Parallel optical interconnection using self-adjustung microlenses on injection-molded ferrules made by LIGA technique

Jens Schulze; Wolfgang Ehrfeld; Jens Hossfeld; Michael Klaus; Maria Kufner; Stefan Kufner; Holger Mueller; Antoni Picard

doi:10.1117/12.360052

27 August 1999 Parallel optical interconnection using self-adjustung microlenses on injection-molded ferrules made by LIGA technique

Jens Schulze, Wolfgang Ehrfeld, Jens Hossfeld, Michael Klaus, Maria Kufner, Stefan Kufner, Holger Mueller, Antoni Picard

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 3737, Design and Engineering of Optical Systems II; (1999) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.360052
Event: Optical Systems Design and Production, 1999, Berlin, Germany

Abstract

Prototypes of compact lensed fiber connectors have been fabricated by LIGA technique that provide multimode connections for parallel optical interfaces. Contactless embossed microlens arrays were introduced as collimating and focusing elements in order to achieve a simplified connector assembly. As an alternative ball lenses were inserted in a second type of expanded-beam connector ferrule. Fibers, microlens arrays or respectively single microlenses, and two metal guiding pins are possibly adjusted in high precision alignment structures. The ferrules are injection modeled and the modular mold insert has been fabricated by means of microtechnology: LIGA technique and electro-discharge machining. Insertion loss values of 4.5 dB have been measured for assembled mated couples of ferrules with contactless embossed microlens arrays and 2.3 dB for ferrules with ball lenses, both at 1310 nm including reflection losses of typical 1 dB. Even though commonly used butt-coupling connector show lower insertion loss values, the introduced compact expanded-beam connectors could offer an attractive solution for applications in harsh or dirty environments of for micro-optical components e.g. compact 90 degrees optical interfaces for backplane connectors or switches by deflecting the expanded optical beam by a mirrors or prisms.

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Jens Schulze, Wolfgang Ehrfeld, Jens Hossfeld, Michael Klaus, Maria Kufner, Stefan Kufner, Holger Mueller, and Antoni Picard "Parallel optical interconnection using self-adjustung microlenses on injection-molded ferrules made by LIGA technique", Proc. SPIE 3737, Design and Engineering of Optical Systems II, (27 August 1999); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.360052

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