JP2003195093A - Method and device for observing optical fiber - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method and device for observing optical fibers that enable observation time or measuring time to be reduced and that thereby improve efficiency of connecting operation. <P>SOLUTION: In focusing each of the two optical fibers Fa, Fb to be connected with each other using an optical observation mechanism 10 for making an optical observation from the side, the optical fibers Fa, Fb are each arranged at the position with the axial lines Oa, Ob shifted from each other. Then, the optical fiber Fa is focused by moving the optical observation mechanism 10 while the position of the optical fiber Fa is fixed and, after the mechanism 10 is fixed at this position, the optical fiber Fb is moved and focused. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an optical fiber observing method and an observing apparatus, which are applied when, for example, fusion splicing optical fibers.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In the case of fusion splicing optical fibers together, the optical fibers are clearly observed to accurately grasp the state of the optical fibers such as the eccentricity of the core and the deviation of the rotation axis. It is necessary to do the connection work above.
As a method of observing the optical fiber, an optical observation mechanism including a camera, an objective lens, a mirror, etc. is driven by a driving mechanism, and observation is performed by focusing on the optimum focus position from the side of the optical fiber. It is common.

As shown in FIG. 5 (a), a normal optical fiber is composed of a core 101 and a clad 102 covering the periphery of the core 101. When this optical fiber is observed from the side (in the direction of the arrow in the figure) using the optical observation mechanism,
Since the clad 102 and the core 101 have different refractive indexes, there is a point where the core 101 can be clearly seen by adjusting the focus optimally. That is, the position at which the core 101 can be observed most accurately and clearly is the "optimal focus position", and at the optimal focus position, the core 101 can be clearly observed as shown in FIG. 5 (b). The optical fiber may be doped with a special substance depending on its type, and the refractive index varies depending on the type of doping and the addition ratio thereof. Therefore, the optimum focus position varies depending on the type of optical fiber.

Further, for example, in the case of a polarization maintaining optical fiber as shown in FIG. 6A, a core 101 and a clad 102 are provided.
And a stress applying portion 103 arranged outside the core 101. In order to connect the polarization-maintaining optical fibers to each other, it is necessary to align the rotation axes with each other. This rotation axis alignment can be performed by detecting the rotation characteristics of the stress applying unit 103. That is, the stress applying section 103
The position where the most accurate and clear observation is possible is the “optimal focus position”, and at the optimum focus position, the stress imparting portion 103 can be clearly observed, as shown in FIG. 6B. If the types of the constant polarization optical fiber are different, the stress applying unit 103 is different.
Since the constituent materials, shapes, etc. of the above are different, the optimum focus position differs depending on the type of the polarization maintaining optical fiber.

[0005]

As described above, if the two optical fibers to be connected have different structures, material compositions, and the like from each other in both the ordinary optical fiber and the constant polarization optical fiber, the optimum focus position is obtained. Are in different positions. In such a case, in the conventional method of moving one optical observation mechanism to perform focusing, it is possible to simultaneously perform two operations such as measuring the core eccentricity amount or aligning the rotation axis after focusing. could not. As an example of conventional work, first, as shown in FIG. 7A, the optical observation mechanism 110 is moved to focus on the optimum focus position PA of one optical fiber 100a, and then the core eccentricity amount is adjusted. I was measuring or adjusting the rotation axis. After that, as shown in FIG. 7B, the optical observation mechanism 110 is moved again so that the other optical fiber 10 is moved.
After the focus is adjusted to the optimum focus position PB of 0b, the core eccentricity amount is measured or the rotation axis is adjusted. In other words, the same work must be repeated twice, resulting in a long observation time and a long measurement time, and in turn, a long time required to connect the optical fibers, resulting in good work efficiency. I couldn't say.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an optical fiber observing method and an observing apparatus capable of shortening the observation time and the measurement time, thereby improving the connection work efficiency. The purpose is to provide.

[0007]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an optical fiber observing method, wherein the two optical fibers to be connected to each other are optically observed from the side. When focusing using the observation mechanism,
The two optical fibers are arranged at positions where their axes are displaced from each other, and the optical observation mechanism is moved with one position of the two optical fibers fixed, and the one optical fiber is moved. The optical observation mechanism is fixed at this position, and then the other of the optical fibers is moved to focus the other optical fiber.

The invention according to claim 2 is a method of observing an optical fiber, which uses an optical observing mechanism for optically observing each of two optical fibers to be connected to each other from a lateral side. The two optical fibers are arranged at positions where their axes are offset from each other when focusing by
While the position of the optical observation mechanism is fixed, one of the two optical fibers is moved to focus the one optical fiber, and after fixing the one optical fiber at this position, It is characterized in that the other of the optical fibers is moved to focus the other optical fiber.

Further, the invention according to claim 3 is a method of observing an optical fiber, which uses an optical observing mechanism for optically observing each of two optical fibers to be connected to each other from a lateral side. The two optical fibers are arranged at positions where their axes are offset from each other when focusing by
After moving the optical observation mechanism and one of the two optical fibers to focus the one optical fiber, and fixing the optical observation mechanism and the one optical fiber at this position, The other of the optical fibers is moved to focus the other optical fiber.

By doing so, two optical fibers can be observed at the same time, and the observation time and the connection time can be greatly shortened even in the case of optical fibers having different optimum focus points. .

A fourth aspect of the present invention is the optical fiber observing method according to any one of the first to third aspects, wherein after the focusing of each of the optical fibers, the cores of the two optical fibers are The feature is that the amount of eccentricity is measured.

As described above, since the core eccentricity amount is measured after both the two optical fibers are focused, the two fibers can be collectively measured almost at the same time, and the time required for the measurement can be increased. Can be significantly shortened.

The invention described in claim 5 is the method for observing an optical fiber according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the optical fiber has a polarization-maintaining optical fiber having a stress imparting portion on the outside of the core. It is characterized in that the rotation axes of the two polarization-maintaining optical fibers are aligned after the respective focusing is performed.

As described above, since the rotation axes are aligned after both the two polarization-maintaining optical fibers have been focused, the rotation axes can be aligned almost at the same time and the rotation axes can be rotated simultaneously. The time required for axis alignment can be greatly reduced.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an optical fiber observing device, which is an optical observing mechanism for optically observing each of two optical fibers to be connected to each other from a lateral side.
An observation mechanism driving means for moving the optical observation mechanism in a direction of approaching and separating from the optical fiber, and at least one of these two optical fibers moving in a direction of approaching and separating from the optical observation mechanism. And an optical fiber driving unit for driving the optical fiber.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided an optical fiber observing device, which is an optical observing mechanism for optically observing each of two optical fibers to be connected to each other from a lateral side. A first optical fiber driving means for moving one of the two optical fibers in a direction of approaching and separating from the optical observation mechanism, and the other of the two optical fibers for the optical observation mechanism. And a second optical fiber drive means for moving the optical fiber toward and away from each other.

Further, the invention according to claim 8 is an optical fiber observation device, and an optical observation mechanism for optically observing each of two optical fibers to be connected to each other from the side, An observation mechanism driving means for moving the optical observation mechanism in a direction in which the optical observation mechanism is moved toward and away from the optical fiber;
A first optical fiber driving means for moving one of the two optical fibers in a direction of approaching and separating from the optical observation mechanism, and the other of the two optical fibers for the optical observation mechanism. And a second optical fiber drive means for moving the optical fiber toward and away from each other.

With the optical fiber observing device having such a configuration, the optical fiber observing method according to any one of claims 1 to 5 can be suitably implemented.

[0019]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of an optical fiber observing method and an observing apparatus according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

As shown in FIG. 1, an observing device (optical fiber observing device) 1A includes an optical observing mechanism 10 for optically observing sideways each of the optical fiber Fa and the optical fiber Fb to be connected to each other, An observing mechanism moving device (observing mechanism driving means) 11 for moving the optical observing mechanism 10 toward and away from the optical fibers Fa and Fb, and a moving direction of the optical fiber Fb toward and away from the optical observing mechanism 10. And an optical fiber moving device (optical fiber driving means, first optical fiber driving means) 20 for moving.

The optical fibers Fa and Fb are optical fibers connected to each other, and their optimum focus positions differ from each other due to their structure, composition, and the like. The optical fiber Fa is on the left side in FIG. 1A, the optical fiber Fb is on the right side in FIG.
The respective axes Oa, Ob are arranged so as to be substantially parallel to each other, and after the observation is completed, the end faces fa, fb are butted against each other and fusion-bonded.

The optical observation mechanism 10 comprises, for example, a camera, an objective lens, a mirror, etc., and optically observes each of the optical fibers Fa and Fb from the side. Further, the observation mechanism moving device 11 includes the optical observation mechanism 10
Is a drive mechanism for driving the optical observation mechanism 10 and moves the optical observation mechanism 10 in a direction of approaching and separating from the optical fibers Fa and Fb. The observation mechanism moving device 11 moves the optical observation mechanism 10 to adjust the focus of the optical fiber Fa to the optimum focus position PA and the focus of the optical fiber Fb to the optimum focus position PB, respectively. It can be performed.

If these optical fibers Fa and Fb are ordinary optical fibers composed of a clad and a core as shown in FIG. 4A, the cores will be as shown in FIG. 4B. The focus position that allows clear observation is the optimum focus position P
A and PB. In the case of a polarization maintaining optical fiber having a stress imparting portion on the outside of the core as shown in FIG. 5A, the stress imparting portion can be clearly observed as shown in FIG. 5B. Will be the optimum focus positions PA and PB.

As shown in FIG. 1B, the optical fiber moving device 20 has a mounting table 21 on which an optical fiber Fb having a substantially V-shaped cross section is mounted, and an optical fiber drive for driving the mounting table 21. The mechanisms 22a and 22b are provided. The optical fiber drive mechanisms 22a and 22b are two directions that are substantially orthogonal to each other in the direction of the arrow shown in the drawing, that is, in a virtual plane that is substantially orthogonal to the axis Ob, and are not parallel to the movement direction of the optical observation mechanism 10. Then, the mounting table 21 is moved. In this way, the mounting table 21 can move in two dimensions that are substantially orthogonal to the axis Ob, so that the optical fiber Fb is moved in a direction in which it approaches and separates from the optical observation mechanism 10. There is.

In FIG. 1, the optical fiber moving device 20 is simplified and only a schematic structure is shown. However, as a more specific structural example of the optical fiber moving device 20, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-258450. The "driving mechanism" described is mentioned. In addition, the optical fiber Fa is also mounted on the mounting table 2
Although it is mounted on the same mounting table (not shown) as No. 1,
This mounting table is fixed to one place on the observation device 1A.

A method of observing the optical fibers Fa and Fb using the observing apparatus 1A will be described below. First, the optical fiber Fa is mounted on a mounting table (not shown), and the optical fiber Fb is mounted on the mounting table 21, respectively. At this time, the optical fiber moving device 20 is moved in advance, and the optical fibers Fa, F
When b is placed, the axes Oa and Ob are displaced from each other. That is, since the optimum focus positions are different from each other, they are arranged in the vicinity of the predicted optimum focus position in advance. At this time, since the optical fiber Fa is placed on the immovable placing table, its position is fixed.

Next, the observation mechanism moving device 11 is driven,
The optical observation mechanism 10 is moved toward and away from the optical fiber Fa to focus the optical fiber Fa. Then, when the optimum focus position PA is reached, the observation mechanism moving device 11 is stopped and the optical observation mechanism 10 is fixed at that position. In this way, the optical fiber moving device 20 is driven to move the optical fiber Fb toward and away from the optical observation mechanism 10 to focus the optical fiber Fb. When the optimum focus position PB is reached, the optical fiber moving device 20 is stopped and fixed at that position.

Now, the optical observation mechanism 10 and the optical fiber F
a, the optical observation mechanism 10 and the optical fiber Fb both become the optimum focus positions PA and PB, and the two optical fibers F
It becomes a state in which a and Fb can be clearly observed almost simultaneously.

The optical fibers Fa and Fb are shown in FIG.
In the case of a normal optical fiber as shown in (a), the amount of eccentricity with the optical fibers Fa and Fb is also measured in addition to focusing. This eccentricity is determined by the optical fibers Fa, F
It can be measured by observing b while appropriately rotating it around each of the axes Oa and Ob. If there is a difference in the amount of eccentricity between the optical fibers Fa and Fb as a result of the measurement, the positions can be corrected so as to correct the difference, and then they can be fusion-spliced together.

Further, the optical fibers Fa and Fb are shown in FIG.
In the case of the constant polarization optical fiber as shown in (a), the rotation axis is aligned with the focus. The rotation axes can be aligned by observing the optical fibers Fa and Fb while appropriately rotating them around their respective axis lines Oa and Ob. After the rotation axes are aligned in this way, they can be fusion-spliced together.

Since this observing apparatus 1A is provided with the observing mechanism moving device 11 and the optical fiber moving device 20, the optical observing mechanism 10 is moved so that one of the two optical fibers Fa is moved. After focusing, the other optical fiber Fb can be moved to perform focusing. With such a configuration, the focus of the optical fiber Fa can be adjusted to the optimum focus position PA and the focus of the optical fiber Fb can be adjusted to the optimum focus position PB, and two optical fibers having different optimum focus positions can be obtained. , Can be observed almost at the same time. Therefore, the observation time and the subsequent connection time can be shortened.

Further, in the observation method using this observation apparatus 1A, when the optical fibers Fa and Fb are ordinary optical fibers, the core eccentricity amount can be measured after focusing both of them. Therefore, it is possible to measure two cables at a time almost at the same time, and it is possible to significantly reduce the time required for the measurement compared to the case where the measurement is performed for each one. Can be made.

Further, when the optical fibers Fa and Fb are polarization-maintaining optical fibers having a stress imparting portion on the outside of the core, the rotation axes can be aligned after focusing both of them. Therefore, the two rotary shafts can be aligned at the same time almost at the same time, and the time required for the rotary shaft alignment can be significantly reduced compared to the case where the rotary shafts are aligned for each one. It is possible to significantly improve the connection work efficiency of the polarized optical fiber.

Further, in place of the observation apparatus 1A described above, FIG.
The observation device 1B as shown in (a) may be used. The observation device 1B includes an optical fiber moving device (second optical fiber driving means) 30 that moves the optical fiber Fa in a direction of approaching and separating from the optical observation mechanism 10 as compared with the observation device 1A. 2 and the observation mechanism moving device 11 which is a component of the observation device 1A is omitted. Therefore, the same components as those in the observation device 1A are designated by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

The optical observation mechanism 10 is fixed at one place on the observation device 1B. Also, the optical fiber moving device 30
2 has a configuration similar to that of the optical fiber driving device 20, and as shown in FIG. 2B, a mounting table 31 having a substantially V-shaped cross section and on which the optical fiber Fa is mounted, and this mounting table 31.
And optical fiber drive mechanisms 32a and 32b for driving the. The optical fiber drive mechanisms 32a and 32b are
Each moves the mounting table 31 in the directions of the arrows shown in the drawing, that is, in two directions that are substantially orthogonal to each other in a virtual plane that is substantially orthogonal to the axis Oa and are not parallel to the moving direction of the optical observation mechanism 10. Is. Thus, the mounting table 31
Can be moved in a two-dimensional manner substantially orthogonal to the axis Oa, whereby the optical fiber Fa is moved in a direction of approaching or separating from the optical observation mechanism 10. The optical fiber drive mechanisms 22a and 32a move the mounting tables 21 and 31 in substantially parallel directions, and the optical fiber drive mechanisms 22b and 32b move the mounting tables 21 and 31 in substantially parallel directions. It is designed to let you.

As described above, the optical fibers Fa and Fb can be moved independently of each other by the optical fiber moving devices 20 and 30 having the same structure as each other. The optical fiber moving device 20 is not shown in FIG.

A method of observing the optical fibers Fa and Fb using the observing apparatus 1B will be described below. First, the optical fiber Fa is mounted on a mounting table (not shown), and the optical fiber Fb is mounted on the mounting table 21, respectively. At this time, each of the optical fiber moving devices 20 and 30 is moved in advance, and when the optical fibers Fa and Fb are placed, the axes Oa and O of the optical fibers Fa and Fb are placed.
It is arranged so that the positions b are shifted. At this time, since the optical observation mechanism 10 is immovable, its position is fixed.

Next, the optical fiber moving device 30 is driven to move the optical fiber Fa closer to or away from the optical observation mechanism 10 to focus the optical fiber Fa. When the optimum focus position PA is reached, the optical fiber moving device 30 is stopped and the optical fiber Fa is fixed at that position. In this way, the optical fiber moving device 20 is driven to move the optical fiber Fb toward and away from the optical observation mechanism 10 to focus the optical fiber Fb. When the optimum focus position PB is reached, the optical fiber moving device 20 is stopped and fixed at that position.

Now, the optical observation mechanism 10 and the optical fiber F
a, the optical observation mechanism 10 and the optical fiber Fb both become the optimum focus positions PA and PB, and the two optical fibers F
It becomes a state in which a and Fb can be clearly observed almost simultaneously.

Since the observing apparatus 1B is provided with the optical fiber moving devices 20 and 30, the optical fibers Fa and F are fixed even when the optical observing mechanism 10 is fixed.
Focusing can be performed by moving b independently of each other. With such a configuration, there is an advantage that the optical observation mechanism 10 having a generally precise and complicated structure can be fixed to one position on the observation device 1B. Therefore, the durability of the observation device can be improved by simplifying the device configuration.

Although the optical fiber Fa is focused first before the optical fiber Fb is focused here, the optical fiber Fb is focused first and then the optical fiber Fa is focused. You may make it match, and the order does not matter.

As a modification of the observation device 1B, FIG.
An observation device 1B2 as shown in (a) may be used. The observation device 1B2 has a configuration including optical fiber moving devices 20b and 30b in place of the optical fiber moving devices 20 and 30 in the observation device 1B. The optical fiber moving device 20b is the optical fiber moving device 2 described above.
Compared to 0, only the optical fiber drive mechanism 22b is omitted, and the optical fiber moving device 3
0b is different from the above optical fiber moving device 30 only in that the optical fiber drive mechanism 32a is omitted. That is, the observing apparatus 1B2 is a simplified mechanism of the observing apparatus 1B. Therefore, the same components as those in the observing apparatus 1B are designated by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted. To do.

The optical fiber moving device 20b is shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 3, the mounting table 21 and an optical fiber drive mechanism 22 a for driving the mounting table 21 are provided. Further, the optical fiber moving device 30b includes a mounting table 31a and an optical fiber drive mechanism 32b for driving the mounting table 31 as shown in FIG. 3 (c). The optical fiber drive mechanism 22a moves the mounting table 31 in one direction that is not parallel to the moving direction of the optical observation mechanism 10 within a virtual plane that is substantially orthogonal to the axes Oa and Ob.
Further, the optical fiber drive mechanism 32b is placed in one direction that is not parallel to the moving direction of the optical observation mechanism 10 and is substantially orthogonal to the moving direction of the optical fiber drive mechanism 22a within the same virtual plane. 31 is to be moved. In this way, the mounting tables 31 and 32 can be moved in the directions substantially orthogonal to each other, whereby the optical fiber F
The a and Fb are moved in a direction of approaching / separating from the optical observation mechanism 10.

In the observation apparatus 1B2, the optical observation mechanism 10 is fixed, while the optical fibers Fa and Fb are independently moved so that focusing can be performed, and the mechanism is simplified. The optical fiber moving devices 20b and 30b are provided. Therefore, the device configuration can be further simplified,
For example, even when the device configuration such as the observation device 1B cannot be adopted due to a demand for downsizing of the device, it is possible to effectively cope with the situation.

Furthermore, instead of the above-mentioned observation devices 1A and 1B, an observation device 1C as shown in FIG. 4 may be used. This observation device 1C is the same as the observation device 1B described above.
The observation mechanism moving device 11, which is a component of the observation device 1A, is provided. That is, the optical observation mechanism 10 and the optical fibers Fa and Fb are all movable only different from the observation apparatus 1B. Therefore, the same components as those in the observation devices 1A and 1B are designated by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted. In addition, in FIG.
Illustration of the optical fiber moving devices 20 and 30 is omitted.

A method of observing the optical fibers Fa and Fb using the observing apparatus 1C will be described below. First, the optical fiber Fa is mounted on the mounting table 31, and the optical fiber Fb is mounted on the mounting table 21, respectively. At this time, each of the optical fiber moving devices 20 and 30 is moved in advance, and the optical fiber F is moved.
When a and Fb are placed, the axes Oa and Ob are displaced from each other.

Next, the observation mechanism moving device 11 is driven,
The optical observation mechanism 10 is moved toward and away from the optical fiber Fa, and the optical fiber moving device 30 is driven to move the optical fiber Fa toward and away from the optical observation mechanism 10 to focus the optical fiber Fa. When the optimum focus position PA is reached, the observation mechanism moving device 11 and the optical fiber moving device 30 are stopped, and the optical fiber Fa is fixed at that position. In this way, the optical fiber moving device 20 is driven to move the optical fiber Fb to the optical observation mechanism 10.
The optical fiber Fb is brought into focus and away from the optical fiber Fb. When the optimum focus position PB is reached, the optical fiber moving device 20 is stopped and fixed at that position.

Now, the optical observation mechanism 10 and the optical fiber F
a, the optical observation mechanism 10 and the optical fiber Fb both become the optimum focus positions PA and PB, and the two optical fibers F
It becomes a state in which a and Fb can be clearly observed almost simultaneously.

Since the observing device 1C is provided with the observing mechanism moving device 11 and the optical fiber moving devices 20 and 30, the optical observing mechanism 10 and the optical fibers Fa and Fb are independently moved, Focusing can be performed. With such a configuration, there is an advantage that both the optical observation mechanism 10 and the optical fibers Fa and Fb can be moved at the same time, and the time required for focusing can be further shortened.

Although the optical fiber Fa is focused first before the optical fiber Fb is focused here, the optical fiber Fb is focused first and then the optical fiber Fa is focused. You may make it match, and the order does not matter.

Further, it goes without saying that the optical fiber moving devices 20b and 30b in the observing device 1B2 may be applied instead of the optical fiber moving devices 20 and 30 in the observing device 1C.

[0052]

As described above, in the optical fiber observing method and the observing apparatus according to the present invention, since the above-mentioned configuration is adopted, the observing time and the measuring time can be shortened. This can improve the efficiency of the connection work.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an embodiment of an optical fiber observation apparatus according to the present invention, in which (a) is a perspective view showing the entire apparatus configuration, and (b) is a front view showing an optical fiber driving apparatus. is there.

FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram showing another example of the embodiment of the optical fiber observation apparatus according to the present invention, FIG.
Is a perspective view showing the entire configuration of the apparatus, and FIG. 6B is a front view showing the optical fiber driving apparatus.

FIG. 3 is a schematic configuration diagram showing still another example of the embodiment of the optical fiber observation apparatus according to the present invention,
(A) is a perspective view showing the entire device configuration, and (b) and (c) are front views showing an optical fiber driving device.

FIG. 4 is a schematic configuration diagram showing still another example of the embodiment of the optical fiber observation apparatus according to the present invention, and is a perspective view showing the overall configuration of the apparatus.

5A and 5B are diagrams showing an optical fiber, in which FIG. 5A is a sectional view and FIG. 5B is an image from a side.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a polarization maintaining optical fiber,
(A) is a sectional view and (b) is an image from the side.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing an optimum focus position of an optical fiber.

[Explanation of symbols]

1A, 1B, 1B2, 1C ... Observation device (optical fiber observation device), 10 ... Optical observation mechanism, 11 ... Observation mechanism moving device (observation mechanism driving means), 20, 20b ... Optical fiber moving device (optical fiber driving means, First optical fiber driving means) 30, 30b ... Optical fiber moving device (second optical fiber driving means), Fa, Fb ... Optical fiber, Oa, O
b ... axis

   ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    (72) Inventor Koji Osawa             Fuji Co., Ltd. 1440 Rokuzaki, Sakura City, Chiba Prefecture             Kura Sakura Office F-term (reference) 2G086 CC07                 2H036 LA03 NA08 NA09 NA16

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. When performing focusing by using an optical observation mechanism for optically observing each of two optical fibers to be connected to each other, the two optical fibers are mutually separated. The axes are arranged at positions shifted from each other, and the optical observation mechanism is moved with one position of the two optical fibers fixed, and the one optical fiber is focused, and the optical fiber is focused at this position. After fixing the optical observation mechanism, the other of the optical fibers is moved to focus the other optical fiber. 2. When focusing is performed using an optical observation mechanism for optically observing each of two optical fibers to be connected to each other from the side, the two optical fibers are mutually separated. The optical axes are arranged at positions shifted from each other, one of the two optical fibers is moved with the position of the optical observation mechanism fixed, and the one optical fiber is focused, and at this position, After fixing one optical fiber, the other of the optical fibers is moved to focus the other optical fiber. 3. When performing focusing by using an optical observation mechanism for optically observing each of two optical fibers to be connected to each other, the two optical fibers are mutually separated. The optical observation mechanism and one of the two optical fibers are moved to align the optical fibers, and the optical observation mechanism and the one of the two optical fibers are brought into focus. After fixing one of the optical fibers, the other of the optical fibers is moved to focus the other optical fiber. 4. The method for observing an optical fiber according to claim 1, wherein the core eccentricity of the two optical fibers is measured after each of the focusing operations. . 5. The optical fiber is a polarization-maintaining optical fiber having a stress-applying portion on the outside of the core, and after the focusing of each of the cores, the rotation axes of the two polarization-maintaining optical fibers are aligned. It is characterized by performing.
4. The method for observing an optical fiber according to any one of 3 above. 6. An optical observation mechanism for optically observing each of two optical fibers to be connected to each other from a side, and an observation for moving the optical observation mechanism toward and away from the optical fiber. An optical fiber observation apparatus comprising: a mechanism driving unit; and an optical fiber driving unit that moves at least one of the two optical fibers in a direction of approaching and separating from the optical observation mechanism. . 7. An optical observation mechanism for optically observing each of two optical fibers to be connected to each other from a lateral side, and one of the two optical fibers with respect to the optical observation mechanism. A first optical fiber driving means for moving in the direction of approaching and separating, and a second optical fiber driving means for moving the other of the two optical fibers in a direction of approaching and separating from the optical observation mechanism. An optical fiber observing device comprising: 8. An optical observation mechanism for optically observing each of two optical fibers to be connected to each other from a side, and moving the optical observation mechanism in a direction of approaching and separating from the optical fiber. Of the two optical fibers, an observation mechanism driving means, a first optical fiber driving means for moving one of the two optical fibers in a direction of approaching and separating from the optical observation mechanism. An optical fiber observation device comprising: a second optical fiber driving unit that moves the other toward and away from the optical observation mechanism.