Measuring the position of passively aligned optical components

Abstract

Optical components may be precisely positioned in three dimensions with respect to one another. A bonder which has the ability to precisely position the components in two dimensions can be utilized. The components may be equipped with contacts at different heights so that as the components come together in a third dimension, their relative positions can be sensed. This information may be fed back to the bonder to control the precise alignment in the third dimension.

1 . An optical component comprising: 
 a body; and    a stepped contact surface on said body.    
     
     
         2 . The component of  claim 1  wherein said stepped contact surface includes electrical contacts.  
     
     
         3 . The component of  claim 2  wherein said contacts are aligned to couple to contacts on another component to complete an electrical circuit.  
     
     
         4 . The component of  claim 3  wherein said contacts are formed of gold.  
     
     
         5 . The component of  claim 2  wherein said stepped contact surface includes a plurality of upstanding steps, at least one of which is physically deformable and each of which includes an electrical contact.