Optical Module Micro-Lens Array Crosstalk Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional optical modules face challenges in reducing optical crosstalk and simplifying structure while maintaining accurate signal alignment and transmission, leading to increased manufacturing costs and complexity.
Innovation Solution
The optical module incorporates a right-angle-micro-lens array with a specific configuration of optical fibers, laser diodes, and photodiodes, where the micro-lens array optically aligns transmitter and receiver groups, reducing crosstalk and allowing for a single-sided photodiode submount, and optionally uses shield metal and flexible electrical circuits to further minimize crosstalk and simplify structure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional optical module uses a right-angle-micro-lens array to change the direction of optical axes, then the optical signal transmission is achieved, but optical crosstalk increases and structural complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The optical module segments the optical paths by providing separate optical path regions for transmitter groups and receiver groups. The micro-lens array is configured with transmitter micro-lenses and receiver micro-lenses in distinct regions, ensuring that optical signals from transmitters and receivers travel through separated paths, thereby eliminating optical crosstalk while maintaining reliable signal transmission.
2Reliability
If a conventional optical module uses a right-angle-micro-lens array, then optical signal direction change is achieved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functions of the micro-lens array with the substrate by forming the micro-lens array directly on the substrate surface. This integration eliminates the need for separate micro-lens array components and their associated mounting structures, thereby simplifying the overall device structure and reducing manufacturing complexity while maintaining optical signal transmission reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The substrate serves multiple functions: it provides mechanical support for the optical module and simultaneously serves as the base for forming the micro-lens array. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed, simplifying the device structure and reducing manufacturing steps while ensuring reliable optical signal transmission.
3Device complexity
If optical fibers and photodiodes are aligned without a micro-lens array, then structure is simplified, but alignment accuracy decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The micro-lens array acts as an optical intermediary between the optical fibers and photodiodes. By configuring the micro-lens array with appropriate focal lengths and positions, the patent achieves precise optical alignment without requiring mechanical precision in the positioning of optical fibers and photodiodes. This mediator approach simplifies the overall structure while maintaining high alignment accuracy for signal transmission.
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 configuration effectively reduces optical and electrical crosstalk, stabilizes signal transmission, and simplifies the module's structure, resulting in reduced manufacturing costs and improved alignment accuracy.
Implementation Method 1
The micro-lens array optically aligns the laser diodes of the transmitter group and the optical fibers of the receiver group with the photodiodes of the monitor group and the receiver group
Data Source
AI summary
An optical module includes a fiber array, a laser diode array, a photodiode array and a micro-lens array. The fiber array includes optical fibers which are divided to a transmitter group and a receiver group. The laser diode array includes laser diodes which are grouped in a transmitter group. The photodiode array includes photodiodes which are divided to a monitor group and a receiver group. The laser diode array is provided between the fiber array and the photodiode array. The optical fibers of the transmitter group are optically aligned with the laser diodes of the transmitter group, respectively. The micro-lens array is provided between the laser diode array and the photodiode array, and optically aligns the laser diodes of the transmitter group and the optical fibers of the receiver group with the photodiodes of the monitor group and the photodiodes of the receiver group, respectively.