Securing a transistor outline can within an optical component
View Patent ↗The present invention relates to affixing components of optical packages. The optical packages can include an optical component, such as a TO-Can. The TO-Can can house an optical transmitter and/or an optical receiver. Another optical component of the optical package can be a barrel for aligning the TO-Can with an optical fiber. The TO-Can can be affixed within an open end of the optical barrel using a bonding substance, such as an epoxy, that has wicking properties. The wicking properties cause the bonding substance to enter a gap between the optical barrel and the TO-Can by capillary action. Use of the bonding substance with wicking properties creates a more robust optical package in a cost effective manner.
1. An optical package comprising:
an optical component comprising:
sidewalls having a substantially vertical sidewall section;
a header; and
an optical transducer coupled to the header;
a barrel having an open first end and an open second end, wherein:
the open first end is sized and configured to receive at least a portion of the optical component;
the open second end is sized and configured to receive an optical cable; and
the optical component is at least partially received within the open first end of the barrel thereby creating a gap between an outer surface of the substantially vertical sidewall section and an inner surface of the barrel; and
an attaching means having wicking properties, wherein:
the attaching means is at least partially located within the gap between the substantially vertical sidewall section and the inner surface of the barrel;
the attaching means is wider than the vertical sidewall section of the optical component at a location within the gap between the substantially vertical sidewall section and the inner surface of the barrel;
the sidewalls include a sloped sidewall section
the sloped sidewall section is configured to slope from the substantially vertical sidewall section at a predetermined point to stop capillary action of the attaching means; and
the attaching means bonds a substantial portion of the substantially vertical sidewall section to the inner surface of the barrel.
2. The optical package according to claim 1 , wherein the attaching means is at least one of an epoxy, solder, adhesive, or glue.
3. The optical package according to claim 1 , wherein the optical transducer is an optical transmitter or an optical receiver.
4. The optical package according to claim 3 , wherein the optical transducer is an optical transmitter, the optical component further comprising:
a monitor diode coupled to the header; and
a tilted can window for reflecting at least a portion of an optical transmission from the optical transmitter to the monitor diode.
5. The optical package according to claim 1 , wherein the optical transducer is a vertical cavity surface emitting laser (“VCSEL”) or a photodiode.
6. The optical package according to claim 1 , wherein the optical component is a TO-Can component.
7. The optical package according to claim 1 , wherein the optical component is a TO-46 or a TO-56 component.
8. The optical package according to claim 1 , wherein the optical package is an LC package, ST package, SC package, FC package, SMA package, or pigtail package.
9. The optical package according to claim 1 , wherein the attaching means includes solder.
10. The optical package according to claim 9 , wherein the substantially vertical sidewall section and the inner surface of the barrel include metal.