Multiple 32-fiber array connection to silica waveguides on Si

A multiple 32-fiber array connection method with low loss and high stability is developed for silica-based planar lightwave circuits (PLCs) on Si. This technique is realized by fabricating a 32-fiber array with high pitch accuracy and reducing the warp of the chip. The average connection loss of a module connected to four 32-fiber arrays is 0.3 dB/point and the average loss change in a temperature cycle between 75 and -40/spl deg/C is less than 0.1 dB. Moreover, the module insertion loss was stable for 1200 h at 75/spl deg/C and 90% RH. These results show that the technique is suitable for practical applications.