Patent ID: 6164837
Filing Date: 2000-12-26
Classification: G02B

Abstract:
An alignment and locking system for aligning an optical fiber with an optoelectronic device housed inside an optoelectronic package and locking the optical fiber in place, said system comprising:an optoelectronic package including:sidewalls and a device floor defining an enclosure,an optoelectronic device housed inside the enclosure,a micro-aligner positioned inside the enclosure and overlying the device floor,a heater overlying the device floor; anda solder preform overlying said heater and positioned between the optoelectronic device and the micro-aligner, and the optical fiber being secured upon the micro-aligner and positioned adjacent said solder preform, said solder preform having a known melting temperature and being attached to said heater;a microprocessor;a power source for supplying electrical power to said heater suitable for causing said solder preform to melt based on power control signals received by said power source from said microprocessor;an instrument for determining the amount of light passing between said optical fiber and said optoelectronic device and supplying related received power signals to said microprocessor; andwherein the micro-aligner moves the optical fiber into optical alignment with the optoelectronic device based on alignment control signals received from said microprocessor, said alignment control signals being based on said received power control signals, and said micro-aligner aligning said optical fiber while said solder preform is in a molten state.