Three-dimensional optical waveguide, method of manufacturing same, optical module, and optical transmission system

Abstract

A three-dimensional optical waveguide is formed by laminating planar substrates such as a plurality of lens substrates and, an isolator substrate and a wavelength division multiplexing filter, the optical substrates at least include a waveguide substrate having a waveguide and a reflecting surface. In the three-dimensional optical waveguide, the planar substrates are positioned by markers integrally formed on at least two of the planar substrates. Light directed into the waveguide is reflected by a reflecting surface and passes through the lens substrates and the isolator substrate.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A three-dimensional optical waveguide comprising a lamination of at least a planar substrate having a planar optical waveguide and a planar substrate having a sheet optical element.  
     
     
         2 . A three-dimensional optical waveguide according to  claim 1 , wherein the planar substrate having a sheet optical element is one of a lens layer, an isolator layer and a filter layer.  
     
     
         3 . A three-dimensional optical waveguide according to  claim 2 , wherein the planar substrate having the planar waveguide, and the said one of the lens layer, the isolator layer and the filter layer are integrally formed on forming glass.  
     
     
         4 . A three-dimensional optical waveguide according to  claim 2  or  claim 3 , wherein a reflecting surface is formed on the planar optical waveguide and light passes through the said one of the lens layer, the isolator layer and the filter layer.  
     
     
         5 . A three-dimensional optical waveguide according to  claim 4 , further comprising at least one of a light receiving element and a light emitting element.  
     
     
         6 . A three-dimensional optical waveguide according to claims  1 , wherein the planar substrates are positioned with respect to each other by markers integrally formed on at least two planar substrates.  
     
     
         7 . A method of manufacturing a three-dimensional optical waveguide comprising: 
 providing a plurality of planar substrates, each having a planar optical waveguide;    forming a marker on each of the planar substrates at a same time; and    laminating the planar substrates by positioning the planar substrates by using the markers.    
     
     
         8 . A method of manufacturing a three-dimensional optical waveguide according to  claim 7 , wherein the markers have one of a concave or convex shape, and wherein before the planar substrates are laminated, the planar substrates are positioned by applying light to the markers and causing the light to be reflected or transmitted by the markers.  
     
     
         9 . A method of manufacturing a three-dimensional optical waveguide according to  claim 8 , wherein bottom surfaces of the markers are one of inclined surfaces, scattering surfaces and lens surfaces.  
     
     
         10 . An optical transmitter module, comprising: 
 an electric input terminal;    a light emitting element connected to the electric input terminal;    the three-dimensional optical waveguide according to  claim 3 , the waveguide transmitting light emitted from the light emitting element; and    an optical output terminal outputting light transmitted through the three-dimensional optical waveguide.    
     
     
         11 . An optical receiver module, comprising: 
 an optical input terminal;    the three-dimensional optical waveguide according to  claim 3  connected to the optical input terminal;    a light receiving element, that receives light transmitted through the three-dimensional optical waveguide; and    an electric output terminal connected to the light receiving element.    
     
     
         12 . An optical transmitter and receiver module, comprising: 
 an electric input terminal;    a three-dimensional optical waveguide including a lamination of at least a planar substrate having a planar optical waveguide, a planar substrate having an isolator, and a planar substrate having a wavelength division multiplexing filter;    a light emitting element connected to the electric input terminal and connected to the three-dimensional optical waveguide;    a light receiving element connected to the three-dimensional optical waveguide;    an electric output terminal connected to the light receiving element; and    an optical input and output terminal connected to the three-dimensional optical waveguide,    wherein an electric signal input from the electric input terminal is converted into an optical signal and transmitted from the optical input and output terminal, and an optical signal received by the optical input and output terminal is converted into an electric signal and output to the electric output terminal.    
     
     
         13 . An optical transmission system for transmission and reception, comprising: 
 an optical transmitter module, including: 
 an electric input terminal;  
 a light emitting element connected to the electric input terminal;  
 a three-dimensional optical waveguide having: 
 a lamination of at least a planar substrate having a planar optical waveguide connected to the light emitting element and a planar substrate having a sheet optical element;  
 the waveguide is transmitting light emitted from the light emitting element; and  
 
 an optical output terminal outputting light transmitted through the three-dimensional optical waveguide;  
   an optical fiber cable connected to the optical transmitter module; and    an optical receiver module, including: 
 an optical input terminal;  
 a three-dimensional optical waveguide having: 
 a lamination of at least a planar substrate having a planar optical waveguide connected to the optical input terminal and a planar substrate having a sheet optical element;  
 
 a light receiving element, that receives light transmitted through the three-dimensional optical waveguide; and  
 an electric output terminal connected to the light receiving element;  
   the optical receiver module is connected to the optical fiber cable.    
     
     
         14 . An optical transmission system for optical transmission and reception, comprising: 
 the optical transmitter and receiver module according to  claim 12;  and    an optical fiber cable connected to the optical transmitter and receiver module.