Dual-lensed unitary optical receiver assembly
View Patent ↗A unitary optical receiver assembly is formed to include a V-groove passively aligned with a first aspheric lens (the lens formed along a surface perpendicular to the V-groove). An optical fiber is disposed along the V-groove and is used to bring the received optical signal into the unitary assembly. Upon passing through the first aspheric lens, the received optical signal will intercept a 45° turning mirror wall that directs the signal downward, through a second aspheric lens (also molded in the unitary assembly), and then into a photosensitive device. Advantageously, the photosensitive device is disposed in passive alignment with the second aspheric lens, allowing for a received signal to be coupled from an incoming optical fiber to a photosensitive device without needing any type of active alignment therebetween.
1. A unitary optical receiver assembly comprising:
a first horizontal surface defining an incoming optical signal axis and including a groove for supporting an optical fiber;
a collimating lens disposed to intercept an incoming optical signal, said collimating lens molded to a vertical wall portion of the unitary optical receiver assembly so as to be in alignment with the optical fiber supported in the first horizontal surface groove;
a beveled wall surface disposed beyond the collimating lens, said beveled wall for re-directing an incoming optical signal downward in a direction away from the incoming optical signal axis;
a focusing lens disposed to intercept the re-directed optical signal and re-focus the optical signal; and
a photosensitive device disposed at the focal point of the focusing lens.
2. The unitary optical receiver assembly of claim 1 wherein the receive assembly comprises a transparent material.
3. The unitary optical receiver assembly as defined in claim 2 wherein the transparent material comprises a polyimide thermoplastic resin.
4. The unitary optical receiver assembly of claim 2 wherein the receiver assembly comprises a moldable, transparent material such that the collimating and focusing lenses are molded as integral elements within the assembly.
5. The unitary optical receiver assembly of claim 1 wherein the groove formed in the first horizontal surface comprises a V-groove.
6. The unitary optical receiver assembly of claim 5 wherein the V-groove includes an inner, shallower portion for supporting a bare, end section of optical fiber and an outer, deeper portion for supporting a cladded section of optical fiber.
7. The unitary optical receiver assembly of claim 1 wherein the beveled wall is oriented at an angle of approximately 45° to re-direct the collimated optical signal downward towards the photosensitive device.
8. A unitary optical receiver assembly for use with a plurality of separate photosensitive devices, the assembly comprising:
a plurality of N collimating lenses, each lens disposed to intercept a separate incoming optical signal, said plurality of N collimating lens molded into a single vertical wall portion of the unitary optical receiver assembly;
a beveled wall surface disposed beyond the plurality of N collimating lenses, said beveled wall for re-directing the separate incoming optical signals downward in a direction away from the incoming optical signal axis;
a plurality of N focusing lenses disposed to intercept a separate one of the plurality of N re-directed optical signals and re-focus the intercepted optical signal;
a plurality of N photosensitive devices, each photosensitive device disposed at the focal point of a separate one of the plurality of N focusing lenses; and
a plurality of N grooves disposed along a horizontal surface of said assembly, each groove formed to be passively aligned with a separate one of the plurality of N collimating lenses.
9. A unitary optical receiver assembly as defined in claim 8 wherein the plurality of N grooves are formed to comprise a plurality of N V-grooves.
10. A unitary optical receiver assembly for use with a plurality of separate photosensitive devices, the assembly comprising:
a plurality of N collimating lenses, each lens disposed to intercept a separate incoming optical signal, said plurality of N collimating lens molded into a single vertical wall portion of the unitary optical receiver assembly;
a beveled wall surface disposed beyond the plurality of N collimating lenses, said beveled wall for re-directing the separate incoming optical signals downward in a direction away from the incoming optical signal axis;
a plurality of N focusing lenses disposed to intercept a separate one of the plurality of N re-directed optical signals and re-focus the intercepted optical signal;
a plurality of N photosensitive devices, each photosensitive device disposed at the focal point of a separate one of the plurality of N focusing lenses;
a single groove disposed along a horizontal surface of said assembly, said single groove for supporting an optical fiber propagating a plurality of different signals operating at different wavelengths; and
an optical prism disposed between the groove and the plurality of N collimating lenses, said optical prism for directing signals operating at different wavelengths toward different ones of the plurality of N collimating lenses.