Fabrication of Highly Precise Fiber Optical Array Products by use of Laser Based Micro Alignment

M. Zimmermann, L. Schaefer, M. Rank, M. Schmidt, S. Roth
Bayerisches Laserzentrum gGmbH, Konrad-Zuse-Str. 2-6, 91052 Erlangen, Germany

Abstract

The proceeding integration and miniaturization of mechanical and optical functions in systems for optical communication, for sensor and environmental technologies or for life sciences require an improvement and a customization of the manufacturing technologies. For fiber optical systems and components, especially for singlemode applications, adequate methods for a precise adjustment are necessary which allow a fast and cost-efficient alignment of fibers and other optical components like microlenses or laserdiodes. The demands on the adjustment process rise additionally for array applications. Laser based micro alignment is a promising technology for such critical adjustment tasks. We investigated the use of this technology for the alignment of fibers within fiber arrays. They are used for the assembly of fiber collimator arrays. We developed and analysed suitable actuator geometries for this application. In this paper we show some important results of the FEM based analyses to demonstrate the influence of the laser irradiation regime. First experimental results confirm the actuator behaviour calculated in the FEM analysis. Based on the simulations and experimental results, we are developing a compact alignment module which is adapted to the demands on the assembly process of fiber optical components. This alignment tool is one module within a complete miniaturised, scaleable and modular assembly line for the production of fiber collimator arrays.