Multichannel flexible waveguide module with single-lens coupling for a laser diode array [Invited]
Abstract
We present a small, lightweight, multichannel optical cochlear implant module designed for mounting onto the head of laboratory rodents. A custom 655 nm laser diode array with 100 μm pitch is coupled to a flexible SU-8/PMMA waveguide array via a single aspheric lens. Axial alignment uses a five-position hole-pattern and thin sapphire plates for coarse and fine adjustment of the longitudinal focus position. The optical module is 14 mm long and weighs 2.07 g without and 5.56 g with the head-stage. Five channels delivered 5–7.5 mW per channel outcoupled from the waveguides with an average of 11% coupling efficiency. Silicone encapsulation with Al 2 O 3 -based scattering and black epoxy minimized crosstalk.
Fields of Study & Subjects
Photonic and Optical Devices
Semiconductor Lasers and Optical Devices
Advanced optical system design
Publication details
- Journal / source
- Optical Materials Express
- Publisher
- Optica Publishing Group
- Volume
- 16
- Issue
- 4
- Pages
- 1088–1088
- Publication date
- 12 February 2026
- Language
- EN