Opto-isolator including a vertical cavity surface emitting laser
View Patent ↗The present invention relates to opto-isolators. Opto-isolators are disclosed that include a transmitter package and a vertical VCSEL disposed within the transmitter package. The opto-isolators further include a receiver package and a photodetector disposed within the receiver package. The photodetector is optically coupled to the VCSEL and configured to receive an output optical signal generated by the VCSEL. The opto-isolators further include an alignment package configured to receive the transmitter package and the receiver package. In another embodiment, opto-isolators include a VCSEL and a photodetector optically coupled to the VCSEL and configured to receive an output optical signal generated by the VCSEL. The opto-isolators further include a package enclosing both the VCSEL and the photodetector.
1. An opto-isolator comprising:
a vertical cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL);
a photodetector optically coupled to the VCSEL and configured to receive an output optical signal generated by the VCSEL; and
a package enclosing the VCSEL and the photodetector, wherein the package includes:
a first encapsulant encapsulating the VCSEL;
a second encapsulant encapsulating the detector, wherein the first and second encapsulates are bonded such that the VCSEL and detector are optically coupled and secured in an opposed configuration.
2. An opto-isolator according to claim 1 , wherein the first and second encapsulates are bonded together by a substantially clear epoxy.
3. An opto-isolator according to claim 1 , wherein the package includes an encapsulant encasing the VCSEL and the photodetector.
4. An opto-isolator according to claim 1 , wherein the opto-isolator further comprises a laser driver enclosed within the package.
5. An opto-isolator according to claim 1 , further comprising a transimpedence amplifier enclosed within the package.
6. An opto-isolator according to claim 1 , further comprising a micro-lens coupled to a surface the VCSEL or a surface of the optical detector.
7. An opto-isolator according to claim 1 , wherein modulation of the VCSEL is directly controlled by an alternating current electrical input without a laser driver.
8. An opto-isolator comprising:
a vertical cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL);
a photodetector optically coupled to the VCSEL and configured to receive an output optical signal generated by the VCSEL; and
a package enclosing the VCSEL and the photodetector, wherein the package includes in encapsulant that is at least partially opaque to a particular spectrum or range of spectrums of light and a first portion of the encapsulant is at least partially opaque to a frequency of light generated by the VCSEL, wherein a portion of the encapsulant directly between the VCSEL and the detector is not at least partially opaque to the frequency of light generated by the VCSEL.