Patent ID: 6819841
Filing Date: 2004-11-16
Classification: G02B

Abstract:
An apparatus for self-aligning an optical fiber to an optical waveguide comprising an optical waveguide chip including:one or more optical waveguides formed on a first substrate, each optical waveguide having a protruding portion; one or more alignment rails formed on said first substrate, each alignment rail spaced apart from each optical waveguide by a predetermined distance; and an alignment jig including: one or more grooves formed in a second substrate, each groove adapted to receive one protruding portion and each groove supporting one optical fiber in alignment with one optical waveguide; and one or more alignment grooves formed on said second substrate, each alignment groove spaced apart from said grooves by said predetermined distance and adapted to mate with said alignment rails, said optical waveguides extending in a longitudinal direction, said alignment rails extending parallel to said optical waveguides in said longitudinal direction, said alignment grooves extending parallel to said grooves in said longitudinal direction, each said alignment groove including a stop acting as a physical barrier to stop motion in said longitudinal direction of said alignment rail within said alignment groove.