Fiber array

Abstract

This fiber array comprises a first substrate (100), a plurality of optical fibers (111), and a second substrate (120). The first substrate (100) is formed from glass and comprises, in a first surface (100a), a plurality of V-grooves (101) arranged in a prescribed direction. The plurality of V-grooves (101) are arranged in a direction orthogonal to the direction in which the grooves extend. The first substrate (100) also comprises a metal layer (102) formed on the first surface (100a). The plurality of optical fibers (111) are inserted into and aligned with the plurality of V-grooves (101), respectively. The second substrate (120) is formed from glass such as borosilicate glass, and a second surface (120a) facing the first surface (100a) is bonded to the metal layer (102).

Description

Fiber Array

[0001] The present invention relates to a fiber array.

[0002] Fiber arrays (FAs) are used to input optical output from photonic integrated circuits (PICs) with multiple channels, such as planar lightwave circuits (PLCs) and silicon photonics (SiPh), into a transmission line (Non-Patent Document 1).

[0003] Orbray Corporation, "What is an optical fiber array? A device for connecting optical waveguide elements, essential for next-generation high-speed, high-capacity optical communications," [Retrieved August 20, 2024] (https: / / orbray.com / magazine / archives / 1243).

[0004] However, the above-mentioned techniques have the problem of increasing the cost of optical devices, since the alignment process specific to optical fibers takes time during mounting, which increases costs.

[0005] To achieve faster alignment, it is important to, for example, speed up the process of connecting the output light of the PIC to the FA. It is also important to automate the process to reduce labor costs, which increase costs. Automating the process involves using image recognition to determine the positions and angles of the PIC and FA, and then moving them so that their relative positions are correct. This automation allows the output light of the PIC to be connected to the FA at high speed.

[0006] However, since the FA is made up of glass members and fibers and is transparent to the light used in image recognition, it is difficult to recognize, and there are cases where the shape of the FA cannot be analyzed correctly by image recognition.

[0007] The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and has as its object to reduce the cost of optical devices.

[0008] The fiber array of the present invention comprises a first substrate made of glass and having a first surface with a plurality of V-grooves arranged in a predetermined direction; a metal layer formed on the first surface of the first substrate; a plurality of optical fibers inserted into each of the plurality of V-grooves and aligned; and a second substrate made of glass and having a second surface opposite the first surface bonded to the metal layer, pressing the plurality of optical fibers against the first substrate with the second surface.

[0009] The fiber array of the present invention comprises a first substrate made of silicon and having a first surface with a plurality of V-grooves arranged in a predetermined direction, a plurality of optical fibers inserted into each of the plurality of V-grooves and aligned, and a second substrate made of glass and having a second surface opposite the first surface joined to the first surface, pressing the plurality of optical fibers against the first substrate with the second surface.

[0010] As described above, according to the present invention, the cost of the optical device can be reduced by forming a metal layer on the first surface of the first substrate made of glass, the first surface of which has a plurality of V-grooves for fixing a plurality of optical fibers. Also, according to the present invention, the first substrate made of Si, the first surface of which has a plurality of V-grooves for fixing a plurality of optical fibers, can be reduced by forming a metal layer on the first surface of the first substrate.

[0011] 1A and 1B are cross-sectional views (a), (b), and a plan view (c) showing the configuration of a fiber array according to a first embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 2A and 2B are cross-sectional views (a), (b), and a plan view (c) showing the configuration of a fiber array according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0012] A fiber array according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below.

[0013] First Embodiment First, a fiber array according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 1. Fig. 1(a) shows a cross section taken along line aa' in Fig. 1(c), and Fig. 1(b) shows a cross section taken along line bb' in Fig. 1(c). This fiber array includes a first substrate 100, a plurality of optical fibers 111, and a second substrate 120.

[0014] The first substrate 100 is made of glass and has a plurality of V-grooves 101 arranged in a predetermined direction on its first surface 100a. The V-grooves 101 are arranged in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the grooves extend. The first substrate 100 also has a metal layer 102 formed on the first surface 100a. A plurality of optical fibers 111 are inserted into and aligned in the V-grooves 101.

[0015] The second substrate 120 is made of glass such as borosilicate glass, and its second surface 120a, which faces the first surface 100a, is bonded to the metal layer 102. The second substrate 120 presses the multiple optical fibers 111 against the first substrate 100 with the second surface 120a. The metal layer 102 can be made of a material that reflects visible light, such as gold, silver, or aluminum.

[0016] In this example, the second substrate 120 presses the multiple optical fibers 111 against the first substrate 100 in a partial region of the first substrate 100, and the upper portions of the multiple optical fibers 111 are exposed in the terrace portion 103 where the second substrate 120 is not formed. Here, the multiple optical fibers 111 can be fixed to the first substrate 100 in the terrace portion 103 with an adhesive layer 131. For example, the adhesive layer 131 can be formed from the lower end of the side surface 120b of the second substrate 120 on the terrace portion 103 side to a partial region of the terrace portion 103. It is noted that the adhesive layer 131 does not need to be provided.

[0017] According to the first embodiment described above, the metal layer 102 is formed to be opaque to the light used for image recognition, which facilitates image recognition. Therefore, in the process of connecting the output light of the photonic integrated circuit (PIC) to the fiber array by image recognition, the fiber array can be easily recognized, and image recognition errors can be suppressed. As a result, the cost of the optical device can be reduced.

[0018] Here, the second surface 120a and the metal layer 102 can be bonded together by, for example, anodic bonding. For example, the metal layer 102 can be formed by depositing metal at predetermined locations on the first surface 100a using a sputtering method or the like. The metal layer 102 can be made of a material that can be used for anodic bonding, such as Fe, Ni, Co, Ti, or alloys thereof. These metals also reflect visible light.

[0019] As is well known, anodic bonding can be performed by bringing the second surface 120a of the second substrate 120 into contact with the metal layer 102 and applying a DC voltage of several hundred volts between them, with the metal layer 102 acting as the anode. Anodic bonding allows the second substrate 120, which is made of a glass-based material, and the metal layer 102 to be bonded together without using an intermediary such as solder or adhesive.

[0020] Second Embodiment Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 2. Fig. 2(a) shows a cross section taken along line aa' in Fig. 2(c), and Fig. 2(b) shows a cross section taken along line bb' in Fig. 2(c). This fiber array includes a first substrate 100', a plurality of optical fibers 111, and a second substrate 120.

[0021] The first substrate 100' is made of silicon and has a plurality of V-grooves 101 arranged in a predetermined direction on its first surface 100'a. The V-grooves 101 are arranged in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the grooves extend. A plurality of optical fibers 111 are inserted into the V-grooves 101 and aligned.

[0022] The second substrate 120 is made of glass such as borosilicate glass, and has a second surface 120a facing the first surface 100'a and bonded to the first surface 100'a. The second substrate 120 presses the multiple optical fibers 111 against the first substrate 100' with the second surface 120a.

[0023] In this example, in a portion of the first substrate 100', the second substrate 120 presses the multiple optical fibers 111 against the first substrate 100', and in the terrace portion 103 where the second substrate 120 is not formed, the upper portions of the multiple optical fibers 111 are exposed.

[0024] According to the second embodiment described above, the first substrate 100' is opaque to the light used for image recognition, which facilitates image recognition. Therefore, in the process of connecting the output light of the photonic integrated circuit (PIC) to the fiber array, the fiber array can be easily recognized by image recognition, and image recognition errors can be reduced. As a result, the cost of the optical device can be reduced.

[0025] Here, the first surface 100'a and the second surface 120a can be bonded, for example, by anodic bonding. Anodic bonding can be performed by bringing the first surface 100'a and the second surface 120a into contact with each other and applying a DC voltage of several hundred volts between them, with the first substrate 100' serving as the anode. Anodic bonding allows the first surface 100'a and the second surface 120a, both made of glass-based materials, to be bonded without using an intermediary such as solder or adhesive.

[0026] As described above, according to the embodiment of the present invention, the cost of the optical device can be reduced by forming a metal layer on the first surface of the first substrate made of glass, the first surface having a plurality of V-grooves for fixing a plurality of optical fibers. Also, according to the embodiment of the present invention, the first substrate made of Si, the first surface having a plurality of V-grooves for fixing a plurality of optical fibers, the cost of the optical device can be reduced.

[0027] It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and it is clear that many modifications and combinations can be made by a person having ordinary knowledge in the art within the technical concept of the present invention.

[0028] 100...first substrate, 100a...first surface, 101...V-groove, 102...metal layer, 103...terrace portion, 111...optical fiber, 120...second substrate, 120a...second surface, 120b...side surface, 131...adhesive layer.

Claims

1. A fiber array comprising: a first substrate made of glass and having a first surface with a plurality of V-grooves arranged in a predetermined direction; a metal layer formed on the first surface of said first substrate; a plurality of optical fibers inserted into and aligned in each of said plurality of V-grooves; and a second substrate made of glass and having a second surface opposite to said first surface bonded to said metal layer, and pressing said plurality of optical fibers against said first substrate with said second surface.

2. A fiber array according to claim 1, wherein said second surface and said metal layer are anodically bonded.

3. A fiber array comprising: a first substrate made of silicon and having a first surface with a plurality of V-grooves arranged in a predetermined direction; a plurality of optical fibers inserted into and aligned in the plurality of V-grooves; and a second substrate made of glass, having a second surface facing the first surface and bonded to the first surface, pressing the plurality of optical fibers against the first substrate with the second surface.

4. A fiber array according to claim 3, wherein the first surface and the second surface are anodically bonded.

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