . Alternatively or additionally, the actuator can be arranged along the vertical direction between the light-receiving component and the carrier substrate .

[0038] A vertical direction is understood to mean a direction which is directed perpendicular to the main extension plane of the carrier substrate . A lateral direction is understood to mean a direction which is parallel to the main extension plane of the carrier substrate . The vertical direction and the lateral direction are orthogonal to each other .

[0039] According to at least one embodiment of the arrangement , the light-receiving component comprises a fixated region and a movable region, the light-receiving component is attached to the carrier substrate only in the fixated region, and the actuator is arranged between the movable region of the lightreceiving component and the carrier substrate . The fixated region can be fixated on the carrier substrate .

[0040] For example , the movable region protrudes the fixated region on a side of the light-receiving component facing the lightemitting component . The movable region can laterally protrude over the fixated region by at least 5 pm, for example at least 10 pm or at least 50 pm, for example . The movable region can laterally protrude over the fixated region by at most 5 mm, for example at most 2 mm, at most 200 pm or at mo st 100 pm . The fixated region can be attached to the carrier substrate by an adhesive . The adhesive can comprise an adhesive material . For example , the adhesive can comprise an inflexible adhesive material . In particular, the adhesive can be inflexible in the completed arrangement . For example , the light-receiving component , in particular the fixated region of the light-receiving component is immovable on the carrier substrate .

[0041] The light-receiving component can comprise a substrate . The substrate of the light-receiving component can be suf ficiently thin, to be flexible to at least an extent . For example , the substrate comprises a thickness of at most 200 pm, in particular at most 100 pm .

[0042] Additionally or alternatively, especially in case the substrate is not suf ficiently thin, the substrate of the light-receiving component can comprise at least one cut . For example , the at least one cut is arranged on a side of the light-receiving component facing the carrier substrate . The cut may be perpendicular to a direction along which the light-emitting component and the light-receiving component are arranged one after the other . The cut can be "V"-shaped, in sectional view, wherein the opening of the "V" faces the carrier substrate , for example .

[0043] According to at least one embodiment of the arrangement , the light-receiving component comprises a slot . The slot can be located along a lateral direction between the movable region and the fixated region of the light-receiving component .

[0044] For example , the slot can be formed by sawing . A distance between the movable region and the fixated region in a direction perpendicular to a main extension direction of the slot can be at most 50 pm, for example at most 30 pm, at most 20 pm or at most 10 pm . For example , the distance corresponds to a thickness of a saw blade .

[0045] The arrangement can comprise a further slot . The further slot can be arranged on the side of the movable region facing away from the slot . The further slot can comprise the same features as the slot . Both the slot and the further slot can be arranged laterally of the light-emitting component . This can mean, that the slots are not arranged in a beam path of electromagnetic radiation emitted by the light-emitting component . The slots can comprise a length along a direction perpendicular to the side of the light-receiving component facing the light-emitting component . The length of the slots can be suf ficiently large to decrease an angular movement of the movable region of the light-receiving component when adj usting a vertical position of the light-receiving part . For example , the length of the slot is at least 10 pm, for example at least 50 pm, at least 100 pm or at least 200 pm . The length of the slot can be at most 5 mm, for example at most 2 mm or for example at most 100 pm .

[0046] Due to the slots , a light-receiving component comprising a fixated region and a movable region can be manufactured in a simpli fied manner as , for example , no structured lightreceiving component needs to be provided . The slots can easily be formed in a common microchip .

[0047] According to at least one embodiment , the arrangement comprises at least a second actuator, which is arranged at least partially on a side of the light-receiving component facing away from the carrier substrate or on a side of the light-emitting component facing away from the carrier substrate . With the second actuator a movement , e . g . a micromovement of the light-emitting component or of the lightreceiving component , can be performed .

[0048] According to at least one embodiment , the arrangement comprises at least a second actuator, which is arranged on a lateral side of the light-receiving component or of the light-emitting component . With the second actuator a movement , e . g . a micro-movement of the light-emitting component or of the light-receiving component can be performed .

[0049] According to at least one embodiment , the arrangement comprises a plate with an opening and a movable part . The plate is arranged for instance on the mounting surface of the carrier substrate . The light-emitting component is arranged for instance on a top surface of the plate in the movable part of the plate . The top surface of the plate faces away from the carrier substrate . At least three sides of the movable part of the plate can be surrounded by the opening . The actuator is arranged along the vertical direction for instance between the carrier substrate and the movable part of the plate .

[0050] The plate can be flexible . For example , the plate comprises a metal . For example , the plate can be thermally conductive and can provide a thermal connection to lead heat away from the light-emitting component and / or from the light-receiving component . Thus , due to the plate the thermal properties of the arrangement can be improved . Further, the plate can provide a suspension ef fect for the light-emitting component . According to at least one embodiment of the arrangement the light-receiving component further comprises one or several further light-receiving parts , a further auxiliary lightreceiving part and a further detector . The auxiliary lightreceiving part can establish one feedback loop for the alignment between the light-emitting component and the lightreceiving component . The auxiliary light-receiving part can be configured to guide a portion of electromagnetic radiation coupled into the one light-receiving part or into one of the several further light-receiving parts to the further detector . It is also possible , that the arrangement comprises at least one further auxiliary light-receiving part and / or at least one further detector . In other words , the arrangement can comprise one or several further auxiliary light-receiving parts , e . g . multiple further auxiliary light-receiving parts . The arrangement can also comprise one or several further detectors , for example multiple detectors . It is possible that a number of further auxiliary light-receiving parts equals a number of further detectors . The light-emitting component can be a multi-ridge laser .

[0051] According to at least one embodiment of the arrangement the light-receiving component is a waveguide component . The light-receiving part can be a waveguide . It is possible , that the further light-receiving part is a further waveguide . Also all further light-receiving parts can be further waveguides . Additionally or alternatively, the auxiliary light-receiving part can be an auxiliary waveguide . Moreover, the further auxiliary light-receiving part can be a further auxiliary waveguide .

[0052] Furthermore , an aligning method is provided . The aligning method can preferably be performed during operation of the arrangement described herein for aligning the arrangement described herein . This means all features disclosed for the arrangement are also disclosed for the aligning method and vice-versa .

[0053] According to at least one embodiment of the aligning method, the aligning method is performed during operation of an arrangement . It is not necessary to stop the operation of the arrangement to re-align a light-emitting component and a light-receiving component of the arrangement . Also the alignment of the light-emitting component and the lightreceiving component can be monitored in situ, e . g . during operation, and adj usted i f necessary . The alignment can continuously be monitored during operation of the arrangement , for example by a feedback loop . Alternatively, it is possible to check the alignment in predetermined intervals by only activating the feedback loop during these intervals . It is also possible to only align the lightemitting component and the light-receiving component of the arrangement at the beginning of the operation of the arrangement or prior to operating the arrangement .

[0054] According to at least one embodiment of the aligning method, the arrangement comprises a light-emitting component configured to emit electromagnetic radiation during operation of the arrangement , a light-receiving component comprising a light-receiving part , and an actuator .

[0055] According to at least one embodiment , the aligning method comprises performing an alignment between the light-emitting component and the light-receiving part of the light-receiving component by adj usting a thickness of the actuator for adj usting a coupling of the electromagnetic radiation into the light-receiving part .

[0056] According to at least one embodiment of the aligning method performed during operation of an arrangement , the arrangement comprises a light-emitting component configured to emit electromagnetic radiation during operation of the arrangement , a light-receiving component comprising a lightreceiving part , and an actuator, wherein the method comprises performing an alignment between the light-emitting component and the light-receiving part of the light-receiving component by adj usting a thickness of the actuator for adj usting a coupling of the electromagnetic radiation into the lightreceiving part . With the aligning method being performed during operation, a high incoupling performance of the electromagnetic radiation emitted by the light-emitting component into a light-receiving part of the light-receiving component can be obtained .

[0057] According to at least one embodiment of the aligning method, the actuator comprises a piezoelectric actuator and adj usting the thickness of the actuator comprises adj usting a voltage applied to the piezoelectric actuator . A displacement produced by the actuator can be precisely controlled .

[0058] According to at least one embodiment of the aligning method, the adj usting of a thickness of the actuator results in a vertical movement , a lateral movement and / or a tilting of the light-emitting component or of the light-receiving component . For example , the actuator can be configured for a vertical movement . A further actuator can be configured for a vertical movement as well . A second actuator can be configured for a lateral movement of the light-emitting component and / or of the light-receiving component .

[0059] Having at least two actuators configured for a vertical movement of the light-emitting component or of the lightreceiving component , the light-emitting component or the light-receiving component can be tilted . For example , the light-emitting component can be tilted with respect to the light-receiving component or vice versa . For example , a light-receiving component comprising one actuator and one further actuator can be tilted along a first axis . Then, the first axis runs at least approximately perpendicular to an imaginary line connecting the actuator and the further actuator .

[0060] According to at least one embodiment of the aligning method, the light-receiving component comprises one feedback loop comprising a control unit , an auxiliary light-receiving part and a detector, wherein a portion of the electromagnetic radiation coupled into the light-receiving part is directed to the detector via the further light-receiving part , a signal depending on the detected electromagnetic radiation is provided to the control unit , and the thickness of the electromechanical actuator is adj usted by the control unit in dependency on the detected electromagnetic radiation .

[0061] According to at least one embodiment of the aligning method, the method comprises adj usting the actuator through a movement span, recording the output signal for each thickness of the actuator, and adj usting the thickness of the actuator to the thickness for which the maximum output signal is obtained . In case of a misalignment between the light- emitting component and the light-receiving component only a weak optical signal or no optical signal might be detected .

[0062] According to at least one embodiment of the aligning method, the light-receiving component comprises a further auxiliary light-receiving part and a further detector . The control unit compares the signals obtained from the detector and the further detector . The signals can be a measure for the alignment of the light-emitting component and the lightreceiving component . For instance , the actuator is adj usted based on the signals obtained by the detectors . Using a detector and a further detector for the same light-receiving part , a measure for the lateral alignment between the lightemitting component and the light-receiving component can be obtained . Using a detector and a further detector for di f ferent light-receiving parts , a measure for a rotation of the light-emitting component with respect to the lightreceiving component or vice versa can be obtained . Due to the further detector, the arrangement can be systematically realigned, for example .

[0063] According to at least one embodiment of the aligning method, the arrangement comprises at least a further actuator or at least a second actuator and the actuators are consecutively adj usted according to the method described above , respectively .

[0064] Further advantages and advantageous designs and further developments of the arrangement and the aligning method will become apparent from the following embodiments , which are described below in association with the figures . Figures 1 and 2 show schematic views of an arrangement according to an embodiment .

[0065] Figures 3 , 4 and 5 show schematic top views of an arrangement according to further embodiments .

[0066] Figure 6 shows a plate according to an embodiment .

[0067] Figures 7 and 8 show schematic views of an arrangement according to a further embodiment .

[0068] Figure 9 shows a schematic view of an arrangement according to a further embodiment .

[0069] Figures 10 and 11 show schematically output powers obtained during an aligning method performed during operation of an arrangement .

[0070] Identical , similar or equivalent elements are marked with the same reference signs in the figures . The figures and the proportions of the elements represented in the figures among each other are not to be considered as true to scale . Rather, individual elements may be oversi zed for better representability and / or comprehensibility . Identical or ef fectively identical components and parts might be described only with respect to the figures where they occur first .

[0071] Their description is not necessarily repeated in successive figures .

[0072] Figure 1 shows a schematic top view of an arrangement 1 according to an embodiment . The arrangement 1 comprises a light-emitting component 2 , a light-receiving component 3 , a carrier substrate 4 and an actuator 5 . The light-emitting component 2 , and the light-receiving component 3 are arranged on a mounting surface 4a of the carrier substrate 4 . The actuator 5 is arranged along a vertical direction between the light-emitting component 2 and the carrier substrate 4 and / or between the light-receiving component 3 and the carrier substrate 4 . The actuator 5 is arranged on the mounting surface 4a of the carrier substrate 4 .

[0073] The light-receiving component 3 comprises a fixated region 14 and a movable region 15 . The light-receiving component 3 can be attached to the carrier substrate 4 only in the fixated region 14 . The actuator 5 can be arranged between the movable region 15 of the light-receiving component 3 and the carrier substrate 4 . The movable region 15 protrudes the fixated region 14 on a side of the light-receiving component 3 facing the light-emitting component 2 at least partially . The movable region 15 is surrounded by the fixated region 14 on the lateral sides , except for the lateral side of the movable region 15 facing the light-emitting component 2 . The fixated region 14 can be attached to the carrier substrate 4 with an adhesive 19 shown for instance in Figure 2 .

[0074] The carrier substrate 4 comprises a main extension plane . The main extension plane of the carrier substrate 4 can be at least approximately parallel to the mounting surface 4a of the carrier substrate 4 . A vertical direction extends perpendicular to the main extension plane of the carrier substrate 4 .

[0075] The actuator 5 is configured for an alignment of the lightemitting component 2 and the light-receiving part 6 of the light-receiving component 3 . The actuator 5 can comprise or consist of a piezoelectric actuator . The actuator 5 is arranged between the light-receiving component 3 and the carrier substrate 4 along the vertical direction . For example , shown here , the actuator 5 is arranged between the movable region 15 of the light-receiving component 3 and the carrier substrate 4 . An area of the actuator 5 can be smaller than an area of the movable region 15 . The actuator 5 can be arranged in a sector of the movable region 15 being arranged close to the light-emitting component 2 . The light-receiving component 3 can protrude the actuator 5 in at least one lateral direction . As shown here , no actuator is arranged between the fixated region 14 and the carrier substrate 4 along a vertical direction . This means that a region between the fixated region 14 and the carrier substrate 4 can be free of any actuator .

[0076] The light-receiving component 3 comprises a slot 16 and a further slot 17 . The slot 16 and the further slot 17 are located along a lateral direction between the movable region 15 and the fixated region 14 of the light-receiving component 3 . The slot 16 and the further slot 17 are arranged on opposing sides of the movable region 15 of the lightreceiving component 3 . The movable region 15 is attached to or extends into the fixated region 14 on at most one side , e . g . on the side of the movable region 15 facing away from the light-emitting component 2 . The light-receiving component 3 comprising the fixated region 14 and the movable region 15 can be formed in one-piece . The slot 16 and the further slot 17 comprise a length . The length of the slots 16 , 17 corresponds to an extension of the movable region 15 of the light-receiving component 3 in the same direction . The slots 16 , 17 define the movable region 15 . The light-receiving component 3 comprises a light-receiving part 6 . The light-receiving part 6 is arranged in the movable region 15 , in particular at least in the movable region 15 . The light-receiving part 6 is configured to receive and / or transport the electromagnetic radiation emitted by the lightemitting component 2 . During operation of the arrangement 1 , the electromagnetic radiation emitted by the light-emitting component 2 can be coupled into the light-receiving part 6 .

[0077] The light-receiving part 6 comprises a light-receiving part facet . At the light-receiving part facet , light , for example the electromagnetic radiation emitted by the light-emitting component 2 can be coupled into the light-receiving part 6 . This can mean that the light-receiving part facet is an outer surface of the light-receiving part 6 facing the lightemitting component 2 . The actuator 5 can be arranged in vicinity to the facet of the light-receiving part 6 .

[0078] The light-receiving component 3 further comprises an auxiliary light-receiving part 9 . The light-receiving component 3 can comprise a coupler 7 . The auxiliary lightreceiving part 9 is connected with the light-receiving part 6 via a coupler 7 . The coupler 7 is arranged between the lightreceiving part 6 and the auxiliary light-receiving part 9 .

[0079] The coupler 7 can be configured to couple a percentage of the electromagnetic radiation transported in the light-receiving part 6 into the auxiliary light-receiving part 9 .

[0080] The arrangement 1 further comprises a detector 10 . For example , the light-receiving component 3 comprises the detector 10 . The detector 10 is connected to the auxiliary light-receiving part 9 . For example , the detector 10 is configured to detect electromagnetic radiation transported in the auxiliary light-receiving part 9 . A portion of the electromagnetic radiation emitted by the light-emitting component 2 and coupled into the light-receiving part 6 can be directed to the detector 10 via the coupler 7 and the auxiliary light-receiving part 9 . The auxiliary lightreceiving part 9 establishes one feedback loop 8 for the alignment between the light-emitting component 2 and the light-receiving component 3 , for example between the lightemitting component 2 and the light-receiving part facet of the light-receiving part 6 and is configured to guide a portion of electromagnetic radiation coupled into the lightreceiving part 6 to the detector 10 .

[0081] The light-receiving component 3 can be configured to detect , generate , transport and / or process electromagnetic radiation . For this , not shown, the light-receiving component 3 can comprise means for detecting, transporting and / or processing electromagnetic radiation, in particular the electromagnetic radiation emitted by the light-emitting component 2 .

[0082] The arrangement 1 further comprises a control unit 11 . For example , the control unit 11 is a part of the feedback loop 8 . The control unit 11 comprises a detector driver 12 and an actuator driver 13 . The detector driver 12 provides a control signal Sc to the actuator driver 13 . A signal depending on the detected electromagnetic radiation can be provided to the control unit 11 , and the thickness of the actuator 5 can be adj usted by the control unit 11 in dependency on the detected electromagnetic radiation .

[0083] An aligning method can be performed for aligning the arrangement 1 , wherein an alignment between the lightemitting component 2 and the light-receiving part 6 of the light-receiving component 3 is performed by adj usting a thickness of the actuator 5 for adj usting a coupling of the electromagnetic radiation emitted by the light-emitting component 2 into the light-receiving part 6 . For instance , the thickness of the actuator 5 can be adj usted continuously or stepless . In case the actuator 5 is a piezoelectric actuator, adj usting the thickness of the actuator 5 comprises adj usting a voltage applied to the actuator 5 . The adj usting of the thickness of the actuator 5 can result in a vertical movement , a lateral movement and / or a tilting of the lightemitting component or of the light-receiving component . The aligning method can comprise adj usting the actuator 5 through a movement span, recording the output signal for each thickness of the actuator 5 , and adj usting the thickness of the actuator 5 to the thickness for which the maximum output signal is obtained .

[0084] Figure 2 shows a schematic sectional view of an arrangement 1 , for example of the arrangement 1 shown in Figure 1 . The light-emitting component 2 is arranged on a submount 18 . The submount 18 is arranged between the light-emitting component 2 and the carrier substrate 4 along the vertical direction . The dashed lines shown in the light-emitting component 2 and in the light-receiving component 3 can indicate the electromagnetic radiation .

[0085] The movable region 15 of the light-receiving component 3 protrudes the actuator 5 in a direction towards the lightemitting component 2 . The adhesive 19 is arranged between the light-receiving component 3 and the carrier substrate 4 . More speci fic, the adhesive 19 is arranged between the fixated region 14 and the carrier substrate 4 along the vertical direction . The adhesive 19 can be flush with the fixated region 14 of the light-receiving component 3 . Alternatively, shown here , the fixated region 14 can overhang the adhesive 19 at least partially or completely . The movable region 15 can be moved along a vertical direction Mz by the actuator 5 . Additionally or alternatively, the movable region 15 can be rotated or tilted Mr .

[0086] Figure 3 shows a schematic top view of an arrangement 1 according to an embodiment . The arrangement 1 comprises the light-emitting component 2 and the light-receiving component 3 with the light-receiving part 6 . In contrast to the embodiments shown in Figures 1 and 2 , the light-receiving component 3 of the embodiment shown in Figure 3 does not comprise a movable region and a fixated region, partially separated from each other via a slot and a further slot . This can in particular mean that the light-receiving component 3 is free of a movable region and a fixated region, wherein only the movable region as part of the light-receiving component 3 is movably mounted on the carrier substrate 4 while the fixated region as another part of the lightreceiving component 3 is firmly attached to the carrier substrate 4 . According to Figure 3 , the light-receiving component 3 , for instance the whole light-receiving component

[0087] 3 , is movably mounted on the carrier substrate 4 , in particular on the mounting surface 4a of the carrier substrate 4 .

[0088] At least one actuator 5 is at least partially arranged between the mounting surface 4a of the carrier substrate 4 and the light-receiving component 3 . The arrangement 1 can comprise at least a further actuator 21 . The further actuator 21 can at least partially be arranged between the carrier substrate 4 and the light-receiving component 3 . For example , the arrangement 1 comprises a plurality of actuators , here for instance 4 actuators 5 , 21 , which are arranged between the light-receiving component 3 and the carrier substrate 4 along a vertical direction . In particular, shown here , the actuators 5 , 21 are arranged at corner portions of the light-receiving component 3 . The position of the actuators 5 , 21 is not limited to the corner portions , instead, the at least one actuator 5 can be arranged at any location between the light-receiving component 3 and the carrier substrate 4 .

[0089] The at least one actuator 5 and the at least one further actuator 21 are arranged spaced apart from each other . In particular, the actuators 21 can be arranged spaced apart from each other pairwise . A distance along a direction between the actuator 5 and the further actuator 21 is smaller than an extension of the light-receiving component 3 along the same direction .

[0090] It is possible that the actuator 5 is not completely covered by the light-receiving component 3 . The light-receiving component 3 can protrude the actuators 5 , 21 in a direction towards the light-emitting component 2 . At least one actuator can protrude the light-receiving component 3 on a side of the light-receiving component 3 facing away from the lightemitting component 2 . Additionally or alternatively, at least one actuator can protrude the light-receiving component 3 in a lateral direction perpendicular to a direction extending from the light-receiving component 3 towards the lightemitting component 2 . With larger actuators 5 , 21 , positioning of the light-receiving component 3 on the actuators 5 , 21 is simpli fied . Alternatively, the actuators 5 , 21 can be completely covered by the light-receiving component 3 and / or can be flush with each other along a lateral direction .

[0091] The actuator 5 and the further actuator 21 are configured to cause a movement of the light-receiving component along the vertical direction . This means , that a vertical position of the light-receiving component 3 can be adj usted with the actuators 5 , 21 . By arranging at least two actuators 5 , 21 spaced apart from each other between the light-receiving component 3 and the carrier substrate 4 along a vertical direction, a tilting of the light-receiving component 3 can be enabled, additionally or alternatively . During an aligning, the actuators 5 , 21 can be configured to be individually controllable .

[0092] A further adhesive material 20 is arranged between the at least one actuator 5 and the light-receiving component 3 . The further adhesive material 20 can be directly arranged between the actuator 5 or the actuators 21 and the light-receiving component 3 . The further adhesive material 20 can comprise or consist of a flexible adhesive material . This can mean that the further adhesive material 20 is not rigid .

[0093] Figure 4 shows a schematic top view of an arrangement 1 according to an embodiment . The arrangement 1 shown here di f fers from the arrangement 1 shown in Figure 3 in that a portion of the light-receiving component 3 is attached to the mounting surface 4a of the carrier substrate 4 with the adhesive 19 . For example , the portion of the light-receiving component 3 is glued to the carrier substrate 4 . In particular, in contrast to the embodiment of the arrangement shown in Figure 1 , the adhesive 19 can be a flexible adhesive comprising or consisting of a flexible adhesive material . The adhesive 19 is arranged between the light-receiving component 3 and the carrier substrate 4 along a vertical direction, for example directly between the light-receiving component 3 and the carrier substrate 4 .

[0094] A remaining portion of the light-receiving component 3 being arranged closer to the light-emitting component 2 than the portion attached to the carrier substrate 4 may not be attached to the carrier substrate 4 by the adhesive 19 . This way, a micro-movement of the light-receiving component 3 obtained by controlling actuators 5 , 21 , 23 can be ensured . At least 10% , for example at least 25% , at least 50% , at least 60% or at least 80% of the light-receiving component are free from the adhesive 19 .

[0095] The actuator 5 , configured for a vertical movement , for example for a vertical micro-movement , of the light-receiving component 3 , is arranged between the light-receiving component 3 and the carrier substrate 4 along a vertical direction .

[0096] For example , the actuator 5 can be configured to move the facet of the light-receiving part 6 or the surface of the light-emitting component 2 where electromagnetic radiation is emitted . The surface of the light-emitting component 3 where electromagnetic radiation is emitted can face the in-coupling facet of the light-receiving part 6 of the light-receiving component 3 .

[0097] The arrangement 1 comprises at least a second actuator 23 . The second actuator 23 can be arranged on a lateral side of the light-receiving component 3 . Alternatively or additionally, the second actuator 23 can be arranged on a lateral side of the light-emitting component 2 . For example , shown here , the second actuator 23 is arranged laterally of the light-receiving component 3 along a direction perpendicular to the direction extending from the lightreceiving component 3 to the light-emitting component 2 . For example , the second actuator 23 can be in direct contact with the light-receiving component 3 . In particular, the second actuator 23 can adj oin a side surface , for example only a side surface , of the light-receiving component 3 . The side surface of the light-receiving component 3 can at least approximately be perpendicular to a main extension plane of the light-receiving component 3 and / or to the mounting surface 4a of the carrier substrate 4 . The arrangement 1 can comprise two second actuators 23 . For example , the two actuators 23 are arranged on opposing sides of the lightreceiving component 3 .

[0098] The second actuator 23 can be configured for a lateral movement of the light-receiving component 3 . For example , the lateral movement can also be referred to as in-plane movement Mip as indicated in Figure 4 . In deviation from Figure 4 , the second actuator / s 23 can be the only actuator / s comprised by the arrangement 1 . It is further possible to combine the second actuator / s 23 with other actuator / s described in connection with the embodiments of the arrangement 1 shown in the other Figures . According to Figure 4 , the second actuator / s 23 can be the only actuator / s 23 configured to adj ust a lateral position of the wave guide component 3 .

[0099] Figure 5 shows a schematic top view of an arrangement 1 according to a further embodiment . The embodiment of the arrangement 1 shown here can be seen as an extension of the embodiment shown in Figure 1 . The arrangement 1 shown here di f fers from the arrangement 1 shown in Figure 1 in that the arrangement 1 comprises at least a further light-emitting component 24 and in that the light-receiving component 3 comprises at least a further light-receiving part 25 . For example , during operation of the arrangement 1 , electromagnetic radiation emitted by the further lightemitting component 24 is coupled into the further lightreceiving part 25 . The light-receiving component 3 comprises at least two slots 16 and at least two further slots 17 . Each pair of slots , comprising one slot 16 and one further slot 17 , defines a movable region 15 of the light-receiving component 3 , respectively .

[0100] The arrangement comprises actuators 5 , 21 , 23 . Each of the actuators 5 and 21 is arranged between one of the movable regions 15 and the carrier substrate 4 along the vertical direction . The second actuator 23 is arranged at least partially on a side of the light-receiving component 3 facing away from the carrier substrate 4 . The second actuator 23 can be attached to a top surface of the light-receiving component 3 facing away from the carrier substrate 4 . The second actuator 23 can interconnect the fixated region 14 and the movable region 15 across the slot 16 . Additionally or alternatively, the second actuator 23 can be arranged at least partially on a side of the light-emitting component 2 facing away from the carrier substrate 4 .

[0101] With the shown arrangement 1 , it is possible to align the light-emitting component 2 and the light-receiving part 6 as well as the further light-emitting component 24 and the further light-receiving part 25 independently from each other . This can mean that a position of the further lightreceiving part 25 and the light-receiving part 6 , which are arranged in two distinct movable regions 15 of the lightreceiving component 3 , can be individually adj usted using the actuators 5 , 21 , 23 .

[0102] Figure 6 shows a plate 26 according to an embodiment . The plate 26 comprises a top surface 26a, a movable part 28 and an opening 27 . The opening 27 partially surrounds the movable part 28 of the plate 26 . For example , the opening 27 surrounds the movable part 28 on at least three sides . The plate 26 can be thermally conductive . For example , the plate 26 comprises a metal or consists of a metal . The plate 26 can be flexible . For example , the plate 26 is particularly thin to be suf ficiently flexible . Additionally or alternatively, only the movable part 28 or a j oining part between the movable part 28 and the remaining part of the plate 26 can be flexible .

[0103] The plate 26 can comprise an outer shape similar to the outer shape of the carrier substrate 4 . In top view, the plate 26 can be at least approximately rectangular . The movable part 28 can be rectangular or at least approximately rectangular in top view . For example , in the arrangement 1 , the plate 26 can completely cover the carrier substrate 4 . Alternatively, an area of the top surface 26a of the plate 26 can be smaller than the mounting surface 4a of the carrier substrate 4 . It is also possible that the plate 26 or the movable part 28 of the plate 26 have at least approximately the shape of a circle , a semicircle or any other shape , in top view .

[0104] Figure 7 shows a schematic top view of an arrangement 1 according to an embodiment . In the arrangement 1 described here , the light-emitting component 2 is movably mounted on the carrier substrate 4 . It is possible that the lightreceiving component 3 is not movable . This means , an alignment can be achieved by adj usting only the position of the light-emitting component 2 with respect to the lightreceiving component 3 .

[0105] The arrangement 1 comprises a plate 26 . The plate 26 can be the plate 26 shown in Figure 6 . The plate 26 comprises the opening 27 and the movable part 28 . The light-emitting component 2 can be arranged on the top surface 26a in the movable part 28 of the plate 26 facing away from the carrier substrate 4 . At least three sides of the movable part 28 of the plate 26 are surrounded by the opening 27 . The actuator 5 is arranged along the vertical direction between the carrier substrate 4 and the movable part 28 of the metal plate 26 .

[0106] The plate 26 , in particular the movable part 28 of the plate 26 , is arranged between the light-emitting component 2 and the carrier substrate 4 . Additionally or alternatively, the plate 26 can be arranged between the light-receiving component 3 and the carrier substrate 4 . Along a vertical direction, the actuator 5 can be arranged on the carrier substrate 4 , the plate 26 can be arranged on the actuator 5 , the submount 18 can be arranged on the plate 26 and the light-emitting component 2 can be arranged on the submount 18 . Alternatively, the light-emitting component 2 can be arranged on the plate 26 and / or the light-emitting component 2 can comprise the submount 18 . It is further possible , not shown, that the light-emitting component 2 can be directly arranged on the actuator 5 . In this case , the arrangement 1 can be free of the plate 26 . The actuator 5 can be thermally highly conductive . The actuator 5 can be arranged between the submount 18 or the light-emitting component 2 and the carrier substrate 4 . In other words , the light-emitting component 2 can at least partially or only partially cover the actuator 5 . The actuator 5 can be arranged between the plate 26 and the carrier substrate 4 . Then, it may not be necessary to choose a thermally conductive material for the actuator 5 , as heat can be ef ficiently transported away from the light-emitting component 2 via the plate 26 . The actuator 5 is completely covered by the plate 26 . The actuator 5 protrudes the lightemitting component 2 in a lateral direction perpendicular to a direction of the beam path of electromagnetic radiation emitted by the light-emitting component 2 . On a side of the light-emitting component 2 facing the light-receiving component 3 , the actuator 5 , the plate 26 and the lightemitting component 2 can be flush . Alternatively, only the light-emitting component 2 and the plate 26 can be flush, and protrude the actuator 5 in a direction towards the lightreceiving component 3 . The plate 26 can protrude the actuator 5 along all lateral directions . However, it is also possible , that the actuator 5 and the opening 27 overlap .

[0107] Further, it is possible that the light-receiving component 3 and the opening 27 overlap . This can mean that the lightreceiving component 3 protrudes the plate 26 in the direction towards the light-emitting component 2 . This way, the lightreceiving component 3 can be arranged closer to the lightemitting component 2 . For example , the light-receiving component 3 overlaps with the opening 27 on a side of the light-emitting component 2 where , during operation, electromagnetic radiation is emitted . A gap, for example an air gap can be arranged between the light-emitting component 2 and the light-receiving component 3 . In other words , the light-emitting component 2 may not be in direct contact with the light-receiving component 3 . Alternatively, the lightemitting component 2 can directly adj oin the light-receiving component 3 , in particular the light-receiving part 6 of the light-receiving component 3 .

[0108] A printed circuit board 30 ( short : PCB ) is arranged on the plate 26 , for example the PCB 30 is directly arranged on a top surface 26a of the plate 26 . The PCB 30 can be thin and / or flexible . The PCB 30 can be electrically conductively connected with the light-emitting component 2 , e . g . via a wire bond 29 . For example , shown here , the wire bond 29 can connect the PCB 30 and the submount 18 . The PCB 30 can be configured to power and / or operate the light-emitting component 2 .

[0109] For example , the movable part 28 can comprise a first region, which can cover the actuator 5 . The movable part 28 can comprise a second region, which can be di f ferent from the first region of the movable part 28 and which does not cover the actuator 5 , for example . In top view, the second region of the movable part 28 can surround the first region of the movable part 28 at least partially, for example in a framelike manner .

[0110] The second region of the movable part 28 can comprise a first movable section, which directly transitions into the part of the plate 26 , di f ferent from the movable part 28 of the plate 26 . The second region of the movable part 28 can comprise a second movable section, which is arranged on the side of the movable part 28 opposite of the first movable section . The second movable section can be arranged between the actuator 5 and the wavelength component 3 along the lateral direction . The second region of the movable part 28 can further comprise a third movable section and a fourth movable section . The third movable section and the fourth movable section can be arranged between the first movable section and the second movable section . The second movable section, the third movable section and / or the fourth movable section can be directly adj acent to the opening 27 . It is possible that an area of the second movable section of the movable part 28 is smaller than an area of the first movable section of the movable part 28 .

[0111] It is also possible to combine the arrangement 1 shown here with at least one further actuator 21 to enable a tilting of the light-emitting component 2 and / or with at least one second actuator 23 for a lateral movement of the lightemitting component 2 . The actuator 5 and the further actuator 21 can, for example , be arranged as shown in the arrangement of Figure 9 .

[0112] Figure 8 shows a schematic sectional view of the arrangement 1 shown in Figure 7 . The actuator 5 is arranged between the movable part 28 of the plate 26 and the carrier substrate 4 . The actuator 5 , however, may not be directly adj acent to the plate 26 except in the movable part 28 . Only in the region of the moveable part 28 , there is an overlapping between the plate 26 and the actuator 5 . For example , the actuator 5 covers at most 5 % , for example at most 10% , at most 20% , at most 50% or at most 80 % of a lower surface of the moveable part 28 . It is possible that at most 10% , for example at most 30% , at most 50% or at most 60% of a lateral length and / or a lateral width of the movable part 28 protrude laterally over the actuator 5 . Figure 9 shows a schematic view of an arrangement 1 according to a further embodiment . The light-receiving component 3 further comprises one or several further light-receiving parts 25 , a further auxiliary light-receiving part 31 and a further detector 32 . The auxiliary light-receiving part 31 establishes one feedback loop 8 for the alignment between the light-emitting component 2 and the light-receiving component 3 . The auxiliary light-receiving part 31 is configured to guide a portion of electromagnetic radiation coupled into the one light-receiving part 25 or into one of the several further light-receiving parts 25 to the further detector 32 . The light-emitting component 2 is a multi-ridge laser .

[0113] The arrangement 1 comprises the control unit 11 . For example , the control unit 11 is a part of the feedback loop 8 . The control unit 11 di f fers from the control unit 11 shown in Figure 1 in that the control unit 11 comprises two detector drivers 12 , a comparator 33 and two actuator drivers 13 . For example , the control unit 11 comprises one actuator driver 13 for each actuator 5 , respectively .

[0114] The arrangement 1 comprises two actuators 5 and 21 . The actuators 5 , 21 are arranged between the movable part 28 of the plate 26 and the carrier substrate 4 . The actuators 5 , 21 are arranged laterally of fset from the light-emitting component 2 . The actuators 5 , 21 overlap with the opening 27 . The actuators 5 , 21 can vertically move the light-emitting component 2 . In case the light-emitting component 2 and the light-receiving component 3 are not hori zontally levelled, the light-emitting component 2 can also be tilted . The auxiliary light-receiving part 9 and the further auxiliary light-receiving part 31 are linked to di f ferent light-receiving parts 6 , 25 , for example via a coupler 7 . The light-receiving part 6 and the further light-receiving parts 25 can be parallel to each other at least on a side of the light-receiving component 3 adj acent to the light-emitting component 2 . The auxiliary light-receiving part 9 and the further auxiliary light-receiving part 31 can be connected with the outermost light-receiving parts 6 , 25 . Using two detectors 10 , 32 for the outermost light-receiving parts 6 , 25 and comparing their signals with the comparator 33 , it can be easily read of f i f the light-emitting component 2 and the light-receiving component 3 are hori zontally levelled, as shown in Figures 10 and 11 .

[0115] However, it is also possible to use more than two detectors 10 , 32 . Additionally or alternatively, two detectors 10 , 32 can be connected to the same light-receiving part 6 , 25 . For example , the detectors detect the electromagnetic radiation inside the light-receiving part 6 , 25 at two opposing sides of the light-receiving part 6 , 25 , e . g . at the two ends of the light-receiving part 6 , 25 . With this information, an indication for a lateral alignment of the light-emitting component 2 and the light-receiving part 6 of the lightreceiving component 3 can be obtained .

[0116] The aligning method for aligning the arrangement 1 can comprise comparing the signals obtained from the detector 10 and the further detector 32 by the control unit 11 . The signals are a measure for the alignment of the light-emitting component 2 and the light-receiving component 3 . The actuator 5 can be adj usted based on the signals obtained by the detectors 10 , 32 . For example , the actuators 5 , 21 are consecutively adj usted .

[0117] Figures 10 and 11 show schematic output powers obtained during an aligning method performed during operation of an arrangement . Figure 10 shows the output signal of the lightreceiving parts 6 , 25 shown in Figure 9 , for a case in which the light-emitting component 2 and the light-receiving component 3 are not hori zontally levelled . The position of the light-receiving part facets 35 of the light-receiving parts 6 , 25 are shi fted with respect to the position of the ridges 34 of the light-emitting component 2 . Thus , the optical power 36 of the electromagnetic radiation emitted by the laser ridges and coupled into the light-receiving parts 6 , 25 is di f ferent for each light-receiving part 6 , 25 . The obtained optical power 36 for each light-receiving part 6 , 25 is less than a maximum optical power 37 achievable for perfect alignment between the light-emitting component 2 and the light-receiving component 3 . In particular, the optical power 36 decreases along a direction . Figure 11 shows the optical power 36 obtained in case the light-emitting component 2 and the light-receiving component 3 are hori zontally levelled .

[0118] The invention described herein is not limited by the description given with reference to the embodiments . Rather, the invention encompasses any novel feature and any combination of features , including in particular any combination of features in the claims , even i f this feature or this combination is not itsel f explicitly indicated in the claims or embodiments . This patent application claims priority from German patent application 10 2023 119 766.5, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

[0119] References

[0120] 1 Arrangement

[0121] 2 light-emitting component

[0122] 3 light-receiving component

[0123] 4 carrier substrate

[0124] 4a mounting surface

[0125] 5 actuator

[0126] 6 light-receiving part

[0127] 7 coupler

[0128] 8 feedback loop

[0129] 9 auxiliary light-receiving part

[0130] 10 detector

[0131] 11 controller unit

[0132] 12 detector driver

[0133] 13 actuator driver

[0134] 14 fixated region

[0135] 15 movable region

[0136] 16 slot

[0137] 17 further slot

[0138] 18 submount

[0139] 19 adhesive (between light-receiving component 3 and carrier substrate 4 )

[0140] 20 further adhesive material (between light-receiving component 3 and actuator 5 )

[0141] 21 further actuator

[0142] 22 ring resonator

[0143] 23 second electromechanical actuator

[0144] 24 further light-emitting component

[0145] 25 further light-receiving part

[0146] 26 plate

[0147] 26a top surface

[0148] 27 opening 28 movable part

[0149] 29 wire bonding

[0150] 30 PCB / printed circuit board

[0151] 31 further auxiliary light-receiving part

[0152] 32 further detector

[0153] 33 comparator

[0154] 34 position of the ridges

[0155] 35 position of the light-receiving part facets

[0156] 36 optical power

[0157] 37 maximum optical power

[0158] Sc control signal / feedback signal

[0159] Mz Movement along a vertical direction

[0160] Mip m-plane movement

[0161] Mr rotation / tilting

Claims

Claims1. An arrangement (1) , comprising:- a light-emitting component (2) ,- a light-receiving component (3) comprising a lightreceiving part (6) , and- an actuator (5) , wherein- the actuator (5) is configured for an alignment of the light-emitting component (2) and the light-receiving part (6) of the light-receiving component (3) .

2. The arrangement (1) according to the previous claim, wherein the actuator (5) comprises a piezoelectric actuator.

3. The arrangement (1) according to one of the previous claims, the light-receiving component (3) further comprising a detector (10) and an auxiliary light-receiving part (9) , wherein the auxiliary light-receiving part (9) establishes one feedback loop (8) for the alignment between the lightemitting component (2) and the light-receiving component (3) and is configured to guide a portion of electromagnetic radiation coupled into the light-receiving part (6) to the detector (10) .

4. The arrangement (1) according to one of the previous claims, further comprising a carrier substrate (4) with a mounting surface (4a) , wherein- the light-emitting component (2) and the light-receiving component (3) are arranged on the mounting surface (4a) , and- the actuator (5) is arranged along a vertical direction between the light-emitting component (2) and the carriersubstrate (4) or between the light-receiving component (3) and the carrier substrate (4) .

5. The arrangement (1) according to claim 4, wherein- the light-receiving component (3) comprises a fixated region (14) and a movable region (15) ,- the light-receiving component (3) is attached to the carrier substrate (4) only in the fixated region (14) , and- the actuator (5) is arranged between the movable region (15) of the light-receiving component (3) and the carrier substrate ( 4 ) .

6. The arrangement (1) according to the previous claim, wherein the light-receiving component (3) comprises a slot (16) , and the slot (16) is located along a lateral direction between the movable region (15) and the fixated region (14) of the light-receiving component (3) .

7. The arrangement (1) according to one of the previous claims, wherein the arrangement (1) comprises at least a second actuator (23) , which is arranged at least partially on a side of the light-receiving component (3) facing away from the carrier substrate (4) or on a side of the light-emitting component (2) facing away from the carrier substrate (4) .

8. The arrangement (1) according to one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the arrangement (1) comprises at least a second actuator (23) , which is arranged on a lateral side of the light-receiving component (3) or of the light-emitting component ( 2 ) .

9. The arrangement (1) according to claim 4, further comprising a plate (26) with an opening (27) and a movable part (28) , wherein- the plate (26) is arranged on the mounting surface (4a) of the carrier substrate (4) ,- the light-emitting component (2) is arranged on a top surface (26a) of the plate (26) in the movable part (28) of the plate (26) facing away from the carrier substrate (4) ,- at least three sides of the movable part (28) of the plate (26) are surrounded by the opening (27) , and- the electromechanical actuator (5) is arranged along the vertical direction between the carrier substrate (4) and the movable part (28) of the metal plate (26) .

10. The arrangement (1) according to one of the previous claims, wherein- the light-receiving component (3) further comprises one or several further light-receiving parts (25) , a further auxiliary light-receiving part (31) and a further detector (32) , the auxiliary light-receiving part (31) establishing one feedback loop for the alignment between the lightemitting component (2) and the light-receiving component (3) and being configured to guide a portion of electromagnetic radiation coupled into the one light-receiving part (25) or into one of the several further light-receiving parts (25) to the further detector (32) , and- the light-emitting component (2) is a multi-ridge laser.

11. The arrangement (1) according to one of the previous claims, wherein the light-receiving component (3) is a waveguide component and the light-receiving part (6) is a waveguide .

12. The arrangement (1) according to one of the previous claims, wherein the surface of the light-emitting component (2) where electromagnetic radiation is emitted faces the incoupling facet of the light-receiving part (6) of the lightreceiving component (3) and according to which the thickness of the actuator (5) is stepless adjustable.

13. The arrangement (1) according to claim 3, wherein the auxiliary light-receiving part (9) is connected with the light-receiving part (6) via a coupler (7) , and the coupler (7) is configured to couple at most 10% of the electromagnetic radiation transported inside the lightreceiving part (6) into the auxiliary light-receiving part (9) during an alignment of the arrangement (1) .

14. An aligning method for aligning an arrangement (1) , the arrangement (1) comprising:- a light-emitting component (2) configured to emit electromagnetic radiation during operation of the arrangement (1) ,- a light-receiving component (3) comprising a lightreceiving part (6) , and- an actuator (5) , the method comprising: performing an alignment between the light-emitting component(2) and the light-receiving part (6) of the light-receiving component (3) by adjusting a thickness of the actuator (5) for adjusting a coupling of the electromagnetic radiation into the light-receiving part (6) .

15. The aligning method according to the previous claim, wherein the actuator (5) comprises a piezoelectric actuator and adjusting the thickness of the actuator (5) comprisesadjusting a voltage applied to the piezoelectric actuator (5) .

16. The aligning method according to one of the two preceding claims, wherein the adjusting of a thickness of the actuator (5) results in a vertical movement, a lateral movement and / or a tilting of the light-emitting component (2) or of the light-receiving component (3) .

17. The aligning method according to one of claims 14 to 16, wherein the light-receiving component (3) comprises one feedback loop (8) comprising a control unit (11) , an auxiliary light-receiving part (9) and a detector (10) , wherein- a portion of the electromagnetic radiation coupled into the light-receiving part (6) is directed to the detector (10) via the further light-receiving part (9) ,- a signal depending on the detected electromagnetic radiation is provided to the control unit (11) , and- the thickness of the electromechanical actuator (5) is adjusted by the control unit (11) in dependency on the detected electromagnetic radiation.

18. The aligning method according to one of claims 14 to 17, wherein the method comprises- adjusting the actuator (5) through a movement span,- recording the output signal for each thickness of the actuator (5) , and- adjusting the thickness of the actuator (5) to the thickness for which the maximum output signal is obtained.

19. The aligning method according to one of the claims 14 to 18, wherein- the light-receiving component (3) comprises a further auxiliary light-receiving part (31) and a further detector (32) ,- the control unit (11) compares the signals obtained from the detector (10) and the further detector (32) ,- the signals are a measure for the alignment of the lightemitting component (2) and the light-receiving component (3) , and- the actuator (5) is adjusted based on the signals obtained by the detectors (10, 32) .

20. The aligning method according to one of the claims 14 to 19, wherein the arrangement (1) comprises at least a further actuator (21) or at least a second actuator (23) and the actuators (5, 21, 23) are consecutively adjusted according to the method of claim 15, respectively.

Images