Ultra-low coupling loss between Photonic Integrated Circuits (PICs) and optical fiber arrays is a fundamental requirement for enabling the disruptive potential of photonic quantum computing systems. The fiber core position accuracy in fiber arrays is a critical parameter to reduce the fiber-to-chip loss per port. V-groove-based fiber arrays can provide a typical best-in-class core position accuracy of ~±500nm, which does not meet the industry requirements. We propose a novel ultra-high-accuracy fiber array where each fiber core is actively aligned during the fiber array manufacturing process. Unlike passive methods, this technique allows for simultaneous, closed-loop alignment of all fibers, enabling superior coupling performance. We present here results from 24-channel fiber arrays with a fiber core position accuracy that surpasses the current state-of-the-art.

Tim Stevens

MicroAlign (Netherlands)

Tim Stevens was born in Sittard, the Netherlands, in 1997. He received both his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Mechanical Engineering from Eindhoven University of Technology, where his research focused on microelectromechanical systems (MEMS). In 2022, he joined MicroAlign as a Research and Development Specialist, concentrating on the design, development, and integration of high-precision fiber alignment systems. Since 2025, he has served as Head of R&D, leading research activities in active fiber alignment technologies to advance low-loss fiber coupling solutions.