Fiber, lens and sensor arrays and their precision alignment for optical
devices with free space light propagation is disclosed. Fabrication
methods of arrays and their assembly are also proposed. In one
implementation, a device includes a fiber alignment module holding fibers
in parallel to form a fiber array. The fiber alignment module includes
first and second alignment plates, and a spacer plate engaged between the
first and second alignment plates. Each alignment plate includes an array
of through holes to respectively hold the fibers. A lens array can be
engaged to the fiber alignment module to align lenses to their
corresponding fibers. Passive alignment features may be formed at
interfacing surfaces of different layers to assist the alignment.
Applications of these integrated fiber, lens and sensor arrays to optical
cross-connect switches and reconfigurable add-drop multiplexers are also
disclosed.