Self-aligned laser-fiber coupling using tin/gold (20/80) solder on micro-optical silicon benches

Ulf-Peter Dahms; Viki Muellerwiebus; Hans Joachim Heider; Matthias Mahnke; Mark Bludszuweit; Joerg Mueller

doi:10.1117/12.384423

27 April 2000 Self-aligned laser-fiber coupling using tin/gold (20/80) solder on micro-optical silicon benches

Ulf-Peter Dahms, Viki Muellerwiebus, Hans Joachim Heider, Matthias Mahnke, Mark Bludszuweit, Joerg Mueller

Proceedings Volume 3952, Optoelectronic Interconnects VII; Photonics Packaging and Integration II; (2000) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.384423
Event: Symposium on Integrated Optoelectronics, 2000, San Jose, CA, United States

Abstract

The efficiency of laserdiode-monomode fiber coupling is one of the essential assignments for interactive optical telecommunications. In this paper, we present our investigations and results of the development of such couplers, especially of a soldering process for hybridly joining a laser on a silicon microoptical bench by self adjustment. To achieve the necessary adjustment tolerances of better than 0.5 micrometers , the influence of the solder height for the self-alignment process is simulated with respect to the lowest allowable solder thickness, which still generates the necessary alignment forces. Because of the excellent properties at their coupling facet U-grooves were fabricated to mount the fiber by deep and high precision anisotropic reactive ion etching of silicon using SF₆/CBrF₃ gas- mixtures. The solder was deposited in buried structures by electroplating gold and tin at the eutectic ratio to allow optimum adjustment in vertical and lateral dimensions. Furthermore, the results of a fluxless soldering process in a UV-light activated forming gas atmosphere is presented and compared to the simulations. The measurement of the coupling efficiency to fibers will also be illustrated. The design of the microoptical bench allows to extend the system by incorporating e.g. a faraday rotator or other optoelectronic integrated circuits, like transceivers.

Citation Download Citation

Ulf-Peter Dahms, Viki Muellerwiebus, Hans Joachim Heider, Matthias Mahnke, Mark Bludszuweit, and Joerg Mueller "Self-aligned laser-fiber coupling using tin/gold (20/80) solder on micro-optical silicon benches", Proc. SPIE 3952, Optoelectronic Interconnects VII; Photonics Packaging and Integration II, (27 April 2000); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.384423

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available