Patent ID: 6344148
Filing Date: 2002-02-05
Classification: G02B

Abstract:
A method for aligning an optical device, an optical fiber and a planar lightwave circuit (PLC) with each other by using a passive alignment, the method comprising the steps of:(a) preparing a silicon substrate provided with an alignment mark region, an electrode region and an optical fiber alignment region and etching a remaining portion of the silicon substrate except those regions in a first preset thickness; (b) selectively etching a region of the silicon substrate, on which a lower clad layer of a PLC is formed, in a second preset thickness; (c) forming a silica layer on top of the silicon substrate for forming a lower clad layer of the PLC; (d) etching back the silica layer, thereby forming the lower clad layer by burying the silica layer in the selectively etched region; (e) forming and then patterning the core and upper layer of the planar lightwave circuit into a predetermined pattern, thereby providing the PLC; (f) etching the silicon substrate until a portion of a sidewall of the silica layer buried in the region is exposed; (g) wet-etching the silicon substrate by using the silica layer as an etching barrier to form a first set of V-shaped grooves for serving as an alignment mark, a second set of V-shaped grooves for aligning solder bumps and a third set of V-grooves for aligning the optical fiber; (h) forming solder bumps in the second set of V-grooves; and (i) assembling the optical device and the optical fiber on the silicon substrate.