Passive assembly of parallel optical devices onto polymer-based optical printed circuit boards

摘要

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to present the latest results from research and development into future optical printed circuit board (OPCB)rninterconnects and low-cost assembly methods.rnDesign/methodology/approach - A novel method of high-precision passive alignment and assembly to OPCBs was invented and a full evaluationrnplatform developed to demonstrate the viability of this technique.rnFindings - The technique was successfully deployed to passively align and assemble a lens receptacle onto an embedded polymer waveguide array inrnan electro-OPCB. The lens receptacle formed a critical part of a dual lens pluggable in-plane connection interface between peripheral optical devicesrnand an OPCB. A lateral in-plane mechanical accuracy of ± 2 μm has been measured using this technique.rnResearch limitations/implications - As this is a free space optical coupling process, surface scattering at the exposed waveguide end facet wasrnsignificant.rnOriginality/value - This paper details a novel method of passively assembling arbitrary optical devices onto multi-mode optical waveguides andrnoutlines the procedure and equipment required. A lens coupling solution is also presented which reduces susceptibility of a connecting optical interfacernto contamination.