Patent ID: 6160672
Filing Date: 2000-12-12
Classification: G02B,H01S

Abstract:
A microlens structure for passively aligning microlenses, the structure comprising:a first cylindrical microlens having at least one cylindrical optical surface;a second cylindrical microlens having at least one cylindrical optical surface;a base substrate having a surface,the base substrate surface having a first alignment site, shaped and sized so that said first microlens may be urged into contact with, and thereby passively aligned to, said first alignment site,the base substrate surface having a second alignment site, shaped and sized so that said second microlens may be urged into contact with, and thereby passively aligned to, said second alignment site,said first cylindrical microlens and said second cylindrical microlens, each being urged into contact with, and passively aligned to, their respective alignment sites, being separated by a proper optical distance and in correct alignment with respect to each others; andan optical axis,said optical axis being centered on and being perpendicular to the cylindrical optical surfaces of each of the first and second cylindrical microlenses,said optical axis being disposed in a plane parallel to said base substrate surface,said optical axis being perpendicular to said alignment sites on said base substrate surface, andwhereby light traveling along said optical axis traverses each of said first and said second cylindrical microlens in series.