EP1476778A2 - Optical interconnect module, and ferrule comprising same - Google Patents

Optical interconnect module, and ferrule comprising same

Info

Publication number
EP1476778A2
EP1476778A2 EP03742583A EP03742583A EP1476778A2 EP 1476778 A2 EP1476778 A2 EP 1476778A2 EP 03742583 A EP03742583 A EP 03742583A EP 03742583 A EP03742583 A EP 03742583A EP 1476778 A2 EP1476778 A2 EP 1476778A2
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
optical
section
housing
module according
module
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP03742583A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Inventor
Alain Flers
Gnitabouré YABRE
Bogdan Rosinski
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
FCI SA
Original Assignee
FCI SA
Framatome Connectors International SAS
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by FCI SA, Framatome Connectors International SAS filed Critical FCI SA
Publication of EP1476778A2 publication Critical patent/EP1476778A2/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
    • G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
    • G02B6/10—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings of the optical waveguide type
    • G02B6/12—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings of the optical waveguide type of the integrated circuit kind
    • G02B6/122—Basic optical elements, e.g. light-guiding paths
    • G02B6/1221—Basic optical elements, e.g. light-guiding paths made from organic materials
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
    • G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
    • G02B6/24—Coupling light guides
    • G02B6/42—Coupling light guides with opto-electronic elements
    • G02B6/4201—Packages, e.g. shape, construction, internal or external details
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
    • G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
    • G02B6/24—Coupling light guides
    • G02B6/42—Coupling light guides with opto-electronic elements
    • G02B6/4201—Packages, e.g. shape, construction, internal or external details
    • G02B6/4204—Packages, e.g. shape, construction, internal or external details the coupling comprising intermediate optical elements, e.g. lenses, holograms
    • G02B6/421—Packages, e.g. shape, construction, internal or external details the coupling comprising intermediate optical elements, e.g. lenses, holograms the intermediate optical component consisting of a short length of fibre, e.g. fibre stub
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
    • G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
    • G02B6/24—Coupling light guides
    • G02B6/42—Coupling light guides with opto-electronic elements
    • G02B6/4201—Packages, e.g. shape, construction, internal or external details
    • G02B6/4219—Mechanical fixtures for holding or positioning the elements relative to each other in the couplings; Alignment methods for the elements, e.g. measuring or observing methods especially used therefor
    • G02B6/4236—Fixing or mounting methods of the aligned elements
    • G02B6/424—Mounting of the optical light guide
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
    • G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
    • G02B6/24—Coupling light guides
    • G02B6/42—Coupling light guides with opto-electronic elements
    • G02B6/4201—Packages, e.g. shape, construction, internal or external details
    • G02B6/4255—Moulded or casted packages
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
    • G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
    • G02B6/24—Coupling light guides
    • G02B6/42—Coupling light guides with opto-electronic elements
    • G02B6/4201—Packages, e.g. shape, construction, internal or external details
    • G02B6/4266—Thermal aspects, temperature control or temperature monitoring
    • G02B6/4267—Reduction of thermal stress, e.g. by selecting thermal coefficient of materials
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
    • G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
    • G02B6/10—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings of the optical waveguide type
    • G02B6/12—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings of the optical waveguide type of the integrated circuit kind
    • G02B2006/12083—Constructional arrangements
    • G02B2006/12102—Lens
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
    • G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
    • G02B6/10—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings of the optical waveguide type
    • G02B6/12—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings of the optical waveguide type of the integrated circuit kind
    • G02B2006/12166—Manufacturing methods
    • G02B2006/12195—Tapering
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
    • G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
    • G02B6/24—Coupling light guides
    • G02B6/42—Coupling light guides with opto-electronic elements
    • G02B6/4201—Packages, e.g. shape, construction, internal or external details
    • G02B6/4219—Mechanical fixtures for holding or positioning the elements relative to each other in the couplings; Alignment methods for the elements, e.g. measuring or observing methods especially used therefor
    • G02B6/4228—Passive alignment, i.e. without a detection of the degree of coupling or the position of the elements
    • G02B6/4232—Passive alignment, i.e. without a detection of the degree of coupling or the position of the elements using the surface tension of fluid solder to align the elements, e.g. solder bump techniques
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
    • G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
    • G02B6/24—Coupling light guides
    • G02B6/42—Coupling light guides with opto-electronic elements
    • G02B6/4201—Packages, e.g. shape, construction, internal or external details
    • G02B6/4249—Packages, e.g. shape, construction, internal or external details comprising arrays of active devices and fibres

Definitions

  • Optical interconnection module, and ferrule comprising such a module
  • An optical fiber is mainly used as a means of transporting information, in the form of light signals, normally digitized.
  • This means of transport has the advantage of effectively resisting noise, in particular electromagnetic noise, and also allowing very high information rates.
  • the processing in current computer devices being of electronic type, it is important to make an optoelectronic conversion of the light signals to be processed, at the input and at the output of the optical fiber.
  • optical fibers can be butted together, it is important to be able to connect them effectively.
  • Various solutions have been devised to resolve these conversion and / or connection problems.
  • the optical fiber or a layer of optical fibers is provided at its two ends (or at least at one of its ends), in a fixed manner, with an optoelectronic conversion device.
  • the optical fiber delivers electrical or electronic signals at one or both ends while it can deliver optical signals at another end.
  • the disadvantage presented by this type of solution is on the one hand the cost generated by this integration of means.
  • the workability of the fiber is greatly reduced. Indeed, it is easily understood that the length of the fiber cannot be adjusted as easily as one would like, a fortiori if it is provided on either side with electronic conversion circuits crimped at the ends of the fibers.
  • the mode of transmission in optical fibers can depend on the single-mode or multi-mode nature of the fiber and or on the device for injecting light rays into the fiber. Then, during the injection or
  • the housing is formed in two half-shells which are assembled around the overmolding material.
  • the grooves will be Vee, circular cylindrical, circular semi-cylindrical, or other, their direction
  • the lenses are obtained either by placing the ends of the ferrule an excess of overmolding material which naturally adopts a form of lenses having a focusing power, or by producing grooves whose transverse profile evolves, in particular in the form of a cone, at the ends of a section of optical guide thus made in the housing.
  • flares are produced at low cost allowing focal adaptation, either at the connection between two optical fibers, or at the connection between a transport optical fiber and an optoelectronic conversion circuit.
  • the invention therefore relates to an optical interconnection module comprising a housing provided with at least one optical section interposed between an optical input port of the module and an optical port output of the module, characterized in that the optical section is molded into the housing and forms an optical waveguide, in that the optical fiber section has at least one widening cone increasing at one end of the section and forming an optical output section, and in that the optical section has an end lens.
  • Figures 1a and 1b representations in longitudinal sections, in two perpendicular planes, of the optical module of the invention
  • FIG. 2 a sectional representation of an example of an integration of a module according to the invention in a complete optoelectronic ferrule of conversion;
  • Figure 3 a section showing an alternative embodiment of the integration of Figure 2.
  • FIG. 1a and Figure 1b show an optical module 1 according to the invention.
  • This module 1 comprises a box 2 provided with at least one optical section 3, of optical fiber in one example, more generally of light wave guide.
  • the waveguide 3 is interposed between an optical input port 4 and an optical output port 5 of the module.
  • FIG. 1b it can be seen that several optical sections such as 3 and 6 to 8 are stored side by side, preferably parallel to each other, in the housing 2.
  • Overall the housing has a parallelepiped shape.
  • the housing 2 is formed of a base made of at least one first material 9 (FIG. 1a) in which the sections 3 or 6 to 8 of the waveguide are overmolded.
  • the waveguide sections are made of another material.
  • the material 9 of the base may preferably be a plastic material of amorphous structure, for example of the same material (COC, cyclo-olefin-copolymer) as the material constituting the waveguide sections.
  • At least the material 10 will be transparent to light rays.
  • the material 9 will also be so and will have a refractive index, n2, lower than a refractive index or of the material 10 forming the waveguides.
  • n2 refractive index
  • the molding solution thus presented also allows, by micro-sculpture techniques, to impose for the waveguide 3, or for the sections 6 to 8, a set of particularly interesting shapes.
  • the micro-structuring techniques can be stamping techniques, or hot embossing techniques, or else be photolithography techniques with chemical etching, or even laser engraving techniques.
  • the aim is to produce grooves capable of receiving the overmolding material 10.
  • the overmolding material itself can be implemented by micro-injection techniques, the conduit produced in the material 9 having an inlet and an outlet and thus being suitable for injection.
  • the housing 2 made of material 9 may comprise a body formed by a base 11 and a cover 12.
  • the base and the cover may both be made of the same material, for example transparent with a lower coefficient of refraction n2 to the refractive coefficient of the material 9 waveguide 3.
  • the cover 12 it would also be possible for the cover 12 to be produced with a gel having an adequate refractive index.
  • a base 13 is preferably preferably first made of a material capable of easily accepting the material 9 of the base 11.
  • the material of the base 13 in the context of a plastic embodiment, will be a PBT, poly-butylene-terephthalate, a polyimide, or a crystalline or semi-crystalline polymer having good mechanical strength such as polymers with liquid crystal (LCP).
  • LCP liquid crystal
  • the cover 12 can itself be mounted in a cap 14 having the same function and the same nature as the base 13 with respect to the base 11.
  • the base 13 will be provided with reliefs such as 15 , with free edges, in the form of grooves or studs, allowing an efficient and industrially durable attachment of the material 9 of the base 11 on this base 13. The same will be done, where appropriate, for the cover 13 with respect to the cap 14 .
  • the base 11 is thus overmolded on the base 13.
  • this base 11 is polymerized and then sculpted, by etching or otherwise, to make conduits there, in particular in the form of grooves intended to serve subsequently as a guide. light waves.
  • These sculpted conduits are then in turn filled with a molding material 10 intended to form light wave guides 3.
  • the cover 12 is put in place and the material 10 is polymerized so as to stiffen it.
  • the polymerization is prior to the establishment of the cover 12, the surface of the assembly thus produced can also be rectified before the establishment of this cover 12. In this case, the latter is not necessarily itself - even provided with grooves.
  • the optical fiber sections 3 are provided, preferably in the inlet port 4 and in the outlet port 5, but at least in one of these, with cones flares such as 16 and 17 respectively. They are preferably even surmounted by lenses such as 18 and 19. It is also possible to produce the sections without flaring, but with the lenses, just as it is possible to produce the sections with the flares but without the lenses.
  • the flares have an effect of improving the optical transfer.
  • the lenses 18 and 19 have a focusing or collimation effect which will be explained later.
  • the lenses are obtained by the installation of a mold 20 for overmolding when the guides of waves 3 are overmolded.
  • the lenses are thus made of the same material as the material 10 of the waveguides 3, and at the same time as these waveguides 3.
  • the flares 16 and 17 are such that the waveguide section 3 , of optical fiber, has over the length of the housing a smaller diameter, or a smaller section, than the diameter or the section at the inlet of the inlet port 4 or at the outlet of the outlet port 5.
  • the shape of the section of the waveguide in the longitudinal part can be circular, or polygonal, preferably square or rectangular in this case.
  • the length of each of the flares 16 and 17 is of the order of a tenth of the length of the sections 3.
  • the box 2 is more complete, in particular that the input port 4 comprises a receptacle 21 for receiving a standardized tip 22 mounted on a sheet 23 of optical fibers 24 to 27. It forms a ferrule provided of the module of FIGS. 1a and 1b.
  • the number of optical fibers in the sheet 23 is of course preferably the same as that of the sections of optical fiber in the ferrule.
  • the emitting or receiving ends such as 28 of the optical fibers of the sheet 23 then see, according to the invention, each respectively a field 29 formed by a lens entry face such as 18. This field 29 is larger than these ends 28. Consequently, the energy transfer to or from the fiber section 3 is much more efficient.
  • the housing 2 of the ferrule 1 comprises the output port 5 also provided with lenses 19. These lenses are here placed opposite integrated circuits 30 for detecting or emitting light rays. These integrated circuits 30, individualized and in number equal to the number of sections 3, are themselves placed on an integrated control circuit 31.
  • the integrated circuits 30 are placed very rigorously on the control circuit 31 by an assembly by refusals of solder balls, surface tensions appearing in these solder balls at the time of soldering and allowing a setting in perfect place (with a tolerance of less than one micrometer) of these integrated circuits 30 at selected locations on this integrated circuit 31.
  • the control circuit 31 is itself mounted on the housing 2 by refusals of solder balls 32 allowing a precise placement of connection pads 33 of the circuit 31 relative to metallized areas 34 formed on the housing 2.
  • the base 13 or the cap 14 which are made of materials which withstand very high temperatures allow these rejections.
  • the ferrule 1 provides the optoelectronic connection inexpensively between the circuits 30 and 31 and the sheet 23 of optical fibers.
  • Figure 3 shows an alternative embodiment of the ferrule of Figure
  • the base 13 has a right foot 36 end opposite to the inlet port 4, very high, rising towards a cover, not shown, of the ferrule.
  • Figure 3 is presented along a plane perpendicular to the plane of Figure 2.
  • the web 23 is seen by the edge.
  • the sections 3 have there the particularity of having an elbow 37 making it possible to ensure that the outlet port 5 is not in a rectilinear alignment of the inlet port 4 along the section 3.
  • Such an elbow 37 plays the same role as a mirror of the cited state of the art, but at a lower cost.
  • the circuit 30, and the circuit 31 can be found in a plane of a printed circuit, not shown, which carries the ferrule 1 (or in a parallel plane).
  • the elbow 37 would be oriented towards the plane of the studs 35.
  • the base 13 could be drilled in their place to allow the material 9 of the base 11 and the material 10 of the guides to open out.
  • the production by overmolding can include the production of several vertical sections in which grooves are made, with a butt-shaped end (provided or not at the end of the butt with a flare 17).
  • the different sections are then joined to one another and the material which must constitute the sections 3 is injected into the galleries thus formed by assembling sections against each other.
  • the slices are provided with a groove on one side only, these are filled, flat by overmolding of the material 10. Then the slices are assembled one against the other, after possible rectification.
  • This embodiment then makes it possible to present the integrated circuit 31 (provided with its integrated transmission circuits or detection 30) parallel to a plane of a general printed circuit on which the ferrule 1 is placed.
  • metallized connections 38 originating from metallizations 34 produced in the housing 2 lead along the right foot 36, up to studs 35.
  • the metallizations of studs 35 allow the electrical connection of the circuit 31 to a receiving printed circuit as well as maintaining by soldering the ferrule 1 on this receiving printed circuit.
  • the lenses 18 or 19 in a material with a refractive index different from the material used to form the sections 3 and the flares 16 and 17. However, preferably, the same material will be used, for reasons of simplification. Manufacturing.

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Optics & Photonics (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Microelectronics & Electronic Packaging (AREA)
  • Optical Couplings Of Light Guides (AREA)

Abstract

To produce an optical interconnect, either between two optical fibers, or between an optical fiber and an optoelectronic conversion circuit, a module comprising a body (2) wherein are overmoulded optical fiber sections (3) is provided. The overmoulding enables to simplify industrial production and provide the optical fiber sections with shapes, in particular end flares (16, 17) and/or lenses (18, 19) enabling useful refocusing of the light rays transported by said optical fibers.

Description

Module d'interconnexion optique, et férule comportant un tel module Optical interconnection module, and ferrule comprising such a module
La présente invention à pour objet un module d'interconnexion optique et une férule comportant un tel module, du type de celle utilisé dans le domaine des transmissions par fibres optique, notamment mais pas seulement pour raccorder une extrémité d'une fibre optique à un circuit électronique de détection ou d'émission de rayons lumineux.The present invention relates to an optical interconnection module and a ferrule comprising such a module, of the type used in the field of optical fiber transmissions, in particular but not only for connecting one end of an optical fiber to a circuit. electronic detection or emission of light rays.
Une fibre optique est utilisée essentiellement comme moyen de transport d'informations, sous la forme de signaux lumineux, normalement numérisés. Ce moyen de transport présente l'avantage de résister efficacement aux bruits, notamment électromagnétiques, et de permettre par ailleurs des débits d'informations très élevés. Toutefois, le traitement dans les dispositifs informatiques actuels étant de type électronique, il importe de faire une conversion optoélectronique des signaux lumineux à traiter, à l'entrée et à la sortie de la fibre optique. En outre, les fibres optiques pouvant être aboutées les unes aux autres, il importe de pouvoir les connecter avec efficacité. Diverses solutions ont été imaginées pour résoudre ces problèmes de conversion et ou de connexion.An optical fiber is mainly used as a means of transporting information, in the form of light signals, normally digitized. This means of transport has the advantage of effectively resisting noise, in particular electromagnetic noise, and also allowing very high information rates. However, the processing in current computer devices being of electronic type, it is important to make an optoelectronic conversion of the light signals to be processed, at the input and at the output of the optical fiber. In addition, since optical fibers can be butted together, it is important to be able to connect them effectively. Various solutions have been devised to resolve these conversion and / or connection problems.
Dans certaines solutions, il a été imaginé de fabriquer des harnais. Dans ces harnais, la fibre optique ou une nappe de fibres optiques est munie à ses deux extrémités (ou au moins à une de ses extrémités), d'une manière fixe, d'un dispositif de conversion optoélectronique. Dans ce cas, la fibre optique délivre à une extrémité, ou aux deux, des signaux électriques ou électroniques alors qu'elle peut délivrer à une autre extrémité des signaux optiques. L'inconvénient présenté par ce type de solution est d'une part le coût engendré par cette intégration de moyens. D'autre part la maniabilité de la fibre en est fortement réduite. En effet, on comprend aisément que la longueur de la fibre ne peut pas être ajustée aussi facilement qu'on le voudrait, a fortiori si elle est munie de part et d'autre de circuits électroniques de conversion sertis aux bouts des fibres. Dans ce cas, il n'est pas du tout possible de la rallonger ou de la raccourcir. Il ne reste qu'à l'échanger contre un autre harnais de taille différente, mais de coût élevé lui aussi. Par ailleurs la présence du circuit électronique de conversion amène à réaliser à l'extrémité de la fibre optique un embout dont l'encombrement est gênant s'il faut enfiler la fibre dans des orifices étroits pour conduire les signaux d'un endroit à un autre.In some solutions, it has been imagined to manufacture harnesses. In these harnesses, the optical fiber or a layer of optical fibers is provided at its two ends (or at least at one of its ends), in a fixed manner, with an optoelectronic conversion device. In this case, the optical fiber delivers electrical or electronic signals at one or both ends while it can deliver optical signals at another end. The disadvantage presented by this type of solution is on the one hand the cost generated by this integration of means. On the other hand, the workability of the fiber is greatly reduced. Indeed, it is easily understood that the length of the fiber cannot be adjusted as easily as one would like, a fortiori if it is provided on either side with electronic conversion circuits crimped at the ends of the fibers. In this case, it is not at all possible to lengthen or shorten it. It remains only to exchange it for another harness of different size, but high cost too. Furthermore, the presence of the electronic conversion circuit leads to producing at the end of the optical fiber an end-piece whose size is inconvenient if it is necessary to thread the fiber in narrow orifices to conduct the signals of a place to another.
Par ailleurs, le mode de transmission dans les fibres optiques peut dépendre de la nature monomode ou multimode de la fibre et ou du dispositif d'injection des rayons lumineux dans la fibre. Ensuite, lors de l'injection ou deFurthermore, the mode of transmission in optical fibers can depend on the single-mode or multi-mode nature of the fiber and or on the device for injecting light rays into the fiber. Then, during the injection or
5 l'extraction des rayons lumineux d'une fibre optique, il importe de concentrer ces rayons au maximum sur le cœur de la fibre, dont le diamètre est de l'ordre de dix micromètres pour une fibre monomode (alors qu'ils sont de l'ordre de 50 ou de 62,5 micromètres pour des fibres multimodes). En pratique, on assiste alors à une déperdition volumique, les rayons lumineux5 the extraction of light rays from an optical fiber, it is important to concentrate these rays as much as possible on the core of the fiber, the diameter of which is of the order of ten micrometers for a single-mode fiber (whereas they are of around 50 or 62.5 micrometers for multimode fibers). In practice, we then witness a volume loss, the light rays
0 se dispersant dans un cône d'ouverture large, typiquement de l'ordre de vingt degrés. Seuls les rayons lumineux situés dans un angle solide sous lequel, depuis le cœur d'une fibre optique on voit une zone sensible d'un détecteur optoélectronique, ou réciproquement, sont utilisés. Cette partition dans l'angle solide réduit la puissance injectée ou prélevée. Des pertes0 dispersing in a wide opening cone, typically of the order of twenty degrees. Only light rays located in a solid angle under which, from the core of an optical fiber we can see a sensitive area of an optoelectronic detector, or vice versa, are used. This partition in the solid angle reduces the power injected or withdrawn. Losses
15 considérables sont ainsi rencontrées lors de la conversion optoélectronique, voire lors de la connexion de plusieurs fibres optiques aboutées les unes aux autres.15 considerable are thus encountered during the optoelectronic conversion, even during the connection of several optical fibers abutted to each other.
Pour résoudre ces problèmes, il est connu, notamment dans leTo solve these problems, it is known, especially in the
; document US-A-5 168 537, de placer des lentilles focalisantes sur le trajet; document US-A-5 168 537, to place focusing lenses on the path
.0 des rayons lumineux de manière à en concentrer l'énergie sur les zones utiles : le cœur de la fibre ou la zone sensible du détecteur. La mise en place de ces lentilles focalisantes est cependant, industriellement, un inconvénient car elle nécessite des manipulations d'objets microscopiques pour lesquels, par ailleurs, la mise en place doit être rigoureuse compte tenu des tolérances.0 light rays so as to concentrate energy on useful areas: the core of the fiber or the sensitive area of the detector. The installation of these focusing lenses is however, industrially, a drawback because it requires manipulations of microscopic objects for which, moreover, the installation must be rigorous taking into account the tolerances
.5 évoquées ci-dessus. De ce fait, les dispositifs présentés dans ce document ne sont utilisables qu'en laboratoire, pas à grande échelle..5 mentioned above. Therefore, the devices presented in this document can only be used in the laboratory, not on a large scale.
Dans l'invention pour résoudre ce problème, on a choisi de fabriquer des férules monoblocs par surmoulage. En pratique, on utilise alors un boîtier dans lequel on trace des rainures, droites ou courbes, qu'on remplitIn the invention, in order to solve this problem, it has been chosen to manufacture one-piece ferrules by overmolding. In practice, we then use a box in which we trace grooves, straight or curved, which we fill
30 avec un matériau de surmoulage. Eventuellement, le boîtier est formé en deux demi-coques qu'on assemble autour du matériau de surmoulage. On montrera qu'on peut avec cette technique choisir, avec la forme des rainures, de former plus facilement des lentilles. Les rainures seront en Vé, cylindriques circulaires, demi-cylindriques circulaires, ou autres, leur direction30 with an overmolding material. Optionally, the housing is formed in two half-shells which are assembled around the overmolding material. We will show that we can choose with this technique, with the shape of the grooves, to more easily form lenses. The grooves will be Vee, circular cylindrical, circular semi-cylindrical, or other, their direction
35 sera droite ou courbe. Les lentilles sont obtenues soit en plaçant aux extrémités de la férule un excédent de matériau de surmoulage qui adopte naturellement une forme de lentilles ayant un pouvoir de focalisation, soit en réalisant des rainures dont le profil transversal évolue, notamment en forme de cône, aux extrémités d'un tronçon de guide optique ainsi réalisé dans le boîtier. On réalise dans ce cas à moindre frais des évasements permettant une adaptation focale, soit à la connexion entre deux fibres optiques, soit à la connexion entre une fibre optique de transport et un circuit optoélectronique de conversion.35 will be straight or curved. The lenses are obtained either by placing the ends of the ferrule an excess of overmolding material which naturally adopts a form of lenses having a focusing power, or by producing grooves whose transverse profile evolves, in particular in the form of a cone, at the ends of a section of optical guide thus made in the housing. In this case, flares are produced at low cost allowing focal adaptation, either at the connection between two optical fibers, or at the connection between a transport optical fiber and an optoelectronic conversion circuit.
L'invention à donc pour objet un module d'interconnexion optique comportant un boîtier muni d'au moins un tronçon optique interposé entre un port optique d'entrée du module et un port optique de sortie du module, caractérisé en ce que le tronçon optique est surmoulé dans le boîtier et forme un guide d'onde optique, en ce que le tronçon de fibre optique comporte au moins un cône en évasement augmentant à une extrémité du tronçon et formant une section de sortie optique, et en ce que le tronçon optique comporte une lentille d'extrémité.The invention therefore relates to an optical interconnection module comprising a housing provided with at least one optical section interposed between an optical input port of the module and an optical port output of the module, characterized in that the optical section is molded into the housing and forms an optical waveguide, in that the optical fiber section has at least one widening cone increasing at one end of the section and forming an optical output section, and in that the optical section has an end lens.
Elle a également pour objet une férule munie d'un tel module. L'invention sera mieux comprise à la lecture de la description qui suit à l'examen des figures qui l'accompagnent. Celles-ci ne sont présentées qu'à titre indicatif et nullement limitatif de l'invention. Les figures montrent :It also relates to a ferrule provided with such a module. The invention will be better understood on reading the description which follows on examining the accompanying figures. These are presented for information only and in no way limit the invention. The figures show:
- Figures 1a et 1 b : des représentations en coupes longitudinales, dans deux plans perpendiculaires, du module optique de l'invention ;- Figures 1a and 1b: representations in longitudinal sections, in two perpendicular planes, of the optical module of the invention;
- Figure 2 : une représentation en coupe d'un exemple d'une intégration d'un module selon l'invention dans une férule optoélectronique complète de conversion ;- Figure 2: a sectional representation of an example of an integration of a module according to the invention in a complete optoelectronic ferrule of conversion;
- Figure 3 : une coupe montrant une variante de réalisation de l'intégration de la figure 2.- Figure 3: a section showing an alternative embodiment of the integration of Figure 2.
La figure 1a et la figure 1b montrent un module optique 1 selon l'invention. Ce module 1 comporte un boîtier 2 muni d'au moins un tronçon 3 optique, de fibre optique dans un exemple, plus généralement de guide d'ondes lumineuses. Le guide d'ondes 3 est interposé entre un port optique d'entré 4 et un port optique de sortie 5 du module. Sur la figure 1b, on constate que plusieurs tronçons optiques tels que 3 et 6 à 8 sont rangés côte à côte, de préférence parallèlement les uns aux autres, dans le boîtier 2. Globalement le boîtier à une forme parallélépipédique. Selon une caractéristique principale de l'invention, le boîtier 2 est formé d'une base en au moins un premier matériau 9 (figure 1a) dans laquelle sont surmoulés les tronçons 3 ou 6 à 8 de guide d'ondes. Les tronçons de guide d'ondes sont en un autre matériau. En pratique, le matériau 9 de la base pourra être de préférence une matière plastique de structure amorphe, par exemple en une même matière (COC, cyclo-oléfine- copolymère) que le matériau constituant des tronçons de guide d'ondes. Au moins le matériau 10 sera transparent aux rayons lumineux. De préférence, le matériau 9 le sera également et possédera un indice de réfraction, n2, inférieur à un indice de réfraction ni du matériau 10 formant les guides d'ondes. En agissant ainsi, on assure une bonne adéquation de l'opération de surmoulage (les matériaux ayant des mêmes propriétés mécaniques), tout en s'assurant du caractère de guide d'ondes des tronçons 3 ou 6 à 8 réalisés en matériau 10. En variante, on pourrait prévoir que le matériau 9 de la base soit une céramique et que le matériau 10 des guides d'ondes 3 ou 6 à 8 soit du verre fondu.Figure 1a and Figure 1b show an optical module 1 according to the invention. This module 1 comprises a box 2 provided with at least one optical section 3, of optical fiber in one example, more generally of light wave guide. The waveguide 3 is interposed between an optical input port 4 and an optical output port 5 of the module. In FIG. 1b, it can be seen that several optical sections such as 3 and 6 to 8 are stored side by side, preferably parallel to each other, in the housing 2. Overall the housing has a parallelepiped shape. According to a main characteristic of the invention, the housing 2 is formed of a base made of at least one first material 9 (FIG. 1a) in which the sections 3 or 6 to 8 of the waveguide are overmolded. The waveguide sections are made of another material. In practice, the material 9 of the base may preferably be a plastic material of amorphous structure, for example of the same material (COC, cyclo-olefin-copolymer) as the material constituting the waveguide sections. At least the material 10 will be transparent to light rays. Preferably, the material 9 will also be so and will have a refractive index, n2, lower than a refractive index or of the material 10 forming the waveguides. By doing so, we ensure a good adequacy of the overmolding operation (materials with the same mechanical properties), while ensuring the waveguide character of the sections 3 or 6 to 8 made of material 10. In as a variant, provision could be made for the material 9 of the base to be a ceramic and for the material 10 of the waveguides 3 or 6 to 8 to be molten glass.
La solution de surmoulage ainsi présentée permet par ailleurs, par des techniques de micro-sculpture, d'imposer pour le guide d'ondes 3, ou pour les tronçons 6 à 8, un ensemble de formes particulièrement intéressantes. Les techniques de micro-structuration peuvent être des techniques d'estampage, ou d'embossage à chaud, ou bien être des techniques de photolithographie avec gravure chimique, ou encore des techniques de gravure par laser. Le but est de réaliser des rainures aptes à recevoir le matériau 10 de surmoulage. Le matériau de surmoulage lui-même peut être mis en place par des techniques de micro-injection, le conduit réalisé dans le matériau 9 possédant une entrée et une sortie et étant ainsi propice à une injection.The molding solution thus presented also allows, by micro-sculpture techniques, to impose for the waveguide 3, or for the sections 6 to 8, a set of particularly interesting shapes. The micro-structuring techniques can be stamping techniques, or hot embossing techniques, or else be photolithography techniques with chemical etching, or even laser engraving techniques. The aim is to produce grooves capable of receiving the overmolding material 10. The overmolding material itself can be implemented by micro-injection techniques, the conduit produced in the material 9 having an inlet and an outlet and thus being suitable for injection.
En variante, le boîtier 2 en matériau 9 peut comporter un corps formé d'une base 11 et d'un couvercle 12. La base et le couvercle peuvent être tous deux en un même matériau, par exemple transparent avec un coefficient de réfraction n2 inférieur au coefficient de réfraction du matériau 9 guide d'ondes 3. Cependant, il serait aussi possible que le couvercle 12 soit réalisé avec un gel ayant un indice de réfraction adéquat.As a variant, the housing 2 made of material 9 may comprise a body formed by a base 11 and a cover 12. The base and the cover may both be made of the same material, for example transparent with a lower coefficient of refraction n2 to the refractive coefficient of the material 9 waveguide 3. However, it would also be possible for the cover 12 to be produced with a gel having an adequate refractive index.
Dans le cadre d'une telle solution, on réalise de préférence d'abord un socle 13 en un matériau susceptible d'accepter facilement le matériau 9 de la base 11. Par exemple le matériau du socle 13, dans le cadre d'une réalisation plastique, sera un PBT, poly-butylène-térephtalate, un polyimide, ou un polymère cristallin ou semi cristallin possédant une bonne tenue mécanique tel que les polymères à cristaux liquides (LCP). Ces matériaux présentent par ailleurs l'avantage de supporter un traitement en haute température, dont on verra la justification plus loin. Eventuellement dans ce cas, le couvercle 12 peut lui-même être monté dans un chapeau 14 ayant une même fonction et une même nature que le socle 13 vis à vis de la base 11. Notamment, le socle 13 sera muni de reliefs tels que 15, à bords francs, en forme de rainures ou de plots, permettant un accrochage efficace et industriellement durable du matériau 9 de la base 11 sur ce socle 13. On agira de même dans le cas échéant pour le couvercle 13 vis à vis du chapeau 14.In the context of such a solution, a base 13 is preferably preferably first made of a material capable of easily accepting the material 9 of the base 11. For example, the material of the base 13, in the context of a plastic embodiment, will be a PBT, poly-butylene-terephthalate, a polyimide, or a crystalline or semi-crystalline polymer having good mechanical strength such as polymers with liquid crystal (LCP). These materials also have the advantage of withstanding high temperature treatment, the justification of which will be seen below. Optionally in this case, the cover 12 can itself be mounted in a cap 14 having the same function and the same nature as the base 13 with respect to the base 11. In particular, the base 13 will be provided with reliefs such as 15 , with free edges, in the form of grooves or studs, allowing an efficient and industrially durable attachment of the material 9 of the base 11 on this base 13. The same will be done, where appropriate, for the cover 13 with respect to the cap 14 .
La base 11 est ainsi surmoulée sur le socle 13. Après ce surmoulage préféré, cette base 11 est polymérisée puis sculptée, par gravure ou autrement, pour y réaliser des conduits, notamment sous forme de rainures destinées à servir par la suite de guide d'ondes de lumière. Ces conduits sculptés sont ensuite remplis à leur tour d'un matériau 10 de surmoulage destiné à former des guides d'ondes lumineux 3. Puis le couvercle 12 est mis en place et le matériau 10 est polymérisé de manière à le rigidifier. Eventuellement, la polymérisation est préalable à la mise en place du couvercle 12, la surface de l'ensemble ainsi réalisé pouvant par ailleurs être rectifiée avant la mise en place de ce couvercle 12. Dans ce cas, ce dernier n'est pas nécessairement lui-même muni de rainures. Selon un perfectionnement particulièrement intéressant de l'invention, les tronçons de fibre optique 3 sont munis, de préférence dans le port d'entrée 4 et dans le port de sortie 5, mais au moins dans l'un de ceux-ci, de cônes d'évasement tels que 16 et 17 respectivement. Ils sont mêmes de préférence surmontés de lentilles telles que 18 et 19. Il est possible par ailleurs de réaliser les tronçons sans évasement, mais avec les lentilles, de même qu'il est possible de réaliser les tronçons avec les évasements mais sans les lentilles. Les évasements ont un effet d'amélioration du transfert optique. Les lentilles 18 et 19 ont un effet de focalisation ou de collimation qui sera expliqué plus loin. De préférence, les lentilles sont obtenues par la mise en place d'un moule 20 de surmoulage au moment où les guides d'ondes 3 sont surmoulés.The base 11 is thus overmolded on the base 13. After this preferred overmolding, this base 11 is polymerized and then sculpted, by etching or otherwise, to make conduits there, in particular in the form of grooves intended to serve subsequently as a guide. light waves. These sculpted conduits are then in turn filled with a molding material 10 intended to form light wave guides 3. Then the cover 12 is put in place and the material 10 is polymerized so as to stiffen it. Optionally, the polymerization is prior to the establishment of the cover 12, the surface of the assembly thus produced can also be rectified before the establishment of this cover 12. In this case, the latter is not necessarily itself - even provided with grooves. According to a particularly advantageous improvement of the invention, the optical fiber sections 3 are provided, preferably in the inlet port 4 and in the outlet port 5, but at least in one of these, with cones flares such as 16 and 17 respectively. They are preferably even surmounted by lenses such as 18 and 19. It is also possible to produce the sections without flaring, but with the lenses, just as it is possible to produce the sections with the flares but without the lenses. The flares have an effect of improving the optical transfer. The lenses 18 and 19 have a focusing or collimation effect which will be explained later. Preferably, the lenses are obtained by the installation of a mold 20 for overmolding when the guides of waves 3 are overmolded.
De préférence les lentilles sont ainsi réalisées en un même matériau que le matériau 10 des guides d'ondes 3, et en même temps que ces guides d'ondes 3. Les évasements 16 et 17 sont tels que le tronçon de guide d'ondes 3, de fibre d'optique, possède sur la longueur du boîtier un diamètre plus faible, ou une section plus faible, que le diamètre ou la section en entrée du port d'entrée 4 ou en sortie du port de sortie 5. La forme de la section du guide d'ondes dans la partie longitudinale peut être circulaire, ou polygonale, de préférence carrée ou rectangulaire dans ce cas. La longueur de chacun des évasements 16 et 17 est de l'ordre du dixième de la longueur des tronçons 3.Preferably the lenses are thus made of the same material as the material 10 of the waveguides 3, and at the same time as these waveguides 3. The flares 16 and 17 are such that the waveguide section 3 , of optical fiber, has over the length of the housing a smaller diameter, or a smaller section, than the diameter or the section at the inlet of the inlet port 4 or at the outlet of the outlet port 5. The shape of the section of the waveguide in the longitudinal part can be circular, or polygonal, preferably square or rectangular in this case. The length of each of the flares 16 and 17 is of the order of a tenth of the length of the sections 3.
Sur la figure 2, on montre que le boîtier 2 est plus complet, notamment que le port d'entrée 4 comporte un réceptacle 21 pour recevoir un embout 22 normalisé monté sur une nappe 23 de fibres optiques 24 à 27. Il forme une férule munie du module des figures 1a et 1 b. Le nombre des fibres optiques dans la nappe 23 est bien entendu de préférence le même que celui des tronçons de fibre optique dans la férule. Les extrémités émettrices ou réceptrices telles que 28 des fibres optiques de la nappe 23 voient alors, selon l'invention, chacune respectivement un champ 29 formé par une face d'entrée de lentille telle que 18. Ce champ 29 est plus grand que ces extrémités 28. En conséquence, le transfert énergétique vers ou depuis le tronçon 3 de fibre est bien plus efficace.In FIG. 2, it is shown that the box 2 is more complete, in particular that the input port 4 comprises a receptacle 21 for receiving a standardized tip 22 mounted on a sheet 23 of optical fibers 24 to 27. It forms a ferrule provided of the module of FIGS. 1a and 1b. The number of optical fibers in the sheet 23 is of course preferably the same as that of the sections of optical fiber in the ferrule. The emitting or receiving ends such as 28 of the optical fibers of the sheet 23 then see, according to the invention, each respectively a field 29 formed by a lens entry face such as 18. This field 29 is larger than these ends 28. Consequently, the energy transfer to or from the fiber section 3 is much more efficient.
A l'autre extrémité, le boîtier 2 de la férule 1 comporte le port de sortie 5 muni également des lentilles 19. Ces lentilles sont ici placées en regard de circuits intégrés 30 de détection ou d'émission de rayons lumineux. Ces circuits intégrés 30, individualisés et en nombre égal au nombre des tronçons 3, sont eux-mêmes placés sur un circuit intégré 31 de pilotage.At the other end, the housing 2 of the ferrule 1 comprises the output port 5 also provided with lenses 19. These lenses are here placed opposite integrated circuits 30 for detecting or emitting light rays. These integrated circuits 30, individualized and in number equal to the number of sections 3, are themselves placed on an integrated control circuit 31.
Selon une caractéristique de ce montage, les circuits intégré 30 sont placés très rigoureusement sur le circuit de pilotage 31 par un montage par refusions de billes de soudure, des tensions superficielles apparaissant dans ces billes de soudure au moment de la soudure et permettant une mise en place parfaite (avec une tolérance inférieure à un micromètre) de ces circuits intégrés 30 à des endroits choisis de ce circuit intégré 31. Le circuit de pilotage 31 est lui-même monté sur le boîtier 2 par des refusions de billes de soudure 32 permettant une mise en place précise de plages de connexion 33 du circuit 31 par rapport à des plages métallisées 34 formés sur le boîtier 2. Notamment, le socle 13 ou le chapeau 14 qui sont réalisés en des matériaux qui supportent des très hautes températures permettent ces refusions. Ainsi, on obtient que la férule 1 assure à moindre frais la connexion optoélectronique entre les circuits 30 et 31 et la nappe 23 de fibres optiques. Des pistes électriques permettant de relier électriquement le circuit 31 et les circuits 30 à un circuit imprimé principal, par l'intermédiaire des billes de soudures 32, comportent des plots tels que 35 (figure 3) situés sous une face du boîtier, notamment sous la face inférieure du socle 13. La figure 3 montre une variante de réalisation de la férule de la figureAccording to a characteristic of this assembly, the integrated circuits 30 are placed very rigorously on the control circuit 31 by an assembly by refusals of solder balls, surface tensions appearing in these solder balls at the time of soldering and allowing a setting in perfect place (with a tolerance of less than one micrometer) of these integrated circuits 30 at selected locations on this integrated circuit 31. The control circuit 31 is itself mounted on the housing 2 by refusals of solder balls 32 allowing a precise placement of connection pads 33 of the circuit 31 relative to metallized areas 34 formed on the housing 2. In particular, the base 13 or the cap 14 which are made of materials which withstand very high temperatures allow these rejections. Thus, it is obtained that the ferrule 1 provides the optoelectronic connection inexpensively between the circuits 30 and 31 and the sheet 23 of optical fibers. Electrical tracks making it possible to electrically connect the circuit 31 and the circuits 30 to a main printed circuit, by means of solder balls 32, include studs such as 35 (FIG. 3) located under one face of the housing, in particular under the underside of the base 13. Figure 3 shows an alternative embodiment of the ferrule of Figure
2. Dans la figure 3, le socle 13 possède un pied droit 36 d'extrémité opposée au port d'entrée 4, de grande hauteur, s'élevant en direction d'un couvercle, non représenté, de la férule. La figure 3 est présenté selon un plan perpendiculaire au plan de la figure 2. Dans cette figure 3, la nappe 23 est vue par le chant. Les tronçons 3 y possèdent la particularité de disposer d'un coude 37 permettant de faire en sorte que le port de sortie 5 ne soit pas dans un alignement rectiligne du port d'entrée 4 le long du tronçon 3.2. In Figure 3, the base 13 has a right foot 36 end opposite to the inlet port 4, very high, rising towards a cover, not shown, of the ferrule. Figure 3 is presented along a plane perpendicular to the plane of Figure 2. In this Figure 3, the web 23 is seen by the edge. The sections 3 have there the particularity of having an elbow 37 making it possible to ensure that the outlet port 5 is not in a rectilinear alignment of the inlet port 4 along the section 3.
Un tel coude 37 joue le même rôle qu'un miroir de l'état de la technique cité, mais à moindre frais. Avec un tel coude 37 le circuit 30, et le circuit 31, peuvent se retrouver dans un plan d'un circuit imprimé, non représenté, qui porte la férule 1 (ou dans un plan parallèle). Dans le premier cas, non représenté, le coude 37 serait orienté vers le plan des plots 35. Le socle 13 pourrait être percé a leur endroit pour laisser déboucher le matériau 9 de la base 11 et le matériau 10 des guides 3. Dans le cas de ces coudes 37, la réalisation par surmoulage peut comporter la réalisation de plusieurs tranches verticales dans lesquelles sont réalisées des rainures, avec une extrémité en forme de crosse (munie ou non à l'extrémité de la crosse d'un évasement 17). Les différentes tranches sont ensuite accolées les unes aux autres et le matériau devant constituer les tronçons 3 est injecté dans les galeries ainsi formées par assemblage de tranches les unes contre les autres. En variante, les tranches sont munies d'une rainure que d'un seul côté, celles-ci sont remplies, à plat par surmoulage du matériau 10. Puis les tranches sont assemblées les unes contres les autres, après éventuelle rectification. Cette réalisation permet de présenter alors le circuit intégré 31 (muni de ses circuits intégrés d'émission ou de détection 30) parallèlement à un plan d'un circuit imprimé général sur lequel est disposée la férule 1. Dans ce but des connexions métallisées 38 issues de métallisations 34 réalisées dans le boîtier 2 conduisent le long du pied droit 36, jusqu'aux plots 35. Les métallisations des plots 35 permettent la connexion électrique du circuit 31 à un circuit imprimé de réception ainsi que le maintien par soudure de la férule 1 sur ce circuit imprimé de réception.Such an elbow 37 plays the same role as a mirror of the cited state of the art, but at a lower cost. With such an elbow 37 the circuit 30, and the circuit 31, can be found in a plane of a printed circuit, not shown, which carries the ferrule 1 (or in a parallel plane). In the first case, not shown, the elbow 37 would be oriented towards the plane of the studs 35. The base 13 could be drilled in their place to allow the material 9 of the base 11 and the material 10 of the guides to open out. In the case of these elbows 37, the production by overmolding can include the production of several vertical sections in which grooves are made, with a butt-shaped end (provided or not at the end of the butt with a flare 17). The different sections are then joined to one another and the material which must constitute the sections 3 is injected into the galleries thus formed by assembling sections against each other. As a variant, the slices are provided with a groove on one side only, these are filled, flat by overmolding of the material 10. Then the slices are assembled one against the other, after possible rectification. This embodiment then makes it possible to present the integrated circuit 31 (provided with its integrated transmission circuits or detection 30) parallel to a plane of a general printed circuit on which the ferrule 1 is placed. For this purpose metallized connections 38 originating from metallizations 34 produced in the housing 2 lead along the right foot 36, up to studs 35. The metallizations of studs 35 allow the electrical connection of the circuit 31 to a receiving printed circuit as well as maintaining by soldering the ferrule 1 on this receiving printed circuit.
Il serait possible par ailleurs de former les lentilles 18 ou 19 en un matériau d'indice de réfraction différent du matériau utilisé pour former les tronçons 3 et les évasements 16 et 17. Cependant de préférence on utilisera un même matériau, pour des raisons de simplification de fabrication. It would also be possible to form the lenses 18 or 19 in a material with a refractive index different from the material used to form the sections 3 and the flares 16 and 17. However, preferably, the same material will be used, for reasons of simplification. Manufacturing.

Claims

REVENDICATIONS
1 - Module d'interconnexion optique (1) comportant un boîtier (2) muni d'au moins un tronçon (3) optique interposé entre un port optique d'entrée (4) du module et un port optique de sortie (5) du module, caractérisé en ce que le tronçon optique est surmoulé dans le boîtier et forme un guide d'onde optique, en ce que le tronçon de fibre optique comporte au moins un cône (16, 17) en évasement augmentant à une extrémité du tronçon et formant une section de sortie optique, et en ce que le tronçon optique comporte une lentille d'extrémité (18, 19).1 - Optical interconnection module (1) comprising a housing (2) provided with at least one optical section (3) interposed between an optical input port (4) of the module and an optical output port (5) of the module, characterized in that the optical section is overmolded in the housing and forms an optical waveguide, in that the optical fiber section comprises at least one cone (16, 17) in widening flare increasing at one end of the section and forming an optical output section, and in that the optical section comprises an end lens (18, 19).
2 - Module selon la revendication 1 , caractérisé en ce que la lentille est formée par surmoulage (20).2 - Module according to claim 1, characterized in that the lens is formed by overmolding (20).
3 - Module selon l'une des revendications 1 à 2, caractérisé en ce que le boîtier est en un matériau (9) qui possède un indice de réfraction optique (n2) inférieur à un indice de réfraction optique (ni) d'un matériau (10) surmoulé formant le tronçon optique.3 - Module according to one of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that the housing is made of a material (9) which has an optical refractive index (n2) lower than an optical refractive index (ni) of a material (10) overmolded forming the optical section.
4 - Module selon l'une des revendications 1 à 4, caractérisé en ce que la lentille est en un même matériau que celui du tronçon optique.4 - Module according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the lens is made of the same material as that of the optical section.
5 - Module selon l'une des revendications 1 à 4, caractérisé en ce que le boîtier comporte un matériau polymère possédant une bonne tenue thermique, tel que par exemple un LCP, ou un polyimide.5 - Module according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the housing comprises a polymeric material having good thermal resistance, such as for example an LCP, or a polyimide.
6 - Module selon l'une des revendications 1 à 5, caractérisé en ce que le boîtier est métallisé (38).6 - Module according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the housing is metallized (38).
7 - Module selon l'une des revendications 1 à 6, caractérisé en ce que le boîtier comporte un socle (13) avec des rainures d'accrochage.7 - Module according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the housing comprises a base (13) with hooking grooves.
8 - Module selon l'une des revendications 1 à 7, caractérisé en ce que le tronçon optique surmoulé est courbe (37) pour déboucher dans un plan.8 - Module according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the overmolded optical section is curved (37) to lead into a plane.
9 - Férule optique comportant un module selon l'une des revendications 1 à 8, caractérisée en ce que le port optique d'entrée comporte un réceptacle (21 , 22) normalisé.9 - Optical ferrule comprising a module according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the optical input port comprises a receptacle (21, 22) standardized.
10 - Férule optique comportant un module selon l'une des revendications 1 à 8, caractérisée en ce qu'elle comporte un circuit intégré électronique (30) de détection ou d'émission de rayons lumineux, le circuit intégré étant monté par refusions (32) de billes de soudure sur le boîtier. 10 - Optical ferrule comprising a module according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that it comprises an electronic integrated circuit (30) for detecting or emitting light rays, the integrated circuit being mounted by refusals (32 ) solder balls on the housing.
EP03742583A 2002-02-21 2003-02-19 Optical interconnect module, and ferrule comprising same Withdrawn EP1476778A2 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR0202249A FR2836237B1 (en) 2002-02-21 2002-02-21 OPTICAL INTERCONNECTION MODULE, AND FERULE COMPRISING SUCH MODULE
FR0202249 2002-02-21
PCT/EP2003/050023 WO2003071323A2 (en) 2002-02-21 2003-02-19 Optical interconnect module, and ferrule comprising same

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FR2836237A1 (en) 2003-08-22
US20050220404A1 (en) 2005-10-06
WO2003071323A3 (en) 2004-09-02
FR2836237B1 (en) 2005-07-15
WO2003071323A2 (en) 2003-08-28

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