Self-Aligned Optical Fiber Put-in Micro-Connectors

In future optical fiber communication systems including large scale networks like a broad band ISDN, a large amount of joint connections at fibers and optical components should be employed. Moreover, a parallel lightwave system may be viable in optical interconnects for computers. Thus, the most important issue is the light coupling between semiconductor lasers or photonic devices and optical fibers. However, the alignment of optical components is left being complicated and needs very precise alignment, although several authors have reported integrated couplers [1][2]. In order to solve this problem, a planar microlens array was invented [3][4], and we have demonstrated a novel "put-in micro-connector" as shown in Fig. 1 [5] [6] . In this paper, we review its concept and some experimental demonstrations. We are able to couple single mode fibers and devices with no precise adjustment. We use a GRIN planar microlens array and self-aligned positioning of optical fibers. Its advantages and related technologies will be presented. Also, related activities in other groups will be reviewed.