Patent ID: 7373052
Filing Date: 2008-05-13
Classification: G02B

Abstract:
1. An arrangement for providing passive optical alignment between an optical fiber and a nanotaper coupling waveguide formed in an SOI structure, the coupling arrangement comprising a fiber carrier support member including a fiber-holding groove formed along a top surface thereof and at least one alignment feature disposed offset from said fiber-holding groove and separated therefrom by a predetermined distance, the fiber carrier support member further comprising a beveled edge along the top surface, disposed such that the fiber-holding groove is disposed between the beveled edge and the at least one alignment feature; and an SOI structure including a surface silicon layer including the nanotaper coupling waveguide, an oxide layer and a silicon base layer, said SOI structure further comprising a cavity region formed through said surface silicon layer, said oxide layer and into said silicon base layer so as to expose a tip portion of the nanotaper coupling waveguide, and at least one alignment slot formed through said surface silicon layer, said oxide layer and into said silicon base layer and separated therefrom by the predetermined distance separating the fiber-holding groove and the at least one alignment feature, wherein the fiber carrier support member is positioned over the SOI structure such that an optical fiber disposed within the fiber-holding groove protrudes into the SOI structure cavity region and the at least one alignment feature protrudes into and mates with the at least one alignment slot.