Optical Sub-Assembly Glass Member Fiber Coupling Tolerance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional optical receptacles face issues with varying optical coupling characteristics due to low tolerance between the external fiber and coupling fiber, leading to degradation when the ferrule is inserted or extracted, and stress on the coupling fiber or transparent medium causes performance fluctuations.
Innovation Solution
An optical sub-assembly with a glass member having a homogeneous refractive index and diameter matching the external fiber, a holder with bores to minimize stress, and a shell to align and support the components, reducing stress on the glass member and enhancing optical coupling tolerance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a coupling fiber or transparent medium is set in the center of the stub and tightly held by the outer shell, then the ferrule can be rigidly secured, but the stress caused by press-fitting degrades the optical coupling characteristic
Solution Approach 1:
The stub is divided into two separate components: the stub body and the coupling fiber holder. The coupling fiber is held in the holder rather than being tightly constrained by the outer shell, separating the mechanical support function from the optical coupling function to eliminate stress on the coupling fiber during assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling fiber holder acts as an intermediary component between the stub body and the coupling fiber. It provides a dedicated structure to hold the coupling fiber without subjecting it to press-fitting stress, while still enabling rigid securing of the ferrule through the stub body.
2Reliability
If a substantial length of coupling fiber is used to ensure successful insertion/extraction, then the ferrule can be properly secured, but the optical receptacle size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling fiber is segmented into a functional insertion portion and a held portion. The holder provides support at specific locations, allowing the coupling fiber to be shorter while maintaining reliable insertion and extraction performance through proper structural support distribution.
3Ease of manufacture
If the diameter of the transparent medium is larger than the external fiber, then assembly is easier, but the optical coupling tolerance decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The holder provides localized support to the coupling fiber at specific positions rather than constraining the entire fiber diameter. This allows the coupling fiber to have a diameter matching the external fiber for optimal optical coupling, while still providing sufficient support through strategically placed holding structures.
Data Source
AI summary
An optical receptacle that enhances the optical coupling tolerance is disclosed. The optical receptacle of the invention provides, in stead of the coupling fiber installed in a conventional optical receptacle, a glass member with a diameter substantially equal to the diameter of the external fiber. The glass member, which is held by the support, provides a convex surface that abuts against the top of the external ferrule and another surface inclined with the optical axis to prevent the light reflected thereat from returning the optical device. The glass member has a substantially homogeneous distribution in the refractive index thereof; accordingly, the fluctuation in the optical coupling with the external ferrule may be reduced.