Optical Device Package With Segmented Pipe For Thermal Stress Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing packaging technologies for optical devices cause damage to optical fibers due to thermal expansion and contraction, leading to lateral shear stress and poor airtightness, as they rely on low-melting point glass for sealing, which requires high-temperature heating and results in fiber bending and curvature.
Innovation Solution
A package design with a pipe portion divided into two sections, where the first section has a low thermal expansion coefficient and the second section has a higher thermal expansion coefficient, using a sealing material to hermetically seal the optical fiber, reducing thermal expansion and contraction-induced stress and ensuring airtightness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a low-melting point glass is used as a sealing material to hermetically seal the optical fiber, then good airtightness is achieved, but the pipe portion expands and contracts due to thermal heating and cooling, causing the optical fiber to bend and curve, leading to fiber damage
Solution Approach 1:
The pipe portion is divided into two distinct sections: a first pipe section made of a material with a low thermal expansion coefficient and a second pipe section made of a material with a high thermal expansion coefficient. This segmentation allows each section to have different thermal response characteristics, with the first section providing structural stability and the second section accommodating thermal expansion to protect the optical fiber from damage while maintaining the sealing function.
Solution Approach 2:
Different materials with different thermal expansion coefficients are assigned to different sections of the pipe portion based on their specific functional requirements. The first pipe section uses a material with low thermal expansion coefficient for structural stability, while the second pipe section uses a material with high thermal expansion coefficient for thermal accommodation. This local differentiation of material properties resolves the contradiction between maintaining airtightness and preventing fiber damage.
2Reliability
If heating is applied to melt the low-melting point glass for sealing, then hermetic sealing is achieved, but the pipe portion expands due to heating, causing optical fiber bending and curvature
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the thermal expansion parameter by using materials with different expansion coefficients in different pipe sections. The first pipe section uses a material with low thermal expansion coefficient to minimize expansion during heating, while the second pipe section uses a material with high thermal expansion coefficient to accommodate expansion. This parameter differentiation allows the sealing process to proceed without causing excessive fiber curvature.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the pipe portion is made of a material with low thermal expansion coefficient to reduce expansion, then optical fiber bending is reduced, but insufficient caulking effect is obtained at the sealed portion, compromising airtightness
Solution Approach 1:
The pipe portion is segmented into two functional sections: the first pipe section with low thermal expansion coefficient material that provides structural stability and minimizes fiber bending, and the second pipe section with high thermal expansion coefficient material that provides sufficient caulking effect for hermetic sealing. This segmentation resolves the contradiction between reducing fiber bending and ensuring airtightness.
Solution Approach 2:
Different material properties are assigned to different sections of the pipe based on local functional requirements. The first section prioritizes low thermal expansion to protect the optical fiber, while the second section prioritizes high thermal expansion to ensure proper sealing and airtightness. This local quality differentiation simultaneously achieves both objectives.
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 design reduces or prevents optical fiber damage while maintaining good airtightness by minimizing thermal expansion and contraction effects, ensuring stable performance and reliability.
Implementation Method 1
the pipe portion includes a first pipe section having a base end fixed to the package main unit and a second pipe section joined to a tip of the first pipe section, having a higher thermal expansion coefficient than the first pipe section
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a package for an optical device and an optical device module that can reduce or prevent damage occurrence in an optical fiber optically coupled to an optical device while ensuring a good airtightness. A package for an optical device includes a package main unit that accommodates an optical device; a pipe portion that is provided in the package main unit and through which an optical fiber optically coupled to the optical device is inserted; and a fixing portion that is provided in the package main unit and to which one end of the optical fiber is fixed, and the pipe portion includes a first pipe section having a base end fixed to the package main unit and a second pipe section joined to a tip of the first pipe section, having a higher thermal expansion coefficient than the first pipe section, to be sealed by a sealing material.