JPH03218133A - Assembly method for fiber module for optical communication - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To adopt the metallic bonding entirely for bonding and to secure the durability and reliability for a long period by applying cream solder into an upper bonding part of an end ferrule of an optical fiber inserted into a holder of a fiber support and heating locally the solder application part with irradiation of a laser beam. CONSTITUTION:Cream solder 10a is applied to an upper bonding part between a holder 7a of a fiber support 7 and an end ferrule 6 of an optical fiber 5 inserted into the holder 7a, the solder coating part is heated locally by irradiation of a laser beam to solder and bond the fiber end ferrule 6 and the holder 7a, Thus, the metallic bonding is adopted entirely for the bonding between the optical fiber 5 and the fiber support 7 and the bonding between the fiber support 7 and the mount part (e.g. a cap 4) to secure the durability and the reliability for a long period.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Object of the Invention] (Industrial Application Field) The present invention relates to an assembly method for coupling an optical fiber and fiber support of a fiber module for optical communication.

(Prior Art) Fig. 2 shows the structure of a fiber module for optical communication according to the prior art of the present invention (Japanese Patent Application No. 63-46796). A stem 2 provided with a semiconductor element 1, a cap 4 having a condenser lens 3 optically facing the optical semiconductor element 1 and provided on the stem 2 so as to cover the optical semiconductor element 1, and an optical fiber. The end portion of the fiber 5 has a holder portion 7a into which a ferrule 6 (metal cap tube) is inserted and a flange portion 7b that comes into sliding contact with the cap 4, and the input end 5a of the fiber 5 is optically opposed to the condenser lens 3. and a fiber support 7 which is positioned so as to be welded and fixed to the upper surface of the cap 4.

In the optical communication fiber module having the above configuration, first, the optical fiber 5 and the fiber support 7 are coupled in the Z-axis direction, and then the optical semiconductor element 1 and the optical fiber 5 are coupled.
Adjust the position in the XY axis directions to align the optical axes of the
It is manufactured by an assembly method in which the upper surface is sequentially spot welded with a laser beam.The first step in this assembly method is to assemble the optical fiber 5 and the fiber support 7.
The coupling (fixation in the Z-axis direction) is performed by filling an adhesive 9 between the end ferrule 6 of the optical fiber 5 and the holder portion 7a of the fiber support 7.

(Problem to be Solved by the Invention) However, when the optical fiber 5 and the fiber support 7 are joined together in the Z-axis direction using adhesive 9,
Since the adhesive 9 takes a long time to harden, there is a problem in that assembly efficiency is reduced, and furthermore, adhesive assembly using the adhesive 9 lacks reliability in terms of long-term durability.

In order to solve this problem, it is possible to apply a soldering technique as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application No. 62-40087 in place of the adhesive 9. This is done by interposing solder between the holder part 7a and the fiber end ferrule 6 and heating the holder part 7a with a soldering iron, etc., so it takes a long time to solder and the assembly efficiency is reduced. There is a problem of deterioration.

This invention was made in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, and its purpose is to make the connection between the optical fiber and the fiber support and the connection between the fiber support and the mounting partner (for example, a cap) all metal connections, so that the connection can last for a long period of time. The durability and reliability of the optical fiber can be ensured, and the soldering connection between the optical fiber and the fiber support can be instantaneously performed by local heating by laser beam irradiation, which is much easier than conventional soldering by heating with a trowel, etc. The present invention aims to provide a method for assembling an optical communication fiber module that can improve assembly efficiency compared to the previous method.

[Structure of the invention]

(Means for Solving the Problems) In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides an optical fiber of a fiber module for optical communication in which a laser beam emitted from an optical semiconductor element is incident on an optical fiber through a condensing lens. When bonding fiber supports,
Cream solder is applied to the upper joining part between the holder part of the fiber support and the end ferrule of the optical fiber inserted into the holder part, and the solder-applied part is locally heated by laser beam irradiation to bond the fiber end. It is characterized in that the ferrule and the holder portion are connected by soldering.

(Function) According to the module assembly method described above, the connection between the optical fiber 7 and the fiber support and the connection between the fiber support and the mounting partner (for example, a cap) are all made of metal,
It can ensure long-term durability and reliability.

In particular, when soldering an optical fiber and a fiber support, cream solder is applied to the upper joining part between the holder part of the fiber support and the end ferrule of the optical fiber inserted into the holder part, and the second solder application part is applied. Since local heating is performed by laser beam irradiation, the fiber end ferrule and holder can be soldered together instantly, reducing soldering time compared to conventional soldering using iron heating, etc. It becomes possible to improve assembly efficiency.

(Example) An example of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIG. The optical communication fiber module assembled in this example has a stem 2 provided with an optical semiconductor element 1 such as a laser diode, and a stem 2 that is optically opposed to the optical semiconductor element 1, similar to the one shown in FIG. A cap 4 having a condensing lens 3 and provided on the stem 2 so as to cover the optical semiconductor element 1, a holder part 7a into which the end ferrule 6 of the optical fiber 5 is inserted, and a flange part that slides onto the cap 4. 7
b, and the input end 5a of the fiber 5 is the condenser lens 3.
and a fiber support 7 that is welded and fixed to the upper surface of the cap 4 while being positioned so as to optically face each other.

Next, a method for assembling the optical communication fiber module having the above configuration will be explained. First, the optical fiber 5 is chucked on a table (not shown) that can be adjusted in the Z-axis direction, and the stem 2 with the cap 4 is adjusted in the XY directions. It is fixed to a two-axis table (not shown) that can be used, and set in the state shown in FIG.

Then, a current is applied to the optical semiconductor element 1 of the stem 2 to cause it to emit light, and the laser light is made to enter the input end 5a of the optical fiber 5 through the condenser lens 3, and the output from the output end of the optical fiber 5 is transmitted to the fiber. Photo sensor installed at the other end (
(not shown). Then, while moving the input end side portion of the fiber 5 in each direction of XYZ, adjust the position so that the output from the output end of the fiber 5 is maximized,
Fix it at the position that produces maximum output. In this case, fixation is achieved by applying cream solder 10a to the upper joining part of the holder part 7a of the fiber support 7 and the end ferrule 6 of the optical fiber 5 inserted into the holder part 7a, and applying the laser beam to this solder-applied part. This is done by locally heating by irradiation and soldering the fiber end ferrule 6 and the holder part 7a (this soldering part is indicated by reference numeral 10).

After the fiber end ferrule 6 and the holder part 7a have been soldered together in this way, the movement in the X and Y directions is adjusted again and the fiber support 7 and cap 4 are fixed at the position where the output of the laser beam is maximized. do. In this case, the fixation is done by spot welding using laser light.
While monitoring the output of the laser beam, insert the fiber support 7.
The flange portion 7b is sequentially spot welded 8 to the upper surface portion of the cap 4 using a laser beam.

〔Effect of the invention〕

As explained above, according to the method for assembling a fiber module for optical communication of the present invention, the coupling between the optical fiber and the fiber support and the coupling between the fiber support and the mounting partner are all made of metal, thereby achieving long-term durability. It is possible to ensure reliability.

In particular, when soldering an optical fiber and a fiber support, cream solder is applied to the upper joint part between the holder part of the fiber support and the end ferrule of the optical fiber inserted into the holder part, and this solder-applied part is laser-coated. Since local heating is performed by irradiation with light, the fiber end ferrule and holder can be soldered together instantly, reducing soldering time and making assembly easier than conventional soldering using iron heating. It can improve efficiency.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an optical communication fiber module to be assembled according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an optical communication fiber module according to the prior art of the present invention. 1... Optical semiconductor element (laser diode) 2... Stem, 3... Condensing lens, 4... Cap, 5...
・Optical fiber 6... Ferrule, 7... Fiber support, 7a... Holder part, 7b... Flange part,
8... Laser welding part, lO... Soldering part, log
...Krimhanda.

Claims (1)

[Claims] An assembly method for coupling an optical fiber and a fiber support of a fiber module for optical communication in which a laser beam emitted from an optical semiconductor element enters an optical fiber through a condensing lens, the method comprising: a holder part of a fiber support; Cream solder is applied to the upper joining part of the optical fiber inserted into the end ferrule, and the solder applied part is locally heated by laser beam irradiation to solder and join the fiber end ferrule and the holder part. A method for assembling a fiber module for optical communication, characterized by: