Patent US5933805A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5481632A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Optical waveguide module and method of manufacturing the same
Assignee: Sumitomo Electric Industries Ltd
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Filing: 1994-05-25
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Granted: 1996-01-02
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Expires: 2014-05-25
Abstract
Abstract An optical waveguide module according to the present invention comprises an optical waveguide substrate having an optical waveguide formed therein, an optical waveguide holder for mounting the optical waveguide substrate thereon, an optical fiber connector supporting an optical fiber therein, and an optical fiber holder for mounting the optical fiber connector thereon, the end faces of the optical waveguide holder and the optical fiber holder are brought into contact with each other while aligning the optical waveguide and the optical fiber, the end faces of the optical waveguide substrate and the optical fiber connector are bonded at least partially through a gap, and a hardening matching agent having a refractive index matching with those of the optical waveguide and the optical fiber is filled in the gap. Therefore, the optical waveguide and the optical fiber do not wear out or are damaged when alignment is performed, and stable coupling characteristics between the optical waveguide and the optical fiber can be obtained by the sufficiently filled hardening matching agent.
Inventors
- 👤 Shigeru Hirai
- 👤 Kazunori Kurima
- 👤 Masahide Saito
- 👤 Dai Yui
- 👤 Tomoyuki Hattori
- 👤 Hiroshi Suganuma
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 05:06
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/24; G02B6/26; G02B6/30
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 65
Claim 1
Independent Claim
189 words
An optical waveguide module comprising: an optical waveguide holder having an end face; an optical waveguide substrate having an end face and being mounted in said optical waveguide holder; an optical waveguide having an end face and being formed in said optical waveguide substrate; an optical fiber holder having an end face; an optical fiber connector having an end face and being mounted in said optical fiber holder; and an optical fiber having an end face and being supported by said optical fiber connector; wherein said end face of said optical fiber and said end face of said optical fiber connector are recessed from an end face of said optical fiber holder, wherein said end face of said optical waveguide holder contacts said end face of said optical fiber holder while said optical waveguide is aligned with said optical fiber, thereby forming a gap between said end face of said optical waveguide and said end face of said optical fiber and between said end face of said optical waveguide substrate and said end face of said optical fiber connector, said gap being filled with a light-transmitting hardening matching agent.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
189 words
An optical waveguide module comprising: an optical waveguide holder having an end face; an optical waveguide substrate having an end face and being mounted in said optical waveguide holder; an optical waveguide having an end face and being formed in said optical waveguide substrate; an optical fiber holder having an end face; an optical fiber connector having an end face and being mounted in said optical fiber holder; and an optical fiber having an end face and being supported by said optical fiber connector; wherein said end face of said optical fiber and said end face of said optical fiber connector are recessed from an end face of said optical fiber holder, wherein said end face of said optical waveguide holder contacts said end face of said optical fiber holder while said optical waveguide is aligned with said optical fiber, thereby forming a gap between said end face of said optical waveguide and said end face of said optical fiber and between said end face of said optical waveguide substrate and said end face of said optical fiber connector, said gap being filled with a light-transmitting hardening matching agent.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
An optical waveguide module according to claim 1, wherein said hardening matching agent is an adhesive which is curable by any one of photocuring, thermosetting, and deoxidation.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
189 words
An optical waveguide module comprising: an optical waveguide holder having an end face; an optical waveguide substrate having an end face and being mounted in said optical waveguide holder; an optical waveguide having an end face and being formed in said optical waveguide substrate; an optical fiber holder having an end face; an optical fiber connector having an end face and being mounted in said optical fiber holder; and an optical fiber having an end face and being supported by said optical fiber connector; wherein said end face of said optical waveguide and said end face of said optical waveguide substrate is recessed from an end face of said optical waveguide holder, wherein said end face of said optical waveguide holder contacts said end face of said optical fiber holder while said optical waveguide is aligned with said optical fiber, thereby forming a gap between said end face of said optical waveguide and said end face of said optical fiber and between said end face of said optical waveguide substrate and said end face of said optical fiber connector, said gap being filled with a light-transmitting hardening matching agent.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
189 words
An optical waveguide module comprising: an optical waveguide holder having an end face; an optical waveguide substrate having an end face and being mounted in said optical waveguide holder; an optical waveguide having an end face and being formed in said optical waveguide substrate; an optical fiber holder having an end face; an optical fiber connector having an end face and being mounted in said optical fiber holder; and an optical fiber having an end face and being supported by said optical fiber connector; wherein said end face of said optical waveguide and said end face of said optical waveguide substrate is recessed from an end face of said optical waveguide holder, wherein said end face of said optical waveguide holder contacts said end face of said optical fiber holder while said optical waveguide is aligned with said optical fiber, thereby forming a gap between said end face of said optical waveguide and said end face of said optical fiber and between said end face of said optical waveguide substrate and said end face of said optical fiber connector, said gap being filled with a light-transmitting hardening matching agent.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
An optical waveguide module according to claim 3, wherein said hardening matching agent is an adhesive which is cured by any one of photocuring, thermosetting, and deoxidation.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
146 words
An optical waveguide module comprising: an optical waveguide substrate having an end face; an optical waveguide having an end face and being formed in said optical waveguide substrate; an optical fiber connector having an end face; and an optical fiber having an end face and being supported by said optical fiber connector; wherein an end face of said optical waveguide and an end face of said optical fiber are recessed from an end face of said optical waveguide substrate and an end face of said optical fiber connector, respectively; wherein said end face of said optical waveguide substrate contacts said end face of said optical fiber connector while said optical waveguide is aligned with-said optical fiber, thereby forming a gap between said end face of said optical waveguide and said end face of said optical fiber, said gap being filled with a light-transmitting hardening matching agent.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
146 words
An optical waveguide module comprising: an optical waveguide substrate having an end face; an optical waveguide having an end face and being formed in said optical waveguide substrate; an optical fiber connector having an end face; and an optical fiber having an end face and being supported by said optical fiber connector; wherein an end face of said optical waveguide and an end face of said optical fiber are recessed from an end face of said optical waveguide substrate and an end face of said optical fiber connector, respectively; wherein said end face of said optical waveguide substrate contacts said end face of said optical fiber connector while said optical waveguide is aligned with-said optical fiber, thereby forming a gap between said end face of said optical waveguide and said end face of said optical fiber, said gap being filled with a light-transmitting hardening matching agent.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
An optical waveguide module according to claim 5, wherein said hardening matching agent is an adhesive which is curable by any one of photocuring, thermosetting, and deoxidation.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
248 words
An optical waveguide module comprising: an optical waveguide holder; an optical waveguide substrate mounted in said optical waveguide holder; an optical waveguide formed in said optical waveguide substrate and having end faces exposed from said optical waveguide substrate; an optical fiber holder; an optical fiber connector mounted in said optical fiber holder; and an optical fiber supported by said optical fiber connector and having end faces exposed from said optical fiber connector; wherein respective end faces of said optical waveguide holder and said optical fiber holder contact each other with said optical waveguide and said optical fiber in alignment, wherein an end face of said optical waveguide substrate is bonded to an end face of said optical fiber connector while an end face of said optical waveguide is spaced from an end face of said optical fiber, wherein a light-transmitting hardening matching agent fills a space defined by said end faces of said optical waveguide and said optical fiber, wherein an interval between said end faces of said optical waveguide and said optical fiber in said space has an upper limit value corresponding to an allowable threshold value for transmission loss by said hardening matching agent between said optical waveguide and said optical fiber, and a lower limit value based on an allowable value for a peeling frequency of said hardening matching agent by a thermal stress between said optical waveguide holder and said optical fiber holder and between said optical waveguide substrate and said optical fiber connector.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
248 words
An optical waveguide module comprising: an optical waveguide holder; an optical waveguide substrate mounted in said optical waveguide holder; an optical waveguide formed in said optical waveguide substrate and having end faces exposed from said optical waveguide substrate; an optical fiber holder; an optical fiber connector mounted in said optical fiber holder; and an optical fiber supported by said optical fiber connector and having end faces exposed from said optical fiber connector; wherein respective end faces of said optical waveguide holder and said optical fiber holder contact each other with said optical waveguide and said optical fiber in alignment, wherein an end face of said optical waveguide substrate is bonded to an end face of said optical fiber connector while an end face of said optical waveguide is spaced from an end face of said optical fiber, wherein a light-transmitting hardening matching agent fills a space defined by said end faces of said optical waveguide and said optical fiber, wherein an interval between said end faces of said optical waveguide and said optical fiber in said space has an upper limit value corresponding to an allowable threshold value for transmission loss by said hardening matching agent between said optical waveguide and said optical fiber, and a lower limit value based on an allowable value for a peeling frequency of said hardening matching agent by a thermal stress between said optical waveguide holder and said optical fiber holder and between said optical waveguide substrate and said optical fiber connector.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
61 words
A module according to claim 7, wherein said optical waveguide holder and said optical fiber holder are made from an invar alloy, and said optical waveguide substrate and said optical fiber connector are made from silicon, said interval between said respective end faces of said optical waveguide and said optical fiber in said gap being between 2 μm and 30 μm.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
60 words
A module according to claim 7, wherein said optical waveguide holder and said optical fiber holder are made from stainless steel, and said optical waveguide substrate and said optical fiber connector are made from silicon, said interval between said respective end faces of said optical waveguide and said optical fiber in said gap being between 5 μm and 30 μm.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
206 words
A method of manufacturing an optical waveguide module, comprising: mounting an optical waveguide substrate having an optical waveguide formed therein on an optical waveguide holder, mounting an optical fiber connector supporting an optical fiber therein on an optical fiber holder, and integrally polishing end faces of said optical waveguide, said optical waveguide substrate, and said optical waveguide holder, and end faces of said optical fiber, said optical fiber connector, and said optical fiber holder, respectively; dipping said end faces of said optical waveguide, said optical waveguide substrate and said optical waveguide holder in an etching solution to at least partially remove one of said end face of said optical waveguide and said end face of said optical waveguide substrate to be retreated from said end face of said optical waveguide holder; bringing said end faces of said optical waveguide holder and said optical fiber holder into contact with each other while aligning said optical waveguide and said optical fiber, and depositing a light-transmitting hardening matching agent in a gap formed by bonding said end faces of said optical waveguide substrate and said optical fiber connector; and hardening said hardening matching agent to fix a junction portion between said optical waveguide substrate and said optical fiber connector.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
206 words
A method of manufacturing an optical waveguide module, comprising: mounting an optical waveguide substrate having an optical waveguide formed therein on an optical waveguide holder, mounting an optical fiber connector supporting an optical fiber therein on an optical fiber holder, and integrally polishing end faces of said optical waveguide, said optical waveguide substrate, and said optical waveguide holder, and end faces of said optical fiber, said optical fiber connector, and said optical fiber holder, respectively; dipping said end faces of said optical waveguide, said optical waveguide substrate and said optical waveguide holder in an etching solution to at least partially remove one of said end face of said optical waveguide and said end face of said optical waveguide substrate to be retreated from said end face of said optical waveguide holder; bringing said end faces of said optical waveguide holder and said optical fiber holder into contact with each other while aligning said optical waveguide and said optical fiber, and depositing a light-transmitting hardening matching agent in a gap formed by bonding said end faces of said optical waveguide substrate and said optical fiber connector; and hardening said hardening matching agent to fix a junction portion between said optical waveguide substrate and said optical fiber connector.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
42 words
A method according to claim 10, wherein said dipping step comprises the step of partially etching and removing said end face of said optical waveguide to be retreated from said end faces of said optical waveguide holder and said optical waveguide substrate.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
42 words
A method according to claim 10, wherein said dipping step comprises the step of partially etching and removing said end face of said optical waveguide substrate to be retreated from said end faces of said optical waveguide and said optical waveguide holder.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
34 words
A method according to claim 10, wherein said hardening step comprises the step of heating said junction portion between said optical waveguide substrate and said optical fiber connector to harden said hardening matching agent.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method according to claim 10, wherein said hardening step comprises the step of using a incident light to harden said hardening matching agent.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
39 words
A method according to claim 10, wherein said hardening step comprises the step of removing oxygen from an atmosphere in said junction portion between said optical waveguide substrate and said optical fiber connector to harden said hardening matching agent.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
54 words
A method according to claim 10, wherein said hardening step comprises the step of fixing a junction portion between said optical waveguide holder and said optical fiber holder by YAG laser welding and then fixing said junction portion between said optical waveguide substrate and said optical fiber connector by hardening said hardening matching agent.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
70 words
A method according to claim 10, wherein said hardening step comprises the steps of fixing a junction portion between said optical waveguide holder and said optical fiber holder by spot welding, fixing said junction portion between said optical waveguide substrate and said optical fiber connector by hardening said hardening matching agent, and hermetically sealing said junction portion between said optical waveguide holder and said optical fiber holder by seam welding.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
207 words
A method of manufacturing an optical waveguide module, comprising: mounting an optical waveguide substrate having an optical waveguide formed therein on an optical waveguide holder, mounting an optical fiber connector supporting an optical fiber therein on an optical fiber holder, and polishing end faces of said optical waveguide, said optical waveguide substrate, and said optical waveguide holder, and end faces of said optical fiber, said optical fiber connector, and said optical fiber holder, respectively; dipping said end faces of said optical fiber connector, said optical fiber, and said optical fiber holder in an etching solution to at least partially remove one of said end face of said optical fiber and said end face of said optical fiber connector so as to be retreated from said end face of said optical fiber holder; bringing said end faces of said optical waveguide holder and said optical fiber holder into contact with each other while aligning said optical waveguide and said optical fiber, and depositing a light-transmitting hardening matching agent in a gap formed by bonding said end faces of said optical waveguide substrate and said optical fiber connector; and hardening said hardening matching agent to fix a junction portion between said optical waveguide substrate and said optical fiber connector.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
207 words
A method of manufacturing an optical waveguide module, comprising: mounting an optical waveguide substrate having an optical waveguide formed therein on an optical waveguide holder, mounting an optical fiber connector supporting an optical fiber therein on an optical fiber holder, and polishing end faces of said optical waveguide, said optical waveguide substrate, and said optical waveguide holder, and end faces of said optical fiber, said optical fiber connector, and said optical fiber holder, respectively; dipping said end faces of said optical fiber connector, said optical fiber, and said optical fiber holder in an etching solution to at least partially remove one of said end face of said optical fiber and said end face of said optical fiber connector so as to be retreated from said end face of said optical fiber holder; bringing said end faces of said optical waveguide holder and said optical fiber holder into contact with each other while aligning said optical waveguide and said optical fiber, and depositing a light-transmitting hardening matching agent in a gap formed by bonding said end faces of said optical waveguide substrate and said optical fiber connector; and hardening said hardening matching agent to fix a junction portion between said optical waveguide substrate and said optical fiber connector.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
46 words
A method according to claim 18, wherein said dipping step comprises the steps of partially etching and removing said end face of said optical fiber so that said optical fiber is recessed from said end faces of said optical fiber holder and said optical fiber connector.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
51 words
A method according to claim 18, wherein said dipping step comprises the steps of partially etching and removing said end face of said optical fiber connector so that said end face of said optical fiber connector is recessed from said end faces of said optical fiber and said optical fiber holder.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
34 words
A method according to claim 18, wherein said hardening step comprises the step of heating a junction portion between said optical waveguide substrate and said optical fiber connector to harden said hardening matching agent.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method according to claim 18, wherein said hardening step comprises the step of using a light to harden said hardening matching agent.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
39 words
A method according to claim 18, wherein said hardening step comprises the step of removing oxygen in an atmosphere in a junction portion between said optical waveguide substrate and said optical fiber connector to harden said hardening matching agent.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
54 words
A method according to claim 18, wherein said hardening steps comprises the steps of fixing a junction portion between said optical waveguide holder and said optical fiber holder by YAG laser welding and then fixing said junction portion between said optical waveguide substrate and said optical fiber connector by hardening said hardening matching agent.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
70 words
A method according to claim 18, wherein said hardening step comprises the step of fixing a junction portion between said optical waveguide holder and said optical fiber holder by spot welding, fixing said junction portion between said optical waveguide substrate and said optical fiber connector by hardening said hardening matching agent, and hermetically sealing said junction portion between said optical waveguide holder and said optical fiber holder by seam welding.
Claim 32
Independent Claim
164 words
A method of manufacturing an optical waveguide module, comprising: bringing an end face of an optical waveguide holder,mounting thereon an optical waveguide substrate having an optical waveguide formed therein and an end face of an optical fiber holder mounting thereon an optical fiber connector supporting an optical fiber therein into contact with each other while aligning said optical waveguide and said optical fiber; injecting a hardening matching agent having light transmission properties and a Young's modulus corresponding to a thermal stress between said optical waveguide holder and said optical fiber holder and between said optical waveguide substrate and said optical fiber connector into a junction portion between said optical waveguide substrate and the optical fiber connector, and aligning said optical waveguide and said optical fiber; fixing a junction portion between said optical waveguide holder and said optical fiber holder by YAG laser welding; and hardening said hardening matching agent to fix said junction portion between said optical waveguide substrate and said optical fiber connector.
Claim 33
Independent Claim
164 words
A method of manufacturing an optical waveguide module, comprising: bringing an end face of an optical waveguide holder,mounting thereon an optical waveguide substrate having an optical waveguide formed therein and an end face of an optical fiber holder mounting thereon an optical fiber connector supporting an optical fiber therein into contact with each other while aligning said optical waveguide and said optical fiber; injecting a hardening matching agent having light transmission properties and a Young's modulus corresponding to a thermal stress between said optical waveguide holder and said optical fiber holder and between said optical waveguide substrate and said optical fiber connector into a junction portion between said optical waveguide substrate and the optical fiber connector, and aligning said optical waveguide and said optical fiber; fixing a junction portion between said optical waveguide holder and said optical fiber holder by YAG laser welding; and hardening said hardening matching agent to fix said junction portion between said optical waveguide substrate and said optical fiber connector.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
100 words
A method according to claim 26, wherein said contacting step comprises the steps of dipping end faces of said optical waveguide substrate, said optical waveguide and said optical waveguide holder in an etching solution to at least partially remove one of said end face of said optical waveguide substrate and said end face of said optical waveguide so as to be recessed from said end face of said optical waveguide holder and bringing said end faces of said optical waveguide holder and said optical fiber holder into contact with each other while aligning said optical waveguide and said optical fiber.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
103 words
A method according to claim 26, wherein said contacting step comprises the steps of dipping end faces of said optical fiber connector, said optical fiber and said optical fiber holder in an etching solution to at least partially remove one of said end face of said optical fiber and said end face of said optical fiber connector so as to be recessed from said end face of said optical fiber holder and bringing said end faces of said optical waveguide holder and said optical fiber holder into contact with each other while aligning said optical waveguide and said optical fiber with one another.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
34 words
A method according to claim 26, wherein said hardening step comprises the step of heating a junction portion between said optical waveguide substrate and said optical fiber connector to harden said hardening matching agent.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method according to claim 26, wherein said hardening step comprises the step of using light to harden said hardening matching agent.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
39 words
A method according to claim 26, wherein said hardening step comprises the step of removing oxygen from an atmosphere in a junction portion between said optical waveguide substrate and said optical fiber connector to harden said hardening matching agent.
Claim 39
Independent Claim
141 words
A method of manufacturing an optical waveguide module, comprising: bringing an end face of an optical waveguide holder mounting thereon an optical waveguide substrate having an optical waveguide formed therein and an end face of an optical fiber holder mounting thereon an optical fiber connector supporting an optical fiber therein into contact with each other and injecting a light-transmitting hardening matching agent into a junction portion between said optical waveguide substrate and said optical fiber connector; aligning said optical waveguide and said optical fiber and fixing a junction portion between said optical waveguide holder and said optical fiber holder by spot welding; hardening said hardening matching agent to fix said junction portion between said optical waveguide substrate and said optical fiber connector; and hermetically sealing said junction portion between said optical waveguide holder and said optical fiber holder by seam welding.
Claim 40
Independent Claim
141 words
A method of manufacturing an optical waveguide module, comprising: bringing an end face of an optical waveguide holder mounting thereon an optical waveguide substrate having an optical waveguide formed therein and an end face of an optical fiber holder mounting thereon an optical fiber connector supporting an optical fiber therein into contact with each other and injecting a light-transmitting hardening matching agent into a junction portion between said optical waveguide substrate and said optical fiber connector; aligning said optical waveguide and said optical fiber and fixing a junction portion between said optical waveguide holder and said optical fiber holder by spot welding; hardening said hardening matching agent to fix said junction portion between said optical waveguide substrate and said optical fiber connector; and hermetically sealing said junction portion between said optical waveguide holder and said optical fiber holder by seam welding.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
100 words
A method according to claim 32, wherein said contacting step comprises the step of dipping end faces of said optical waveguide substrate, said optical waveguide and said optical waveguide holder in an etching solution to at least partially remove one of said end face of said optical waveguide and said end face of said optical waveguide substrate so as to be recessed from said end face of said optical waveguide holder and bringing said end faces of said optical waveguide holder and said optical fiber holder into contact with each other while aligning said optical waveguide and said optical fiber.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
96 words
A method according to claim 32, wherein said contacting step comprises the step of dipping end faces of said optical fiber connector said optical fiber and said optical fiber holder in an etching solution to at least partially remove one of said end face of said optical fiber connector and said optical fiber so as to be recessed from said end face of said optical fiber holder and bringing said end faces of said optical waveguide holder and said optical fiber holder into contact with each other while aligning said optical waveguide and said optical fiber.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
34 words
A method according to claim 32, wherein said hardening step comprises the step of heating a junction portion between said optical waveguide substrate and said optical fiber connector to harden said hardening matching agent.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
41 words
A method according to claim 32, wherein said hardening step comprises the step of causing light to be incident from an end face of said optical fiber, which is exposed outside said optical fiber connector, to harden said hardening matching agent.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
39 words
A method according to claim 32, wherein said sealing step comprises the step of removing oxygen from an atmosphere in a junction portion between said optical waveguide substrate and said optical fiber connector to harden said hardening matching agent.
Claim 46
Independent Claim
98 words
A method of manufacturing an optical waveguide, comprising: dipping an optical waveguide holder mounting thereon an optical waveguide substrate having an optical waveguide formed therein and an optical fiber holder mounting thereon an optical fiber connector supporting an optical fiber therein into a refractive index matching agent having light transmission properties and bringing end faces of said optical waveguide holder and said optical fiber holder into contact with each other; and aligning said optical waveguide and said optical fiber and hermetically sealing a junction portion between said optical waveguide holder and said optical fiber holder by seam welding.
Claim 47
Independent Claim
98 words
A method of manufacturing an optical waveguide, comprising: dipping an optical waveguide holder mounting thereon an optical waveguide substrate having an optical waveguide formed therein and an optical fiber holder mounting thereon an optical fiber connector supporting an optical fiber therein into a refractive index matching agent having light transmission properties and bringing end faces of said optical waveguide holder and said optical fiber holder into contact with each other; and aligning said optical waveguide and said optical fiber and hermetically sealing a junction portion between said optical waveguide holder and said optical fiber holder by seam welding.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
108 words
A method according to claim 38, wherein said dipping step comprises the step of dipping end faces of said optical waveguide substrate, said optical waveguide and said optical waveguide holder in an etching solution to at least partially remove one of said end face of said optical waveguide and said end face of said optical waveguide substrate so as to be recessed from said end face of said optical waveguide holder and dipping said optical waveguide holder and said optical fiber holder in said refractive index matching agent and bringing said end faces of said optical waveguide holder and said optical fiber holder into contact with each other.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
108 words
A method according to claim 38, wherein said dipping step comprises the step of dipping end faces of said optical fiber connector, said optical fiber and said optical fiber holder in an etching solution to at least partially remove one of said end face of said optical fiber and said end face of said optical fiber connector so as to be recessed from said end face of said optical fiber holder and dipping said optical waveguide holder and said optical fiber holder in said refractive index matching agent and bringing said end faces of said optical waveguide holder and said optical fiber holder into contact with each other.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
200 words
An optical waveguide module comprising: an optical waveguide holder having an end face; an optical waveguide substrate having an end face and being mounted in said optical waveguide holder; an optical waveguide having an end face and being formed in said optical waveguide substrate; an optical fiber holder having an end face; an optical fiber connector having an end face and being mounted in said optical fiber holder; and an optical fiber having an end face and being supported by said optical fiber connector; wherein said end face of said optical waveguide holder and said an end face of said optical fiber holder contact each other such that said optical waveguide and said optical fiber are aligned with one another, wherein one of an end face of said optical waveguide substrate and an end face of said optical waveguide is recessed from said end face of said optical waveguide holder, wherein a gap is formed between said end face of said optical waveguide and said end face of said optical fiber or between said end face of said optical waveguide substrate and said end face of said optical fiber connector, said gap being filled with a light-transmitting hardening matching agent.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
200 words
An optical waveguide module comprising: an optical waveguide holder having an end face; an optical waveguide substrate having an end face and being mounted in said optical waveguide holder; an optical waveguide having an end face and being formed in said optical waveguide substrate; an optical fiber holder having an end face; an optical fiber connector having an end face and being mounted in said optical fiber holder; and an optical fiber having an end face and being supported by said optical fiber connector; wherein said end face of said optical waveguide holder and said an end face of said optical fiber holder contact each other such that said optical waveguide and said optical fiber are aligned with one another, wherein one of an end face of said optical waveguide substrate and an end face of said optical waveguide is recessed from said end face of said optical waveguide holder, wherein a gap is formed between said end face of said optical waveguide and said end face of said optical fiber or between said end face of said optical waveguide substrate and said end face of said optical fiber connector, said gap being filled with a light-transmitting hardening matching agent.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
57 words
An optical waveguide module according to claim 41, wherein said end face of said optical waveguide is recessed from said end face of said optical waveguide holder and said end face of said optical waveguide substrate, and said gap is formed between said end face of said optical waveguide and said end face of said optical fiber.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
96 words
An optical waveguide module according to claim 42, wherein a distance by which said end face of said optical waveguide is recessed from said end face of said optical waveguide holder has an upper limit based on an allowable transmission loss amount due to said hardening matching agent between said optical waveguide and said optical fiber and a lower limit based on an allowable peeling frequency of said hardening matching agent due to thermal stress between said optical waveguide holder and said optical fiber holder and between said optical waveguide substrate and said optical fiber connector.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
61 words
An optical waveguide module according to claim 43, wherein said optical waveguide holder and said optical fiber holder are made from an invar alloy and said optical waveguide substrate and said optical fiber connector are made from silicon, said end face of said optical waveguide being recessed from said end face of said optical waveguide holder between 2 to 30 μm.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
66 words
An optical waveguide module according to claim 43, wherein said optical waveguide holder and said optical fiber holder are made from stainless steel, and said optical waveguide substrate and said optical fiber connector are made from silicon, said amount by which said end face of said optical waveguide is recessed from said end face of said optical waveguide holder being between 5 μm and 30 μm.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
59 words
An optical waveguide module according to claim 41, wherein said end face of said optical waveguide substrate is recessed from said end face of said optical waveguide holder and said end face of said optical waveguide, and said gap is formed between said end face of said optical waveguide substrate and said end face of said optical fiber connector.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
25 words
An optical waveguide module according to claim 41, wherein said hardening matching agent is an adhesive curable by any one of photocuring, thermosetting and deoxidation.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
181 words
An optical waveguide module comprising: an optical waveguide holder having an end face; an optical waveguide substrate having an end face and being mounted in said optical waveguide holder; an optical waveguide having an end face and being formed in said optical waveguide substrate; an optical fiber holder having an end face; an optical fiber connector having an end face and being mounted in said optical fiber holder; and an optical fiber having an end face and being supported by said optical fiber connector; wherein one of an end face of said optical fiber and an end face of said optical fiber connector is recessed from an end face of said optical fiber holder; wherein said end face of said optical waveguide holder contacts said end face of said optical fiber holder, thereby forming a gap between said end face of said optical waveguide and said end face of said optical fiber or between said end face of said optical waveguide substrate and said end face of said optical fiber connector, said gap being filled with a light-transmitting hardening matching agent.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
181 words
An optical waveguide module comprising: an optical waveguide holder having an end face; an optical waveguide substrate having an end face and being mounted in said optical waveguide holder; an optical waveguide having an end face and being formed in said optical waveguide substrate; an optical fiber holder having an end face; an optical fiber connector having an end face and being mounted in said optical fiber holder; and an optical fiber having an end face and being supported by said optical fiber connector; wherein one of an end face of said optical fiber and an end face of said optical fiber connector is recessed from an end face of said optical fiber holder; wherein said end face of said optical waveguide holder contacts said end face of said optical fiber holder, thereby forming a gap between said end face of said optical waveguide and said end face of said optical fiber or between said end face of said optical waveguide substrate and said end face of said optical fiber connector, said gap being filled with a light-transmitting hardening matching agent.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
57 words
An optical waveguide module according to claim 48, wherein said end face of said optical fiber is recessed from said end face of said optical fiber holder and said end face of said optical fiber connector, and said gap is formed between said end face of said optical fiber and said end face of said optical waveguide.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
99 words
An optical waveguide module according to claim 49, wherein an amount by which said end face of said optical fiber is recessed from said end face of said optical fiber holder has an upper limit value based on an allowable optical loss amount due to said hardening matching agent between said optical waveguide and said optical fiber, and a lower limit value based on an allowable peeling frequency of said hardening matching agent due to a thermal stress between said optical waveguide holder and said optical fiber holder and between said optical waveguide substrate and said optical fiber connector.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
69 words
An optical waveguide module according to claim 50, wherein, when said optical waveguide holder and said optical fiber holder are made from an invar alloy and said optical waveguide substrate and said optical fiber connector are made from silicon, wherein said amount by which said end face of said optical fiber is recessed from said end face of said optical fiber holder is between 2 μm and 30 μm.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
67 words
An optical waveguide module according to claim 50, wherein said optical waveguide holder and said optical fiber holder are made from stainless steel and said optical waveguide substrate and said optical fiber connector are made from silicon, wherein said amount by which said end face of said optical fiber is recessed from said end face of said optical fiber holder is between 5 μm and 30 μm.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
59 words
An optical waveguide module according to claim 48, wherein said end face of said optical fiber connector is recessed from said end face of said optical fiber and said end face of said optical fiber holder, and said gap is formed between said end face of said optical fiber connector and said end face of said optical waveguide substrate.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
25 words
An optical waveguide module according to claim 48, wherein said hardening matching agent is an adhesive curable by any one of photocuring, thermosetting and deoxidation.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
JPS6396609A
Cited
EP0283301A2
Cited
US4948219A
Cited
EP0324492A2
Cited
EP0422445A1
Cited
JPH04355413A
Cited
JPH0534543A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1999-01-01 | 1999-07-03 | 2000-01-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-01-01 | 2003-07-03 | 2004-01-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-01-01 | 2007-07-03 | 2008-01-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |