ABSTRACT
Stacked planar optics, a novel self-aligning scheme that uses a microlens array, has been developed as shown in Figure 1. If we can realize these kinds of two-dimensional arrayed devices available for actual uses, we can expect to align a tremendous number of optical components simultaneously, as in parallel multiplexing lightwave systems. The proposed concept will be a key technology for low cost optical couplers for advanced optical fiber communication systems handling a huge number of fiber and laser arrays. (See Microlens). A concept of stacked planar optics https://s3-euw1-ap-pe-df-pch-content-public-p.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/9781315220949/77cbcab8-b2d5-485c-b5ba-5378c11678dd/content/fig48_1.tif"/>
