Spectrally aligned integration of miniaturized substrate-free thin-film filters for fiber optical networks

Philipp Gehrke; Anna K. Rüsseler; Gerd A. Hoffmann; Andreas Wienke; Dietmar Kracht; Detlev Ristau

doi:10.1117/12.2676681

2 October 2023 Spectrally aligned integration of miniaturized substrate-free thin-film filters for fiber optical networks

Philipp Gehrke, Anna K. Rüsseler, Gerd A. Hoffmann, Andreas Wienke, Dietmar Kracht, Detlev Ristau

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 12666, Current Developments in Lens Design and Optical Engineering XXIV; 126660M (2023) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2676681
Event: SPIE Optical Engineering + Applications, 2023, San Diego, California, United States

Conference Poster

Abstract

This paper presents the active alignment of miniaturized, substrate-free optical thin-film filters (TFFs) according to the filters’ spectral transfer properties for integration into fiber optical networks. Optical TFFs are often designed for a specific narrow angle of incidence (AOI) range. Hence, a sufficient manufacturing precision of the angled photonic components connected to the optical filter is needed. These components then can no longer be used for different scenarios where i.e. the incident angle is changed. Conversely, the individual miniaturized optical filter chips can also vary in specification due to slight inhomogeneities during the production on a largescale wafer. Therefore, not all filter chips on the wafer meet the demanded specifications at the designed AOI, resulting in a reduced yield. Moreover, it requires a time-consuming separation into different quality classes by measuring single filter chips on the wafer. To maximize the amount of usable chips, a procedure was developed to actively align the chips inside a precision optics assembly system by measuring the transmitted power at different wavelengths while tilting them towards the optical axis. When the optimal angle is found, the chip is glued into the optical network platform. Next to maximizing the yield, the production steps can be reduced because the prior separation into quality classes becomes redundant. Manufacturing tolerances during the thinfilm deposition are equalized due to the active spectral alignment on a universal optical platform. With this technique, a more versatile process for TFF integration compared to passively aligned assemblies on fixed angle components is demonstrated.

(2023) Published by SPIE. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.

Citation Download Citation

Philipp Gehrke, Anna K. Rüsseler, Gerd A. Hoffmann, Andreas Wienke, Dietmar Kracht, and Detlev Ristau "Spectrally aligned integration of miniaturized substrate-free thin-film filters for fiber optical networks", Proc. SPIE 12666, Current Developments in Lens Design and Optical Engineering XXIV, 126660M (2 October 2023); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2676681

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