Optical receiver and method of assembling the same and providing rotational alignment

The present invention relates to an optical receiver and a method of producing the same.

A United States Patent US-2015/117865A has disclosed an optical received implemented within a coherent optical communication system. FIG. 20 schematically illustrates an optical coupling system disclose in the prior patent document above described. The optical receiver 100 in FIG. 20 provides an optical substrate 101 , two optical hybrids, 111 and 112 , photo-detectors, 134 and 135 , and a monitor photodiode (mPD) 104 , where those devices are enclosed within a housing 105 . Signal light L 1 and local light L 2 enter respective optical waveguides, 106 and 107 , through an end 101 a of the optical substrate 101 .

A beam splitter (BS) 131 splits the signal light L 1 into two parts, one of which enters the PD 104 , while, another advances another BS 132 that splits the signal light L 1 coming from the BS 131 also into two parts that enter respective optical hybrids, 111 and 112 . On the other hand, the local light L 2 is also split by still another optical splitter 133 to the respective optical hybrids, 111 and 112 . Thus, the optical coupling system that optically couples the signal light L 1 and the local light L 2 with the optical hybrids, 111 and 112 , provides the optical components, 131 to 133 , with optical surfaces whose normals make angles against an optical axis of the signal light L 1 and/or the local light L 2 except for 0° and 90°. In order to enhance the coupling efficiency of the light, L 1 and L 2 , with the optical hybrids, 111 and 112 , the surfaces of the optical components, 131 and 132 , exactly, the normals thereof are necessary to be precisely aligned with the optical axes of the light, L 1 and L 2 , as keeping a preset angle different from 0° and 90°.

An aspect of the present invention relates to a method of assembling an optical module. The optical module provides housing, an input port, and an optical component. The housing has one side and another side. The input port has an axis and is fixed to the one side of the housing. The optical component has an optical surface whose normal makes an angle θ, which is different from 0° or 90°, against the axis of the optical port. The method comprises steps of: (a) placing a tool on a rotation stage that provides a reference wall, where the tool has a pair of sides extending in parallel to each other and a reference side that makes the angle θ against one of the sides, the process abutting one of the paired side of the tool against the reference wall of the rotation stage; (b) pointing the reference side of the tool toward a preset direction by rotating the rotation stage; (c) replacing the tool with the housing, where the process abuts the another side of the housing against the reference wall of the rotation stage; (d) aligning the normal of the optical component with the present direction; and (e) placing the optical component in a preset position within the housing.

FIG. 1 is a plan view of an optical module according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 schematically illustrates an optical coupling system between the multi-mode interference (MMI) devices and two ports.

FIG. 3 illustrates a process of assembling the optical module, where the process places the MMI device on respective MMI carriers and a circuit board onto the base.

FIG. 4 illustrates a process of assembling the optical module, where the process installs an intermediate assembly on the base into the housing.

FIG. 5 illustrates a process of assembling the optical module, where the process places a monitor photodiode (mPD) on the PD carrier, and optical components of the first group and the second group on the carrier.

FIG. 6 illustrates a process of pointing a tool in the reference side thereof toward a preset direction in order to assemble the optical components of the first group.

FIG. 7 illustrates a process of aligning the optical components of the first group with the present direction.

FIG. 8 illustrates a process of pointing the tool in the reference side thereof toward the preset direction in order to assemble the optical components of the second group.

FIG. 9 illustrates a process of installing the optical components of the third group.

FIG. 10 illustrates a process of aligning the lens systems using dummy ports.

FIG. 11 illustrates a process of mounting a variable optical attenuator (VOA) on the VOA carrier.

FIG. 12 illustrates a process of aligning a signal port and a local port by replacing from dummy ports for aligning the lens systems.

FIG. 13 is a plan view of an optical module according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 schematically illustrates an optical coupling system between the multi-mode interference (MMI) devices and two ports of the optical module shown in FIG. 13 .

FIG. 15 schematically illustrates an optical coupling system from the signal port and the local port to two MMI devices according to an example comparable to that of the present optical modules.

FIG. 16 schematically illustrates a phase mismatch between the signal light and the local light at the inputs of the MMI devices.

FIG. 17 schematically illustrates an optical coupling system of an optical module according to the third embodiment of the present invention

FIG. 18 shows a behavior of a tilt angle against a bias supplied thereto in a tilt mirror implemented within the optical module shown in FIG. 17 .

FIG. 19 shows a deviation between two MMI devices in the optical coupling between the tilt mirror and the MMI devices.

FIG. 20 schematically illustrates a conventional arrangement of an optical module that includes two MMI devices and an optical coupling system from the signal port and the local port to the MMI devices.

Next, embodiment according to the present invention will be described as referring to accompanying drawings. The present invention is not restricted to the embodiment. The invention is intended to have a scope including whole modification and changes determined by claims and equivalents thereto. In the description of the drawings, numerals or symbols same with or similar to each other will refer to elements same with or similar to each other without duplicating explanations.

First Embodiment

FIG. 1 is a plan view of an optical module 1 A according to the present invention and FIG. 2 schematically illustrates an optical coupling system implemented within the optical module 1 A. The optical module 1 A interferes signal light L 1 , which is modulated in a phase thereof, with local light L 2 to extract information contained in the signal light L 1 . The signal light L 1 subject to the optical module 1 A of the present invention contains two polarizations perpendicular to each other and two phase components also perpendicular to each other, namely, a component modulated by phases between 0° and 180°, and another component modulated by phases between 90° and 270°, where the former phase component is often called as the In-phase component, while, the latter is called as the quadrature component. Such signal light is modulated by an algorithm called as Dual Polarization Quadrature Phase Shift Keying (DP-QPSK). The local light L 2 primarily contains one of the polarizations, that is, the signal light has a linear polarization.

The optical module 1 A provides a box-shaped housing 2 , a signal port 11 , and a local port 13 , where these ports, 11 and 13 , are provided in one of sides 2 b of the housing 2 . The signal port 11 and the local port 13 have respective optical axes parallel to each other and substantially perpendicular to the side 2 b . The signal port 11 receives the signal light L 1 through a single mode fiber (SMF), while, the local port 13 receives the local light L 2 through a polarization maintaining fiber (PMF). The local light L 1 and the signal light L 2 enter within the housing 2 through the signal port 11 and the local port 13 , respectively. The PMF extracted from the local port is coupled with an optical source that is typically a semiconductor laser diode (LD).

The signal port 11 integrates a cylindrical sleeve that receives an external ferrule with a lens holder that encloses a collimating lens therein, where the lens holder is fixed to an end 2 b of the housing 2 . The signal light L 1 , which propagates on the SMF, enters within the housing 2 as collimated by the collimating lens. The local port 13 also integrates a cylindrical sleeve that receives a ferrule secured in an end of the polarization maintaining fiber (PMF) with a lens holder that encloses another collimating lens therein, where the another lens holder is fixed to the end 2 b of the housing 2 . The local light L 2 , which propagates on the PMF, enters within the housing 2 as collimated by the other collimating lens.

Two input ports, 11 and 13 , each includes cylindrical parts, namely, the sleeve, the lens holder, and so on; among which having the widest diameter, typically, the lens holder has a flat surface, 11 a and 13 a , facing to each other and sometimes being in contact to each other, which enables the optical axes of the input ports, 11 and 13 , to be closer. The lens holders may have a diameter of 5.5 mm, which means that the interval between the optical axes to be 11 mm at least. However, the lens holder of the present embodiment having the respective flat surfaces may set the interval between the optical axes to be narrower than 10 mm; specifically, the interval between the optical axes is set to be 3.4 mm.

The housing 2 may be made of Kovar and provides terminals 3 in sides except for the side 2 b to which the input ports, 11 and 13 , are fixed. The terminals 3 each includes a multi-layered ceramics though which lead terminals are pulled out. The terminals 3 include those for outputting signals converted from the received optical signals, those for supplying biases and power to electronic circuits installed within the housing 2 , and ground terminals. Respective corners of the housing 2 protrude flanges 4 to fix the housing 2 on a circuit board and so on.

The optical module 1 A further includes the first and second multi-mode interference (MMI) devices that interfere the signal light L 1 with the local light L 2 . The first MMI device 32 a interferes the signal light L 1 having one polarization with the local light L 2 to recover information contained in this polarization; while, the second MMI device 32 b interferes the signal light L 1 having another polarization perpendicular to the former polarization with the local light L 2 to recover another information contained in the latter polarization. These MMI devices, 32 a and 32 b , which are a type of, what is called the 90° optical hybrid, arranged in side by side with respective to the side 2 b of the housing 2 .

The optical module 1 A further includes an optical coupling system that optical couples the two input ports, 11 and 13 , with the two MMI devices, 32 a and 32 b . The optical coupling system includes a polarization beam splitter (PBS) 26 , a skew adjustor 27 , a half-wavelength (λ/2) plate, 29 , mirrors, 21 and 30 , beam slitters (BS) 22 , and 34 , a variable optical attenuator (VOA) 23 , and four lens systems, 28 , 31 , 36 , and 38 . The mirror 21 , the BS 22 , and the VOA 23 are disposed between the input ports, 11 and 13 , and the PBS 26 .

Further specifically, a carrier 20 a that is provided on a bottom of the housing mounts the mirror 21 and the BS 22 thereon; but the VOA 23 is mounted on a VOA carrier 20 b that is independent of the former carrier 20 a . Other optical components are mounted on a still other carrier 20 d that is independent of two carriers, 20 a and 20 b , through a base 20 c . The base 20 c may be made of copper tungsten (CuW), while, the carriers, 20 a , 20 b , and 20 d , may be made of aluminum nitride (AlN).

The mirror 21 of the present embodiment, which may be a type of a planar mirror, is disposed on the optical axis of the signal port 11 . The mirror 21 provides a reflecting surface coupled to and facing the signal port 11 . That is, the reflecting surface of the mirror 21 receives the signal light L 1 and fully reflects the signal light L 1 toward the BS 24 . The optical axis of the outgoing signal light L 1 toward the BS 22 makes a right angle with respect to the incoming signal light L 1 .

The BS 22 , which is disposed on the optical axis of the signal light L 1 reflected by the mirror 21 , provides a body and an optical filter formed by multi-layered dielectric films where the body has a front surface and a rear surface opposite to the front surface, while, the optical filter made of the multi-layered dielectric films is disposed on the front surface. The optical filter shows reflectivity greater than 90%, where the BS 22 of the present embodiment has the reflectivity of 95%. The BS 22 splits the signal light L 1 incoming from the mirror 21 into two portions, one L 11 of which is reflected thereby toward the optical coupling system, while, the other transmits therethrough toward the mPD 24 as the signal light L 10 . The optical axis of the signal light L 10 is aligned with the optical axis of the signal light L 1 , while, the optical axis of the signal light L 11 reflected by the BS 22 makes a right angle against the optical axis of the signal light L 1 .

The mPD 24 is mounted on a side of a sub-mount 24 a , and the sub-mount 24 a is mounted on an end of the carrier 20 a . The mPD 24 , as referring to FIG. 2 , is disposed behind the rear surface of the BS 22 to receive the signal light L 10 transmitting through the BS 22 . The mPD 24 may generate a photocurrent corresponding to the signal light L 10 received thereby, and output the photocurrent to an external of the housing 2 through interconnections formed on the carrier 20 a and bonding wires electrically connecting the interconnections with the terminals 3 provided in the side opposite to that facing the mPD 24 .

The VOA 23 is disposed on the optical axis L 11 of the signal light. That is, the VOA 23 is disposed on an optical axis of a signal input port of the first MMI device 32 a . The VOA 23 may attenuate the signal light L 11 passing therethrough. Specifically, depending on the magnitude of the photocurrent output from the mPD 24 , the VOA 23 may adjust the magnitude of the signal light L 11 passing therethrough. One of the terminals 3 may supply a control signal that may adjusts the attenuation by the VOA 23 . When the mPD 24 detects an excess input, the VOA 23 increases the attenuation thereof to reduce the power of the signal light, L 12 and L 13 , entering the MMI devices, 32 a and 32 b . The control signal is provided from the terminal 3 facing the mPD 24 directly to pads of the VOA 23 through bonding wires. The top of the VOA 23 provides the pads; accordingly, wire-bonding from the terminals 3 to the pads, the VOA 23 may receive the control signal. Because the carrier 20 a for the mPD 24 has a top level thereof higher than a top level of the carrier 20 b for the VOA 23 by about 1.5 mm, also, the top of the VOA 23 provides the pads to which the bonding wires are bonded; accordingly, the bonding wires never interfere with the optical axis L 10 attributed to the mPD 24 .

The PBS 26 , which has a planar plate arrangement, has an incident surface facing the BS 22 through the VOA 23 . The PBS 26 may split the signal light L 11 into two portions, L 12 and L 13 , where they have polarizations perpendicular to each other. For instance, the signal light L 12 has a polarization parallel to the base 20 d (X-polarization), while, the other signal light L 13 has another polarization perpendicular to the base 20 d (Y-polarization) by a ratio of 1:1. The former signal light 12 transmits the PBS 26 , while, the latter L 13 is reflected thereby toward the mirror 30 . That is, the signal light L 13 propagates toward a direction opposite to the signal light L 1 advancing the BS 22 . The signal light L 12 makes a right angle with respect the signal light L 13 .

The skew adjustor 27 and the lens system 28 are disposed on the optical axis of the signal light L 12 from the PBS 26 to the signal input port of the first MMI device 32 a . That is, the signal light L 12 output from the PBS 26 transmits the skew adjustor 27 and enters the MMI device 32 a through the lens system 28 . The skew adjustor 27 , which may be made of silicon (Si) block, compensates an optical path length for the signal light L 13 from the PBS 26 to the mirror 30 . That is, the signal light L 13 has the optical path from the PBS 26 to the signal input port of the second MMI device 32 b which is longer than the optical path for the signal light L 12 from the PBS 26 to the signal input port of the first MMI device 32 a by the optical path from the PBS 26 to the mirror 30 . The skew adjustor 32 may compensate this optical path length by causing a delay for the signal light L 12 . The signal light L 12 passing the skew adjustor 27 enters the signal input port of the first MMI device 32 a through two lenses, 28 a and 28 b , of the lens system 28 .

The λ/2 plate 29 , the mirror 30 , and the lens system 31 are disposed on the optical axis connecting the PBS 26 and the second MMI device 32 b , that is, on the optical axis of the signal light L 13 . The signal light L 13 reflected by the PBS 26 and having the Y-polarization is reflected again by the mirror so as to align the optical axis thereof with the signal input port of the second MMI device 32 b . Passing through the λ/2 plate 29 and concentrated by two lenses, 31 a and 31 b , of the lens system 31 , the signal light 13 enters the second MMI device 32 b . The λ/2 plate 29 may rotate the polarization of light transmitting therethrough by 90°. Accordingly, the signal light L 13 passing the λ/2 plate has the polarization parallel to the base 20 c , namely, the polarization same with that of the other signal light L 12 entering the first MMI device 32 a . The embodiment disposes the λ/2 plate between the mirror 30 and the lens system 31 ; however, the optical coupling system may dispose the λ/2 plate in a position between the PBS 26 and the signal input port of the second MMI device 32 b . For instance, the coupling system may dispose the λ/2 plate between the PBS 26 and the mirror 30 .

The optical module 1 A includes for optically coupling the local port 13 with two MMI devices, 32 a and 32 b , a polarizer 33 , a BS 34 , and lens systems 36 and 38 , each including two lenses, 36 a and 36 b , and 38 a and 38 b . The coupling system for the local light L 2 provides the skew adjustor 27 and the mirror 30 common to the optical coupling system for the signal light L 1 . That is, the skew adjustor 27 and the mirror 30 each has two optical axes for the signal light L 1 and the local light L 2 independent to each other.

The polarizer 33 secures the polarization of the local light L 2 entering through the local port 13 . That is, even when the PMF that carries the local light L 2 deviates the polarization direction thereof from the designed direction during the assembly of the optical module 1 A, the polarizer 33 may secure the polarization of the local light L 2 substantially aligning with the designed direction, just perpendicular to or just parallel to the base 20 c . When a system uses a semiconductor laser diode (LD) as a source of the local light 12 , the LD generally emits light with elliptically polarized light with a major axis thereof in parallel to an active layer of the LD. However, the system sometimes installs an LD accompanied with a stress in the active layer due to the lattice mismatching to enhance oscillation stability, material reliability, and/or to tune an emission wavelength. Such an LD in the output light thereof sometimes enhances the minor axis of the elliptically polarized light. Even when the local light L 2 has such an arrangement of the polarization, the polarizer 33 may convert the elliptically polarized light into linearly polarized light.

The BS 34 , which may have a slab arrangement similar to the former BS 22 , splits the local light L 2 coming from the polarizer 33 into two portions by a ratio of 1:1, one of which L 22 passes therethrough, while, the other L 23 is reflected thereby toward the mirror 30 . The local light L 22 in the optical axis thereof makes a right angle with respect to the optical axis of the other local light L 23 . The local light L 23 advances in parallel to the signal light L 13 reflected by the PBS 26 .

The system disposes the skew adjustor 27 and the lens system 38 between the BS 34 and the local input port of the first MMI device 32 a , that is on the optical axis of the local input port of the first MMI device 32 a . The local light L 22 output from the BS 34 passes the skew adjustor 27 that compensates the optical path difference between the local light, L 22 and L 23 . That is, similar to the signal light, L 12 and L 13 , the local light L 23 has an optical path from the BS 23 to the second MMI device 32 b longer than the optical path for the local light L 22 from the BS 34 to the first MMI device 32 a by a length from the BS 34 to the mirror 30 . The skew adjustor 27 may cause a phase delay for the local light L 22 corresponding to this optical path from the BS 34 to mirror 30 . The local light L 22 passing the skew adjustor 27 enters the local input port of the first MMI device 38 as concentrated by two lenses, 38 a and 38 b , of the lens system 38 .

The mirror 30 and the lens system 36 are disposed on the optical path for the local light L 23 between the BS 34 and the local input port of the second MMI device 32 b . The local light L 23 split and reflected by the BS 34 is reflected again by the mirror 30 so as to align the optical axis thereof with the optical axis of the local input port of the second MMI device 32 b . The local light L 23 reflected by the mirror 30 enters the local input port 32 b by concentrated by two lenses 36 a and 36 b of the lens system 36 .

The optical module 1 A thus described divides the signal light L 1 and the local light L 2 into respective two portions each entering the MMI devices, 32 a and 32 b . The MMI devices, 32 a and 32 b , which may be made of semiconductor material, for instance, indium phosphide (InP) that monolithically integrates photodiodes (PDs) therein, each extracts information contained in the signal light, L 12 and L 13 , by interfering the signal light, L 12 and L 13 with the local light, L 22 and L 23 . The photocurrents generated by the PDs integrated within the MMI devices, 32 a and 32 b , are converted into voltages signals by amplifiers, 39 a and 39 b , set downstream of the MMI devices, 32 a and 32 b . The MMI devices, 32 a and 32 b , are mounted on respective bases made of copper tungsten (CuW), while, the amplifiers, 39 a and 39 b , are mounted on a circuit board 20 e each having a plane shape of a C-character that surrounds the MMI devices, 32 a and 32 b.

Next, a process of forming the optical module 1 A will be described as referring to FIGS. 3 to 12 . The description below assumes that optical components having light incident surfaces whose normals make an angle except for 0° and 90° against the optical axes of the input ports, 11 and 13 , specifically, making an angle of 45°, are collectively as the first group of the components. The PBS 26 , the mirror 30 , and the BS 34 are involved in the first group. On the other hand, optical components having light incident surfaces whose normals make an angle supplementary to the former angle, that is, making an angle of 135°, are called as the second group of the components. The mirror 21 and the BS 22 are involved in the second group.

The process of forming the optical module 1 A firstly assembles the MMI devices, 32 a and 32 b . Specifically, as FIG. 3 illustrates, the process disposes on the base 20 c the MMI devices, 32 a and 32 b , the carrier 20 d , and the circuit board 20 e . The MMI devices are mounted on respective MMI carriers, 20 f and 20 g , in advance to the disposition, and the circuit board 20 e also mounts electronic components such as capacitors thereon in advance to the disposition thereof. The MMI devices, 32 a and 32 b , are mounted on the MMI carriers, 20 f and 20 g , with eutectic solder such as alloy of gold and tin (AuSn). Then, the process installs the base 20 c , on which the carrier 20 d , the MMI devices, 32 a and 32 b , and the circuit board 20 e are mounted, on the bottom of the housing 2 as FIG. 4 illustrates. Subsequently, the amplifiers, 39 a and 39 b , are installed on the circuit board 20 e with conductive resin. The carrier 20 a is also mounted on the bottom of the housing 2 independent of the base 20 c . The carrier 20 a is fixed on the bottom of the housing with conventional resin type of ultraviolet curable resin.

Next, as FIG. 5 illustrates, the process mounts the mPD 24 on the carrier 20 a through the sub-mount 24 a . Specifically, the mPD 24 is first mounted on the sub-mount 24 a outside of the housing 2 so as to form an intermediate assembly; then, the process installs this intermediate assembly of the mPD 24 and the sub-mount 24 a on the carrier 20 a in the housing 2 . The alignment of the intermediate assembly against the carrier 20 a may be performed visually by marks prepared on the carrier 20 a.

The process next fixes the first group of the components, namely, the PBS 26 , the mirror 30 and the BS 34 , on the carrier 20 d with adhesive. FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate the process of fixing the first group of the component on the carrier 20 d in detail. The process uses a special tool 60 illustrated in FIG. 6 , where the special tool 60 with a block shape provides a pair of sides, 61 and 62 , extending in parallel to each other and another side 63 making an angle θ against one of the sides, 61 and 62 , where the side 63 is called as the reference side. The embodiment shown in FIG. 6 indicates that the reference side 63 makes an angle θ against the side 61 .

The process first aligns the front 2 b of the housing 2 by a preset angle against the optical axes of the input ports, 11 and 13 . Specifically, the process mounts the tool 60 described above on a rotation stage 70 such that one of the sides, 61 and 62 , of the tool 60 abuts against the reference wall 71 prepared in the rotation stage 70 . As irradiating the reference side 63 with a beam La output from the auto-collie enter, which is not illustrated in FIG. 6 , the process rotates the rotation stage 70 such that a beam Lb derived from the beam La and reflected by the reference side 63 returns the auto-collimeter. That is, the process rotates the rotation stage 70 such that the reflected beam Lb in the optical axis thereof aligns with the optical axis of the incident beam La. Thus, the reference wall 71 may be aligned with the angle thereof in a preset direction.

Then, the special tool 60 is replaced by the housing 2 . That is, the process sets the housing 2 on the stag 70 as abutting one of the sides against the reference wall 71 of the stage 70 . Then, as FIG. 7 illustrates, securing the component of the first group above the housing 2 and irradiating the incident surface of the component with the beam La, the component is aligned in an angle against the auto-collimeter such that the optical axis of the reflected beam Lb is aligned with the incident beam La. Then, keeping the rotational angle of the component thus determined, the process installs the component in designed positions within the housing 2 . Because the carrier 20 d prepares indices for positioning the component, the component may be set on the preset position on the carrier 20 d only by a visual inspection. Works thus described for the component is commonly performed for the PBS 26 , the mirror 30 , and the BS 34 . In those alignment described above, only the beam provided from the auto-collimeter is used. No active alignment using the signal light or the local light is carried out.

Referring to FIG. 5 again, the process then installs the components, namely, the mirror 21 and the BS 22 , of the second group within the housing 2 . Specifically, as FIG. 8 illustrates, the process first replaces the housing 2 set on the stage 70 to the special tool 60 , where the special tool 60 is set on the stage upside down. Specifically, abutting the side 62 against the reference wall 71 , that is, the side opposite to that first abutted against the reference wall for aligning the components of the first group, the process adjusts the rotation angle of the tool 60 as irradiating the reference side 63 with the beam coming from the auto-collimeter. Thus, the reference side 63 turns to the preset direction.

Then, replacing the special tool 60 with the housing 2 as abutting one side of the housing 2 against the reference wall 71 , and the components of the second group are installed within the housing 2 . Specifically, securing the component above the housing 2 and adjusting the rotation thereof by irradiating the incident surface with the beam provided from the auto-collimeter, the component is aligned in the angle thereof against the reference side of the housing 2 and placed on the carrier 20 d . Similar to the components of the first group, no active alignment using the signal light and the local light is carried out for the components of the second group.

Subsequently, rest of the components having an incident surface making an angle of 0° or 90° against the axes of the input ports, 11 and 13 , are installed within the housing 2 . Those components, which are the skew adjustor 27 , the λ/2 plate 29 , and the polarizer 33 , may be collectively included in the third group. Specifically, another tool, which has a rectangular block with two contiguous sides making a right angle, is set on the rotation stage 70 as abutting one of the contiguous sides against the reference wall 71 . Irradiating the other of the contiguous sides with the beam provided from the auto-collimeter, the rotation angle of the tool may be aligned such that the beam reflected by the other of the contiguous sides in the optical axis thereof is aligned with the optical axis of the beam incoming to the other of the contiguous sides. Then, replacing the other tool with the housing 2 and setting the housing 2 as abutting the one side against the reference wall 71 , the components of the third group are set on respective positions on the carrier 20 d in the housing 2 . Securing the components of the third group above the housing 2 and irradiating the incident surface with the beam from the auto-collimeter, the rotation of the components of the third group may be aligned against the auto-collimator. Then, the components of the third group are set within the housing 2 .

Then, the lens systems, 28 to 38 , are actively aligned and fixed on the carrier 20 d . In advance to the alignment of the lens systems, 28 to 38 , the process sets two dummy ports in the side 2 b . The dummy ports, which simulate the input ports, 11 and 13 , provide test beams with wavelengths equal to the signal light and the local light for aligning the lens systems, 28 to 38 . The dummy ports each install a collimating lens; accordingly, the test beams provided therefrom are substantially collimated beams.

The dummy ports in positions thereof against the housing 2 are first determined. Importing the test beam from one of the dummy ports within the housing 2 and detecting the test beam passing the first to third components by the PDs integrated within the first MMI device 32 , the process determines a temporal position of the dummy port against the housing 2 such that, as sliding the dummy port on the side 2 b , the PD in the first MMI device 32 a generates a maximum output. Similarly, another dummy port in the position thereof against the housing 2 may be determined as sliding the dummy port on the side 2 b and detecting the test beam passing the first to third components by the PD integrated within the second MMI device 32 b . Although the signal input port and the local input port of the MMI devices, 32 a and 32 b , have dimensions only several micron-meters square, and the first to third components are not actively nor passively aligned, the PDs integrated within the MMI devices, 32 a and 32 b , may vary the output thereof according to the positions of the dummy ports because the test beams output from the dummy ports are converted into the collimated beams.

The lens systems, 28 and 38 , in particular, the respective first lenses, 28 a to 38 a , closer to the MMI devices, 32 a and 32 b , are first aligned. Placing the first lenses, 28 a to 38 a , on the carrier 20 d and detecting the test beams by the PDs in the MMI devices, 32 a and 32 b , the first lenses, 28 a to 38 a , may be positioned at which the PDs generate respective maximum outputs; then, the first lenses, 28 a to 38 a , are offset from thus determined positions by a preset distance so as to apart from the MMI devices, 32 a and 32 b . After offsetting the first lenses, 28 a to 38 a , the first lenses, 28 a to 38 a , are fixed on the carrier 20 d with, for instance, ultraviolet curable resin. Subsequently, the process aligns the second lenses, 28 b to 38 b , to be set relatively apart from the MMI devices, 32 a and 32 b , by ways substantially same with those for the first lenses, 28 a to 38 a.

The test beams output from the dummy ports enter the MMI devices, 32 a and 32 b , split by the PBS 26 and the BS 24 , which means that the MMI devices, 32 a and 32 b , in the PDs integrated therein generally generate the uneven outputs before the alignment of the lens systems, 28 to 38 . Therefore, the alignment of the lens systems, 28 to 38 , first performs for the lens system attributed to the one of the MMI devices, 32 a and 32 a , showing lesser optical coupling with the dummy ports. That is, during the alignment of the dummy ports, the process compares the outputs of the MMI devices, 32 a and 32 b , to determine which MMI devices, 32 a and 32 b , shows a lesser optical coupling with the dummy port under alignment. Then, the process first aligns the lens system for the MMI device that shows the lesser optical coupling, then, the other lens system is aligned such that the optical coupling becomes substantially equal to that of the former lens system. Thus, the unevenness of the optical coupling for the MMI device between two dummy ports may be compensated. The adjustment of the optical coupling by the alignment of the lens system may be carried out by offsetting the respective second lenses, 28 b to 38 b , along the optical axes thereof.

Then, the VOA 23 is placed on the carrier 20 b , as FIG. 11 illustrates. In this process of installing the VOA 23 , holding the VOA 23 by a collet that provides an electrical signal to adjust the attenuation of the VOA 23 and providing the test beam from the dummy port that simulate the signal port 11 , the PD integrated in the first MMI device 32 a detects the test beam attenuated by the VOA 23 and passing the components of the first to third groups as checking an extinction ratio of the test beam caused by the VOA 23 . The process fixes the VOA 23 at a position where the PD in the first MMI device 32 a detects a maximum extinction ratio for the test beam. After the fixation of the VOA 23 , the wire-bonding from the terminal 3 to the pads of the VOA 23 is carried out preferably at a temperature under which the ultraviolet resin for fixing the parts does not degrade.

Finally, the process replaces the dummy ports to the signal port 11 and the local port 13 as FIG. 12 illustrates. The signal port 11 and the local port 13 are actively aligned such that the signal light is practically provided to the first MMI devices 32 a . Monitoring the signal light by the PD in the first MMI device 32 a as sliding the signal port 11 on the side 2 b , the signal port 11 may be determined in the position thereof where the optical coupling becomes substantially equal to that obtained through the dummy port. The local port 13 is also determined in the portion on the side 2 b through a process substantially same with those for the signal port 11 , but the PD in the second MMI device 32 b detects the local light. After the positions are thus determined, the signal port 11 and the local port 13 are welded to the side 2 b of the housing 2 . The local port 13 in the angle around the optical axis thereof is adjusted to a preset direction that is aligned with the polarization direction of the local light. Finally, the process covers the inside of the housing 2 with a lid as substituting an air therein with dry nitrogen. Thus, the process of forming the optical module 1 A is completed.

The process of forming the optical module 1 A of the present embodiment has features that the special tool 60 show in in FIGS. 6 and 8 determines the angle of the components of the first group, namely, the PBS 26 , the mirror 30 , and the BS 34 , and those of the second group, namely, the mirror 32 and the BS 22 . Even the respective incident surfaces of the components make angle except for 90° and 0° against the optical axes of the signal light and the local light, the components may be precisely aligned in the angle thereof without introducing complex steps. Moreover, the two groups of the components are aligned through the sole tool 60 , that is, the tool 60 set in the normal direction is used for aligning the first group of components and the tool 60 set upside down is used for aligning the second group of components. Accordingly, even the reference side 63 makes an angle against the sides, 61 and 62 , offset from 45°, the combination of the component of the first group and that of the second group may perform the parallel displacement of the optical axis.

Next, advantages of the optical module 1 A will be described as comparing with an optical module 1 C whose optical coupling system is schematically illustrated in FIG. 15 . The optical module 1 C has an arrangement distinguishable from those of the present optical module 1 A is that the signal light L 1 in the optical axis thereof is aligned with the optical axis of the signal input port of the first MMI device 32 a . That is, a portion of the signal light L 12 having the polarization thereof parallel to the base 20 c output from the PBS 26 advances straight to the signal input port of the first MMI device 32 a , while, the signal light L 13 reflected by the PBS 26 enters the second MMI device 32 b passing through the λ/2 plate 29 and reflected by the mirror 30 a . On the other hand, the BS 34 also splits the local light L 2 passing through the polarizer 33 into two parts, one of which L 23 advances straight to the second MMI device 32 b , while, the other part L 22 reflected thereby enters the first MMI device 32 a reflected again by the mirror 30 b.

The optical module 1 C thus described inherently has a subject, that is, the optical module 1 C may not secure the duality of the signal light, L 12 and L 13 , and the local light L 22 and L 23 . Specifically, considering the signal light L 12 and the local light L 22 each entering the first MMI device 32 a , the signal light L 12 reaches the first MMI device 32 a in straightforward from the signal port 11 . On the other hand the local light L 22 advances from the local port 13 to the first MMI device 32 a after passing a path which is longer than a path for the signal light L 12 by a distance from the BS 34 to the mirror 30 b . Accordingly, the local light L 22 entering the first MMI device 32 a delays the phase thereof from that of the signal light L 12 . Similarly, for the second MMI device 32 b , the signal light L 13 delays the phase thereof from the local light L 23 by an amount corresponding to a distance from the BS 34 to the mirror 30 b.

FIG. 16 schematically explains the phase delays described above. FIG. 16 shows the signal light and the local light, respectively, each entering the MMI devices, 32 a and 32 b . Assuming that the distance from the PBS 26 to the mirror 30 a , or from the BS 34 to the mirror 30 b , equivalently corresponds to a time difference ΔT, the first MMI device 32 a interferes the signal light L 12 at an instant P1 with the local light L 22 at an instant P2 (=P1+ΔT). On the other hand, the second MMI device 32 b interferes the local light L 23 at an instant P1 with the signal light L 13 at an instant P2.

Contrary to the optical module 1 C, the optical module 1 A of the present embodiment displaces the optical axis of the signal light L 1 in parallel from that aligned with the signal port 11 to the side close to the local port 13 by the BS 21 and the mirror 22 , which makes a distance between the optical axes of the signal light L 1 and the local light L 2 substantially equal to a distance between the signal input port and the local input port of the first MMI device 32 a . Moreover, the signal light L 12 output from the PBS 26 and the local light L 22 concurrently enters the first MMI device 32 a as keeping the translational position thereof. Also, the signal light L 13 and the local light L 23 concurrently enters the second MMI device 32 b as keeping the translational position thereof.

The optical module 1 A recovers data by interfering the signal light with the local light and processing the extracted signal by a digital signal processor (DSP) implemented downstream of the MMI device, or exactly, the downstream of the PDs integrated within the MMI device. The DSP may compensate the phase difference between two MMI devices, which enhances the preciseness of the information recovery. However, when the signal light and the local light entering the MMI device shows a phase difference at the input thereof, the DSP deteriorates the preciseness of the recovery of the information. The optical module 1 A of the present invention may secure the duality of the signal light and the local light, L 12 and L 22 , and L 13 and L 23 , which may suppress the degradation in the preciseness in the recovery of the information in the DSP.

The skew adjustors, 27 a and 27 b , in the conventional optical module 1 C may compensate the delay in the phase due to the optical path differences. However, those skew adjustors, 27 a and 27 b , are provided for adjusting the phase delay between the signal light L 12 and L 13 , or between the local light L 22 and L 23 , not for adjusting the phase difference between the signal light L 12 and the local light L 23 , or the signal light L 13 and the local light L 22 . The skew adjustors, 27 a and 27 b , are made of silicon (Si), specifically, the skew adjustors, 27 a and 27 b , are quarried out from a Si wafer with a thickness of about 1 mm and anti-reflection coatings in a top and a back surfaces. Tolerance in the thickness thereof directly reflects in a scattering of an optical path length, or a phase delay. The conventional optical module 1 C provides two skew adjustors, 27 a and 27 b , independent to each other. Accordingly, the scattering in the thickness of the Si wafer directly reflects in the performance of the interference in the MMI devices, 32 a and 32 b . The skew adjustors, 27 a and 27 b , may compensate the phase delay ΔT in a certain extent, but the compensated delay ΔT for the first MMI device 32 a is possibly different from the compensated delay ΔT for the second MMI device 32 b . The optical module 1 A of the present embodiment provides only one skew adjustor 27 for the signal light L 12 and the local light L 22 , which suppresses the tolerance originated from two skew adjustors, 27 a and 27 b , independent to each other.

Also, the conventional optical module 1 C is necessary to arrange the signal port 11 aligned with the signal input port of the first MMI device 32 a , and the local port 13 aligned with the local input port of the second MMI device 32 b . Accordingly, an interval between the signal input port and the local input port in an MMI device, and an interval between two MMI devices, 32 a and 32 b , automatically determines an interval between the signal port 11 and the local port 13 . A maximum curvature of waveguides implemented within the MMI device, which is determined from an optical loss in the waveguides, automatically determines a minimum interval between the signal input port and the local input port. Thus, two ports, 11 and 13 , are restricted in a minimum interval thereof.

The optical module 1 A, because the BS 21 and the mirror 22 makes the parallel translation of the optical axis of the signal light L 1 from that aligned with the signal port 11 to a position closer to the optical axis of the local port 13 . Accordingly, adjusting an interval between the BS 21 and the mirror 22 , the interval between the signal port 11 and the local port 13 may be optionally adjustable. For instance, two ports, 11 and 13 , are integrally formed. That is, two fibers, one of which is a signal mode fiber SMF for the signal light and the other is a polarization maintaining fiber PMF for the local light, may be extracted from a single port.

Second Embodiment

FIG. 13 is a plan view of an optical module 1 B according to the second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 14 schematically illustrates the optical coupling system implemented within the optical module 1 B shown in FIG. 13 . The optical module 1 B has a feature distinguishable from the optical module 1 A of the first embodiment that the optical module 1 B provides the mPD 24 in a position different from that of the first embodiment. That is, the optical module 1 B provides a mirror 42 replaced from the BS 21 and a BS 43 replaced from the mirror 22 . The mPD 24 of the optical module 1 B is set behind the BS 43 . The BS 43 and the mirror 42 are mounted on the carrier 20 a , while, the mPD 24 is mounted on the other carrier 20 d.

The signal light L 1 entering through the signal port 11 is first split by the BS 43 into a portion of the signal light L 10 and another portion of the signal light L 11 . The former portion L 10 transmits the BS 43 and enters the mPD 24 ; while the other portion L 11 is reflected by the BS 43 , reflected again by the mirror 42 , then enters in the VOA 23 . In the aforementioned module 1 A shown in FIG. 1 , the signal light L 10 transmitting the BS 22 in the optical axis thereof crosses the optical axis of the local light L 2 provided from the local port 13 . This arrangement of the optical module 1 A leaves possibility for the local light L 2 interfering with the signal light L 10 entering the mPD 24 . When the local light L 2 excessively interferes with the signal light L 10 , the mPD 24 may not detect the power of the signal light L 10 exactly, which disturbs the attenuation by the VOA 23 .

The optical module 1 B of the present embodiment places the BS 43 and the mPD 24 on the optical axis of the signal port 11 , where the BS 43 transmits a portion of the signal light L 10 toward the mPD 24 . Thus, the optical axis of the signal light L 10 does not intersect the optical axis of the local light L 2 , which secures the optical isolation between the signal light L 10 and the local light L 2 , and the mPD 24 may generate the photocurrent just corresponding to the signal light L 10 .

In the optical modules, 1 A and 1 B, of the present invention, the signal port 11 and the local port 13 provide the collimating lenses to convert the signal light L 1 and the local light L 2 into respective collimating beams to be process by the optical coupling system assembled on the base 20 c . The optical components implemented within the housing 2 inevitably cause stray light by Fresnel reflection at respective incident surfaces. When the optical coupling system processes the collimated beams, the stray light caused by the respective components is left in substantial amplitude even when the optical path length of the stray light becomes longer compared with a case the coupling system processes a concentrated beam. This condition of the stray light is reflected on the mPD 24 in the same way. That is, the optical coupling system processing the collimated beam is further influenced by the stray light compared with the case where the system processes the concentrated beam. The optical arrangement of the mPD 24 and the BS 43 may suppress the interfering between the signal light L 10 and the local light L 2 .

The mPD 24 of the present embodiment is mounted on the carrier 20 d that also mounts the optical components optically coupling the signal port 11 and the local port 13 with the MMI devices, 32 a and 32 b . The carrier 20 d further provides interconnections, 41 a and 41 b , extending so as to traverse the carrier 20 d . As FIG. 13 illustrates, the optical components, 26 , 30 , and 34 , may be mounted on the interconnections, 41 a and 41 b , because the interconnections, 41 a and 41 b , carry the signal corresponding to the average optical power of the signal light, that is, the signal only contains DC components. Even any members are mounted thereon so as to be in contact thereto, the signal does not degrade the quality thereof. Moreover, the interconnections, 41 a and 41 b , do not interfere with the optical axes of the optical components, 26 , 30 and 34 . Thus, the interconnections, 41 a and 41 b , may be traverse the carrier 20 c so as to mount the optical components, 26 , 30 , and 34 , thereon. The mPD 24 may extract the signal to the terminals 3 in the side of the second MMI device 32 b through bonding wires.

Third Embodiment

Next, still another optical module 1 C according to the third embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 17 shows an optical coupling system of the optical module 1 D, which is modified from the optical coupling system of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 2 . The optical coupling system of the third embodiment has a feature distinguishable from that of the first embodiment that the VOA 23 in the first embodiment is removed but the mirror 21 set on the optical path of the signal light L 1 is replaced to a tilting mirror 21 A with an rotation axis perpendicular to the surface of the carrier 20 a . Other arrangements of the optical coupling system are substantially same with those of the first embodiment.

The signal port 11 and the local port 13 , which are same with those of the first embodiment, provide the collimating lenses and output the signal light L 1 and the local L 2 as the collimated beams having diameters of 240 to 260 μm. On the other hand, the signal input port and the local input port in the MMI devices, 32 a and 32 b , have dimensions of, in the unit of the mode field diameter (MFD), 2.2 to 2.8 μm.

Rotating the tiling minor around an axis thereof, the signal light L 1 reflected thereby pivots the optical axis, which varies the planes projected on the signal input ports of the MMI devices, 32 a and 32 b , and the areas overlapping with the ports. Thus, the rotation of the tilting mirror may show a function of an optical attenuator.

The tilting mirror 21 A receives a bias that sets the tilt angle thereof from an outside of the optical module 1 D. When the mPD 24 detects excess power for the signal light L 1 , the bias to increase the tilt angle of the tilting mirror 21 A to narrower the overlapping areas of the signal light, L 12 and L 13 , with the signal input ports of the MMI devices, 32 a and 32 b.

FIG. 18 shows a relation between the bias provided to the tilt mirror in the horizontal axis against the tilt angle in the vertical axis, where the tilt angle 0° corresponds to a state that the primary surface of the tilt mirror 21 A makes an angle of 45° against the optical axis of the signal light L 1 . Supplying the bias of 7 V, the tilt minor 21 A rotates about 0.5°. FIG. 19 shows the deviation between two MMI devices, 32 a and 32 b , in the optical coupling between the signal light L 1 and the signal input ports thereof. The deviation shown in FIG. 19 is within ±0.5 dB in a tilt angle in a range of ±0.2°.

The optical module 1 D of the present embodiment splits, by the BS 26 , the signal light L 11 into two beams, L 12 and L 13 , each coupling with the signal ports of the MMI devices, 32 a and 32 b . However, the signal light L 13 has the optical path from the BS 26 to the MMI device 32 b longer than the optical path for the signal light L 12 to be coupled with the other MMI device 32 a . The optical path from the tilt minor 21 A to the signal port of the first MMI device 32 a is about 12.5 mm, while, that to the signal port of the second MMI device 32 b is about 15.0 mm. Thus, about 2.5 mm difference is left in the optical module 1 D of the embodiment. This difference is substantially equal to a distance from the BS 26 to the mirror 30 , or the spam between the signal input ports of the MMI devices, 32 a and 32 b . Table below summarizes the relation between the tilt angle and the offset from be center of the signal input ports, where the center corresponds to a condition of the tilt angle 0°. Because the evaluation excludes the function of the lens system, 28 and 31 , the offsets of the beams become substantial compared with the dimension of the signal input ports of the MMI devices, 32 a and 32 b .

The lens systems, 28 and 31 , practically concentrate the signal light, L 12 and L 13 , onto the signal input ports, where the field diameter becomes several micron-meters. Accordingly, even the tilt mirror 21 A shifts the beams projected on the signal input ports, the deviation between the MMI devices, 32 a and 32 b , in the optical coupling may be secured within a range of 0.5 dB. The signal light L 1 entering the tilt mirror 21 A is the collimated beam with the beam diameter of 240 to 260 μm, and the signal light, L 12 and L 13 , split by the BS 26 are also the collimated beams until reaching the lens systems, 28 and 31 . The lens systems, 28 and 31 , concentrate the signal light, L 12 and L 13 , onto the signal input port of the MMI devices, 32 a and 32 b , with the field diameters of 2.2 to 2.8 μm, which is comparable to the mode field diameter of the signal input ports of the MMI devices, 32 a and 32 b , but the deviation between two MMI devices, 32 a and 32 b , are secured within the range of ±0.5 dB concurrently with the attenuation of 15 dB.

Although the optical module 1 D of the present embodiment places the tilt mirror on the optical axis of the signal light L 1 , that is, on the axis of the signal port 11 . However, the optical module 1 B, where the optical coupling system thereof is shown in FIG. 14 , may replace the mirror 42 with the tilt mirror. In such an arrangement, because distances from the tilt mirror to the signal input ports of the MMI devices, 32 a and 32 b , become shorter than those of the optical module 1 D described above. Accordingly, the deviation between the two MMI devices, 32 a and 32 b , in the optical coupling may be further compressed. The tilt mirror may be set in any positions between the signal port 11 and the PBS 26 .

While particular embodiment of the present invention has been described herein for purposes of illustration, many modifications and changes will become apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the appended claims are intended to encompass all such modifications and changes as fall within the true spirit and scope of this invention.

The present application claims the benefit of priority of Japanese Patent Applications No. 2015-232076 and No 2015-232138 each filed on Nov. 27, 2015, No. 2016-004615 filed on Jan. 13, 2016, and No. 2016-013528 filed on Jan. 27, 2016; which are incorporated herein by references.