JPH0915447A - Structure and method for fixing optical fiber collimator - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To provide a structure and method by which stable characteristic is kept and an optical fiber collimator is fixed in an optical functional part. CONSTITUTION: An annular fixing and coupling member 21 having a through-hole 22 in the center is allowed to intervene between the optical fiber collimator 1 constituted by attaching an optical fiber and an optical lens in a sleeve so that their optical axes may be aligned and the optical functional part so as to be nearly aligned with the optical axis of the optical functional part, and a spherical surface 23 and a spherical surface receiving part (edge part 21b) are provided between the collimator 1 and the member 21, and the spherical surface 23 and an edge part 21b are allowed to abut and coupled and fixed by welding.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a fixing structure and method for fixing an optical fiber collimator in an optical component for optical communication to an optical functional component such as an optical circuit module.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in optical parts for optical communication using an optical fiber collimator, in addition to optical isolators, optical circuit modules and the like having various optical functions integrated are used. There is a structure in which an optical fiber collimator is disposed on each side of the optical fiber collimator.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view showing the structure of the main part of an example of a general optical fiber collimator. In FIG. 6, the optical fiber collimator 1 has a ferrule 3 at the tip.
The optical fiber 2 attached with is inserted into the sleeve 5 in which the optical lens 4 is arranged together with the ferrule 3, and then fixedly attached. Here, the optical lens 4 and the ferrule 3 are fixed to the sleeve 5 by YAG welding. Further, in the sleeve 5, in addition to the optical lens 4 and the ferrule 3, an optical filter, a nonreciprocal element, or the like having a predetermined characteristic (not shown) is fixedly provided. In the optical fiber collimator 1 configured in this way, the signal light emitted from the optical fiber 2 and expanded can be converted into a parallel beam by the optical lens 4 and emitted.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view showing an example of an optical component in which a pair of optical fiber collimators (A, B) 1 are attached to an optical functional component. In FIG. 7, the optical functional parts are
Although the internal structure is omitted, it is structured such that the outside is covered with the case 11 and the optical circuit module and the like are arranged inside. The optical fiber collimators (A, B) 1 are attached to both sides of the case 11 with their optical axes aligned with the optical axes of the optical functional components, thus forming optical components. Here, the case 11 and the sleeve 5 are
For example, stainless steel (S
US304) and the like.

Further, in this structure, the optical fiber collimator (A, B) 1 and the case 11 are coupled with each other by first contacting the end surface 5a of the optical fiber collimator A1 on one side with the end surface 11a of the case 11 so that the optical axes thereof are mutually aligned. After matching, the outer peripheral portion where the end surface 5a and the end surface 11a are in contact is YAG welded. Next, on the opposite side of the optical fiber collimator A1, the end surface 5a of the other optical fiber collimator B1 is brought into contact with the end surface 11a of the case 11 so that their optical axes coincide with each other. In this optical axis adjustment, the light emitted from the optical fiber collimator A1 is optically coupled so as to have a lower loss. And
When the adjustment is completed, the outer peripheral portion where the end surface 5a and the end surface 11a are in contact is YAG welded. Incidentally, in the optical axis adjustment here, the sensitivity is low with respect to the axis deviation in the vertical direction (X-Y direction), but it is very strict with respect to the angle (Z direction) deviation, and a loss of 0.5 ( dB) will increase.

[0006]

However, in the structure of the conventional optical component described above, the components (the ferrule 3, the optical lens, the sleeve 5 and the like) constituting the optical fiber collimator (A, B) 1 have dimensions. Variations and variations in assembling and fixing these components are unavoidable, but if these variations exist, the output parallel beam of the optical fiber collimator A1 is inclined. Then, the optical axis of the other optical fiber collimator B1 is also affected, and in some cases, the optical axis on the side of this optical fiber collimator B1 is significantly displaced. Therefore, if the optical axis on the side of the optical fiber collimator B1 is forcibly aligned, the end surface 5a and the end surface 11a of the case 11 are not aligned with each other, and a large gap is created between the end surface 5a and the end surface 11a. When YAG welding is performed between the end surface 5a and the end surface 11a in the state where such a large gap is generated, a problem occurs that pulling occurs in the gap portion at the time of welding, causing an angle shift and deteriorating the loss characteristics. There was a point.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide a fixing structure and method capable of fixing an optical fiber collimator to an optical functional component while maintaining stable characteristics. is there.

[0008]

In order to achieve the above object, in the structure of the present invention, an optical fiber collimator in which an optical fiber and an optical lens are attached in a sleeve so that their optical axes are aligned with each other is used as an optical functional component. In a fixing structure for mounting while aligning optical axes, an annular fixed connecting member having a through hole at the center is provided between the optical fiber collimator and the optical functional component, and the central axis of the fixed connecting member and the optical function. The optical axes of the components are substantially aligned with each other, and a free connecting portion including a spherical surface and a spherical receiving portion for adjusting the inclination of the optical fiber collimator with respect to the fixed connecting member is provided between the optical fiber collimator and the fixed connecting member. Between the optical fiber collimator and the optical axis of the optical fiber collimator, the fixed connecting member and the optical functional component, and the spherical surface and the spherical surface receiving member. Each as that was welded to become structurally between the parts.

Further, in order to achieve the above object, in the method of the present invention, an optical fiber collimator in which an optical fiber and an optical lens are attached by aligning the optical axes in the sleeve, and the optical axis is aligned with the optical functional component. In the fixing method for mounting by attaching, an annular fixed connecting member having a through hole in the center between the optical fiber collimator and the optical functional component, a central axis of the fixing member and an optical axis of the optical functional component. Are made to substantially coincide with each other, and the fixed connecting member and the optical functional component are moved on the same plane to adjust the position in the XY direction, and the optical fiber collimator and the fixed connecting member are The optical fiber collimator is tilted and adjusted by abutting and coupling the space between the spherical surface and the spherical surface receiving portion, and after the adjustment, the fixed connecting member, the optical function component, and the sphere. Each as you be welded and fixed between the spherical receiving portion and.

[0010]

According to this, in the optical axis adjusting stage before the optical fiber collimator is fixed to the optical functional component, the fixing coupling member and the optical functional component are moved on the same plane to move the X-
Position adjustment in the Y direction can be performed. Further, the tilt of the optical axis can be easily adjusted by moving the optical fiber collimator at the portion where the spherical surface and the spherical surface receiving portion are abutted and coupled. Therefore, by adjusting the movement between the fixed connecting member and the optical function component and adjusting the inclination of the optical fiber collimator, the fixed connecting member and the optical function component can be kept in close contact with each other without forming a gap. The optical axis can be adjusted. As a result, during YAG welding or the like, pull-in does not occur and an angular deviation does not occur.

[0011]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. 1 and 2 show an embodiment of an optical component for explaining the present invention. FIG. 1 is a sectional view of the configuration thereof, and FIG. 2 is a partially exploded sectional view thereof. Further, in FIGS. 1 and 2, the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 7 denote the same as those in FIG. 7. The optical parts of the present embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 and the conventional optical parts shown in FIG. 7 are largely different from each other in a position on the side opposite to the optical fiber collimator A1 with the case 11 of the optical functional parts being sandwiched therebetween. This is a fixing structure of the optical fiber collimator B1 fixedly attached to the case 11. The fixing structure will be described in more detail.

That is, in the structure of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the fixed connecting member 21 is interposed between the case 11 and the optical fiber collimator B1.

The fixed connecting member 21, like the optical fiber collimator (A, B) 1 and the case 11 of the optical functional component, is made of, for example, stainless steel (SUS) suitable for YAG welding.
304) etc. Further, as shown as a single body in FIG. 3, a through hole 22 is formed at the center, and the surface 21a facing the case 11 is formed as a flat surface. On the other hand, the side facing the optical fiber collimator B1 is formed as an edge 21b forming the through hole 22 (in this embodiment, the edge 21b is a "spherical surface receiving portion"), and the whole is formed. Has a circular truncated cone shape.

On the other hand, on the optical fiber collimator B1 side, a spherical body portion 24 having an outer circumference of a spherical surface 23 is formed on the end portion side of the sleeve 5 holding the ferrule 3 and the optical lens 4 facing the fixed connecting member 21. ing.
The outer diameter of the spherical portion 24 is larger than the inner diameter of the through hole 22 of the fixed connecting member 21. When attempting to insert the spherical portion 24 into the through hole 22, the spherical surface 23 is brought into contact with the edge 21b of the through hole 22, and the spherical portion 2
4 is received by the edge 21b, and the spherical portion 24 can be rotated in a 360-degree free direction on the same plane by the guide of the edge 21b.

Next, a method of coupling the optical fiber collimator (A, B) 1 and the optical functional component in the optical component thus constructed will be described. First, the optical axis of the optical functional component and the optical axis of the optical fiber collimator A1 are aligned with one end of the case 11 of the optical functional component, and the end surface 5a of the optical fiber collimator A1 is moved to the end surface 11a of the case 11.
Contact. After that, the outer peripheral portion where the end surface 5a and the case 11 are in contact with each other is YAG-welded to fix the optical fiber collimator A1 to the case 11.

Next, on the other end side of the case 11 in the optical functional component, the surface 21a is brought into contact with the end surface 5a to dispose the fixed connecting member 21 and the edge 21b of the through hole 22.
The optical fiber collimator B1 is arranged so that the spherical surface 23 is brought into contact with. In addition, in this state, the end surface 5 is located on the end surface 11a.
The fixed connecting member 21 can move in the XY directions with respect to the case 11 while a is sliding, and the optical fiber collimator B1 is freely abutted on the fixed connecting member 21 and tilted freely 360 degrees on the same plane. You can Therefore, the X of the fixed connecting member 21 with respect to this case 11
By moving the optical fiber collimator B1 in the Y direction and tilting the optical fiber collimator B1 in the Z direction with respect to the fixed connecting member 21, the optical axis of the optical fiber collimator B1 can be used as an optical functional component and an optical functional component without tilting the fixed connecting member 21 with respect to the case 11. The optical axes of the optical fiber collimator A1 can be matched with each other.

When the optical axis is adjusted in this way, the contact portion between the surface 21a and the end surface 11a and the contact portion between the edge 21b and the spherical surface 23 are YAG welded. As a result, the optical fiber collimator B1 is attached to the case 11 of the optical
Further, the optical fiber collimator A1 and the optical functional component can be fixed with their optical axes aligned.

Therefore, in this structure, the tilt adjustment of the optical axis in the optical fiber collimator B1 is performed by rotating the sleeve 5 with respect to the fixed connecting member 21 without tilting between the surface 21a and the end surface 5a. Since it can be adjusted, no gap is created between the surface 21a and the end surface 5a. In addition, since the edge 21b and the spherical surface 23 are also rotatably coupled to each other before being fixed,
No gap is created. As a result, Y
Even if the AG welding is performed, there is no occurrence of pull-in or angular deviation in the welded portion, and it is possible to obtain an accurate optical component with stable characteristics.

In the above embodiment, the fixed connecting member 21
With only one edge 21b without a flat surface on one side,
Although the structure having a substantially truncated cone shape is disclosed, the structure is not limited to this, and the structure shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, for example, may be used. That is, in FIGS. 4 and 5, the portions corresponding to those of the fixed connection member 21 shown in FIG. 3 will be denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description will be made. The fixed connection member 21 shown in FIG. 4 faces the flat surface 21a on one side. A flat surface 21c is provided on the opposite side. In this structure, the peripheral edge of the through hole 22 becomes an edge 21b. On the other hand, the fixed connecting member 21 shown in FIG. 5 has flat surfaces (21a, 21c) on both sides and is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape. Even in this structure, the peripheral edge of the through hole 22 becomes an edge 21b.

Further, in the above embodiment, the fixed connecting member 21
Although the spherical receiving portion is provided on the side and the spherical portion 24 is provided on the sleeve 5 of the optical fiber collimator B1, the spherical portion 24 is provided on the fixed connecting member 21 side, and the spherical receiving portion is provided on the sleeve 5 of the optical fiber collimator B1. The structure having the portion 21b may be provided.

Furthermore, the optical fiber collimator A on one side
No. 1 does not interfere even if the sleeve 5 is formed integrally with the case 11 of the optical functional component.

[0022]

As described above, according to the present invention,
In the optical axis adjustment stage before the optical fiber collimator is fixed to the optical functional component, the fixed coupling member and the optical functional component can be moved on the same plane to perform position adjustment in the XY directions. , The inclination of the optical axis can be easily adjusted by moving the optical fiber collimator in the portion where the spherical surface and the spherical surface receiving portion are abutted and coupled. Therefore, by adjusting the movement between the fixed connecting member and the optical function component and adjusting the inclination of the optical fiber collimator, the fixed connecting member and the optical function component can be kept in close contact with each other without forming a gap. The optical axis can be adjusted. Accordingly, during YAG welding or the like, there is no possibility that the pull-in will occur and the angular deviation will not occur, and the effects such as stabilizing the quality can be expected.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration sectional view of an optical component shown as an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a partially exploded sectional view of an optical component shown as an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a single fixed connection member.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a modified example of a fixed connecting member.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing another modification of the fixed connecting member.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a general optical fiber collimator.

FIG. 7 is a schematic sectional view showing an example of a conventional optical component.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Optical fiber collimator 2 Optical fiber 3 Ferrule 4 Optical lens 5 Sleeve 5a End face 11 Case 11a End face 21 Fixed connection member 21b Edge part (spherical surface receiving part) 22 Through hole 23 Spherical part 24 Sphere part

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A fixing structure for mounting an optical fiber collimator in which an optical fiber and an optical lens are mounted in a sleeve so that the optical axes are aligned with each other and the optical axis is aligned with an optical functional component, and a through hole is provided at the center. A ring-shaped fixed connecting member is interposed between the optical fiber collimator and the optical functional component such that the central axis of the fixed connecting member and the optical axis of the optical functional component are substantially aligned with each other, and with respect to the fixed connecting member. A flexible connecting portion including a spherical surface and a spherical receiving portion for adjusting the inclination of the optical fiber collimator is provided between the optical fiber collimator and the fixed connecting member, and after the optical axis adjustment of the optical fiber collimator, the fixed connecting member An optical fiber core characterized in that the optical functional component and the spherical surface and the spherical surface receiving portion are fixed by welding. Fixed structure of the remeter. 2. The fixed coupling member is movable in the XY directions with respect to the optical functional component so as to be in surface contact with the optical functional component, and then fixed by welding to the optical functional component. Item 2. A fixing structure for an optical fiber collimator according to Item 1. 3. The fixing structure for an optical fiber collimator according to claim 2, wherein the fixed connecting member is formed in a conical cylindrical shape whose outer diameter decreases toward the optical fiber collimator. 4. The optical fiber collimator fixing structure according to claim 2, wherein the fixed connecting member is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape. 5. A pair of optical fiber collimators in which an optical fiber and an optical lens are attached so that the optical axes are aligned in the sleeve, and the optical axes are aligned with the optical functional parts arranged between the pair of optical fiber collimators. In a fixing structure for mounting by attaching, an annular fixed connecting member having a through hole at the center between at least one of the optical fiber collimator and the optical functional component among the pair of optical fiber collimators,
The central axis of the fixed connecting member and the optical axis of the optical functional component are made to substantially coincide with each other and intervene, and a free connection made of a spherical surface and a spherical surface receiving portion for adjusting the inclination of the optical fiber collimator with respect to the fixed connecting member. A portion is provided between the optical fiber collimator and the fixed connecting member, and after the optical axis of the optical fiber collimator is adjusted, the fixed connecting member and the optical functional component, and the spherical surface and the spherical surface receiving portion are respectively welded. A fixed structure for an optical fiber collimator, which is fixed. 6. The sleeve of the optical fiber collimator on the side of the pair of optical fiber collimators in which the fixed connecting member is not interposed between the optical functional component and the optical functional component is integrally formed with a case of the optical functional component. The structure for fixing an optical fiber collimator according to claim 5. 7. A fixing method for mounting an optical fiber collimator in which an optical fiber and an optical lens are mounted in a sleeve so that the optical axes are aligned with each other and the optical axis is aligned with the optical functional component, wherein the optical fiber collimator and the optical function are provided. A ring-shaped fixed connecting member having a through hole in the center between the component, the central axis of the fixing member and the optical axis of the optical functional component are substantially aligned with each other, and the fixed connecting member and the optical member. The optical components are moved on the same plane to adjust the position in the XY directions, and the optical fiber collimator and the fixed connecting member are abutted and coupled by a spherical surface and a spherical receiving portion, and the optical fiber is The collimator is tilted and adjusted, and after the adjustment, the fixed connecting member, the optical functional component, and the spherical surface and the spherical surface receiving portion are welded and fixed. Fixing method of the optical fiber collimator according to symptoms.