Proceedings Article | 8 March 2014
KEYWORDS: Optical fibers, Connectors, Optics manufacturing, Optical alignment, Contact lenses, Free space optics, Polishing, Interfaces, Optical interconnects, Lenses
This paper describes the design and performance of next generation, single-mode, multi-fiber, debris insensitive, expanded beam, interconnect components. This low cost, dense optical interconnect technology combined with recent advances next generation, high bandwidth, SM, silicon photonic based Tx/Rx devices is enabling unprecedented bandwidth densities for extended distances at reduced costs. A monolithic, multi-fiber ferule with integrated collimating lenses was designed with the same overall footprint as a traditional MT-type, multi-fiber rectangular ferrule. The new optical ferrule was designed with precision micro holes for alignment to the lens array allowing for future incorporation of multiple rows of fibers into a single ferrule unit. The monolithic, lensed based ferule design enables a low-cost, no-polish fiber termination methodology. The ferrule tested was manufactured with an array of 16 fibers in the footprint associated with traditional, 12 fiber, physical contact MT ferules via use of novel, molded in, end-face alignment features. Multiple optical models were built with ray tracing methodology to predict the insertion loss and return loss with varying refraction index, transmissivity and surface reflection properties of the ferrule. Empirical optical performance results closely match the optical modeling predictions. Insertion losses of <1.5dB were measured along with return loss values <=-30dB. Further analysis was done to characterize the robustness of the new interconnect with regard to debris insensitivity. Do to the nature of the expanded beam, free-space optical design, the impact of debris on the optical mating surface of the interconnect was significantly reduced when compared to traditional, physical contact single-mode interconnects
