Low-Loss Single Mode Fiber Coupling of GaAs Optoelectronic Devices

SDL Inc. proposes to develop very low-loss coupling scheme to couple GaAs optoelectronic devices to single-mode fibers. By combining optimized device structure with novel fiber coupling miniatrue sub-assembly, SDL proposes to develop a fiber coupled package with less than 0.5 dB insertion loss, in addition, the fiber coupling sub-assembly will be versatile, being able to support many different fiber types with little modification, small sized in order to fit in many different packages, with large alignment tolerances for low-cost manufacturing, and low back-reflected light level into the device. Anticipated Benefits: The proposed technology will reduce the coupling loss of single-mode fiber pigtailed packages, allow higher power fiber coupled 980nm pumps for Er-Doped fiber amplifiers, and bring efficient, low cost, semiconductor laser amplifiers to the market at 0.8 and 1.3 um. Other applications include fiber coupled photonic switching fabrics for optical network switching and advanced fiber coupled devices for optical computing.