FACE-LOCK INTERCONNECTION MEANS FOR OPTICAL FIBERS AND OTHER OPTICAL COMPONENTS, AND MANUFACTURING METHODS OF THE SAME

摘要

A novel means for interconnecting optical fibers (1), (2) or waveguide channels is disclosed, in which two matching surface contours are fabricated, one contour (7), (8) on the plane containing the end face of the fiber or the waveguide channel, and the other contour (9), (10) on a surface to which the optical fiber or waveguide channel is to be mated. The matching surface contours are face-locked in a stable and unique position when the two surfaces are brought to each other, thereby positioning the end of the optical fiber or waveguide channel on a pre-determined location on the mating surface. The matched surface contours may be created on the end facet of the optical fiber (1), (2) itself, or on the outwardly-extended surface of the end facet. The same interconnection means may be applied for connecting other optical components such as lenses and light sources. Modular approach is feasible in which a combination of face-lock embodiments are stacked together to align these optical components.