Ceramic optical sub-assembly for opto-electronic module utilizing LTCC (low-temperature co-fired ceramic) technology

The present invention relates generally to techniques for connecting the optical and electrical device components. More particularly, the invention relates to LTCC (low temperature co-fired ceramic) structures for use in optical subassemblies. A high performance ceramic block for use with small-scale circuitry is described. The block can be used in an optical sub-assembly (OSA) suitable for optical interconnection with optical fibers and electrical interconnection with a chip sub-assembly (CSA) is formed. The block includes a first surface and a second surface and is formed using one of low temperature co-fired ceramic (LTCC) and high temperature co-fired ceramic (HTCC) techniques. Photonic devices are formed on the first surface of the ceramic block and electrical contacts are formed on a second surface of the block. The electrical contacts being suitable for electrical communication with a chip sub-assembly. Electrical connections are formed so that they pass internally through the ceramic block to electrically interconnect the photonic devices on the first face of the block with the electrical contacts on the second face of the block. Such a block can be advantageously used to form an optoelectronic module.