Alps Electric has developed the “FLGPJ Series” Narrow Aspherical Glass Lens suitable for compact, high-density optical transceivers. Mass production will begin in July 2017.

The establishment of broadband communication networks based on fiber optics and other technologies plus the recent spread of such mobile devices as smartphones and tablets have led to the rise of services involving the transmission and receipt of large volumes of data. Examples are social networking services (SNS), gaming and video distribution. Data traffic over the Internet is increasing all the time as a result and the trend is expected to continue as Internet of Things (IoT) technology is embraced by a wide range of industries.

Infrastructure operators, who run data centers for storing data and the communication lines, are trying to support to high-capacity communication networks by downsizing optical transceivers and other equipment for fiber-optic communication systems to allow installation of multiple devices in the limited space available. Equipment therefore has to be more compact and of higher density, increasing the need for similar downsizing of the electronic components inside them.

For optical transceivers, Alps Electric has so far carried out mass production of square aspherical glass lenses, with a width and height of 1mm. Now Alps has developed the FLGPJ Series, an aspherical glass lens with a narrow width and a chucking area.

The FLGPJ Series has a narrow width measuring 0.6mm across and the chucking area at the top improves ease of handling when mounting during end product assembly and when making adjustments, contributing to high-density mounting. And despite the compact dimensions, the lens achieves an effective numerical aperture (NA) of 0.5.

Furthermore, the FLGPJ Series employs lead-free glass, achieving compliance with both RoHS 6 and REACH regulations.

Alps Electric will continue contributing to the creation of smaller optical communication equipment with higher density by harnessing technologies in the areas of optical design, mechanical design, mold and die manufacturing, molding and simulation built up over more than 25 years serving the optical communication market, and through stable supply of high-quality products.

Features

Chucking area at the top improves handling ease during end product assembly

1. Lens with a 0.6mm narrow width and a chucking area for greater mounting efficiency

2. Achieves NA 0.5 despite the 0.6mm width (0.45mm focal length at 1310nm)

3. Employs lead-free glass material, achieving compliance with RoHS 6 and REACH

Principal Applications

Multi-channel optical transceivers

Planned Release

Mass production:	From July 2017
Sample price	¥3,000 (Tax excluded)
Monthly output	5,000 units (April 2017)
Development	Engineering Headquarters—Nagaoka Plant (Nagaoka City, Niigata Prefecture)
Production	Production Headquarters—Nagaoka Plant (Nagaoka City, Niigata Prefecture)

Specifications

Model	FLGPJ Series
Dimensions (W×D×H)	0.6 × 0.8 × 1.5mm
Wavelength (λ)	1310nm, 1550nm
Effective NA	0.5, 0.55
Focal length (f)	0.45 (1310nm)
Target device	Chip type LD (2-lens system)
L1 [WD]	0.14mm (1310nm)
Beam diameter	0.45mm (1310nm) at effective NA
Operating temperature range	-40 to +85°C
Transmitted wavefront aberration (RMS: root mean square)	0.045λ
Transmittance	98% (1310nm, 1550nm)

Source：http://www.alps.com/