Paul Mark Harrison

Silicon V-groove technology in the volume production of optical devices

The use of optical devices in local loop applications is a major driver for products which have a reduced cost and size with significant improvements in performance over increased temperature ranges. The use of a silicon optical bench with an etched v-groove to locate the fibre provides an answer to all these. This has simplified assembly processes and facilitated volume manufacture, but equally important has provided a device whose alignment, unlike previous generations of product, is not affected by continuous temperature cycling.

Use of silicon Vee groove technology in the design and volume manufacture of optical devices

The use of optical devices in telecommunications in the access arena requires cost and size reduction, product simplification and high stability. These have been achieved by the use of a silicon optical bench. The technology allows passive alignment to the laser diode by locating the fiber in a Vee groove precision etched in a silicon substrate. An additional advantage of this technology is the inherent robustness of the coupling of the fiber to the laser diode emission which has enabled both high reliability and stability to be achieved. This paper presents the main features of the technology, including the controls required during manufacture, and the resulting high stability of the device over extremes of environmental conditions.