Abstract

Reduction of optical module cost is strongly required in passive optical networks. A bi-directional transmitter/receiver optical module is a basic component. Hybrid integration of optical elements on silica waveguide and alignment-free assembly are effective for cost reduction.¹ In this paper, alignment-free assembly of optical elements laser diode (LD)-fiber coupling unit and output port fiber is attempted using fiber guide blocks fabricated at the end of a silica waveguide. LD-fiber optical coupling unit is passively sub-assembled on Si substrate. This technique achieves high coupling efficiency between LD and fiber with low threshold current LD required for bias-free drive. A simple bi-directional optical circuit is also newly designed for a miniature-size optical module.

© 1996 Optical Society of America