Abstract:
An apparatus that includes a silicon-based support member and a silicon-based alignment structure is provided. The silicon-based alignment structure is received on a receiving surface of the support member. The alignment structure includes a first surface and a second surface parallel to and facing the first surface with a gap defined therebetween and configured to receive a light-emitting device inside the gap with the first surface and the second surface in contact with the light-emitting device such that, when a collimating rod lens is disposed on the alignment structure and over the gap, a longitudinal center line of the collimating rod lens is not aligned with a mid-point of the gap.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/546,287, filed Aug. 24, 2009, which claims the priority benefit of U.S. Patent Application No. 61/189,971, filed Aug. 25, 2008. The aforementioned applications are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    The present disclosure generally relates to the field of collimation of emitted light and, more particularly, to collimating light emitted from diode laser with a lens supported by a silicon-based lens support structure. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    High-power direct diode lasers are gaining popularity in applications such as heat treating and cutting in the automobile and material processing industries. To heat or cut a material, the radiance of the diode laser has to be high enough to process the material effectively. Manufacturers of diode lasers have developed single-stack and multi-stack diode lasers with an attached collimating lens to collimate light emitted from the fast-axis of diode lasers. Fast-axis collimation is possible to within a few milli-radians of divergence of the laser beam when a collimating lens is used. A collimating lens is typically a rod lens or high numerical aperture cylindrical lens, and each diode laser typically has a collimating lens attached to the fast-axis, which is placed about a few tens or hundreds of microns in front of a facet of the diode laser. 
         [0004]    To maintain a perfectly parallel beam of light, the collimating lens has to be placed within a few tens or hundreds of microns from the diode laser facet, with some variational dependence on the optical working distance of the collimating lens. This requires alignment of the collimating lens with the diode laser. It is not easy to passively align the collimating lens to perfectly collimate the laser beam, and many hours of alignment and special tools are usually required to assemble a diode laser package that includes one or more diode laser and the respective one or more collimating lens. Alternatively, alignment of the collimating lens can be provided via active alignment, in which alignment is provided on a real-time basis. However, active alignment can be particularly difficult for a high-power diode stack due to the large number of closely packaged diode lasers. 
         [0005]    In the case of a multi-stack diode laser, each individual diode laser has to be collimated and the respective collimating lens is attached to the diode laser package structure. In aligning each collimating lens, the diode laser is running at the operating current and the collimating lens is aligned with a tooling setup that allows for movement of the collimating lens in a four- or five-axis controlled mechanical stage. After the alignment, the collimating lens is attached to the frame of the diode laser by, for example, UV-curing epoxy or a soldering process. However, failure of diode laser alignment is not uncommon. Typically, alignment of the diode laser fails due to weak bonding of the epoxy or degradation of the epoxy joint caused by thermal cycles of the diode laser. 
         [0006]    There is, therefore, a need for a novel mechanical structure to align the collimating lens to provide optimal collimation and to hold the collimating lens in place to withstand many thermal cycles of the diode laser. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0007]    In one aspect, an apparatus may be summarized as including a first diode laser and a silicon-based support structure. The first diode laser is configured to emit a first laser beam when powered. The support structure includes a silicon-based support plate, a silicon-based first fin structure, and a silicon-based second fin structure. The support plate has a first primary surface and a second primary surface opposite the first primary surface. The first fin structure has a first primary surface, a second primary surface opposite the first primary surface, and a plurality of edges between the first and the second primary surfaces including a first edge and a second edge opposite the first edge. The first fin structure is physically coupled to the support plate with the first edge of the first fin structure attached to the first primary surface of the support plate. The second fin structure has a first primary surface, a second primary surface opposite the first primary surface, and a plurality of edges between the first and the second primary surfaces including a first edge and a second edge opposite the first edge. The second fin structure is physically coupled to the support plate with the first edge of the second fin structure attached to the first primary surface of the support plate. The first diode laser is physically coupled between the first and the second fin structures to emit the first laser beam in a direction away from the support plate. 
         [0008]    The apparatus may further include a collimating device received between the first and the second fin structures and positioned to collimate the first laser beam emitted from the first diode laser. In one embodiment, the collimating device may comprise a rod lens. In another embodiment, the collimating device may comprise a substantially cylindrical lens with a high numerical aperture. In yet another embodiment, the collimating device may comprise a rod lens having at least one substantially flat surface along a longitudinal axis of the rod lens. In still another embodiment, the collimating device may comprise an optical lens having a numerical aperture value in the range of 0.20 to 0.80. The collimating device may be attached to at least one of the first and the second fin structures by UV-curing epoxy bonding. Alternatively, the collimating device may be attached to at least one of the first and the second fin structures by soldering. 
         [0009]    The support plate may include at least a first groove and a second groove on the first primary surface of the support plate. The first fin structure may be attached to the support plate with the first edge of the first fin structure received in the first groove of the support plate. The second fin structure may be attached to the support plate with the first edge of the second fin structure received in the second groove of the support plate. 
         [0010]    At least one of the support plate, the first fin structure, and the second fin structure may be made from a single-crystal silicon wafer. In one embodiment, at least one of the first and the second fin structures may be made from a single-crystal silicon wafer that has a &lt;100&gt; silicon crystal plane as a face plane, and at least one edge of at least one of the first and the second fin structures may be etched to form at least one sloped surface having an angle of 54.7 degrees between the &lt;100&gt; and a &lt;111&gt; silicon crystal planes. In another embodiment, at least one of the first and the second fin structures may be made from a single-crystal silicon wafer that has a &lt;110&gt; silicon crystal plane as a face plane, and at least one edge of at least one of the first and the second fin structures may be etched to form at least one sloped surface having an angle of 35.3 degrees between the &lt;110&gt; and a &lt;111&gt; silicon crystal planes. In one embodiment, at least a portion of the primary surface of the first fin structure that the first light emitter is physically coupled to may be metalized, and at least a portion of the primary surface of the second fin structure that the first light emitter is physically coupled to may be metalized. In another embodiment, the second primary surface of the first fin structure may include a recessed portion, and the first light emitter may be physically coupled to the recessed portion of the second primary surface of the first fin structure. 
         [0011]    The apparatus may further include a second diode laser configured to emit a second laser beam when powered and a silicon-based third fin structure. The silicon-based third fin structure has a first primary surface, a second primary surface opposite the first primary surface, and a plurality of edges between the first and the second primary surfaces including a first edge and a second edge opposite the first edge. The third fin structure is physically coupled to the support plate with the first edge of the third fin structure attached to the first primary surface of the support plate. The second diode laser is physically coupled between the second and the third fin structures to emit the second laser beam in a direction away from the support plate. 
         [0012]    In another aspect, an apparatus may be summarized as including a silicon-based support plate, a silicon-based first fin structure, and a silicon-based second fin structure. The support plate has a first primary surface and a second primary surface opposite the first primary surface. The first fin structure has a first primary surface, a second primary surface opposite the first primary surface, and a plurality of edges between the first and the second primary surfaces including a first edge and a second edge opposite the first edge. The first fin structure is physically coupled to the support plate with the first edge of the first fin structure attached to the first primary surface of the support plate. The second fin structure has a first primary surface, a second primary surface opposite the first primary surface, and a plurality of edges between the first and the second primary surfaces including a first edge and a second edge opposite the first edge. The second fin structure is physically coupled to the support plate with the first edge of the second fin structure attached to the first primary surface of the support plate. At least one of the primary surfaces of the first fin structure is substantially parallel to at least one of the primary surfaces of the second fin structure when the first and the second fin structures are attached to the support plate. The first fin structure and the second fin structure are spaced apart by a distance that is approximately a thickness of a first light emitter to allow the first light emitter to be physically coupled between the first and the second fin structures. At least a portion of at least one of the first and the second primary surfaces of each of the first and the second fin structures is metalized. 
         [0013]    The support plate may include at least a first groove and a second groove on the first primary surface of the support plate. The first fin structure may be attached to the support plate with the first edge of the first fin structure received in the first groove of the support plate. The second fin structure may be attached to the support plate with the first edge of the second fin structure received in the second groove of the support plate. 
         [0014]    At least one of the support plate, the first fin structure, and the second fin structure may be made from a single-crystal silicon wafer. In one embodiment, at least one of the first and the second fin structures may be made from a single-crystal silicon wafer that has a &lt;100&gt; silicon crystal plane as a face plane, and at least one edge of at least one of the first and the second fin structures may be etched to form at least one sloped surface having an angle of 54.7 degrees between the &lt;100&gt; and a &lt;111&gt; silicon crystal planes. In another embodiment, at least one of the first and the second fin structures may be made from a single-crystal silicon wafer that has a &lt;110&gt; silicon crystal plane as a face plane, and at least one edge of at least one of the first and the second fin structures may be etched to form at least one sloped surface having an angle of 35.3 degrees between the &lt;110&gt; and a &lt;111&gt; silicon crystal planes. In one embodiment, the support plate may be made from a single-crystal silicon wafer and may have a &lt;100&gt; silicon crystal plane as the first primary surface, and at least one of the first and the second grooves may be a V-notch groove having two slopes each having an angle of 54.7 degrees measured from the first primary surface. In another embodiment, the support plate may be made from a single-crystal silicon wafer and may have a &lt;110&gt; silicon crystal plane as the first primary surface, and at least one of the first and the second grooves may be a V-notch groove having two slopes each having an angle of 35.3 degrees measured from the first primary surface. In yet another embodiment, the support plate may be made from a single-crystal silicon wafer and may have a &lt;100&gt; silicon crystal plane as the first primary surface, and at least one of the first and the second grooves may be a rectangular groove. 
         [0015]    In one embodiment, at least a portion of the primary surface of the first fin structure that the first light emitter is physically coupled to may be metalized, and at least a portion of the primary surface of the second fin structure that the first light emitter is physically coupled to may be metalized. In another embodiment, the second primary surface of the first fin structure may include a recessed portion, and the first light emitter may be physically coupled to the recessed portion of the second primary surface of the first fin structure. At least one of the first and the second fin structures may be attached to the support plate by metal soldering, epoxy boding, eutectic bonding, anodic bonding, diffusion bonding, or a combination thereof. 
         [0016]    The apparatus may also include the first light emitter that is physically coupled between the first and the second fin structures. In one embodiment, the first light emitter may comprise a light-emitting diode. In another embodiment, the first light emitter may comprise a diode laser. 
         [0017]    The apparatus may further include a collimating device received between the first and the second fin structures and positioned to collimate the first beam of light emitted from the first light emitter. In one embodiment, the collimating device may comprise a rod lens. In another embodiment, the collimating device may comprise a substantially cylindrical lens with a high numerical aperture. In yet another embodiment, the collimating device may comprise a rod lens having at least one substantially flat surface along a longitudinal axis of the rod lens. In still another embodiment, the collimating device may comprise an optical lens having a numerical aperture value in the range of 0.20 to 0.80. The collimating device may be attached to at least one of the first and the second fin structures by UV-curing epoxy bonding. Alternatively, the collimating device may be attached to at least one of the first and the second fin structures by soldering. 
         [0018]    The apparatus may further include a second light emitter configured to emit a second beam of light when powered and a silicon-based third fin structure. The third fin structure may have a first primary surface, a second primary surface opposite the first primary surface, and a plurality of edges between the first and the second primary surfaces including a first edge and a second edge opposite the first edge. The third fin structure may be physically coupled to the support plate with the first edge of the third fin structure attached to the first primary surface of the support plate. The second light emitter may be physically coupled between the second and the third fin structures to emit the second beam of light in a direction away from the support plate. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0019]      FIGS. 1-3  are each a diagram showing a cross-sectional view of a chemically etched groove in a single-crystal silicon wafer according to one non-limiting illustrated embodiment. 
           [0020]      FIG. 4  is an assembly diagram of an apparatus according to one non-limiting illustrated embodiment. 
           [0021]      FIGS. 5 and 5A  are each a side view of the apparatus shown in  FIG. 4  according to one non-limiting illustrated embodiment. 
           [0022]      FIGS. 6 and 6A  are each a side view of the apparatus shown in  FIG. 4  according to another non-limiting illustrated embodiment. 
           [0023]      FIGS. 7 and 7A  are each a side view of the apparatus shown in  FIG. 4  according to another non-limiting illustrated embodiment. 
           [0024]      FIGS. 8 and 8A  are each a side view of the apparatus shown in  FIG. 4  according to another non-limiting illustrated embodiment. 
           [0025]      FIGS. 9 and 9A  are each a side view of the apparatus shown in  FIG. 4  according to another non-limiting illustrated embodiment. 
           [0026]      FIGS. 10 and 10A  are each a side view of the apparatus shown in  FIG. 4  according to another non-limiting illustrated embodiment. 
           [0027]      FIGS. 11 and 11A  are each a side view of the apparatus shown in  FIG. 4  according to another non-limiting illustrated embodiment. 
           [0028]      FIGS. 12 and 12A  are each a side view of the apparatus shown in  FIG. 4  according to another non-limiting illustrated embodiment. 
           [0029]      FIGS. 13 and 13A  are each a side view of the apparatus shown in  FIG. 4  according to another non-limiting illustrated embodiment. 
           [0030]      FIGS. 14 and 14A  are each a side view of the apparatus shown in  FIG. 4  according to another non-limiting illustrated embodiment. 
           [0031]      FIG. 15  is a diode laser package according to one non-limiting illustrated embodiment. 
           [0032]      FIG. 16  a multi-emitter apparatus according to one non-limiting illustrated embodiment. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0033]    In the following description, certain specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of various disclosed embodiments. However, one skilled in the relevant art will recognize that embodiments may be practiced without one or more of these specific details, or with other methods, components, materials, etc. In other instances, well-known structures associated with diode lasers, solar cells, heat exchangers and heat pipes have not been shown or described in detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring descriptions of the embodiments. 
         [0034]    Unless the context requires otherwise, throughout the specification and claims which follow, the word “comprise” and variations thereof, such as, “comprises” and “comprising” are to be construed in an open, inclusive sense that is as “including, but not limited to.” 
         [0035]    Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. Thus, the appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment” or “in an embodiment” in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. 
         [0036]    The headings and Abstract of the Disclosure provided herein are for convenience only and do not interpret the scope or meaning of the embodiments. 
         [0037]    Currently, methods to etch a single-crystal silicon wafer to make V-notch grooves or V-notch derived grooves are known. A single-crystal silicon wafer can be etched to form a V-notch groove, V-notch derived groove, or a rectangular groove on a surface of the silicon wafer. Many V-notch grooves are used, for example, to position or mount fiber optics for precision alignment purposes. Various V-notch groove angles, relative to a face plane of a single-crystal silicon wafer, can be achieved by etching in an anisotropic chemical process. All of the silicon V-notch groove half angles, units in degrees, are listed in Table 1 below. 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 1 
               
             
             
               
                   
               
               
                 Angles between Crystal Planes 
               
             
          
           
               
                 Angle between 
                 &lt;100&gt; 
                 &lt;110&gt; 
                 &lt;010&gt; 
                 &lt;001&gt; 
                 &lt;101&gt; 
               
               
                 planes 
                 plane 
                 plane 
                 plane 
                 plane 
                 plane 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 &lt;100&gt; plane 
                 0.00 
                 45.0 
                 90.0 
                 90.0 
                 45.0 
               
               
                 &lt;011&gt; plane 
                 90.0 
                 60.0 
                 45.0 
                 45.0 
                 60.0 
               
               
                 &lt;111&gt; plane 
                 54.7 
                 35.3 
                 54.7 
                 54.7 
                 35.3 
               
               
                 &lt;211&gt; plane 
                 35.2 
                 30.0 
                 65.9 
                 65.9 
                 30.0 
               
               
                 &lt;311&gt; plane 
                 25.2 
                 31.4 
                 72.4 
                 72.4 
                 31.4 
               
               
                 &lt;511&gt; plane 
                 15.8 
                 35.2 
                 78.9 
                 78.9 
                 35.2 
               
               
                 &lt;711&gt; plane 
                 11.4 
                 37.6 
                 81.9 
                 81.9 
                 37.6 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0038]    Accordingly, V-notch grooves, V-notch derived grooves, and rectangular grooves can be engineered on a support plate component to interlock with other components to support construction of a three-dimensional structure out of a face plane on the support plate where one or more grooves are located. 
         [0039]    Each of  FIGS. 1-3  illustrates a cross-sectional view of a chemically etched groove in a single-crystal silicon wafer according to one non-limiting illustrated embodiment. 
         [0040]      FIG. 1  illustrates a cross-sectional view of a V-notch groove on a top surface of a single-crystal silicon wafer etched by potassium hydroxide (KOH) or by other chemical process. The silicon wafer shown in  FIG. 1  has a &lt;100&gt; silicon crystal plane as a face plane. An angle of 54.7 degrees results when an etched plane and the face plane of the silicon wafer when the etched plane coincides with a &lt;111&gt; silicon crystal plane of the silicon wafer. The single-crystal silicon wafer may also be etched to produce an edge in the form of a V-shaped wedge that is substantially complementary to the V-notch groove etched on the top surface of the silicon wafer. That is, such edge has a V-shaped wedge that can fit complementarily in the V-notch groove. 
         [0041]      FIG. 2  illustrates a cross-sectional view of a V-notch groove on a top surface of a single-crystal silicon wafer etched by KOH or by other chemical process. The silicon wafer shown in  FIG. 2  has a &lt;110&gt; silicon crystal plane as a face plane. An angle of 35.3 degrees results when an etched plane and the face plane of the silicon wafer when the etched plane coincides with a &lt;111&gt; silicon crystal plane of the silicon wafer. The single-crystal silicon wafer may also be etched to produce an edge in the form of a V-shaped wedge that is substantially complementary to the V-notch groove etched on the top surface of the silicon wafer. That is, such edge has a V-shaped wedge that can fit complementarily in the V-notch groove. 
         [0042]      FIG. 3  illustrates a cross-sectional view of a rectangular groove on a top surface of a single-crystal silicon wafer etched by KOH or by other chemical process. The silicon wafer shown in  FIG. 3  has a &lt;100&gt; silicon crystal plane as a face plane. An angle of 90.0 degrees results when an etched plane and the face plane of the silicon wafer when the etched plane coincides with a &lt;011&gt; silicon crystal plane of the silicon wafer. The single-crystal silicon wafer may also be etched to produce an edge in the form of a rectangular wedge that is substantially complementary to the rectangular groove etched on the top surface of the silicon wafer. That is, such edge has a rectangular wedge that can fit complementarily in the rectangular groove. 
         [0043]    It should be understood that the various shapes of grooves as illustrated in  FIGS. 1-3  are only some of the embodiments and should not be construed as an exhaustive listing of all the embodiments within the scope of the present disclosure. Furthermore, although the illustrated embodiments are directed to a single-crystal silicon wafer, other non-metal materials including multi-crystal silicon wafers and ceramic materials, such as beryllium oxide, aluminum oxide, or silicon carbide for example, may be used as the material from which components of the embodiments disclosed herein can be fabricated. Grooves of other shapes achievable by etching or cutting a single-crystal silicon wafer, a multi-crystal silicon wafer, another silicon-based material, or a ceramic material are also within the scope of the present disclosure. 
         [0044]      FIG. 4  illustrates an apparatus  100  according to one non-limiting illustrated embodiment. The apparatus  100  includes a silicon-based support plate  4 , a silicon-based first fin structure  3 A, and a silicon-based second fin structure  3 B. In one embodiment, at least one of the support plate  4 , the first fin structure  3 A and the second fin structure  3 B is made from a single-crystal silicon wafer. In another embodiment, each of the support plate  4 , the first fin structure  3 A and the second fin structure  3 B is made from a respective one or the same single-crystal silicon wafer. The support plate  4  has a first primary surface and a second primary surface opposite the first primary surface. Each of the first fin structure  3 A and the second fin structure  3 B has a first primary surface, a second primary surface opposite the first primary surface, and a plurality of edges between the first and the second primary surfaces including a first edge and a second edge opposite the first edge. The first fin structure  3 A is physically coupled to the support plate  4  with the first edge of the first fin structure  3 A attached to the first primary surface of the support plate  4 . The second fin structure  3 B is physically coupled to the support plate  4  with the first edge of the second fin structure  3 B attached the first primary surface of the support plate  4 . In one embodiment, the first and the second fin structures  3 A,  3 B are attached to the support plate  4  in a manner such that at least one of the primary surfaces of the first fin structure  3 A is substantially parallel to at least one of the primary surfaces of the second fin structure  3 B. In another embodiment, at least one of the first and the second fin structures  3 A,  3 B is attached to the support plate  4  by metal soldering, epoxy boding, eutectic bonding, anodic bonding, diffusion bonding, or a combination thereof. 
         [0045]    As shown in  FIG. 4 , the apparatus  100  may also include a light emitter  1 . In one embodiment, the light emitter  1  is a diode laser, such as a laser diode bar. In another embodiment, the light emitter  1  is a light-emitting diode. The light emitter  1  is physically coupled between the first fin structure  3 A and the second fin structure  3 B. More specifically, the light emitter  1  is physically coupled between the first fin structure  3 A and the second fin structure  3 B such that the beam of light, such as a laser beam in the case that the light emitter  1  is a diode laser, is emitted in a direction away from the support plate  4 . When attached to the support plate  4 , the first fin structure  3 A and the second fin structure  3 B are spaced apart by a distance that is approximately a thickness of the light emitter  1  to allow the light emitter  1  to be physically coupled between the first and the second fin structures  3 A,  3 B. In one embodiment, the primary surface of the first fin structure  3 A that the light emitter  1  is physically coupled to includes a recessed portion, and the light emitter  1  is physically coupled to the recessed portion of that primary surface of the first fin structure  3 A. In another embodiment, the primary surface of the second fin structure  3 B that the light emitter  1  is physically coupled to includes a recessed portion, and the light emitter  1  is physically coupled to the recessed portion of that primary surface of the first fin structure  3 B. 
         [0046]    In one embodiment, the surfaces of each of the first and the second fin structures  3 A,  3 B are metalized. In another embodiment, at least a portion of at least one of the first and the second primary surfaces of each of the first and the second fin structures  3 A,  3 B is metalized. That is, at least a portion of the surface of each of the fin structures  3 A,  3 B that is in physical contact with the light emitter  1  is metalized to provide electrical conductivity to allow electrical power to be provided to the light emitter  1 . Powering of the light emitter  1  is well known in the art. Thus, in the interest of brevity, detailed description of powering of the light emitter  1  will not be provided herein and the associated wiring and circuitry will not be shown in the figures. 
         [0047]    In one embodiment, the first primary surface of the support plate  4  includes indentation for the first and the second fin structures  3 A,  3 B to attach to. For example, the support plate  4  may include at least a first groove and a second groove on the first primary surface. The first fin structure  3 A may be attached to the support plate  4  with the first edge of the first fin structure  3 A received in the first groove of the support plate  4 . Likewise, the second fin structure  3 B may be attached to the support plate  4  with the first edge of the second fin structure  3 B received in the second groove of the support plate  4 . In one embodiment, the support plate  4  is a single-crystal silicon wafer having a &lt;100&gt; silicon crystal plane as the first primary surface, and at least one of the first and the second grooves is a V-notch groove having two slopes each having an angle of 54.7 degrees measured from the first primary surface as shown in  FIG. 1 . In another embodiment, the support plate  4  is a single-crystal silicon wafer having a &lt;110&gt; silicon crystal plane as the first primary surface, and at least one of the first and the second grooves is a V-notch groove having two slopes each having an angle of 35.3 degrees measured from the first primary surface as shown in  FIG. 2 . In yet another embodiment, the support plate  4  is a single-crystal silicon wafer having a &lt;100&gt; silicon crystal plane as the first primary surface, and at least one of the first and the second grooves is a rectangular groove as shown in  FIG. 3 . 
         [0048]    In one embodiment, at least one of the first and the second fin structures  3 A,  3 B is made from a single-crystal silicon wafer that has a &lt;100&gt; silicon crystal plane as a face plane, and at least one edge of at least one of the first and the second fin structures  3 A,  3 B is etched to form at least one sloped surface having an angle of 54.7 degrees between the &lt;100&gt; and a &lt;111&gt; silicon crystal planes. In another embodiment, at least one of the first and the second fin structures  3 A,  3 B is made from a single-crystal silicon wafer that has a &lt;110&gt; silicon crystal plane as a face plane, and at least one edge of at least one of the first and the second fin structures  3 A,  3 B is etched to form at least one sloped surface having an angle of 35.3 degrees between the &lt;110&gt; and a &lt;111&gt; silicon crystal planes. 
         [0049]    As shown in  FIG. 4 , the apparatus  100  may further include a collimating device  2 . The collimating device is received, or otherwise attached, between the first and the second fin structures  3 A,  3 B and positioned to collimate the beam of light emitted from the light emitter  1 . In one embodiment, the collimating device  2  is a rod lens. In another embodiment, the collimating device  2  is a substantially cylindrical lens with a high numerical aperture. In yet another embodiment, the collimating device  2  is a rod lens having at least one substantially flat surface along a longitudinal axis of the rod lens. In still another embodiment, the collimating device  2  is an optical lens having a numerical aperture value in the range of 0.20 to 0.80 for collimation of the beam of light emitted by the light emitter  1 . In one embodiment, the collimating device  2  is attached to at least one of the first and the second fin structures  3 A,  3 B by UV-curing epoxy bonding. Alternatively, the collimating device  2  is attached to at least one of the first and the second fin structures  3 A,  3 B by soldering. 
         [0050]      FIG. 5  illustrates a side view of the apparatus  100  according to one non-limiting illustrated embodiment. The light emitter  1  is physically coupled between the first fin structure  3 A and the second fin structure  3 B, which are attached to the support plate  4 . The first fin structure  3 A has primary surfaces  301 A,  302 A and a second edge having sloped surfaces  303 A,  304 A. The second fin structure  3 B has primary surfaces  301 B,  302 B and a second edge having sloped surfaces  303 B,  304 B. In one embodiment, the first and the second fin structures  3 A,  3 B are each made from a single-crystal silicon wafer and have symmetric shapes. At least a portion of some or all of the surfaces  301 A,  302 A,  303 A,  304 A of the first fin structure  3 A and the surfaces  301 B,  302 B,  303 B,  304 B of the second fin structure  3 B are metalized. 
         [0051]    A collimating device  2  is attached to the sloped surface  304 A of the first fin structure  3 A and the sloped surface  303 B of the second fin structure  3 B. In one embodiment, the light emitter  1  is a laser diode bar that emits a laser beam  5 . The laser beam  5  emits from one side of light emitter  1  as shown in  FIG. 5  and propagates through the collimating device  2 . With the collimating device  2  positioned and distanced appropriately from the light emitter  1 , the laser beam  5  is properly collimated by the collimating device  2  in a direction away from the support plate  4 . Without proper location control of the collimating device  2 , the laser beam  5  cannot be properly collimated. It is therefore important to fabricate and assemble the apparatus  100  with tight precision to maintain good collimation or to fix the divergence of the laser beam  5 . 
         [0052]      FIG. 5A  illustrates an enlarged section A of  FIG. 5 . As shown in  FIG. 5A , the collimating device  2  rests on the second edges of the first and the second fin structures  3 A,  3 B. The second edges of the first and the second fin structures  3 A,  3 B are chemically etched to produce an angle θ 1  as measured from one of primary surfaces and an angle θ 2  as measured from the other primary surface, where θ 1  and θ 2  may or may not be equal and each may be 54.7 or 35.3 degrees. The angle of 54.7 degrees can be achieved by using a single-crystal silicon wafer with a face plane &lt;100&gt; and an edge plane of &lt;110&gt;. The angle of 35.3 degrees can be achieved by using a single-crystal silicon wafer with a face plane &lt;110&gt; and an edge plane of &lt;100&gt;. The sloping of the sloped surfaces of the first and the second fin structures  3 A,  3 B is designed so that the sloped surfaces can hold the collimating device  2  in proper position for maintaining an optical working distance so that the collimating device  2  collimates the laser beam  5 . 
         [0053]      FIG. 6  illustrates an apparatus  200  according to one non-limiting illustrated embodiment. The light emitter  1  is physically coupled between the first fin structure  7 A and the second fin structure  7 B, which are attached to the support plate  4 . The first fin structure  7 A has primary surfaces  701 A,  702 A and a second edge having sloped surfaces  703 A,  704 A. The second fin structure  7 B has primary surfaces  701 B,  702 B and a second edge having sloped surfaces  703 B,  704 B. In one embodiment, the first and the second fin structures  7 A,  7 B are each made from a single-crystal silicon wafer but have asymmetric shapes. At least a portion of some or all of the surfaces  701 A,  702 A,  703 A,  704 A of the first fin structure  7 A and the surfaces  701 B,  702 B,  703 B,  704 B of the second fin structure  7 B are metalized. 
         [0054]    A collimating device  6  is attached to the sloped surface  704 A of the first fin structure  7 A and the sloped surface  703 B of the second fin structure  7 B. In one embodiment, the light emitter  1  is a laser diode bar that emits a laser beam  5 . The laser beam  5  emits from one side of light emitter  1  as shown in  FIG. 6  and propagates through the collimating device  6 . With the collimating device  6  positioned and distanced appropriately from the light emitter  1 , the laser beam  5  is properly collimated by the collimating device  6  in a direction away from the support plate  4 . Since the laser beam  5  emits from one side of light emitter  1 , the first fin structure  7 A is constructed to lift the collimating device  6  to catch the laser beam  5  at the center of the collimating device  6  as shown in  FIG. 6 . The centering of the laser beam  5  to collimating device  6  is done by fabricating asymmetric pieces of fin structures for the first and the second fin structures  7 A,  7 B. The slopes holding the collimating device  6  in the first and the second fin structures  7 A,  7 B are designed to hold the collimating device  6  in position to maintain an optical working distance of the collimating device  6  to collimate the laser beam  5 . Without proper location control of the collimating device  6 , the laser beam  5  cannot be properly collimated. It is therefore important to fabricate and assemble the apparatus  200  with tight precision to maintain good collimation or to fix the divergence of the laser beam  5 . 
         [0055]      FIG. 6A  illustrates an enlarged section A of  FIG. 6 . As shown in  FIG. 6A , the collimating device  6  rests on the second edges of the first and the second fin structures  7 A,  7 B. The second edges of the first and the second fin structures  7 A,  7 B are chemically etched to produce an angle θ 3  as measured from one of primary surfaces and an angle θ 4  as measured from the other primary surface, where θ 3  and θ 4  may or may not be equal and each may be 54.7 or 35.3 degrees. The angle of 54.7 degrees can be achieved by using a single-crystal silicon wafer with a face plane &lt;100&gt; and an edge plane of &lt;110&gt;. The angle of 35.3 degrees can be achieved by using a single-crystal silicon wafer with a face plane &lt;110&gt; and an edge plane of &lt;100&gt;. The sloping of the sloped surfaces of the first and the second fin structures  7 A,  7 B is designed so that the sloped surfaces can hold the collimating device  6  in proper position for maintaining an optical working distance so that the collimating device  6  collimates the laser beam  5 . 
         [0056]      FIG. 7  illustrates an apparatus  300  according to one non-limiting illustrated embodiment. The light emitter  1  is physically coupled between the first fin structure  10 A and the second fin structure  10 B, which are attached to the support plate  4 . The first fin structure  10 A has primary surfaces  1001 A,  1002 A and a second edge having sloped surfaces  1003 A,  1005 A,  1006 A,  1008 A. The second fin structure  10 B has primary surfaces  1001 B,  1002 B and a second edge having sloped surfaces  1003 B,  1005 B,  1006 B,  1008 B. In one embodiment, the first and the second fin structures  10 A,  10 B are each made from a single-crystal silicon wafer and have symmetric shapes. At least a portion of some or all of the surfaces  1001 A,  1002 A,  1003 A,  1004 A,  1005 A,  1006 A,  1007 A,  1008 A of the first fin structure  10 A and the surfaces  1001 B,  1002 B,  1003 B,  1004 B,  1005 B,  1006 B,  1007 B,  1008 B of the second fin structure  10 B are metalized. 
         [0057]    A collimating device  9  is attached to the vertical surface  1007 A of the first fin structure  10 A and the sloped surface  1003 B and vertical surface  1004 B of the second fin structure  10 B. In one embodiment, the light emitter  1  is a laser diode bar that emits a laser beam  5 . The laser beam  5  emits from one side of light emitter  1  as shown in  FIG. 7  and propagates through the collimating device  9 . With the collimating device  9  positioned and distanced appropriately from the light emitter  1 , the laser beam  5  is properly collimated by the collimating device  9  in a direction away from the support plate  4 . Since the laser beam  5  emits from one side of light emitter  1 , the first fin structure  10 A is constructed to lift the collimating device  9  to catch the laser beam  5  at the center of the collimating device  9  as shown in  FIG. 7 . The centering of the laser beam  5  to the collimating device  9  is done by fabricating symmetric pieces of fin structures for the first and the second fin structures  10 A,  10 B. The slopes holding the collimating device  9  in the first and the second fin structures  10 A,  10 B are designed to hold the collimating device  9  in position to maintain an optical working distance of the collimating device  9  to collimate the laser beam  5 . Without proper location control of the collimating device  9 , the laser beam  5  cannot be properly collimated. It is therefore important to fabricate and assemble the apparatus  300  with tight precision to maintain good collimation or to fix the divergence of the laser beam  5 . 
         [0058]      FIG. 7A  illustrates an enlarged section A of  FIG. 7 . As shown in  FIG. 7A , the collimating device  9  rests on the second edges of the first and the second fin structures  10 A,  10 B. The second edges of the first and the second fin structures  10 A,  10 B are chemically etched to produce angles θ 5 , θ 6  as measured from one of primary surfaces and angles θ 7 , θ 8  as measured from the other primary surface, where θ 5 , θ 6 , θ 7 , θ 8  may or may not be equal and each may be 54.7 or 35.3 degrees. The angle of 54.7 degrees can be achieved by using a single-crystal silicon wafer with a face plane &lt;100&gt; and an edge plane of &lt;110&gt;. The angle of 35.3 degrees can be achieved by using a single-crystal silicon wafer with a face plane &lt;110&gt; and an edge plane of &lt;100&gt;. The sloping of the sloped surfaces of the first and the second fin structures  10 A,  10 B is designed so that the sloped surfaces can hold the collimating device  9  in proper position for maintaining an optical working distance so that the collimating device  9  collimates the laser beam  5 . 
         [0059]      FIG. 8  illustrates an apparatus  400  according to one non-limiting illustrated embodiment. The light emitter  1  is physically coupled between the first fin structure  13 A and the second fin structure  13 B, which are attached to the support plate  4 . The first fin structure  13 A has primary surfaces  1301 A,  1302 A and a second edge having sloped surfaces  1303 A,  1305 A,  1306 A,  1308 A. The second fin structure  13 B has primary surfaces  1301 B,  1302 B and a second edge having sloped surfaces  1303 B,  1305 B,  1306 B,  1308 B. In one embodiment, the first and the second fin structures  13 A,  13 B are each made from a single-crystal silicon wafer and have symmetric shapes. At least a portion of some or all of the surfaces  1301 A,  1302 A,  1303 A,  1304 A,  1305 A,  1306 A,  1307 A,  1308 A of the first fin structure  13 A and the surfaces  1301 B,  1302 B,  1303 B,  1304 B,  1305 B,  1306 B,  1307 B,  1308 B of the second fin structure  13 B are metalized. 
         [0060]    A collimating device  11  is attached to the sloped surface  1303 B and vertical surface  1304 B of the second fin structure  13 B. In one embodiment, the light emitter  1  is a laser diode bar that emits a laser beam  5 . The laser beam  5  emits from one side of light emitter  1  as shown in  FIG. 8  and propagates through the collimating device  11 . With the collimating device  11  positioned and distanced appropriately from the light emitter  1 , the laser beam  5  is properly collimated by the collimating device  11  in a direction away from the support plate  4 . Since the laser beam  5  emits from one side of the light emitter  1 , the first and the second fin structures  13 A,  13 B are constructed to catch the laser beam  5  at the center of the collimating device  11  as shown in  FIG. 8 . In order to maintain the proper position of the collimating device  11 , a shim  14  and spacer  15  are used to hold the collimating device  11  in place. The centering of the laser beam  5  to the collimating device  11  is done by fabricating symmetric pieces of fin structures for the first and the second fin structures  13 A,  13 B, with the use of the shim  14  and the spacer  15 . The slopes holding the collimating device  11  in the first and the second fin structures  13 A,  13 B are designed to hold the collimating device  11  in position, with the aid of the shim  14  and the spacer  15 , to maintain an optical working distance of the collimating device  11  to collimate the laser beam  5 . Without proper location control of the collimating device  11 , the laser beam  5  cannot be properly collimated. It is therefore important to fabricate and assemble the apparatus  400  with tight precision to maintain good collimation or to fix the divergence of the laser beam  5 . 
         [0061]      FIG. 8A  illustrates an enlarged section A of  FIG. 8 . As shown in  FIG. 8A , the collimating device  11  rests on the second edges of the first and the second fin structures  13 A,  13 B. The second edges of the first and the second fin structures  13 A,  13 B are chemically etched to produce angles θ 9 , θ 10  as measured from one of primary surfaces and angles θ 11 , θ 12  as measured from the other primary surface, where θ 9 , θ 10 , θ 11 , θ 12  may or may not be equal and each may be 54.7 or 35.3 degrees. The angle of 54.7 degrees can be achieved by using a single-crystal silicon wafer with a face plane &lt;100&gt; and an edge plane of &lt;110&gt;. The angle of 35.3 degrees can be achieved by using a single-crystal silicon wafer with a face plane &lt;110&gt; and an edge plane of &lt;100&gt;. The sloping of the sloped surfaces of the first and the second fin structures  13 A,  13 B is designed so that the sloped surfaces can hold the collimating device  11  in proper position for maintaining an optical working distance so that the collimating device  11  collimates the laser beam  5 . 
         [0062]      FIG. 9  illustrates an apparatus  500  according to one non-limiting illustrated embodiment. The light emitter  1  is physically coupled between the first fin structure  17 A and the second fin structure  17 B, which are attached to the support plate  4 . The first fin structure  17 A has primary surfaces  1701 A,  1702 A and a second edge having sloped surfaces  1703 A,  1705 A,  1706 A,  1708 A. The second fin structure  17 B has primary surfaces  1701 B,  1702 B and a second edge having sloped surfaces  1703 B,  1705 B,  1706 B,  1708 B. In one embodiment, the first and the second fin structures  17 A,  17 B are each made from a single-crystal silicon wafer and have symmetric shapes. At least a portion of some or all of the surfaces  1701 A,  1702 A,  1703 A,  1704 A,  1705 A,  1706 A,  1707 A,  1708 A of the first fin structure  17 A and the surfaces  1701 B,  1702 B,  1703 B,  1704 B,  1705 B,  1706 B,  1707 B,  1708 B of the second fin structure  17 B are metalized. 
         [0063]    A collimating device  16  is attached to the sloped surface  1703 B of the second fin structure  17 B. In one embodiment, the light emitter  1  is a laser diode bar that emits a laser beam  5 . The laser beam  5  emits from one side of light emitter  1  as shown in  FIG. 9  and propagates through the collimating device  16 . With the collimating device  16  positioned and distanced appropriately from the light emitter  1 , the laser beam  5  is properly collimated by the collimating device  16  in a direction away from the support plate  4 . Since the laser beam  5  emits from one side of the light emitter  1 , the first and the second fin structures  17 A,  17 B are constructed to catch the laser beam  5  at the center of the collimating device  16  as shown in  FIG. 9 . In order to maintain the proper position of the collimating device  16 , a wedge shim  18  is used to hold the collimating device  16  in place. The centering of the laser beam  5  to the collimating device  16  is done by fabricating symmetric pieces of fin structures for the first and the second fin structures  17 A,  17 B, with the use of the wedge shim  18 . The slopes holding the collimating device  16  in the first and the second fin structures  17 A,  17 B are designed to hold the collimating device  16  in position, with the aid of the wedge shim  17 , to maintain an optical working distance of the collimating device  16  to collimate the laser beam  5 . Without proper location control of the collimating device  16 , the laser beam  5  cannot be properly collimated. It is therefore important to fabricate and assemble the apparatus  500  with tight precision to maintain good collimation or to fix the divergence of the laser beam  5 . 
         [0064]      FIG. 9A  illustrates an enlarged section A of  FIG. 9 . As shown in  FIG. 9A , the collimating device  16  rests on the second edges of the first and the second fin structures  17 A,  17 B. The second edges of the first and the second fin structures  17 A,  17 B are chemically etched to produce angles θ 13 , θ 14  as measured from one of primary surfaces and angles θ 15 , θ 16  as measured from the other primary surface, where θ 13 , θ 14 , θ 15 , θ 16  may or may not be equal and each may be 54.7 or 35.3 degrees. The angle of 54.7 degrees can be achieved by using a single-crystal silicon wafer with a face plane &lt;100&gt; and an edge plane of &lt;110&gt;. The angle of 35.3 degrees can be achieved by using a single-crystal silicon wafer with a face plane &lt;110&gt; and an edge plane of &lt;100&gt;. The sloping of the sloped surfaces of the first and the second fin structures  17 A,  17 B is designed so that the sloped surfaces can hold the collimating device  16  in proper position for maintaining an optical working distance so that the collimating device  16  collimates the laser beam  5 . 
         [0065]      FIG. 10  illustrates an apparatus  600  according to one non-limiting illustrated embodiment. The light emitter  1  is physically coupled between the first fin structure  20 A and the second fin structure  20 B, which are attached to the support plate  4 . The first fin structure  20 A has primary surfaces  2001 A,  2002 A and a second edge having sloped surfaces  2003 A,  2005 A,  2006 A. The second fin structure  20 B has primary surfaces  2001 B,  2002 B and a second edge having sloped surfaces  2003 B,  2005 B,  2006 B. In one embodiment, the first and the second fin structures  20 A,  20 B are each made from a single-crystal silicon wafer and have symmetric shapes. At least a portion of some or all of the surfaces  2001 A,  2002 A,  2003 A,  2004 A,  2005 A,  2006 A,  2007 A,  2008 A of the first fin structure  20 A and the surfaces  2001 B,  2002 B,  2003 B,  2004 B,  2005 B,  2006 B,  2007 B,  2008 B of the second fin structure  20 B are metalized. 
         [0066]    A collimating device  19  is attached to the vertical surface  2007 A of the first fin structure  20 A and the vertical surface  2004 B of the second fin structure  20 B. In one embodiment, the light emitter  1  is a laser diode bar that emits a laser beam  5 . The laser beam  5  emits from one side of light emitter  1  as shown in  FIG. 10  and propagates through the collimating device  19 . With the collimating device  19  positioned and distanced appropriately from the light emitter  1 , the laser beam  5  is properly collimated by the collimating device  19  in a direction away from the support plate  4 . Since the laser beam  5  emits from one side of the light emitter  1 , the first and the second fin structures  20 A,  20 B are constructed to catch the laser beam  5  at the center of the collimating device  19  as shown in  FIG. 10 . The centering of the laser beam  5  to the collimating device  19  is done by fabricating symmetric pieces of fin structures for the first and the second fin structures  20 A,  20 B. The vertical walls and edges holding the collimating device  19  in the first and the second fin structures  20 A,  20 B are designed to hold the collimating device  19  in a proper position for maintaining an optical working distance of the collimating device  19  to collimate the laser beam  5 . Without proper location control of the collimating device  19 , the laser beam  5  cannot be properly collimated. It is therefore important to fabricate and assemble the apparatus  600  with tight precision to maintain good collimation or to fix the divergence of the laser beam  5 . 
         [0067]      FIG. 10A  illustrates an enlarged section A of  FIG. 10 . As shown in  FIG. 10A , the collimating device  19  rests on the second edges of the first and the second fin structures  20 A,  20 B. The second edges of the first and the second fin structures  20 A,  20 B are chemically etched to produce angles θ 17 , θ 18  as measured from one of primary surfaces and angles θ 19 , θ 20  as measured from the other primary surface, where θ 17 , θ 18 , θ 19  may or may not be equal and each may be 54.7 or 35.3 degrees. The angle θ 20  is a 90-degree angle as measured from the same primary surface the angle θ 19  is measured from. The angle of 54.7 degrees can be achieved by using a single-crystal silicon wafer with a face plane &lt;100&gt; and an edge plane of &lt;110&gt;. The angle of 35.3 degrees can be achieved by using a single-crystal silicon wafer with a face plane &lt;110&gt; and an edge plane of &lt;100&gt;. The sloping of the sloped surfaces of the first and the second fin structures  20 A,  20 B is designed so that the sloped surfaces can hold the collimating device  19  in proper position for maintaining an optical working distance so that the collimating device  19  collimates the laser beam  5 . 
         [0068]      FIG. 11  illustrates an apparatus  700  according to one non-limiting illustrated embodiment. The light emitter  1  is physically coupled between the first fin structure  23 A and the second fin structure  23 B, which are attached to the support plate  4 . The first fin structure  23 A has primary surfaces  2301 A,  2302 A and a second edge having sloped surfaces  2303 A,  2305 A,  2306 A,  2308 A. The second fin structure  23 B has primary surfaces  2301 B,  2302 B and a second edge having sloped surfaces  2303 B,  2305 B,  2306 B,  2308 B. In one embodiment, the first and the second fin structures  23 A,  23 B are each made from a single-crystal silicon wafer and have symmetric shapes. At least a portion of some or all of the surfaces  2301 A,  2302 A,  2303 A,  2304 A,  2305 A,  2306 A,  2307 A,  2308 A of the first fin structure  23 A and the surfaces  2301 B,  2302 B,  2303 B,  2304 B,  2305 B,  2306 B,  2307 B,  2308 B of the second fin structure  23 B are metalized. 
         [0069]    A collimating device  23  is attached to the sloped surfaces  2307 A and  2308 A of the first fin structure  23 A and the vertical surface  2304 B of the second fin structure  23 B. In one embodiment, the light emitter  1  is a laser diode bar that emits a laser beam  5 . The laser beam  5  emits from one side of light emitter  1  as shown in  FIG. 11  and propagates through the collimating device  23 . With the collimating device  23  positioned and distanced appropriately from the light emitter  1 , the laser beam  5  is properly collimated by the collimating device  23  in a direction away from the support plate  4 . Since the laser beam  5  emits from one side of the light emitter  1 , the first and the second fin structures  23 A,  23 B are constructed to catch the laser beam  5  at the center of the collimating device  23  as shown in  FIG. 11 . The centering of the laser beam  5  to the collimating device  23  is done by fabricating symmetric pieces of fin structures for the first and the second fin structures  23 A,  23 B. The slope and vertical wall holding the collimating device  23  in the first and the second fin structures  23 A,  23 B are designed to hold the collimating device  23  in a proper position for maintaining an optical working distance of the collimating device  23  to collimate the laser beam  5 . Without proper location control of the collimating device  23 , the laser beam  5  cannot be properly collimated. It is therefore important to fabricate and assemble the apparatus  700  with tight precision to maintain good collimation or to fix the divergence of the laser beam  5 . 
         [0070]      FIG. 11A  illustrates an enlarged section A of  FIG. 11 . As shown in  FIG. 11A , the collimating device  23  rests on the second edges of the first and the second fin structures  23 A,  23 B. The second edges of the first and the second fin structures  23 A,  23 B are chemically etched to produce angles θ 21 , θ 22  as measured from one of primary surfaces and angles θ 23 , θ 24  as measured from the other primary surface, where θ 21 , θ 22 , θ 23 , θ 24  may or may not be equal and each may be 54.7 or 35.3 degrees. The angle of 54.7 degrees can be achieved by using a single-crystal silicon wafer with a face plane &lt;100&gt; and an edge plane of &lt;110&gt;. The angle of 35.3 degrees can be achieved by using a single-crystal silicon wafer with a face plane &lt;110&gt; and an edge plane of &lt;100&gt;. The sloping of the sloped surfaces of the first and the second fin structures  23 A,  23 B is designed so that the sloped surfaces can hold the collimating device  23  in proper position for maintaining an optical working distance so that the collimating device  23  collimates the laser beam  5 . 
         [0071]      FIG. 12  illustrates an apparatus  800  according to one non-limiting illustrated embodiment. The light emitter  1  is physically coupled between the first fin structure  25 A and the second fin structure  25 B, which are attached to the support plate  4 . The first fin structure  25 A has primary surfaces  2501 A,  2502 A and a second edge having sloped surfaces  2503 A,  2505 A,  2506 A,  2508 A. The second fin structure  25 B has primary surfaces  2501 B,  2502 B and a second edge having sloped surfaces  2503 B,  2505 B,  2506 B,  2508 B. In one embodiment, the first and the second fin structures  25 A,  25 B are each made from a single-crystal silicon wafer and have symmetric shapes. At least a portion of some or all of the surfaces  2501 A,  2502 A,  2503 A,  2504 A,  2505 A,  2506 A,  2507 A,  2508 A of the first fin structure  25 A and the surfaces  2501 B,  2502 B,  2503 B,  2504 B,  2505 B,  2506 B,  2507 B,  2508 B of the second fin structure  25 B are metalized. 
         [0072]    A collimating device  24  is attached to the vertical primary surface  2502 A of the first fin structure  25 A and the sloped surface  2503 B of the second fin structure  25 B. In one embodiment, the light emitter  1  is a laser diode bar that emits a laser beam  5 . The laser beam  5  emits from one side of light emitter  1  as shown in  FIG. 12  and propagates through the collimating device  24 . With the collimating device  24  positioned and distanced appropriately from the light emitter  1 , the laser beam  5  is properly collimated by the collimating device  24  in a direction away from the support plate  4 . Since the laser beam  5  emits from one side of the light emitter  1 , the first and the second fin structures  25 A,  25 B are constructed to catch the laser beam  5  at the center of the collimating device  24  as shown in  FIG. 12 . The centering of the laser beam  5  to the collimating device  24  is done by fabricating symmetric pieces of fin structures for the first and the second fin structures  25 A,  25 B. The slope and vertical wall holding the collimating device  24  in the first and the second fin structures  25 A,  25 B are designed to hold the collimating device  24  in a proper position for maintaining an optical working distance of the collimating device  24  to collimate the laser beam  5 . Without proper location control of the collimating device  24 , the laser beam  5  cannot be properly collimated. It is therefore important to fabricate and assemble the apparatus  800  with tight precision to maintain good collimation or to fix the divergence of the laser beam  5 . 
         [0073]      FIG. 12A  illustrates an enlarged section A of  FIG. 12 . As shown in  FIG. 12A , the collimating device  24  rests on the second edges of the first and the second fin structures  25 A,  25 B. The second edges of the first and the second fin structures  25 A,  25 B are chemically etched to produce angles θ 25 , θ 26  as measured from one of primary surfaces and angles θ 27 , θ 28  as measured from the other primary surface, where θ 25 , θ 26 , θ 27 , θ 28  may or may not be equal and each may be 54.7 or 35.3 degrees. The angle of 54.7 degrees can be achieved by using a single-crystal silicon wafer with a face plane &lt;100&gt; and an edge plane of &lt;110&gt;. The angle of 35.3 degrees can be achieved by using a single-crystal silicon wafer with a face plane &lt;110&gt; and an edge plane of &lt;100&gt;. The sloping of the sloped surfaces of the first and the second fin structures  25 A,  25 B is designed so that the sloped surfaces can hold the collimating device  24  in proper position for maintaining an optical working distance so that the collimating device  24  collimates the laser beam  5 . 
         [0074]      FIG. 13  illustrates an apparatus  900  according to one non-limiting illustrated embodiment. The light emitter  1  is physically coupled between the first fin structure  27 A and the second fin structure  27 B, which are attached to the support plate  4 . The first fin structure  27 A has primary surfaces  2701 A,  2702 A and a second edge having sloped surfaces  2703 A,  2705 A,  2706 A. The second fin structure  27 B has primary surfaces  2701 B,  2702 B and a second edge having sloped surfaces  2703 B,  2705 B,  2706 B. In one embodiment, the first and the second fin structures  27 A,  27 B are each made from a single-crystal silicon wafer and have symmetric shapes. At least a portion of some or all of the surfaces  2701 A,  2702 A,  2703 A,  2704 A,  2705 A,  2706 A of the first fin structure  27 A and the surfaces  2701 B,  2702 B,  2703 B,  2704 B,  2705 B,  2706 B of the second fin structure  27 B are metalized. 
         [0075]    A collimating device  26  is attached to the vertical primary surface  2702 A of the first fin structure  27 A and the sloped surface  2703 B and vertical surface  2704 B of the second fin structure  27 B. In one embodiment, the light emitter  1  is a laser diode bar that emits a laser beam  5 . The laser beam  5  emits from one side of light emitter  1  as shown in  FIG. 13  and propagates through the collimating device  26 . As shown in  FIGS. 13 and 13A , the collimating device  26  is a rod lens having one substantially flat surface along a longitudinal axis of the rod lens so that, by design, the collimating device  26  can fit between the first and the second fin structures  27 A,  27 B and be positioned to collimate the laser beam  5 . With the collimating device  26  positioned and distanced appropriately from the light emitter  1 , the laser beam  5  is properly collimated by the collimating device  26  in a direction away from the support plate  4 . Since the laser beam  5  emits from one side of the light emitter  1 , the first and the second fin structures  27 A,  27 B are constructed to catch the laser beam  5  at the center of the collimating device  26  as shown in  FIG. 13 . The centering of the laser beam  5  to the collimating device  26  is done by fabricating symmetric pieces of fin structures for the first and the second fin structures  27 A,  27 B. The slope and vertical wall holding the collimating device  26  in the first and the second fin structures  27 A,  27 B are designed to hold the collimating device  26  in a proper position for maintaining an optical working distance of the collimating device  26  to collimate the laser beam  5 . Without proper location control of the collimating device  26 , the laser beam  5  cannot be properly collimated. It is therefore important to fabricate and assemble the apparatus  900  with tight precision to maintain good collimation or to fix the divergence of the laser beam  5 . 
         [0076]      FIG. 13A  illustrates an enlarged section A of  FIG. 13 . As shown in  FIG. 13A , the collimating device  26  rests on the second edges of the first and the second fin structures  27 A,  27 B. The second edges of the first and the second fin structures  27 A,  27 B are chemically etched to produce angles θ 29 , θ 30  as measured from one of primary surfaces and an angle θ 31  as measured from the other primary surface, where θ 29 , θ 30 , θ 31  may or may not be equal and each may be 54.7 or 35.3 degrees. The angle of 54.7 degrees can be achieved by using a single-crystal silicon wafer with a face plane &lt;100&gt; and an edge plane of &lt;110&gt;. The angle of 35.3 degrees can be achieved by using a single-crystal silicon wafer with a face plane &lt;110&gt; and an edge plane of &lt;100&gt;. The sloping of the sloped surfaces of the first and the second fin structures  27 A,  27 B is designed so that the sloped surfaces can hold the collimating device  26  in proper position for maintaining an optical working distance so that the collimating device  26  collimates the laser beam  5 . 
         [0077]      FIG. 14  illustrates an apparatus  1000  according to one non-limiting illustrated embodiment. The light emitter  1  is physically coupled between the first fin structure  29 A and the second fin structure  29 B, which are attached to the support plate  4 . The first fin structure  29 A has primary surfaces  2901 A,  2902 A and a second edge having sloped surfaces  2903 A,  2905 A,  2906 A. The second fin structure  29 B has primary surfaces  2901 B,  2902 B and a second edge having sloped surfaces  2903 B,  2905 B,  2906 B. In one embodiment, the first and the second fin structures  29 A,  29 B are each made from a single-crystal silicon wafer and have symmetric shapes. At least a portion of some or all of the surfaces  2901 A,  2902 A,  2903 A,  2904 A,  2905 A,  2906 A of the first fin structure  29 A and the surfaces  2901 B,  2902 B,  2903 B,  2904 B,  2905 B,  2906 B of the second fin structure  29 B are metalized. 
         [0078]    A collimating device  28  is attached to the vertical primary surface  2902 A of the first fin structure  29 A and the sloped surface  2903 B and vertical surface  2904 B of the second fin structure  29 B. In one embodiment, the light emitter  1  is a laser diode bar that emits a laser beam  5 . The laser beam  5  emits from one side of light emitter  1  as shown in  FIG. 14  and propagates through the collimating device  28 . As shown in  FIGS. 14 and 14A , the collimating device  28  is a rod lens having two substantially flat surfaces along a longitudinal axis of the rod lens so that, by design, the collimating device  28  can fit between the first and the second fin structures  29 A,  29 B and be positioned to collimate the laser beam  5 . With the collimating device  28  positioned and distanced appropriately from the light emitter  1 , the laser beam  5  is properly collimated by the collimating device  28  in a direction away from the support plate  4 . Since the laser beam  5  emits from one side of the light emitter  1 , the first and the second fin structures  29 A,  29 B are constructed to catch the laser beam  5  at the center of the collimating device  28  as shown in  FIG. 14 . The centering of the laser beam  5  to the collimating device  28  is done by fabricating symmetric pieces of fin structures for the first and the second fin structures  29 A,  29 B. The slope and vertical wall holding the collimating device  28  in the first and the second fin structures  29 A,  29 B are designed to hold the collimating device  28  in a proper position for maintaining an optical working distance of the collimating device  28  to collimate the laser beam  5 . Without proper location control of the collimating device  28 , the laser beam  5  cannot be properly collimated. It is therefore important to fabricate and assemble the apparatus  1000  with tight precision to maintain good collimation or to fix the divergence of the laser beam  5 . 
         [0079]      FIG. 14A  illustrates an enlarged section A of  FIG. 14 . As shown in  FIG. 14A , the collimating device  28  rests on the second edges of the first and the second fin structures  29 A,  29 B. The second edges of the first and the second fin structures  29 A,  29 B are chemically etched to produce angles θ 32 , θ 33  as measured from one of primary surfaces and an angle θ 34  as measured from the other primary surface, where θ 32 , θ 33 , θ 34  may or may not be equal and each may be 54.7 or 35.3 degrees. The angle of 54.7 degrees can be achieved by using a single-crystal silicon wafer with a face plane &lt;100&gt; and an edge plane of &lt;110&gt;. The angle of 35.3 degrees can be achieved by using a single-crystal silicon wafer with a face plane &lt;110&gt; and an edge plane of &lt;100&gt;. The sloping of the sloped surfaces of the first and the second fin structures  29 A,  29 B is designed so that the sloped surfaces can hold the collimating device  28  in proper position for maintaining an optical working distance so that the collimating device  28  collimates the laser beam  5 . 
         [0080]      FIG. 15  illustrates a diode laser package  1500  according to one non-limiting illustrated embodiment. The package  1500  includes the apparatus  300  and a mounting fixture  240 . In other embodiments, instead of the apparatus  300 , the package  1500  may include any one of the apparatus  100 , apparatus  200 , apparatus  400 , apparatus  500 , apparatus  600 , apparatus  700 , apparatus  800 , apparatus  900 , and apparatus  1000 . The apparatus  300  is mounted on the mounting fixture  240 , and the package  1500  can be further integrated into a system not illustrated. For example, the mounting fixture  240  may be a manifold with fluid channels therein for a cooling fluid, such as water, to flow through the mounting fixture  240  to provide cooling of the apparatus  300  or, more specifically, cooling of the light emitter  1  in the apparatus  300 .  FIG. 15  shows an integration of the collimating device  9  in a silicon-etched diode laser package that includes the silicon-based first and the second fin structures  10 A,  10 B, the silicon-based support plate  4 , and the light emitter  1 . The design of the first and the second fin structures  10 A,  10 B and the support plate  4  provides great flexibility, simplicity, and repeatability in the integration of the collimating device  9  into the apparatus  300 . Thus, such novel design enables the mass production of diode laser packages such as the package  1500  with a great degree of precision for a variety of laser applications. 
         [0081]      FIG. 16  illustrates a multi-emitter apparatus  1100  according to one non-limiting illustrated embodiment. The apparatus  1100  includes a support plate  31  and a plurality of fin structures  10 A,  10 B,  10 C,  10 D,  10 E,  10 F that are attached to the support plate  31 . The apparatus  1100  includes a plurality of light emitters, namely light emitters  1 A,  1 B,  1 C,  1 D,  1 E. In one embodiment, the light emitters  1 A,  1 B,  1 C,  1 D,  1 E are diode lasers and each of which emits a respective laser beam  5  in a direction away from the support plate  31  when mounted in place as shown in  FIG. 16 . The light emitters  1 A,  1 B,  1 C,  1 D,  1 E are respectively physically coupled between the fin structures  10 A,  10 B,  10 C,  10 D,  10 E,  10 F. In one embodiment, the apparatus  1100  also includes a mounting fixture  260 , to which the support plate  31  is physically coupled or otherwise attached to as shown in  FIG. 16 . The mounting fixture  260  may be a manifold with fluid channels therein for a cooling fluid, such as water, to flow through the mounting fixture  260  to provide cooling of the apparatus  1100  or, more specifically, cooling of the light emitters  1 A,  1 B,  1 C,  1 D,  1 E in the apparatus  1100 . The apparatus  1100  also includes a plurality of collimating devices  9 A,  9 B,  9 C,  9 D,  9 E. Each of the collimating devices  9 A,  9 B,  9 C,  9 D,  9 E may be a rod lens and is precisely placed so that the laser beam  5  propagates through the center of the rod lens. Although a number of five light emitters are shown in  FIG. 16 , in other embodiments the number of light emitters, fin structures, and collimating devices vary, and the size of the support plate  31  can vary accordingly to accommodate the desired number of light emitters. The use of silicon etched structure such as the fin structures  10 A,  10 B,  10 C,  10 D,  10 E,  10 F and the support plate  31  allow simple, repeatable, and precise assembly of the apparatus  1100 . The precision collimation and compact packaging can increase the radiance of the diode lasers as well as improve the manufacturability and performance while enabling mass production. 
         [0082]    Thus, embodiments of the present disclosure include design schemes for a silicon-based micro-machined lens mounting structure that uses kinematic alignment of a collimating lens such as a rod lens or a high numerical aperture lens. Several alignment schemes are developed to align the collimating lens in a silicon-based support structure, and the collimating lens is placed in the support structure to align the collimating lens to within a few microns of tolerance. The support structure is constructed by bonding two pieces of silicon etched structures to a silicon-based support plate. This support structure permits control of the tolerance error in the silicon micro-etching and the collimating lens specification. Also, other mounting features are micro-etched on the slope of the fin structures for registering the collimating lens to align the collimating lens kinematically. This process allows controlling the mechanical tolerance of the fabricated silicon-based structure to securely position the collimating lens for the UV-curing epoxy or soldering process. 
         [0083]    Another advantage of the inventive concept disclosed herein is that it allows one to easily assemble the collimating lens due to a novel design of the kinematic alignment structure. The collimating lens can be placed in an assembly fixture to allow for passively alignment of the diode laser for perfect collimation of the diode laser beam. Two silicon-based fin structures are etched to fabricate a monolithic structure as the mounting structure for a diode laser and a collimating lens. The structures include a vertical or sloped wall that comes naturally from the anisotropic etching process of a &lt;100&gt; or &lt;110&gt; single-crystal silicon wafer. The &lt;100&gt; plane of a single-crystal silicon wafer produces a 54.7-degree angle with the &lt;111&gt; plane of a single-crystal silicon wafer in a face plane of the &lt;100&gt; single-crystal silicon wafer. The &lt;110&gt; plane of the single-crystal silicon wafer can be etched to result in a 35.5-degree angle with the &lt;111&gt; plane of the single-crystal silicon wafer in a face plane of &lt;110&gt; single-crystal silicon wafer. These sloped walls are bonded together to make a groove for the collimating lens. Then, the collimating lens can be dropped in a grooved channel for kinematically aligning the collimating lens. The lens can be actively aligned while the lens is in the groove by using an alignment tool. Since the support structure has kinematic functionality, the lens can be securely positioned for better performance over many thermal cycles of the epoxy or solder bonding. 
         [0084]    Due to the monolithic design of the collimating lens mounting, the design of diode laser package is simple and easy to assemble. Most of the current collimation schemes use a separate lens mounting structure to attach the collimating lens, and then the lens mounting structure is mounted on the diode laser package. In this case, perfect alignment of all diode lasers is not feasible and strong radiance is impaired by misalignment of the multi-diode laser stack. To improve the radiance of the multi-diode laser stack, another mounting scheme was developed to align all diode lasers individually for a perfect alignment. However, this alignment process becomes cumbersome in the manufacturing process when the quantity of diode lasers in the multi-diode stack package grows to 10 stacks or more. It is believed that the inventive concept disclose herein addresses the problems associated with previous alignment techniques and improves the brightness of the diode laser package. 
         [0085]    The above description of illustrated embodiments, including what is described in the Abstract, is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the embodiments to the precise forms disclosed. Although specific embodiments of and examples are described herein for illustrative purposes, various equivalent modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure, as will be recognized by those skilled in the relevant art. The teachings provided herein of the various embodiments can be applied to other context, not necessarily the exemplary context of silicon-based support structure for diode lasers generally described above. 
         [0086]    These and other changes can be made to the embodiments in light of the above-detailed description. In general, in the following claims, the terms used should not be construed to limit the claims to the specific embodiments disclosed in the specification and the claims, but should be construed to include all possible embodiments along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. Accordingly, the claims are not limited by the disclosure.