Method and apparatus for maintaining alignment of a laser diode with an optical fiber

• Main Authors: GILMAN ERNEST CHARLES, HERSHBERG EDWARD L, PATELZICK DANA L, BOOMAN RICHARD A
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 20.01.2004
• Edition: 7
• Subjects: OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS, OR APPARATUS; OPTICS; PHYSICS

A method and apparatus for maintaining an alignment of a laser diode with an optical fiber is disclosed. A mounting plate is made of a first material, and mounted on the mounting plate is a first substrate made of a second material. A semiconductor laser, with a light emitting side, is mounted on the first substrate. Separated from the first substrate by a predetermined distance is a second substrate made of a third material, and mounted on the second substrate is an optical fiber. The optical fiber is mounted, such that, the optical fiber is adjacent to and aligned with the light emitting side of the semiconductor laser. The first, second, and third materials making up the mounting plate, the first substrate, and the second substrate respectively, facilitate maintenance of the alignment between the optical fiber and the light emitting side of the semiconductor laser.