24-ch microlens-integrated no-polish connector for optical interconnection with polymer waveguides

Takashi Shiraishi; Takatoshi Yagisawa; Tadashi Ikeuchi; Osamu Daikuhara; Kazuhiro Tanaka

doi:10.1117/12.2003324

27 February 2013 24-ch microlens-integrated no-polish connector for optical interconnection with polymer waveguides

Takashi Shiraishi, Takatoshi Yagisawa, Tadashi Ikeuchi, Osamu Daikuhara, Kazuhiro Tanaka

Proceedings Volume 8630, Optoelectronic Interconnects XIII; 86300W (2013) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2003324
Event: SPIE OPTO, 2013, San Francisco, California, United States

Abstract

We successfully developed a new 24-ch optical connector for polymer waveguides. The connector consists of a transparent thermoplastic resin that has two rectangular slits on one side for alignment of the waveguide films and integrated microlens arrays on the other side for coupling to the MT connector. Two 12-ch waveguide films were cut to a 3-mm width. The thickness of each waveguide film was controlled at 100 μm. The waveguide films were inserted into the slits until they touched the bottom face of the slit. Ultraviolet curing adhesive was used to achieve a short hardening process. The expanded beam in the transparent material is focused by the microlens arrays formed on the connector surface. This lens structure enables assembly without the need for a polishing process. We designed the lens for coupling between a step-index 40-μm rectangular waveguide and a graded-index 50-μm fiber. We achieved low-loss optical coupling by designing a method of providing asymmetric magnification between the horizontal and vertical directions in order to compensate for the asymmetric numerical aperture of the waveguide. The typical measured coupling losses from/to the waveguide to/from the fiber were 1.2 dB and 0.6 dB, respectively. The total coupling loss was as small as that of a physical contact connection.

Citation Download Citation

Takashi Shiraishi, Takatoshi Yagisawa, Tadashi Ikeuchi, Osamu Daikuhara, and Kazuhiro Tanaka "24-ch microlens-integrated no-polish connector for optical interconnection with polymer waveguides", Proc. SPIE 8630, Optoelectronic Interconnects XIII, 86300W (27 February 2013); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2003324

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