A unitary optical ferrule is molded to include one or more elements for receiving and securing one or more optical waveguides one or more elements for affecting one or more characteristics of light from the optical waveguide while propagating the light within the ferrule. The optical ferrule also includes one or more first alignment features and one or more second alignment features that, when the ferrule is mated with a mating ferrule, each controls alignment of the ferrule with the mating ferrule along three mechanical degrees of freedom. The surface of the optical ferrule can be divided along the thickness axis into a first section and an opposing second section, wherein the first section of the surface includes the receiving and securing elements, the light affecting elements, and the first alignment features and the second section of the surface includes the second alignment features.

A unitary optical ferrule is molded to include one or more elements for receiving and securing one or more optical waveguides one or more elements for affecting one or more characteristics of light from the optical waveguide while propagating the light within the ferrule. The optical ferrule also includes one or more first alignment features and one or more second alignment features that, when the ferrule is mated with a mating ferrule, each controls alignment of the ferrule with the mating ferrule along three mechanical degrees of freedom. The surface of the optical ferrule can be divided along the thickness axis into a first section and an opposing second section, wherein the first section of the surface includes the receiving and securing elements, the light affecting elements, and the first alignment features and the second section of the surface includes the second alignment features.

Optical connectors that substantially preserve alignment and are easy to manufacture. The alignment system using the optical connectors disclosed herein include a first housing, a second housing and an alignment component, the said alignment component configured to provide optical alignment between the optical components.

A device may include a substrate. The device may include a carrier mounted to the substrate. The device may include a transmitter photonic integrated circuit (PIC) mounted on the carrier. The transmitter PIC may include a plurality of lasers that generate an optical signal when a voltage or current is applied to one of the plurality of lasers. The device may include a first microelectromechanical structure (MEMS) mounted to the substrate. The first MEMS may include a first set of lenses. The device may include a planar lightwave circuit (PLC) mounted to the substrate. The PLC may be optically coupled to the plurality of lasers by the first set of lenses of the first MEMS. The device may include a second MEMS, mounted to the substrate, that may include a second set of lenses, which may be configured to optically couple the PLC to an optical fiber.

A unitary optical ferrule is molded to include one or more elements for receiving and securing one or more optical waveguides one or more elements for affecting one or more characteristics of light from the optical waveguide while propagating the light within the ferrule. The optical ferrule also includes one or more first alignment features and one or more second alignment features that, when the ferrule is mated with a mating ferrule, each controls alignment of the ferrule with the mating ferrule along three mechanical degrees of freedom. The surface of the optical ferrule can be divided along the thickness axis into a first section and an opposing second section, wherein the first section of the surface includes the receiving and securing elements, the light affecting elements, and the first alignment features and the second section of the surface includes the second alignment features.

Embodiments of the invention include an optoelectronic package that allows for in situ alignment of optical fibers. In an embodiment, the optoelectronic package may include an organic substrate. Embodiments include a cavity formed into the organic substrate. Additionally, the optoelectronic package may include an actuator formed on the organic substrate that extends over the cavity. In one embodiment, the actuator may include a first electrode, a piezoelectric layer formed on the first electrode, and a second electrode formed on the piezoelectric layer. According to an additional embodiment of the invention, the actuator may include a first portion and a second portion. In order to allow for resistive heating and actuation driven by thermal expansion, a cross-sectional area of the first portion of the beam may be greater than a cross-sectional area of the second portion of the beam.

A method and system for attaching an optical fiber to a bench. A mounting structure is attached to the bench and the proximal end of the optical fiber is epoxy bonded to the mounting structure.

Optical connectors that substantially preserve alignment and are easy to manufacture. The alignment system using the optical connectors disclosed herein include a first housing, a second housing and an alignment component, the said alignment component configured to provide optical alignment between the optical components.

A flexure including a bipod strut pair extending from a base and a titanium-zirconium-niobium alloy, which includes titanium, about 13.5 to about 14.5 wt. % zirconium, and about 18 to about 19 weight % (wt. %) niobium. The titanium-zirconium-niobium alloy has a congruent melting temperature of about 1750 to about 1800 Celsius ( C.).

A MEMS based alignment technology based on mounting an optical component on a released micromechanical lever configuration that uses multiple flexures rather than a single spring. The optical component may be a lens. The use of multiple flexures may reduce coupling between lens rotation and lens translation, and reduce effects of lever handle warping on lens position. The device can be optimized for various geometries.