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Passive assembly of parallel optical devices onto polymer-based optical printed circuit boards

Pitwon, RCA; Hopkins, K; Milward, D; Muggeridge, M; Selviah, DR; Wang, K; (2010) Passive assembly of parallel optical devices onto polymer-based optical printed circuit boards. CIRCUIT WORLD , 36 (4) 3 - 11. 10.1108/03056121011087177. Green open access

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Abstract

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to present the latest results from research and development into future optical printed circuit board (OPCB) interconnects and low-cost assembly methods.Design/methodology/approach - A novel method of high-precision passive alignment and assembly to OPCBs was invented and a full evaluation platform developed to demonstrate the viability of this technique.Findings - The technique was successfully deployed to passively align and assemble a lens receptacle onto an embedded polymer waveguide array in an electro-OPCB. The lens receptacle formed a critical part of a dual lens pluggable in-plane connection interface between peripheral optical devices and an OPCB. A lateral in-plane mechanical accuracy of +/- 2 mu m has been measured using this technique.Research limitations/implications - As this is a free space optical coupling process, surface scattering at the exposed waveguide end facet was significant.Originality/value - This paper details a novel method of passively assembling arbitrary optical devices onto multi-mode optical waveguides and outlines the procedure and equipment required. A lens coupling solution is also presented which reduces susceptibility of a connecting optical interface to contamination.

Type: Article
Title: Passive assembly of parallel optical devices onto polymer-based optical printed circuit boards
Open access status: An open access version is available from UCL Discovery
DOI: 10.1108/03056121011087177
Keywords: Optical instruments, Printed circuits, Polymers, Data communication equipment, WAVE-GUIDE BENDS
UCL classification: UCL
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > UCL BEAMS
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > UCL BEAMS > Faculty of Engineering Science
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > UCL BEAMS > Faculty of Engineering Science > Dept of Electronic and Electrical Eng
URI: https://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/20132
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