Optical devices and methods to construct the same

Abstract

Optical devices and methods for constructing the same are disclosed. An example optical device includes an optical transmitter, a photodetector and a waveguide optically coupling the optical transmitter and the photodetector. It also includes a substrate having a first cavity to receive the optical transmitter and a second cavity to receive the second transmitter. The first and second cavities are located and dimensioned to passively align the optical transmitter, the waveguide and the photodetector when the transmitter is inserted into the first cavity and the photodetector is inserted into the second cavity.

1 . A substrate for an optical module comprising: 
 a substrate;    a first cavity defined in the substrate, the first cavity being dimensioned to receive an optical transmitter; and    a second cavity defined in the substrate, the second cavity being dimensioned to receive a photodetector, the first cavity and second cavity being located and dimensioned to passively align the optical transmitter and the photodetector when the optical transmitter is positioned in the first cavity and the photodetector is located in the second cavity.    
   
   
       2 . A substrate as defined in  claim 1  further comprising a waveguide secured to a surface of the substrate between the first and second cavities.  
   
   
       3 . A substrate as defined in  claim 2  wherein the waveguide comprises a waveguide array.  
   
   
       4 . A substrate as defined in  claim 3  wherein the waveguide array comprises a first waveguide channel and a second waveguide channel.  
   
   
       5 . A substrate as defined in  claim 4  wherein the first waveguide channel is vertically displaced from the second waveguide channel.  
   
   
       6 . A substrate as defined in  claim 4  wherein the first and second waveguide channels are in a common plane.  
   
   
       7 . A substrate as defined in  claim 1  further comprising a waveguide integrated with the substrate between the first and second cavities.  
   
   
       8 . A substrate as defined in  claim 7  wherein the waveguide comprises a waveguide array.  
   
   
       9 . A substrate as defined in  claim 8  wherein the waveguide array comprises a first waveguide channel and a second waveguide channel.  
   
   
       10 . A substrate as defined in  claim 9  wherein the first waveguide channel is vertically displaced from the second waveguide channel.  
   
   
       11 . A substrate as defined in  claim 9  wherein the first and second waveguide channels are in a common plane.  
   
   
       12 . An optical device comprising: 
 a first optical element;    a first waveguide;    a first substrate having a first cavity to receive the first optical element, the first cavity being located and dimensioned to passively align the first optical element and the first waveguide;    a second optical element;    a second waveguide;    a second substrate having a second cavity to receive the second optical element, the second cavity being located and dimensioned to passively align the second optical element and the second waveguide; and    a flying waveguide optically coupling the first and second waveguides.    
   
   
       13 . An optical device as defined in  claim 12  wherein the flying waveguide is coupled to the first substrate and the second substrate.  
   
   
       14 . An optical device as defined in  claim 13  wherein the first waveguide, the second waveguide and the flying waveguide are passively aligned.  
   
   
       15 . An optical device as defined in  claim 14  wherein the flying waveguide includes a first connector and a second connector, and further comprising a first aligning pin and a first mating bore positioned to connect the first connector and the first waveguide, and a second aligning pin and a second mating bore positioned to connect the second connector and the second waveguide.