Semiconductor Laser Module Fiber Array Alignment via V-Groove

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current semiconductor laser modules face challenges in maintaining precise alignment and long-term reliability due to adhesive contraction and aging degradation, which affect optical coupling efficiency and beam quality, requiring complex alignment and fixing methods like laser welding that are sensitive to clearance and mating surface accuracy.

Innovation Solution

A method of laser-welding and fixing an optical fiber array using a fiber array fitting and support fitting with line-contact or surface-contact sections, allowing accurate and easy alignment without additional adjustments, ensuring high-quality optical coupling and reliability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If adhesive is used to fix the optical fiber array, then ease of manufacture is improved, but alignment precision deteriorates due to adhesive contraction and aging degradation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of manufactureVSAvoidalignment precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a V-groove structure as an intermediary element between the optical fiber array and the holder. The V-groove precisely positions the optical fibers through geometric constraint, acting as a mediator that transfers alignment precision from the holder to the optical fibers without relying on adhesive bonding. This resolves the contradiction by enabling easy manufacture with adhesives while maintaining high alignment precision through the V-groove geometric constraint.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If laser welding is used to fix the optical fiber array, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases due to sensitivity to clearance and mating surface accuracy

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovereliabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary alignment of the optical fiber array using the V-groove structure before the laser welding process. The V-groove pre-positions the optical fibers with high precision, so that when laser welding is subsequently applied, the clearance and mating surface accuracy requirements are already satisfied. This preliminary positioning action eliminates the need for complex real-time adjustment mechanisms during welding, thereby maintaining reliability while reducing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Manufacturing precision

If precise alignment is performed by monitoring light intensity, then manufacturing precision is improved, but productivity decreases due to complex alignment procedures

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvealignment precisionVSAvoidproductivity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The V-groove structure provides self-aligning functionality through its geometric design. The V-shaped geometry automatically positions the optical fibers in the correct orientation and location without requiring external monitoring or adjustment mechanisms. This self-service alignment capability maintains high manufacturing precision while eliminating the need for complex light intensity monitoring procedures, thereby significantly improving productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This approach enables high-accuracy and high-reliability semiconductor laser modules with improved manufacturing yield and reduced aging degradation, maintaining alignment without deviation during the optical fiber array fixation.

Implementation Method 1

a laser beam emitted from the laser diode is optically coupled to an optical fiber

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOptical coupling: Optical Fibre

Implementation Method 2

These holding members are fixed to predetermined positions using one of laser welding, soldering, and an adhesive

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLaser welding: Laser Beam Welding

Data Source

PatentUS9093812B2Method of manufacturing a semiconductor laser module
Publication Date: 2015.07.28 PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO LTD
  • US9093812B2 patent drawing
  • US9093812B2 patent drawing
  • US9093812B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A semiconductor laser module includes a laser diode array, an optical fiber array, a fiber array fitting for fixing the optical fiber array, a casing, and a support fitting for fixing the fiber array fitting and casing. The fiber array fitting and support fitting have a first contact section that is in line-contact or surface-contact with the plane section parallel with the light emission surface of the laser diode array, and are laser-welded and fixed to each other at the first contact section. The support fitting and casing have a second contact section that is in line-contact or surface-contact with the plane section vertical to the light emission surface of the laser diode array, and are laser-welded and fixed to each other at the second contact section.