The Reliability of Optical Fiber Assembly Using Glass Solder

In this study, an optical fiber assembly directly coupled with a laser diode or a photo diode is designed to confirm high reliable optical coupling efficiency of optical transmitter(Tx) and receiver(Rx). The optical fiber assembly is fabricated by soldering an optical fiber and a Kovar ferrule using a glass solder after inserting an optical fiber through a Kovar ferrule. The Kovar which has good welding characteristics is applied to introduce laser welding technique. The glass solder has excellent thermal characteristics such as thermal shift delamination compared with PbSn, AuSn solder previously used usually. Furthermore, the glass solder doesn't need fiber metalization and this enables low cost fabrication. However, the glass soldering is high temperature process over 35$0^{\circ}C$ and the convex shape after solidification due to surface tension causes the stress concentration on optical fiber. The stress concentration on the optical fiber increases the optical insertion loss and possibility of crack formation. The shape of glass solder was designed referring to 2-D Axi-symmetric FEM simulation. To test the mechanical reliability, mechanical vibration test and shock test were done according to Telcorida GR-468-Core protocol. After each test, the optical loss of the stress distributed fiber assembly didn't exceed 0.5 dB, which passes the test.