Patent ID: 7322754

Claim:
A transmitter optical sub-assembly, for converting an electrical data signal into an optical data signal, comprising: a housing for supporting the transmitter optical sub-assembly defined by a width; an optical coupler attached to the housing for receiving an optical fiber along a longitudinal optical axis; a laser assembly including a laser and a modulator mounted in said housing, for generating light comprising the optical data signal, the laser for launching a beam light from a front face along a laser axis, which is at an acute angle to the longitudinal optical axis, and for releasing a portion of the light from a rear face along the laser axis; an electrical connector for transmitting the electrical data signal from host electronics to the laser; a front lensing means for directing the beam of light from the laser assembly to the optical coupler; a monitor photo-detector for receiving the portion of the light from the rear face providing a signal indicative of the beam of light; a rear beam steering lens for redirecting the portion of the light from the laser axis back towards the longitudinal optical axis, and for focusing the portion of the light onto the monitor photo-detector, thereby enabling the width of the housing to be reduced.