JP2001188143A - Optical parts - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enhance an optical multiplexing/demultiplexing function and an optical branching function. SOLUTION: First, second and third lenses 31, 32, and 33 are provided adjacently between optical wave-guides 11, 12, a reflection film 21 is inserted between the first lens 31 and the second lens 32, the optical wave-guide 11 is provided with a first optical fiber 11a and a second optical fiber 11b, and the other optical wave-guide 12 is provided with a third optical fiber 12a. A signal beam emitted from the first optical fiber 11a passes through the first lens and is made incident on the reflection film adjacent to the first lens, the beam reflected by the reflection film passes through the first lens and is emitted to the second optical fiber 11b, and the beam transmitting through the reflection film passes through the second lens adjacent to the reflection film and the third lens adjacent to the second lens and is emitted from a third optical fiber 12a of the optical wave-guide 12.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an optical component used for optical communication and the like.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in the field of optical communication, it is possible to increase the transmission capacity by wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) technology in which independent individual signals are carried on light of different wavelengths and transmitted through one optical fiber. Is being done. For example, it is known that an optical amplifier uses an optical wavelength demultiplexer / multiplexer for optical amplification, multiplexes signal light and pump light, and transmits the multiplexed light through a single optical fiber. It is also known to use an optical splitter to monitor the power of the light (the intensity of the signal light), to split a part of the signal light, and to transmit it through a single optical fiber. Recently, as the demand for such a wavelength division multiplexing communication system has increased, a technique for demultiplexing and combining wavelengths with high precision has been required.

Conventional optical wavelength division multiplexers and optical splitters have been manufactured by an optical fiber melt drawing technique. This melt-drawing technique makes it very easy to manufacture an optical wavelength demultiplexer / demultiplexer, but as the multiplexed wavelength spacing becomes narrower, the wavelength can be more accurately demultiplexed / demultiplexed. Proposal of a new technology has been expected in order to obtain sufficient characteristics with respect to the function of branching and branching. An object of the present invention is to enhance the function of demultiplexing and multiplexing.
Another purpose is to enhance the branching function.

An optical component according to the present invention comprises a reflection film and first, second and third lenses provided between one optical waveguide and the other optical waveguide. Yes,
A first lens is provided between the one optical waveguide and the reflective film, and second and third lenses are provided between the reflective film and the other optical waveguide.
Are disposed, one of the optical waveguides has a first optical fiber and a second optical fiber, and the other optical waveguide has a third optical fiber. Light emitted from the first optical fiber of the one optical waveguide passes through the first lens, enters the reflection film adjacent to the first lens, and is reflected by the reflection film. The light passing through the first lens is emitted to the second optical fiber, and the light passing through the reflection film is exposed to the second lens adjacent to the reflection film and adjacent to the second lens. The light exits from the third optical fiber of the other optical waveguide after passing through the third lens. The reflection film includes those formed on the end face of the substrate and those formed on the end face of the lens. The reflection film is appropriately selected and used from an optical branching device that is a branching film, an optical wavelength demultiplexing multiplexer that is a demultiplexing film, and the like.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An optical component A1 will be described with reference to FIG. The optical component A1 includes one (left side in the figure) optical waveguide 11 and the other optical waveguide 12, a reflection film 21 disposed therebetween, and first, second, and third lenses 3
1, 32, and 33. The reflection film 21 and the first, second, and third lenses 31, 32, and 33 are provided between the optical waveguide 11 and the optical waveguide 12. One optical waveguide 11 has a first optical fiber 11a and a second optical fiber 11b in the figure, and the terminals of the first and second optical fibers are connected to a fiber array 13. The other optical waveguide 12 has a third optical fiber 12 a, and the terminal of the third optical fiber is connected to a fiber array 14. First, second, and third optical fibers 11a, 11
Both 1b and 12a are formed of, for example, a quartz optical fiber. The reflection film 21 is formed on an end face of a substrate 21a such as a parallel plate type glass or the like in the drawing, and is used as, for example, an optical splitter or an optical wavelength demultiplexer / multiplexer. The splitting ratio in the used optical splitter is, for example, 90: 1.
0, 50:50, 95: 5, 99: 1 and the like are appropriately determined depending on the application. The combination of wavelengths in the optical wavelength demultiplexer / multiplexer used is, for example, 980/1550 nm,
1020/1310 nm, 1310/1550 nm, 1
480/1550 nm, 1510/1550 nm, 15
50/1590 nm or the like is appropriate. The reflection film 21 is formed of a dielectric multilayer film formed on an end face of the substrate 21a facing the first lens 31 adjacent to the left side in the figure.
The reflection film 21a is a branch film when it is an optical branch. The branching ratio can be determined by changing the refractive index of the reflection film 21 or the number of film layers. When the reflection film 21 is an optical wavelength demultiplexer / demultiplexer, it is a demultiplexing film. The first lens 31, the second lens 32, and the third lens 33 are sequentially arranged in an adjacent state from one optical waveguide 11 to the other optical waveguide 12. The reflection film 21 is inserted between the first lens 31 and the second lens 32. Here, the operation of the optical component A1 will be described separately for the following cases (1) and (2). (1) The case where the reflection film 21 is an optical splitter An example in which the optical component A1 is used for an optical amplifier will be described. In this example, the reflection film 21 is used as an optical splitter having a split ratio of 90:10. The signal light having a wavelength of 1550 nm propagated from the first optical fiber 11a of the one optical waveguide 11 passes through the first lens 31, then enters the reflection film 21, and 10% is reflected by the reflection film 21, First lens 3
1 and the second optical fiber 1 of one optical waveguide 11
1b and used as monitor light. The remaining 90% of the signal light is reflected by the reflection film 21 and the second lens 3.
After passing through the second optical waveguide 12, the light is condensed by the third lens 33 and output to the third optical fiber 12a of the other optical waveguide 12. (2) The case where the reflection film 21 is an optical wavelength demultiplexer / multiplexer An example in which the optical component A1 is used to monitor an optical communication system will be described. In this example, the reflection film 21 is, for example, 151
It is used as an optical wavelength demultiplexer / multiplexer of 0/1550 nm. The signal light (for example, a wavelength of 1550 nm) and the monitoring light (for example, a wavelength of 1510 nm) propagated from the first optical fiber 11 a of one optical waveguide 11 pass through the first lens 31 and then enter the reflection film 21. If the reflection film 21 transmits monitoring light having a wavelength of 1510 nm and reflects signal light having a wavelength of 1550 nm, the monitoring light having a wavelength of 1510 nm passes through the reflection film 21 and the second lens 32 and then passes through the third lens 33. And is output to the third optical fiber 12a of the other optical waveguide 12, and is used for monitoring an optical communication system. The signal light having a wavelength of 1550 nm is reflected by the reflection film 21.
The light is reflected by the first lens 31, passes through the first lens 31, and is output from the second optical fiber 11b. (1) in the above example,
In the case of (2), the combination of the branching ratio and the wavelength in the reflection film 21 can be appropriately set according to the purpose of the optical component A1,
The accuracy of the branching function and the wavelength demultiplexing / multiplexing function can be improved, and the insertion loss can be reduced, so that the output can be suppressed even when used for a high power amplifier or a low noise amplifier. Further, the angle of incidence of the signal light passing through the first lens 31 on the reflection film 21 can be reduced, so that the first lens 31, the reflection film 21, the second lens 32, and the third lens 33 Can be closely connected,
Therefore, the optical component A1 can be compactly integrated. Another embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The configuration of the illustrated optical component A2 is substantially the same as that of the above-described optical component A1, except that the reflection film 21A is formed on an end surface of a substrate 21Aa having a so-called tapered structure. The optical component A2 uses a parallel-plate type substrate on which the reflection film 21 is formed by forming the substrate 21Aa on which the reflection film 21A is formed into a tapered structure.
There is an advantage that multiple reflections can be suppressed as compared with. Reflective film 2
1A is formed on an end face of the substrate 21Aa facing the first lens 31. The reflection film 21A is a branching film when it is an optical branching device, and is a branching film when it is an optical wavelength demultiplexing multiplexer. 21Aa1 is an inclined surface of the substrate 21Aa. The code | symbol which shows the component part of the optical component A2 common to the optical component A1 uses the code common to the optical component A1. The optical component A2 has the same function and effect as the optical component A1 except for having the above-mentioned advantages. Still another embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. The configuration of the optical component A3 shown in FIG.
1 has substantially the same configuration as that of FIG. 1, except that the reflective film 21B is formed on the right end surface of the first lens 31B (the end surface facing the second lens 32B), for example, by vapor deposition.
The optical component A3 has a structure in which the reflection film 21B is integrated with the first lens 31B, so that the optical component A3 is more compact than the optical component A1 using the substrate 21a having the independent parallel plate type reflection film 21. There is an advantage that can be achieved.
The reflection film 21B is used as a branch film in an optical branching device or as a branching film in an optical wavelength demultiplexer / multiplexer. Optical component A
The reference numerals that indicate the components of the optical component A3 that are common to 1 use the same reference numerals as the optical component A1. One optical waveguide 1
The light emitted from the first optical fiber 11a is
Passes through the lens 31B and enters the reflective film 21B adjacent to the first lens, and the light reflected by the reflective film passes through the first lens and passes through the second optical fiber 1B.
1b, which passes through the reflective film 21B, passes through the second lens 32B adjacent to the reflective film, passes through the third lens 33B, and exits from the third optical fiber 12a of the other optical waveguide 12. Is done. The configuration of the optical component A4 shown in FIG.
1B is the left end face of the second lens 32B (the first lens 31
(The end face facing B). The optical component A4 has the same function and effect as the optical component A3.

According to the present invention, the branching or wavelength division multiplexing function can be enhanced with a simple configuration. According to the invention, multiple reflection can be suppressed by forming the reflection film on the substrate having the tapered structure. According to the invention,
By forming the reflective film on either one of the facing end surfaces of the first lens and the second lens, the overall size can be reduced.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of an optical component A1 showing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of an optical component A2 showing another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of an optical component A3 showing still another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram of an optical component A4 showing still another embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 A1, A2, A3, A4 Optical component 11 One optical waveguide 11a First optical fiber 11b Second optical fiber 12 Other optical waveguide 12a Third optical fiber 21 Reflecting film (branching film, demultiplexing film) 21a Substrate 21A Reflective film (branch film, demultiplexing film) 21Aa Substrate 21Aa1 Inclined surface 21B Reflective film (branch film, demultiplexing film) 31, 31B First lens 32, 32B Second lens 33, 33B Third lens

Claims (14)

[Claims] 1. A reflecting film and first, second, and third lenses are provided between one optical waveguide and the other optical waveguide, respectively, and the one optical waveguide and the reflecting film are provided. Between the reflective film and the other optical waveguide.
Wherein the one optical waveguide has a first optical fiber and a second optical fiber, the other optical waveguide has a third optical fiber, and the one optical waveguide has Light emitted from the first optical fiber of the optical waveguide passes through the first lens, enters the reflection film adjacent to the first lens, and is reflected by the reflection film. Passing through the first lens and passing through the second lens
Out of the optical fiber and transmitted through the reflective film passes through the second lens adjacent to the reflective film and the third lens adjacent to the second lens and passes through the other light guide. An optical component, which is emitted from a third optical fiber in a wave path. 2. The optical component according to claim 1, wherein the reflection film is a branch film. 3. The optical component according to claim 1, wherein the reflection film is a branching film. 4. A reflection film and first, second, and third lenses are provided between one of the optical waveguides and the other optical waveguide, respectively, and the one optical waveguide is a first optical waveguide. And the other optical waveguide has a third optical fiber. From the one optical waveguide to the other optical waveguide, first, second and The third lenses are sequentially arranged in an adjacent state, and the reflection film is a branch film formed on an end face of the substrate, and the substrate is inserted between the first lens and the second lens. The light emitted from the first optical fiber of the one optical waveguide passes through the first lens, enters the reflection film, and the light reflected by the reflection film is the first light. Out of the second optical fiber after passing through the lens, and transmitted through the reflective film. The second lens and the third is given
An optical component, which is emitted from the third optical fiber of the other optical waveguide through the lens. 5. The optical component according to claim 4, wherein the reflection film is formed on a substrate having a parallel plate structure. 6. The optical component according to claim 4, wherein the reflection film is formed on a substrate having a tapered structure having an inclined surface. 7. A reflecting film and first, second, and third lenses are provided between one optical waveguide and the other optical waveguide, respectively, and the one optical waveguide is a first optical waveguide. An optical fiber, a second optical fiber, the other optical waveguide having a third optical fiber, and a first, a second, and a third optical fiber from the one optical waveguide toward the other optical waveguide. 3 is sequentially arranged in an adjacent state, wherein the reflection film is a demultiplexing film formed on an end face of the substrate, and the substrate is inserted between the first lens and the second lens. The light emitted from the first optical fiber of the one optical waveguide passes through the first lens, enters the reflection film, and the light reflected by the reflection film is the first light. Is emitted to the second optical fiber after passing through the lens, and passes through the reflection film. Said second lens and said third
An optical component, which is emitted from the third optical fiber of the other optical waveguide through the lens. 8. The optical component according to claim 7, wherein the reflection film is formed on a substrate having a parallel plate structure. 9. The optical component according to claim 7, wherein the reflection film is formed on a substrate having a tapered structure having an inclined surface. 10. A reflection film and first, second, and third lenses are provided between one of the optical waveguides and the other of the optical waveguides. Between the reflective film and the other optical waveguide.
Wherein the one optical waveguide has a first optical fiber and a second optical fiber, the other optical waveguide has a third optical fiber, and the reflection film Is formed on one of the opposing end faces of the adjacent first lens and second lens, and the light emitted from the first optical fiber of the one optical waveguide is the first light. Pass through the first lens and enter the reflective film adjacent to the first lens, and the light reflected by the reflective film passes through the first lens and passes through the second lens.
Out of the optical fiber and transmitted through the reflective film passes through the second lens adjacent to the reflective film and the third lens adjacent to the second lens and passes through the other light guide. An optical component, which is emitted from a third optical fiber in a wave path. 11. The optical component according to claim 10, wherein the reflection film is formed on the opposite end face of the first lens. 12. The optical component according to claim 10, wherein the reflection film is formed on the opposite end face of the second lens. 13. The optical component according to claim 10, wherein the reflection film is a branch film. 14. The optical component according to claim 10, wherein the reflection film is a branching film.