Optimization of fiber-optic coupling and alignment tolerance for coupling between a laser diode and a wedged single-mode fiber

The coupling and alignment tolerance are optimized based on a theoretical a nalysis for the coupling between a highly elliptical laser diode and a sing le-mode fiber with a wedge-shaped end face. The optimized design parameters including the working distance, wedged angle are obtained for various aspe ct ratios of the laser diode. It is demonstrated that the coupling efficien cy is a strong function of initial tilt, i.e., pitch and yaw angular misali gnments, and the angular misalignments strongly reduce the search efficienc y for obtaining the initial coupling of light or the "first light". In addi tion, a Monte Carlo analysis is performed to estimate the manufacturing yie ld. (C) 2001 Published by Elsevier Science B.V.