Lens clip for coupling and optical alignment of an optical lens array and an optical subassembly module implementing same
The present disclosure is generally directed to a lens clip that defines at least one mounting surface for coupling to and supporting an array of optical components, e.g., a laser diode and associated components, and an optical lens slot to receive and securely hold an array of optical lenses at a predetermined position relative to the optical components to ensure nominal optical coupling. The optical lens slot includes dimensions that permit insertion of each optical lens into the same and restrict travel along one or more axis. Accordingly, disposing an optical lens within the lens slot ensures correct alignment along at least two axis, e.g., Z and X, with the third axis (e.g., Y) extending parallel along the slot to permit lateral adjustment of each lens.
1. A lens clip for use in an optical subassembly to mount and align an array of optical lenses with associated optical components, the lens clip comprising:
a body having a first end that extends to a second end, the body defining a lens slot that extends between the first and second end, and wherein the lens slot is configured to receive at least a portion of each optical lens of the array of optical lenses;
a mating surface defined by the body to couple the lens clip to an optical subassembly housing;
a mounting surface defined by the body, the mounting surface disposed along the lens slot and configured to couple to and support a plurality of optical components; and
wherein the lens slot is configured to optically align each optical lens of the array of optical lenses with an associated optical component mounted to the at least one mounting surface;
wherein the lens slot is defined at least in part by first and second sidewalls that extend substantially parallel with each other, the first and second sidewalls being provided by first and second portions of the body; and
wherein the first sidewall extends to a height H 1 and the second sidewall extends to a height H 2 , the first height H 1 being greater than the second height H 2 .
2. The lens clip of claim 1 , wherein the body is formed from a transparent material, the transparent material allowing for at least 50% of incident light to pass into the lens slot.
3. The lens clip of claim 1 , wherein the lens slot is configured to receive and couple to at least two optical lenses.
4. The lens clip of claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of optical components coupled to the mounting surface, the plurality of optical components comprising a plurality of laser diodes to output a plurality of channel wavelengths, and wherein the lens slot is configured to optically align each optical lens of the array of optical lenses with a corresponding laser diode of the plurality of laser diodes based on a position of each optical lens within the lens slot relative to a position of the corresponding laser diode on the mounting surface.
5. The lens clip of claim 1 , wherein the lens slot is configured to position each received optical lens in a collinear orientation such that an optical axis of the optical lenses extend substantially parallel relative to each other.
6. The lens clip of claim 1 , wherein the lens slot extends through the body such that the lens slot forms an opening at the first and second end of the body.
7. The lens clip of claim 1 , wherein the body is formed of a single, monolithic piece of material.
8. The lens clip of claim 1 , further comprising the array of optical lenses disposed in the lens slot and a plurality of optical components disposed on the mounting surface, a position of each optical lens of the array of optical lenses being fixed along first and second axis and movable along a third axis by virtue of the lens slot, the third axis extending substantially parallel with the lens slot and a longitudinal axis of the lens clip.
9. The lens clip of claim 1 , further comprising a layer of UV-curing epoxy disposed in the lens slot between adjacent optical lenses and/or interstitial spaces between sidewalls of the lens slot and sides of each optical lens, and wherein a bottom surface of each optical lens directly contacts a bottom surface of the lens slot to substantially prevent the layer of UV-curing epoxy from flowing between a bottom surface of each optical lens and the sidewall of the lens slot.
10. A lens clip for use in an optical subassembly to mount and align an array of optical lenses with associated optical components, the lens clip comprising:
a body having a first end that extends to a second end, the body defining a lens slot that extends between the first and second end, and wherein the lens slot is configured to receive at least a portion of each optical lens of the array of optical lenses;
a mating surface defined by the body to couple the lens clip to an optical subassembly housing;
a mounting surface defined by the body, the mounting surface disposed along the lens slot and configured to couple to and support a plurality of optical components;
wherein the lens slot is configured to optically align each optical lens of the array of optical lenses with an associated optical component mounted to the at least one mounting surface;
wherein the array of optical lenses are disposed in the lens slot and a plurality of optical components are disposed on the mounting surface, a position of each optical lens of the array of optical lenses being fixed along first and second axis and movable along a third axis by virtue of the lens slot, the third axis extending substantially parallel with the lens slot and a longitudinal axis of the lens clip.
11. A lens clip for use in an optical subassembly to mount and align an array of optical lenses with associated optical components, the lens clip comprising:
a body having a first end that extends to a second end, the body defining a lens slot that extends between the first and second end, and wherein the lens slot is configured to receive at least a portion of each optical lens of the array of optical lenses;
a mating surface defined by the body to couple the lens clip to an optical subassembly housing;
a mounting surface defined by the body, the mounting surface disposed along the lens slot and configured to couple to and support a plurality of optical components;
wherein the lens slot is configured to optically align each optical lens of the array of optical lenses with an associated optical component mounted to the at least one mounting surface; and
a layer of UV-curing epoxy disposed in the lens slot between adjacent optical lenses and/or interstitial spaces between sidewalls of the lens slot and sides of each optical lens, and wherein a bottom surface of each optical lens directly contacts a bottom surface of the lens slot to substantially prevent the layer of UV-curing epoxy from flowing between a bottom surface of each optical lens and the sidewall of the lens slot.