Plastic modules for free-space optical interconnects

A combined optoelectronic and optomechanical packaging technique for the construction of snap-together free-space optical interconnect systems is described. The modules integrate relaying and routing functions by use of transparent optical molded plastic, which can achieve sufficient alignment precision that further adjustment is not required during system assembly. Methods to integrate the optoelectronic chips, such as vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser and receiver arrays with these plastic optical modules are described. Other chips can also be integrated to form optoelectronic multichip modules. These modules can also be designed to accommodate coupling to or from optical fiber arrays. A test-bed system to demonstrate the concept was assembled to a lower precision by use of conventional machining techniques.