What is a Fibre Array?
A fibre array is an array formed by mounting a bundle of fibres or a strip of fibres on a substrate at specified intervals using a V-groove substrate. Typically, such an array is formed only for the very end of the fibre bundle, rather than over the entire length of the fibre. The purpose of the array is usually to couple light from some source array to the fibre, or from the fibre to other components, such as planar waveguide arrays on photonic integrated circuits.
Structure of a Fibre Array
A fibre-optic array FA consists mainly of a combination of a V-groove substrate, a cover plate and an optical fibre. A number of recesses are usually cut out of the base of the substrate and a platen is pressed down and secured to the fibres inserted into the recesses.
The Manufacturing Process of Fibre Array
The fibre array demands a high level of material and manufacturing process, relying on precisely etched V-grooves for positioning, which require a special cutting process to achieve precise fibre positioning. By ultra-precision machining techniques, fibre core is precisely positioned in the V-groove to reduce connection losses. It is then pressurised, bonded by the adhesive and finally the surface is ground and polished to required precision.
Application of Fibre Array
Fibre arrays are commonly used in planar optical waveguides, arrayed waveguide gratings, active/passive arrayed fibre devices, microelectromechanical systems, multichannel optical modules, etc. In particular, fibre arrays are an important component of PLC Splitter, which significantly reduces the loss of optical waveguide devices and optical coupling alignment.