The HUBER+SUHNER Cube Optics optical coupling modules are revolutionizing the on-board optical interfaces. The main functionality is to provide a coupling between electro-optical components (e.g. laser diodes, photodiodes or silicon photonic chips) and optical fiber. The superior optical performance of our coupling modules can outperform any AWG, due to its perfect Gaussian output beam.

From a mechanical point of view the coupling modules are just as revolutionary. The height of a fully blown module, including WDM functionality is less than 1.2mm. Despite this miniaturized size, the assembly on the board and alignment to the electro-optical components can be fully automated.

The manufacturing of the different coupling modules is located in Germany and can, depending on volume, be fully automated which results in an even more attractive pricing.

Due to the drastically increasing high processing data rates the direct interfacing to fiber is becoming inevitable. However, in many cases the number of available fibers is limited or needs to be kept as small as possible. For these cases we developed the WCM which is a coupling module with integrated WDM (wavelength division multiplexing) functionality.

As the WCM interfaces directly with the electro-optical components (e.g. laser diodes), it is available with different spot spacing ranging from 250µm to 750µm to account for the different distances between the components.

The spot spacing is only one of many technical requirements that need to be considered when choosing a WCM. We therefore are more than happy to work together with you to find the perfect match.

Benefits

• Low cost design
• Enabling „plug-n-play“ assembly, easy to automate
• High Packaging Density (i.e. multiple WCMs densely spaced)
• High TFF performance provides:
• low Insertion Loss (<1dB), low PDL,
• high Isolation and high Return Loss
• In contrast to AWGs a perfect Gaussian beam shape enables:
• high performance coupling (for FR, LR, ER)
• Real Single Mode beam characteristics

The single channel coupling module is the most basic form of a coupling module providing a 90° interface between a fiber and an electro-optical chip. Since the height of the coupling module is a mere 500µm, the fiber at all times can be routed completely flat on the PCB.

In addition to this, the coupling module focuses the light beam to perfectly position it on the active area of the chip. This results in an ideal optical performance surpassing that of a direct fiber connection by far.

The coupling module is manufactured by using our ultra-high-precision micro-injection-moulding process. The mechanical design of the coupling module provides a passive fiber alignment in singlemode quality that requires no additional adjustments.

The miniaturized size of the coupling modules makes it possible to use for a spot spacing as small as 250µm such as a grating coupler.

If you would like to find out more, please contact us.

The coupling module array is specifically designed for multi-channel applications. Our patent pending technology enables an unprecedented, stable optical performance across the full industrial temperature range.

The coupling module arrays are available with different channel counts and spot spacings. The latter can even be less than 250µm.

The height of the coupling module array is a mere 600µm which makes it possible to route all fibers completely flat on the PCB.

If you would like to find out more, please contact us.