JP2000066126A - Substrate for optical fiber array block and production of optical fiber array block - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To completely prevent the outflow of adhesives when adhering fibers to the V-grooves of a substrate at the time of manufacturing an optical fiber array block 32 used for an optical switch, etc. SOLUTION: The substrate 11 having a ridge-like projecting part 17 between the V-grooves 12 and the V-grooves 14 is used. The fibers 26 are housed into the V-grooves 12 and are fixed by the adhesives. The outflow of the adhesives to the V-groove 14 side is prevented by the projecting part 17. The projecting part 17 is thereafter chipped away and further, part of the substrate is machined, by which a cross groove 16 is formed. At this time, the mirror finishing of the end faces of the fibers 26 is simultaneously executed as well.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a substrate for an optical fiber array block and a method for manufacturing an optical fiber array block using the substrate. In this specification, the “optical fiber array block” refers to, for example, the optical fiber array 30 and the corresponding fiber V-groove 14 as shown by reference numeral 32 in FIG.
(See below).
The optical fiber array block 32 is used for an optical fiber butt switch or the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG.
Indicates 0. This material is, for example, glass or the like. 12
Is a V-groove for forming the optical fiber array 30 (see FIG. 5B), and is hereinafter referred to as “array V-groove”. 14 is
For example, in the case of an optical switch, a moving fiber, that is, an optical fiber (not shown) corresponding to a predetermined one of the optical fiber strands 26 constituting the optical fiber array 30 is selectively inserted into a V-groove. This is referred to as “corresponding fiber V-groove”. Reference numeral 16 denotes a lateral groove, which is provided between the array V-groove 12 and the corresponding fiber V-groove 14. This is provided to prevent the adhesive from flowing out of the array V-groove 12 to the corresponding fiber V-groove 14. 18 is a flat part.

[Method of Manufacturing Array Block Substrate 10] An array V-groove 12, a corresponding fiber V-groove 14, and a lateral groove 16 are formed by cutting and grinding with a blade 20.

[Method of manufacturing optical fiber array block 32]
As shown in FIG. 5A, the optical fiber 26 of the optical fiber tape 22 is bonded to the array V-groove 12 with a thermosetting adhesive. The coating portion 24 of the optical fiber tape 22
It is placed on the flat part 18. Next, as shown in FIG. 5B, the end face of the optical fiber 26 is mirror-polished at once with a blade 28. Thus, the optical fiber array block 32 is completed.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Is adhered to the array V-groove 12, the adhesive easily flows to the corresponding fiber V-groove 14 side beyond the lateral groove 16 (an adhesive having a low viscosity cannot be used).

[0006]

The invention of claim 1 relates to an array block substrate. As shown in FIG. 1A, an array V-groove 12 and a corresponding fiber V-groove 14 are provided.
And a projection 17 crossing the block substrate.

The term "V-groove" includes a groove for aligning the optical fibers 26 such as a U-groove or a trapezoidal groove only in this specification.

The surface of the convex portion 17 with respect to the array V-groove 12 is correctly perpendicular to the array V-groove 12.

Although the projection 17 is shown as a quadrangular prism, the cross-sectional shape may be a trapezoid or a triangle in addition to a square.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an optical fiber array block using the array block substrate of the first aspect.
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the substrate for an optical fiber array block having a lateral groove 16 between an optical fiber array V-groove 12 and a corresponding fiber V-groove 14, as illustrated in FIGS. Optical fiber 2 in array V-groove 12
When the optical fiber array block 32 is manufactured by placing the optical fiber 6 and fixing it with an adhesive, first, a light having a convex portion 17 that crosses the block substrate between the array V-groove 12 and the corresponding fiber V-groove 14. Using the fiber array block substrate 11, the optical fiber 26 is inserted into the array V-groove 12.
Then, after fixing and fixing with an adhesive, a part of the block substrate 10 including the convex portion 17 is cut to form the lateral groove 16.

If the projections 17 are provided, the adhesive does not flow toward the corresponding fiber V-groove 14 when the optical fiber 26 is bonded to the array V-groove 12.

The end face of the fiber can be positioned by abutting the optical fiber 26 against the projection 17.

At the same time as the removal of the convex portion 17 and the formation of the lateral groove 16, the end face of the optical fiber 26 is mirror-finished.

[0014]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS [Regarding Array Block Substrate 11] Between the array V-groove 12 and the corresponding fiber V-groove 14, there is provided a ridge-like convex portion 17 crossing the block substrate 10. The convex portion 17 has, for example, both height and width of 0.
The shape is a square prism of 1 to 0.2 mm. In addition, as described above, the surface of the convex portion 17 with respect to the array V-groove 12 is correctly maintained at a right angle to the array V-groove 12.

As shown in FIG. 2, the array block substrate 11 is manufactured by processing V-grooves 12 ', 14' and square grooves 17 'in dies 34, 36 and transferring them to a molded product. can do. However, it can also be manufactured by cutting and grinding as before.

[Manufacturing Method of Optical Fiber Array Block 32] A description will be given with reference to FIGS. The optical fiber 26 is bonded to the array V-groove 12 of the array block substrate 11 with a thermal adhesive. At this time, the tips of the optical fiber strands 26 are brought into contact with the protruding portions 17 so that the positions of all the optical fiber strands 26 are aligned. Further, as described above, the adhesive is applied to the convex portion 1.
7, there is no flow to the corresponding fiber V-groove 14.

Next, the protruding portion 17 is removed by the blade 28, the end face of the optical fiber 26 is mirror-finished at the same time, and a part of the array block substrate 11 is
6 is formed. Thus, the optical fiber array block 32 is completed. One example is shown in FIG.

[0018]

According to the present invention, the adhesive does not flow toward the corresponding fiber V-groove 14 when the optical fiber 26 is bonded.
The fiber end face can be positioned.

[Brief description of the drawings]

1 (a) is an explanatory view of an array block substrate 11, FIG. 1 (b) is an explanatory view of an optical fiber array block 32 in the course of manufacturing, and FIG. 1 (c) is an explanatory view of an optical fiber array block 32. Explanatory drawing of the completed state.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory view of a state in which an array block substrate 11 of the present invention is manufactured by transfer.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory view of a state in the process of manufacturing the optical fiber array block 32 according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory view of a conventional array block substrate 10.

FIGS. 5A and 5B are explanatory views of a state in the process of manufacturing an optical fiber array block 32 according to the related art.

[Explanation of symbols]

 10, 11 Array block substrate 12 Array V-groove 12 ', 14' V-groove 14 Corresponding fiber V-groove 16 Horizontal groove 17 Convex portion 17 'Square groove 18 Flat portion 20 Blade 22 Optical fiber tape 24 Coating portion 26 Optical fiber element Wire 28 blade 30 optical fiber array 32 optical fiber array block

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Hiroshi Furukawa 1440, Mukurosaki, Sakura City, Chiba Prefecture Inside Fujikura Sakura Plant, Inc. (72) Inventor Yukio Hayashi 1440, Misaki, Sakura City, Chiba Prefecture Inside Fujikura Sakura Plant F Terms (reference) 2H036 AA04 BA03 CA03 CA04 CA07 EA08 2H041 AA16 AB19 AZ02 AZ03

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. An optical fiber array block substrate having an optical fiber array V-groove 12 and a corresponding fiber V-groove 14, wherein between the array V-groove 12 and the corresponding fiber V-groove 14, Convex part 1 that crosses the block substrate
7. A substrate for an optical fiber array block, comprising: 2. An optical fiber array block substrate having a lateral groove 16 between an optical fiber array V-groove 12 and a corresponding fiber V-groove 14, wherein an optical fiber strand 26 is placed in the array V-groove 12. When manufacturing the optical fiber array block 32 by fixing with an adhesive, first, an optical fiber array block having a convex portion 17 crossing the block substrate between the array V-groove 12 and the corresponding fiber V-groove 14. After the optical fiber 26 is placed in the array V-groove 12 and fixed with an adhesive using the substrate 11, a part of the block substrate including the convex portion 17 is cut to form the horizontal groove. 16. A method for manufacturing an optical fiber array block, comprising: