Abstract

Free-space optical switchings are becoming increasingly important for large-scale switching systems because of their high- density structures. We recently developed EARS (Exciton Absorption Reflection Switch)-based digital free-space optical switches¹ on the basis of stacked planar optics.² When fabricating these switches using the standard active assembly method, one problem is that the precise alignment and assembly need much time and raise the cost of the switches. In this paper, we present a method for passively assembling these components with a high degree of spatial precision. This assembly is done by making the positional adjustments while viewing fiducial marks on the optical components with a newly fabricated half-mirror-type aligner.

© 1995 IEEE