JP2003050332A - Method for adjusting position of optical fibers and optical fiber array device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method for adjusting the position of optical fibers for accurately and easily adjusting the position of the core of respective optical fibers in an optical fiber array and to provide the optical fiber array. SOLUTION: The optical fiber array part 40 is provided with a base plate 42 on which recessed parts 41 are formed which are respectively engaged with respective optical fibers 10, four pressing members 43 which independently pressurize the respective optical fibers 10 against the respective recessed parts 41 at the lower face of the base plate 42 and a pair of guide plates 44 which clamp and hold the both sides of the pressurizing member 43. The respective optical fibers 10 are supported by the base plate 42 having the recessed parts 41 and the pressurizing members 43 in a manner that the rotational angular position around the optical axis and the position in the direction of optical axis are adjustable.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an optical fiber array device having an optical fiber array formed by arranging three or more optical fibers in series, and a method for adjusting the position of an optical fiber in such an optical fiber array device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art For example, in an image recording apparatus for recording an image with a plurality of light beams, an optical fiber array in which a plurality of optical fibers are arranged in a straight line is used, and this optical fiber array is constructed for a recording material. An image is recorded by irradiating a light beam modulated according to an image signal from each optical fiber.

An optical fiber array used in such an image recording apparatus is, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 200
As disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 0-141749, a technique is used in which each optical fiber is positioned by using a substrate having a V groove or the like for fixing the optical fiber. Then, in such an optical fiber array, after positioning the optical fiber using the substrate,
The position of the end face of each optical fiber is adjusted by polishing the end face of the optical fiber.

[0004]

Generally, in an optical fiber, there is a core eccentricity error in which the position of the core deviates from the position of the clad, and an outer diameter dimensional error in which the outer diameter of each optical fiber is different. Therefore, in the above-mentioned optical fiber array, even if the outer diameter position and the center position of each optical fiber are accurately adjusted, it is difficult to adjust the core position to an alignment accuracy of, for example, 1 μm or less.

For this reason, it is possible to accurately measure the core position of each optical fiber and to select the one with a small eccentricity, but in this case it takes a lot of time for adjustment and the like. Further, there is a possibility that the core may be displaced during polishing of the end surface after the adjustment.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and provides an optical fiber position adjusting method and an optical fiber array capable of accurately and easily adjusting the position of the core of each optical fiber in an optical fiber array. The purpose is to

[0007]

The invention according to claim 1 is an optical fiber position adjusting method for adjusting the position of the core of each optical fiber in an optical fiber array in which three or more optical fibers are arranged in a row. A position adjusting step of adjusting the position of the core in each optical fiber by rotating each optical fiber around its optical axis, and a fixing step of fixing each optical fiber in a non-rotatable state. To do.

According to a second aspect of the invention, in the invention according to the first aspect, two of the three or more optical fibers forming the optical fiber array are fixed in a non-rotatable state, and then the other optical fibers are fixed. The other optical fiber is rotated so that the core of the optical fiber is arranged on the straight line connecting the cores of the two optical fibers, and the position of the core is adjusted.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to the first aspect or the second aspect, each optical fiber is moved in the optical axis direction thereof before the fixing step. And an end face position adjusting step of adjusting the position of the end face.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an optical fiber array device having an optical fiber array in which three or more optical fibers are arranged in a row, and each of the optical fibers is provided with a rotation angle position about its optical axis and its rotation angle position. A support mechanism that supports the position in the optical axis direction in an adjustable state, and a fixing that fixes each of the optical fibers in a state in which the rotation angle position around the optical axis and the position in the optical axis direction cannot be changed. And a mechanism.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to the fourth aspect, the support mechanism includes a substrate having a recess capable of engaging with each of the optical fibers, and each of the optical fibers individually provided in the recess. And a pressing member for pressing toward.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to the fourth aspect, the support mechanism has a substrate having concave portions that can engage with the optical fibers, and a lower elastic coefficient than the optical fibers. A pressing member that collectively presses each of the optical fibers toward the recess is provided.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to the fourth aspect, the supporting mechanism urges the substrate supporting the optical fiber and the optical fiber in a direction in which they approach each other on the surface of the substrate. An urging mechanism and a pressing member that has a lower elastic coefficient than the optical fibers and collectively presses each of the optical fibers toward the substrate.

According to an eighth aspect of the invention, in the invention according to any one of the fourth to seventh aspects, the fixing mechanism is made of solder or adhesive.

[0015]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is an overall schematic diagram of an optical fiber array device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

This optical fiber array device includes four optical fibers 10 each of which is covered with a coating 13.
Support part 20 for supporting the incident side end of each optical fiber 10.
And a light source 30 arranged adjacent to each support portion 20, and an optical fiber array portion 40 formed at an emission side end portion of each optical fiber 10. In this optical fiber array device, the light beam emitted from each light source 30 is
Optical fiber array unit 40 via each optical fiber 10
Be transmitted to.

In this embodiment, the number of the optical fibers 10 is four for the sake of convenience of explanation. However, when the optical fiber array device is applied to, for example, an image recording device, a larger number of optical fibers 10 are used. To be done.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view showing the vicinity of the optical fiber array section 40 in the above-described optical fiber array apparatus, and FIG. 2 is a front view of the optical fiber array section 40.

The optical fiber array section 40 includes a substrate 42 in which recesses 41 (see FIG. 3) capable of engaging with the respective optical fibers 10 are formed, four pressing members 43, and these pressing members 43 on both sides thereof. And a pair of guide plates 44 sandwiched between them. Each of the four pressing members 43 is biased in the direction of the substrate 42 (downward direction shown in FIG. 2) by a biasing means (not shown), and its lower surface individually presses each of the optical fibers 10 toward each recess 41. . Further, the lower ends of the pair of guide plates 44 are inserted into the recess 41.

In this optical fiber array section 40, since each pressing member 43 presses each optical fiber 10 individually, even when there is an outer diameter dimensional error in which the outer diameter differs for each optical fiber 10, each optical fiber 10 It becomes possible to position 10.

In this figure, reference numeral 12 is the core of the optical fiber 10, and reference numeral 11 is the core 12.
Shows a clad covering the outer peripheral portion of. Further, the outer periphery of the clad 11 is plated with metal.

In the optical fiber array section 40, the optical fiber 10 on the upper part of the substrate 42 has its rotational angle position around the optical axis and its position in the optical axis direction by the action of the solder 45 after the position adjustment described later is completed. It is fixed so that it cannot be changed.

The substrate 42 in which the concave portion 41 is formed and the pressing member 43 in the optical fiber array portion 40 can adjust the rotation angle position of each optical fiber 10 about its optical axis and its position in the optical axis direction. It functions as a support mechanism according to the present invention for supporting in a state. The solder 45 in the optical fiber array section 40 serves as a fixing mechanism according to the present invention for fixing each of the optical fibers 10 in a state in which the rotation angle position around the optical axis and the position in the optical axis direction cannot be changed. Function.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view showing the vicinity of the supporting portion 20 in the above-mentioned optical fiber array device.

The supporting portion 20 has a structure in which the ferrule 21 to which the coating 13 of the optical fiber 10 is fixed is held by a supporting member 22 having a split fastening structure in which a notch 23 is formed. Therefore, the incident side end of the optical fiber 10 is supported by the support member 22 so as to be rotatable around the optical axis. A light source 30 is arranged on the side of each support member 22.

FIG. 5 shows the internal structure of the light source 30 as the supporting portion 20.
It is a schematic diagram shown together with.

The light source 30 includes a semiconductor laser 31 and a lens 32. The light beam emitted from the semiconductor laser 31 enters the optical fiber 10 via the lens 32.

In the optical fiber array device having the above structure, it is preferable that the center of gravity of the core 12 in each optical fiber 10 is accurately arranged on a straight line. Hereinafter, a method for adjusting the position of the optical fiber 10 in this optical fiber array device will be described.

In order to form an optical fiber array by aligning a plurality of optical fibers 10 in a straight line, first,
The optical fiber 10 located at one end is placed in the recess 41 of the substrate 42, and the optical fiber 10 is pressed and fixed by the corresponding pressing member 43. And
If necessary, the optical fiber 10 is temporarily fixed to the substrate 42 using an ultraviolet curable adhesive or the like. In this state, the semiconductor laser 31 in the light source 30 is turned on, and the image of the light beam emitted from the optical fiber 10 is picked up by the image pickup device 50.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a state where the light beam emitted from the optical fiber 10 is picked up by the image pickup device 50, and FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing the internal structure of the image pickup device 50 in that state.

As shown in FIG. 7, the image pickup device 50 has an imaging lens 51 and a CCD 52 inside. Also,
The imaging device 50 is connected to a display device such as a CRT (not shown). The imaging lens 51 is for forming the image of the light beam emitted from the optical fiber 10 on the imaging surface of the CCD 52. Therefore, the image of the light beam emitted from the optical fiber 10 is transferred to the CCD 5 by moving the imaging device 50 in the optical axis direction of the optical fiber 10 while checking the display device such as a CRT (not shown).
An image can be formed on the second imaging surface.

Next, the optical fiber 10 located at the other end is placed in the recess 41 of the substrate 42, and the optical fiber 10 is pressed and fixed by the corresponding pressing member 43. In this state, the position of the optical fiber 10 in the optical axis direction (the position of the end face of the optical fiber 10) is adjusted. The adjustment of the position in the optical axis direction is performed while the CCD 52 captures the image of the light beam emitted from the optical fiber 10 and passing through the imaging lens 51.
This is executed by changing the position of the optical axis direction of the optical fiber and stopping the optical fiber at the position where the image of the light beam is most focused on the image pickup surface of the CCD 52. As a result, the positions of the end faces of the optical fibers 10 located at both ends are matched. Then, if necessary, the optical fiber 10 is temporarily fixed to the substrate 42 by using an ultraviolet curable adhesive or the like.

Next, the optical fibers 10 located at both ends
The optical fibers 10 other than the above are sequentially positioned. In this case, the optical fiber 10 is placed in the recess 41 of the corresponding substrate 42, and the optical fiber 10 is pressed and fixed by the corresponding pressing member 43.

In this state, the optical fiber 10
Adjust the position along the optical axis. This position adjustment in the optical axis direction is performed by changing the position in the optical axis direction of the optical fiber 10 while the CCD 52 captures the image of the light beam emitted from the optical fiber 10 and passed through the imaging lens 51, as in the above. This is performed by stopping the optical fiber at the position where the image of the light beam is most focused on the imaging surface. As a result, the position of the end face of the optical fiber 10 coincides with the position of the end face of the optical fiber 10 located at both ends.

Then, the rotational angle position of the optical fiber 10 is adjusted. The rotation angle position is adjusted by rotating the optical fiber 10 around its optical axis while imaging the image of the light beam emitted from the optical fiber 10 and passing through the imaging lens 51 by the CCD 52, and the optical fiber 10 on the imaging surface of the CCD 52. This is performed by arranging the center of gravity of the light beam further emitted on the straight line connecting the centers of gravity of the light beams emitted from the optical fibers 10 at both ends.

That is, as described above, the optical fiber 10
In, there is a core eccentricity error in which the position of the core deviates from the position of the cladding. Therefore, the optical fiber 10
The position of the core 12 in the optical fiber 10 can be finely adjusted by rotating the optical fiber 10 about its optical axis. And. When the center of gravity of the light beam emitted from the optical fiber 10 on the image pickup surface of the CCD 52 is arranged on the straight line connecting the centers of gravity of the light beams emitted from the optical fibers 10 at both ends, the core 12 of the optical fiber 10 is The position of the center of gravity is arranged on the straight line connecting the centers of gravity of the cores 12 of the optical fibers 10 located at both ends. Then, if necessary, the optical fiber 10 is temporarily fixed to the substrate 42 by using an ultraviolet curable adhesive or the like.

By performing such an operation on the other optical fibers 10 between the optical fibers 10 located at both ends, the positions of the end faces of all the optical fibers 10 are made coincident with each other, and the cores of all the optical fibers 10 are aligned. It is possible to accurately align the positions of 12 centers of gravity on a straight line.

The positions of the end faces of all the optical fibers 10 are the same, and the cores 1 of all the optical fibers 10 are aligned.
After the barycentric positions of 2 are accurately aligned on the straight line, solder 4
Each optical fiber 10 is fixed on the substrate 42 by 5.
In this state, each optical fiber 10 is fixed such that the rotation angle position around the optical axis and the position in the optical axis direction cannot be changed.

An adhesive is used instead of the solder 45 as a fixing mechanism for fixing each optical fiber 10 in a state where the rotation angle position around the optical axis and the position in the optical axis direction cannot be changed. You may. Further, as this fixing mechanism, other fixing mechanism for mechanically fixing each optical fiber 10 may be used.

By adjusting the position of the optical fiber 10 in the optical fiber array device using the position adjusting method as described above, the position of the core 12 in each optical fiber 10 can be adjusted accurately and easily.

At this time, as described above, the exit side end of the optical fiber 10 is formed by the substrate 42 and the pressing member 43 having the recess 41, and the entrance side end of the optical fiber 10 is formed by the notch 23. The optical fiber 10 can be easily rotated around the optical axis because it is rotatably supported around the optical axis by the support members 22 having the tightening structure.

In the above-mentioned embodiment, the optical fibers 10 other than the optical fibers 10 located at both ends are provided.
In contrast, the rotation angle position around the optical axis is adjusted after adjusting the position in the optical axis direction (position of the end face), but the position in the optical axis direction is adjusted after adjusting the rotation angle position in the optical axis direction. You may do it.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, after fixing the pair of optical fibers 10 positioned at both ends, the optical fiber 1 positioned between these optical fibers 10 is fixed.
0 core 12 to the core 12 of the pair of optical fibers 10.
Although they are arranged on a straight line connecting the two optical fibers, after fixing any two of the optical fibers 10 constituting the optical fiber array in a state in which they cannot rotate, the core 12 of another optical fiber 10 is You may make it arrange | position on the straight line which connects the core 12 in the optical fiber 10.

Next, another embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 8 is an enlarged perspective view showing the vicinity of the optical fiber array unit 60 in the optical fiber array device according to the second embodiment, and FIG. 9 is a front view of the optical fiber array unit 60.

In the above-described first embodiment, the substrate 42 having the concave portion 41 that can be engaged with each optical fiber 10 is provided.
And a pressing member 43 that individually presses each optical fiber 10 toward the recess, supports each optical fiber in a state in which the rotation angle position around the optical axis and the position in the optical axis direction can be adjusted. ing.

On the other hand, in the second embodiment shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, a substrate 62 having a recess 61 capable of engaging with each optical fiber and an optical fiber having a lower elastic coefficient than each optical fiber 10 are collectively formed. By using the pressing member 63 that presses toward the concave portion 61, it is possible to adjust the rotation angle position of each optical fiber around its optical axis and the position in the optical axis direction. Other configurations are similar to those of the above-described first embodiment.

In the optical fiber array device according to the second embodiment, each optical fiber 10 has a rotation angle position around the optical axis and a position in the optical axis direction due to the recess 61 in the substrate 62 and the pressing member 63 having elasticity. And are supported in an adjustable state. At this time, the pressing member 6
Since 3 has elasticity, each optical fiber 10 can be positioned even when there is an outer diameter dimensional error in which the outer diameter differs for each optical fiber 10. Then, the optical fiber 10 after positioning is fixed by the solder 65 in a state in which the rotational angle position around the optical axis and the position in the optical axis direction cannot be changed.

The substrate 62 in which the recess 61 is formed in the optical fiber array section 60 and the pressing member 63 can adjust the rotation angle position of each optical fiber 10 about its optical axis and its position in the optical axis direction. It functions as a support mechanism according to the present invention for supporting in a state.

Also in the case of the optical fiber array device according to the second embodiment, as in the case of the optical fiber array device according to the first embodiment described above, the optical fiber 1 is used.
By adjusting the position of 0, all optical fibers 1
It is possible to match the positions of the end faces of 0 and accurately align the center of gravity of the cores 12 in all the optical fibers 10 on a straight line.

Next, still another embodiment of the present invention will be described. 10 is an enlarged perspective view showing the vicinity of the optical fiber array unit 70 in the optical fiber array device according to the third embodiment, and FIG. 11 is a front view of the optical fiber array unit 70.

In the third embodiment, a substrate 72 for collectively supporting the optical fiber 10, a pair of urging members 74 for urging the optical fiber 10 in directions close to each other on the surface of the substrate 72, and an optical fiber Substrate 7 that has a modulus of elasticity lower than 10 and bundles each optical fiber together
By using the pressing member 73 that presses the optical fiber toward the optical fiber 2, the optical fiber can be adjusted in the rotational angle position around the optical axis and the position in the optical axis direction. Other configurations are similar to those of the above-described first and second embodiments.

In the optical fiber array device according to the third embodiment, each optical fiber 10 is adjusted in its rotational angle position around the optical axis and its position in the optical axis direction by the substrate 72 and the pressing member 73 having elasticity. It is supported as much as possible. At this time, since the pressing member 73 has elasticity, each optical fiber 10 can be positioned even when there is an outer diameter dimensional error in which the outer diameter differs for each optical fiber 10. Then, the optical fiber 10 after positioning is fixed by the solder 75 in a state in which the rotation angle position around the optical axis and the position in the optical axis direction cannot be changed.

The substrate 72, the pressing member 73, and the pair of biasing members 74 in the optical fiber array unit 70 can adjust the rotation angle position of each optical fiber 10 about its optical axis and its position in the optical axis direction. It functions as a support mechanism according to the present invention for supporting in a simple state.

Also in the case of the optical fiber array device according to the third embodiment, all the optical fibers are adjusted by adjusting the position of the optical fiber 10 as in the case of the optical fiber array devices according to the first and second embodiments described above. It is possible to match the positions of the end faces of the optical fibers 10 and accurately align the positions of the centers of gravity of the cores 12 in all the optical fibers 10 on a straight line.

[0055]

According to the invention described in claim 1, a position adjusting step of adjusting the position of the core in each optical fiber by rotating each optical fiber around its optical axis, and a state in which each optical fiber cannot be rotated. Since the optical fiber has a core eccentricity error and an outer diameter dimension error, the position of the core of each optical fiber can be adjusted extremely accurately and easily.

According to the second aspect of the invention, after fixing two optical fibers out of the three or more optical fibers forming the optical fiber array in a state in which they cannot rotate,
By rotating the other optical fibers so that the cores of the other optical fibers are arranged on the straight line connecting the cores of the two optical fibers, the positions of the cores are adjusted, so that the positions of the cores of the respective optical fibers are accurately aligned. It is possible to place it on top.

According to the invention of claim 3, the position of the end face of each optical fiber is adjusted by moving each optical fiber in the direction of its optical axis before the fixing step. It is possible to dispose them in exactly the same position.

According to the invention described in claims 4 to 8, a support mechanism for supporting each of the optical fibers in a state in which the rotational angle position around the optical axis and the position in the optical axis direction are adjustable. Since each of the optical fibers is equipped with a fixing mechanism that fixes the rotation angle position around the optical axis and the position in the optical axis direction in an unchangeable state, the optical fiber has a core eccentricity error and an outer diameter dimension error. Even if it exists,
The position of the core of each optical fiber can be adjusted extremely accurately and easily.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall schematic diagram of an optical fiber array device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view showing the vicinity of an optical fiber array section 40.

FIG. 3 is a front view of an optical fiber array section 40.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view showing the vicinity of a support portion 20.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing an internal configuration of a light source 30 together with a support portion 20.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a state in which a light beam emitted from an optical fiber 10 is imaged by an imaging device 50.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing an internal configuration of an imaging device 50.

8 is an enlarged perspective view showing the vicinity of the optical fiber array section 60. FIG.

9 is a front view of the optical fiber array section 60. FIG.

10 is an enlarged perspective view showing the vicinity of the optical fiber array section 70. FIG.

11 is a front view of the optical fiber array section 70. FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 optical fiber 11 clad 12 cores 13 coating 20 Support 21 ferrule 22 Support member 23 Notches 30 light sources 31 Semiconductor laser 32 lenses 40 Optical fiber array section 41 recess 42 board 43 Pressing member 44 Guide plate 45 solder 50 Imaging device 51 Imaging lens 52 CCD 60 Optical fiber array section 61 recess 62 substrate 63 Pressing member 65 solder 70 Optical fiber array section 72 substrate 73 Pressing member 74 Biasing member

   ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    (72) Inventor Haruo Uemura             4-chome Tenjin, which runs up to Teranouchi, Horikawa-dori, Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto             1 Kitamachi No. 1 Dai Nippon Screen Manufacturing Co., Ltd.             Inside the company F-term (reference) 2H036 JA04 LA03 LA07 LA08                 2H037 AA04 BA03 BA05 DA04 DA18

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. An optical fiber position adjusting method for adjusting the position of a core in each optical fiber for an optical fiber array in which three or more optical fibers are arranged in a row, and each optical fiber is rotated around its optical axis. An optical fiber position adjusting method comprising: a position adjusting step for adjusting the position of the core in each optical fiber; and a fixing step for fixing each optical fiber in a state in which it cannot rotate. 2. The optical fiber position adjusting method according to claim 1, wherein two of the three or more optical fibers forming the optical fiber array are fixed in a non-rotatable state, and then the other optical fibers are fixed. A method for adjusting the position of an optical fiber by rotating another optical fiber so that the core is arranged on a straight line connecting the cores of the two optical fibers. 3. The optical fiber position adjusting method according to claim 1, wherein each optical fiber is moved in the direction of its optical axis before the fixing step so that the end face of each optical fiber is moved. An optical fiber position adjusting method having an end face position adjusting step of adjusting the position. 4. An optical fiber array device having an optical fiber array formed by arranging three or more optical fibers in a row, wherein each of the optical fibers has a rotation angle position around the optical axis and a position in the optical axis direction. A supporting mechanism that supports the optical fiber in an adjustable state; and a fixing mechanism that fixes each of the optical fibers in a state in which the rotation angle position around the optical axis and the position in the optical axis direction cannot be changed. An optical fiber array device. 5. The optical fiber array device according to claim 4, wherein the support mechanism includes a substrate having recesses that can be engaged with the optical fibers, and a pressing member that individually presses each of the optical fibers toward the recesses. An optical fiber array device comprising: a member. 6. The optical fiber array device according to claim 4, wherein the support mechanism has a substrate having recesses that can be engaged with the optical fibers, and a modulus of elasticity lower than that of the optical fibers. An optical fiber array device comprising: a pressing member that collectively presses the concave portion. 7. The optical fiber array device according to claim 4, wherein the supporting mechanism includes a substrate that supports the optical fiber, and a biasing mechanism that biases the optical fiber in directions close to each other on the surface of the substrate. An optical fiber array device comprising: a pressing member having a lower elastic coefficient than that of the optical fiber and pressing each of the optical fibers together toward the substrate. 8. The optical fiber array device according to claim 4, wherein the fixing mechanism is made of solder or adhesive.