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 transmitter package;
a vertical cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL) disposed within the transmitter package;
a receiver package;
a photodetector disposed within the receiver package, the photodetector being optically coupled to the VCSEL and configured to receive an output optical signal generated by the VCSEL; and
an alignment package configured to receive the transmitter package and the receiver package.
2. An opto-isolator according to claim 1 , wherein the alignment package includes:
a first opening sized and configured to at least partially receive the transmitter package; and
a second opening sized and configured to at least partially receive the receiver package.
3. An opto-isolator according to claim 1 , further comprising a lens disposed between the transmitter package and the receiver package for collimating, focusing, and/or refracting a signal transmitted by the VCSEL.
4. An opto-isolator according to claim 3 , wherein the lens is attached to a surface of the transmitter package or a surface of the receiver package.
5. An opto-isolator according to claim 3 , wherein the lens is located between the transmitter package and the receiver package separating the first opening from the second opening.
6. An opto-isolator according to claim 5 , wherein the lens is formed integral with the alignment package.
7. An opto-isolator according to claim 5 , wherein the lens is formed separate from the alignment package and affixed within the alignment package.
8. An opto-isolator according to claim 3 , wherein the alignment package is at least partially opaque.
9. An opto-isolator according to claim 1 , wherein modulation of the VCSEL is directly controlled by an alternating current electrical input.
10. A package comprising an array of opto-isolators according to claim 1 .
11. An opto-isolator comprising:
a transmitter package;
a vertical cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL) disposed within the transmitter package;
a receiver package;
a photodetector disposed within the receiver package, the photodetector being optically coupled to the VCSEL and configured to receive an output optical signal generated by the VCSEL; and
an alignment package configured to receive the transmitter package and the receiver package, wherein the alignment package includes:
a first opening sized and configured to at least partially receive the transmitter package; and
a second opening sized and configured to at least partially receive the receiver package.
12. An opto-isolator according to claim 11 , further comprising a lens disposed between the transmitter package and the receiver package for collimating, focusing, and/or refracting a signal transmitted by the VCSEL.
13. An opto-isolator according to claim 12 , wherein the lens is located between the transmitter package and the receiver package separating the first opening from the second opening.
14. An opto-isolator according to claim 12 , wherein the lens is formed integral with the alignment package.
15. An opto-isolator according to claim 12 , wherein the lens is formed separate from the alignment package and affixed within the alignment package.
16. An opto-isolator according to claim 12 , wherein the alignment package is at least partially opaque.
17. An opto-isolator comprising:
a transmitter package;
a vertical cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL) disposed within the transmitter package;
a receiver package;
a photodetector disposed within the receiver package, the photodetector being optically coupled to the VCSEL and configured to receive an output optical signal generated by the VCSEL;
a lens disposed between the transmitter package and the receiver package for collimating, focusing, and/or refracting a signal transmitted by the VCSEL; and
an alignment package configured to receive the transmitter package and the receiver package, wherein the alignment package is at least partially opaque.