The present invention provides a package for hermetically sealing optical fibers
such that they optically communicate with other optical elements/devices. First
and second substrates include one or more grooves formed in a surface for retaining
individual optical fibers in opposing grooves. The substrate/fiber assembly is
coated with at least one layer of material to assist in providing a substantially
hermetic seal between substrate/fiber assembly and a housing bonding material.
This material layer(s) is/are typically selected to minimize the material differences
between the substrate/fiber assembly and the housing. The housing surrounds at
least a portion of the fiber/substrate assembly and may contain one or more optical
elements/devices for optically communicating with optical fibers positioned in
the first and second substrate grooves.
