JP2003222773A - Ribbon fiber, method for manufacturing the same, optical fiber array using the same - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a ribbon fiber, a method for manufacturing it and an optical fiber array using it which can easily manufacture a multi-core fiber array and a half pitch fiber array and improve workability and a yield. <P>SOLUTION: In the ribbon fiber 1, a plurality of special fibers 12 processed by a predetermined process are aligned with bare fibers 10 not processed by the predetermined process, and a ribbon 2 has a length (T) of 2-300 mm. After a plurality of the special fibers 12 are aligned as lengths of the special fibers 12 are adjusted so as to have an accurate pitch width and predetermined accuracy of a position in the longitudinal direction in the processed part, the ribbon fiber 1 is partially fixed and covered by an adhesive 36 and the ribbon 2 is formed and manufactured. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a ribbon fiber, a method for manufacturing the ribbon fiber, and an optical fiber array using the ribbon fiber.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, with the increasing density of optical fibers, the number of planar waveguides (PLCs) has increased. Then, in accordance with the increase in the number of cores, the conventional standard waveguide pitch (250 μm) is shortened (for example, about half of 12) in order to avoid the waveguide element from becoming large and to further increase the density.
7 μm) is being developed. Then, in accordance with the increase in the density of the optical fibers and the shortening of the waveguide pitch, the development is proceeding in the direction of shortening the pitch between fibers of the fiber array connected to the optical fibers.

Ribbon fibers are being used more and more frequently when the above fiber array is manufactured. A normal SM (single mode) ribbon fiber has no change in the longitudinal direction and is in a Kintaro candy state. Therefore, there is no problem in using any part. Further, in the process of forming a SM (single mode) ribbon fiber into a ribbon, the outer layer coating is performed by bundling a required number (eight cores: 8) of optical fiber strands (coating diameter: 250 μm) of several kilometers to several tens of kilometers in parallel. Give the ribbon. At this time, the reeling out of the optical fiber strands, the ribbon forming process, and the winding of the ribbons are automatically performed on the reels, but it is not necessary to strictly align the bundled optical fiber strands in the longitudinal direction. Even if an irregular portion (for example, several tens of cm at both ends) was generated at both ends of the ribbon fiber, a finished product could be obtained by cutting off the irregular portion.

However, in recent years, the special fiber 12 shown in FIGS. 10 to 14 has been used in order to cope with various uses.

For example, in the case of a lensed fiber (see FIG. 10) and a TEC fiber (see FIG. 11), the main application is coupling with an LD, and in this case, the positional accuracy in the longitudinal direction of a predetermined processed portion is ±. About 10 μm is required.

Further, in the case of the metallized fiber (see FIG. 12), its main application is to seal the device package, and it is usual to perform some sealing work on the wall portion of the package. Since it is necessary to make the coating edge (coating removal start portion) exist in the portion, the positional accuracy of the predetermined processing portion in the longitudinal direction is required to be about several mm.

Further, in the case of a fiber (see FIG. 13) or a grating fiber (see FIG. 14) in which different types of fibers are fused, the total length of the fiber array is usually about 10 mm, so the longest fiber array length is allowed. Because where it is in the array is important,
The positional accuracy in the longitudinal direction of the predetermined processed portion is required to be about ± 5 mm.

Since it is difficult to perform the predetermined processing from the ribbon fiber and sufficient characteristics cannot be obtained from these special fibers, it is common to perform the predetermined processing in a single fiber state (one by one). It was target.

From the above, when a fiber array is manufactured using the special fibers shown in FIGS.
Since it cannot be used anywhere like SM (single mode) fiber, it is essential to adjust the position of the predetermined processed portion in the longitudinal direction to a predetermined accuracy. However, in this case, since all the special fibers have to be adjusted, there is a problem that as the number of cores increases, the work efficiency and the yield decrease.

[0010]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above problems of the prior art,
The purpose of this is to perform the prescribed processing when manufacturing an optical fiber array using a special fiber in which the bare fiber portion has been subjected to the prescribed processing Since it is not necessary to adjust the position in the longitudinal direction in the section, it is possible not only to easily fabricate a multi-fiber array or a half-pitch fiber array, but also to improve the working efficiency and yield, and a ribbon fiber and its production. A method and a special fiber array using the method.

[0011]

Means for Solving the Problems That is, according to the present invention (first invention), a special processing is performed on a bare fiber portion of a fiber in which the bare fiber portion has not been subjected to the predetermined processing. Provided is a ribbon fiber, which is characterized in that a plurality of fibers are aligned and a part of the fiber has a ribbon portion having a length of 2 to 300 mm.

Here, the fiber in which the bare fiber portion has not been subjected to predetermined processing is, for example, a fiber having a bare fiber portion formed by drawing a preform, and coating the bare fiber with a coating. Including those that have been given. That is, the cross-sectional views in the length direction of the fiber not subjected to the predetermined processing are substantially the same, and examples thereof include a single mode fiber, a multimode fiber, and a polarization maintaining fiber. Further, the predetermined processing performed on the bare fiber portion of the fiber means that the predetermined processing is performed on a part or a plurality of the length direction of the bare fiber, and the portion subjected to the predetermined processing. Is called a predetermined processing part.

Further, in the present invention, it is preferable that the special fiber is any one of a lensed fiber, a TEC fiber, a metallized fiber, a fiber obtained by fusing different kinds of fibers, and a grating fiber.

Further, in the present invention, it is preferable that the ribbon portion has a positioning means, and the positioning means is formed by unevenness. It is preferable that the irregularities are arranged at a regular pitch or discontinuously, and the shape thereof is a sawtooth or curved waveform.

Further, according to the present invention (the second invention), the pitch width of the special fiber obtained by performing the predetermined processing on the bare fiber portion of the fiber in which the bare fiber portion is not subjected to the predetermined processing is changed. Forming a ribbon part by aligning a plurality of precisely processed parts while adjusting the longitudinal position of a predetermined processed part to a predetermined accuracy and then fixing and covering a part of them with an adhesive. A method for manufacturing a ribbon fiber is provided.

Further, according to the present invention (third invention), a special fiber obtained by performing a predetermined process on a bare fiber part of a fiber in which the bare fiber part is not subjected to a predetermined process is formed into a ribbon. Using a ribbonizing jig having an upper die and a lower die having a ribbonizing groove for forming a ribbon, the special fiber is provided in a V groove portion provided at each end of the ribbonizing groove of the lower die. After aligning a plurality of pieces accurately and while adjusting the longitudinal position of the predetermined processing part to have a predetermined accuracy, inside a mold frame formed by the ribbon forming groove of the upper mold and the lower mold. Then, a method for manufacturing a ribbon fiber is provided, in which an adhesive is poured and cured, and the lower die and the upper die are removed to form a ribbon portion.

At this time, in the present invention, it is preferable that the special fiber is any one of a lensed fiber, a TEC fiber, a metallized fiber, a fiber obtained by fusing different kinds of fibers, and a grating fiber.

Further, in the present invention, it is preferable that the adhesive is applied to a portion where the optical fibers are in contact with each other when the position of the predetermined processed portion in the longitudinal direction is adjusted. At this time, the adhesive preferably has a viscosity of 10,000 cP or less, and the adhesive is preferably a urethane acrylate resin.

Further, according to the present invention (fourth invention), there is provided an optical fiber array characterized by being manufactured using the above ribbon fiber.

[0020]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION The ribbon fiber of the present invention is formed by arranging a plurality of special fibers that have been subjected to predetermined processing with respect to a bare fiber portion of a fiber in which the bare fiber portion has not been subjected to predetermined processing. , And part of it is 2 to 30 in length
It has a ribbon portion of 0 mm. Thus, when manufacturing an optical fiber array using the special fiber, it is not necessary to adjust the position of the special fiber in the predetermined processing portion in the longitudinal direction, and thus it is possible to easily manufacture a multi-fiber optical fiber array. Not only that, work efficiency and yield can be improved.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows an example of the ribbon fiber of the present invention, (a) is a left side view, (b) is a front view,
(C) is a detailed view of (a). As shown in FIGS. 1 (a) and 1 (b), the ribbon fiber 1 of the present invention is arranged in substantially the same plane, and a plurality of ribbon fibers 1 which are adjacent to each other in parallel and extend in the longitudinal direction (FIG. 1 (a)). In (b), 8 special fibers 1
2 and a part thereof has a ribbon portion 2 having a length (T) of 2 to 300 mm. At this time, the bare fiber portion is an optical fiber itself formed by drawing a preform, and, if processed or processed, is almost entirely processed or processed in the length direction. It is a thing. The method for producing the optical fiber is not particularly limited, and any method can be naturally included as long as it can be produced in the same form as the optical fiber. Further, the special fiber used in the present invention is one in which the bare fiber portion is subjected to a predetermined processing (in order to impart a certain characteristic, a partial treatment or processing in the length direction of the predetermined processing), for example, There is one as shown in FIGS.

At this time, the ribbon fiber of the present invention is
Unlike ordinary SM (single mode) ribbon fiber, it is not possible to rework (remove the tip of the ribbon and remove the coating again, etc.). It is indispensable to adjust to become.

Here, in the ribbon fiber of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 1C, in the ribbon portion 2, a plurality of special fibers 12 are fixed and covered with an adhesive 36, and the length of a predetermined processing portion is increased. It is preferable that they are aligned so that the positional accuracy ΔL in the direction is ± 10 μm. this is,
Among the special fibers 12, especially when forming a lensed fiber (see FIG. 10) and a TEC fiber (see FIG. 11) into a ribbon, the main application is coupling with the LD, and in this case, the length of the predetermined processing portion is long. Positional accuracy ΔL is ± 10μ
This is because about m is required. The length (L) in the longitudinal direction of the bare fiber portion 10 is not particularly limited, but is usually
It is 2 to 10 mm.

The ribbon fiber of the present invention is shown in FIG.
As shown in (c), the predetermined processing portions may be aligned so that the positional accuracy ΔL in the longitudinal direction is ± 5 mm. This is because when the metallized fiber (see FIG. 12), which is the special fiber 12, is formed into a ribbon, it is necessary to have a coating edge (coating removal start portion) in the package sealing portion of the device. This is because the position accuracy ΔL is required to be about ± 5 mm.

When a fiber (see FIG. 13) or a grating fiber (see FIG. 14) in which different kinds of fibers which are the special fibers 12 are fused is formed into a ribbon, the total fiber array length is usually about 10 mm. This is because the position accuracy ΔL in the longitudinal direction of the predetermined processing portion is required to be about ± 5 mm because the position is allowed to be present in the fiber array, which is important.
The length (L) in the longitudinal direction of the bare fiber portion 10 is not particularly limited, but is usually 2 to 10 mm.

Further, as shown in FIG. 1B, the length (T) of the ribbon portion 2 does not have to be longer than necessary, but at the minimum, the length to enter the fiber array is formed into a ribbon. Just go. However, if the fibers are not firmly fixed between the ribbon fiber production and the fiber array production,
If there is a risk that the position of the adjusted predetermined processed part will shift in the longitudinal direction, or if the adhesion of this part deteriorates even after the fiber array is manufactured, twisting stress during ribbon fiber manufacturing will be applied to the fiber array and the fiber array itself Since the reliability may be reduced, the ribbon length (T) is
It is preferably at least 2 mm or more. Further, when the ribbon fiber is incorporated into the V groove of the fiber array, the work is difficult to perform unless the rear outside of the fiber array has a certain degree of rigidity. Therefore, the length (T) of the ribbon portion 2 is 300.
It is preferably not more than mm (generally about 100 mm).

Further, the number of cores of the ribbon fiber of the present invention is not particularly limited, but is 5 to 16 cores (8 in FIG. 1).
It is easy to manufacture and can be preferably used when manufacturing a multi-fiber array.

As described above, since the ribbon fiber of the present invention can be handled in the same manner as a normal SM (single mode) ribbon fiber, the position adjustment of the predetermined processing portion in the longitudinal direction at the time of producing the optical fiber array. You don't have to.

Further, in the conventional method, for example, in the case of manufacturing an optical fiber array of 48ch, not only the position adjustment in the longitudinal direction of the predetermined processed portion increases as the number of cores increases, but the degree of alignment becomes worse. , A coating holding jig (for example, 250 μm) for adjusting the position of each predetermined processing portion in the longitudinal direction.
It was also practically difficult to use 48 lines at m pitch.

On the other hand, according to the present invention, first, a ribbon is formed in a core unit (for example, 8 cores) that can be accurately adjusted and arranged at one time, and then a plurality of produced ribbon fibers are formed in a longitudinal direction of a predetermined processed portion. While adjusting the position of,
Six 8-heart ribbons. In this case, instead of adjusting 48 cores,
Since the number of adjustments is 6, and the workability and accuracy are remarkably improved as compared with adjusting 48 cores at a time), it is possible to realize even a fiber array with a large number of fibers or a half pitch fiber array.

Furthermore, according to the conventional method, when a defect occurs during the position adjustment work in the longitudinal direction of the predetermined processed portion on the V-groove substrate which is a fiber array component, the fiber array component itself including the V-groove substrate is generated. Cannot be used. on the other hand,
In the present invention, even if a failure occurs in the ribbon fiber, it is only necessary to replace it with a new one, so that no loss occurs in the fiber array component.

The method for manufacturing a ribbon fiber according to the present invention is
For a special fiber that has been subjected to predetermined processing to the bare fiber portion of the bare fiber portion where the predetermined processing has not been performed, the pitch width is accurate and the position of the predetermined processing portion in the longitudinal direction has a predetermined accuracy. It is intended to form a ribbon part by aligning a plurality of the films while adjusting so that a part of them is aligned and then fixing and covering a part thereof with an adhesive. Thereby, the ribbon fiber using the special fiber can be manufactured reliably and easily.

An example of the ribbon fiber manufacturing method of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIG. First, as shown in FIG. 2A, a ribbon forming jig 20 (see FIGS. 3 to 4) including an upper die 26 and a lower die 22 having a ribbon forming groove 24 is used to form the lower die 22 into a ribbon. A plurality of special fibers 12 are arranged in the V groove portions 23 provided at both ends of the use groove 24a.

Next, a plurality of special fibers 12 are aligned while adjusting the pitch width accurately and adjusting the position of the predetermined processing portion in the longitudinal direction to a predetermined accuracy (FIG. 1).
(See (c)). At this time, the adhesive 36 is applied to the special fiber 1
By applying to a portion where two pieces contact each other (for example, the special fiber 12 disposed in the ribbon forming groove 24a),
This is preferable because it is possible to prevent interference between the special fibers 12 with each other.

The adjustment is appropriately selected depending on the type of the special fiber used.
As shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, a contact jig 50 (wall) is attached to the tip of the ribbon forming jig 20, and the tip of the bare fiber portion 10 is attached to the jig, It is possible to align the positions of the predetermined processed portions in the longitudinal direction. This method (abutting jig method) is a simple method that does not require any special adjustment, so it is suitable for use when aligning the position accuracy of the predetermined processing portion in the longitudinal direction of ± 5 mm. You can

On the other hand, when the predetermined processed portions are aligned so that the positional accuracy in the longitudinal direction is ± 10 μm, for example, the CCD monitor adjustment method shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B is usually used. At this time, in order to realize the adjustment of several μm,
For example, it becomes necessary to observe at a considerably high magnification of 500 times or more, but at such a high magnification, the field of view is narrow and the depth of focus is considerably shallow. Therefore, FIG. 9 (a)
As shown in (b), when adjusting the position in the longitudinal direction while observing the upper part of the fiber (particularly when the end surface is a flat surface) or the central part (for example, in the case of R like a lensed fiber), V The edge of the groove substrate 70 where the special fiber 12 is mounted (V groove in FIG. 9B) and the special fiber 12
Since the focus is deviated in the portion where
It was very difficult to recognize on the observation monitor where to match 0.

In such a case, for example, if a line is provided on the CCD monitor, the line is made perpendicular to the optical axis, and the position of the special fiber in the longitudinal direction is adjusted by using this line as a mark, the observation becomes easy. Easy to adjust. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 9A, lines 52 and 53 arranged on the CCD monitor and perpendicular to the optical axis.
Are arranged so as to open at intervals (ΔL) of several μm,
By adjusting the position of the special fiber 12 in the longitudinal direction so that the tip portion of the special fiber 12 is located between the lines 52 and 53, it is possible to perform extremely highly accurate adjustment. still,
The above CCD monitor adjustment method, when observing at high magnification,
Since the field of view becomes narrow, it is necessary to move the observation system and the observed system and adjust them sequentially when adjusting the multi-fiber special fiber shown in FIGS. 9 (a) and 9 (b). It is necessary to sufficiently consider the parallelism with the optical axis and the perpendicularity with the optical axis.

Further, as shown in FIG. 2B, the lower mold 2
2 is combined with the upper mold 26, and the adhesive 36 is poured into the obtained mold 25 to be cured, and the lower mold 22 and the upper mold 26 are removed as shown in FIG. The ribbon fiber 1 can be obtained.

FIG. 5 shows another example of the ribbon fiber of the present invention. (A) is a left side view, (b) is a front view, and (c) is a detailed view of (a). 5 (a) (b)
As shown in FIG. 5, the ribbon fiber 1 of the present invention is arranged in substantially the same plane, and is adjacent to each other in substantially parallel and extends in the longitudinal direction (8 in FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B). Consisting of special fiber 12 of which a part (T) is 2 to 300 mm in length
It has a ribbon portion 2.

At this time, in the present invention, FIG.
As shown in (b), the ribbon portion 2 preferably has a positioning means, and the positioning means is preferably formed by the unevenness 5. The irregularities 5 have a regular pitch and the irregularities 5 have a sawtooth shape, but are not particularly limited. For example, the irregularities 5 may be discontinuously arranged or the irregularities may have different shapes. It may be a curved waveform or the like. This is because when used in a fiber array having a function as shown in FIG. 3 of JP-A-5-333225, the ribbon fiber and the V of the fiber array are more accurately measured.
This is because the relative positions of the grooves can be matched and a high quality fiber array without bending of the fiber can be obtained. Further, for example, as shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, when the ribbon fiber 1b is superposed on the ribbon fiber 1a, the unevenness 5a of the ribbon fiber 1a and the unevenness 5b of the ribbon fiber 1b are fitted to each other at a relative position. In this case, the concave and convex portions 5b are fed by one pitch or several pitches so that the concave and convex portions 5b are overlapped with each other at a predetermined interval, so that the horizontal alignment with the upper and lower ribbon fibers 1a and 1b can be easily performed.

For example, when manufacturing the half-pitch fiber array shown in FIGS. 15A, 15B, and 15C, two flat ribbon fibers 33a and 33b are superposed (see FIG. 15C). , Upper and lower ribbon fibers 33a,
It is necessary to alternately accommodate the special fibers 12 of 33b in the V groove portion 34 of the lower substrate 31, but in order to realize this with a ribbon fiber in which special fibers having a diameter of 125 μm are arranged at a pitch of 250 μm, two ribbon fibers are used. 33a,
Positioning of 33b in the left-right direction was a very important and time-consuming task. However, FIG. 5 (a) (b)
By using the ribbon fiber shown in FIG.
As shown in (a) and (b), the lateral positions of the superposed ribbon fibers can be aligned very easily and accurately, which is a great advantage.

Unlike ordinary SM (single mode) ribbon fiber, the ribbon fiber of the present invention cannot be reworked (the tip of the ribbon is removed and the coating is removed again). It is indispensable to adjust the position of the predetermined processed portion in the longitudinal direction so as to have a predetermined accuracy.

Here, in the ribbon fiber of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 5C, in the ribbon portion 2, a plurality of special fibers 12 are fixed and covered with an adhesive 36, and the length of a predetermined processing portion is increased. It is preferable that they are aligned so that the positional accuracy ΔL in the direction is ± 10 μm. this is,
Among the special fibers 12, particularly when the lensed fiber (see FIG. 10) and the TEC fiber (see FIG. 11) are formed into a ribbon, the positional accuracy ΔL in the longitudinal direction of the predetermined processed portion is required to be about ± 10 μm due to their characteristics. Because it is done.
The length (L) in the longitudinal direction of the bare fiber portion 10 is not particularly limited, but is usually 2 to 10 mm.

In addition, the ribbon fiber of the present invention is shown in FIG.
As shown in (c), the predetermined processing portions may be aligned so that the positional accuracy ΔL in the longitudinal direction is ± 5 mm. This is because when the metallized fiber (see FIG. 12), which is the special fiber 12, is formed into a ribbon, it is necessary to have a coating edge (coating removal start portion) in the package sealing portion of the device. This is because the position accuracy ΔL is required to be about ± 5 mm.

When forming a fiber (see FIG. 13) or a grating fiber (see FIG. 14) in which different kinds of fibers which are the special fibers 12 are fused into a ribbon, the total length of the fiber array is usually about 10 mm. This is because the position accuracy ΔL in the longitudinal direction of the predetermined processing portion is required to be about ± 5 mm because the position is allowed to be present in the fiber array, which is important.
The length (L) in the longitudinal direction of the bare fiber portion 10 is not particularly limited, but is usually 2 to 10 mm.

Further, as shown in FIG. 5B, the length (T) of the ribbon portion 2 does not have to be longer than necessary, but at least the length that fits in the fiber array is formed into a ribbon. Just go. However, if the fibers are not firmly fixed between the ribbon fiber production and the fiber array production,
If there is a risk that the position of the adjusted predetermined processed part will shift in the longitudinal direction, or if the adhesion of this part deteriorates even after the fiber array is manufactured, twisting stress during ribbon fiber manufacturing will be applied to the fiber array and the fiber array itself Since the reliability may be reduced, the ribbon length (T) is
It is preferably at least 2 mm or more. Further, when the ribbon fiber is incorporated into the V groove of the fiber array, the work is difficult to perform unless the rear outside of the fiber array has a certain degree of rigidity. Therefore, the length (T) of the ribbon portion 2 is 300.
It is preferably not more than mm (generally about 100 mm).

Further, the number of cores of the ribbon fiber of the present invention is not particularly limited, but it is 5 to 12 cores (8 in FIG. 5).
It is easy to manufacture and can be preferably used when manufacturing a multi-fiber array.

Further, the number of cores of the ribbon fiber of the present invention is not particularly limited, but the number of cores of 5 to 16 is easy to manufacture, and can be preferably used when manufacturing a multi-fiber optical fiber array.

Another example of the ribbon fiber manufacturing method of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIG. After arranging eight special fibers (lensed fibers) 12 in the V groove portion arranged in the lower die (V groove substrate) 70 of the ribbon forming jig, the upper die (pressing substrate) 72 of the ribbon forming jig Is preferably placed on both ends of the V-groove substrate 70 so that the longitudinal position of the special fiber 12 can be adjusted in the V-groove 71. In this case, it is preferable that the triangular inscribed circle formed by the V groove 71 and the pressing substrate 72 is slightly larger than the diameter of the special fiber 12.

Next, the special fiber 12 is set on the longitudinal position adjusting jig 80 (), the adhesive 36 is poured into the V groove of the V groove substrate 70 (), and the adhesive 3 is applied by the spatula 74.
After making 6 uniform (), the position of the special fiber 12 in the longitudinal direction is adjusted while observing the end face of the special fiber 12 with the CCD camera 64 (). As shown in FIG. 7, the lines 52 and 53 arranged on the CCD monitor and perpendicular to the optical axis are separated by a distance (Δ) of several μm, for example.
The special fiber 12 is arranged so as to open in L), and the position of the special fiber 12 in the longitudinal direction is adjusted so that the tip portion (predetermined processing portion) of the special fiber 12 is between the lines 52 and 53 ().

After adjusting the position in the longitudinal direction, the adhesive 36 is cured by UV irradiation from the UV lamp 82 to form the ribbon portion 2 (), and then the pressing substrate 7
2. By removing the longitudinal position adjusting jig 80 and the V-groove substrate 70, the ribbon fiber 1 shown in FIGS. 5A, 5B and 5C can be obtained.

After forming the ribbon fiber of 8 cores (), further, 8 special fibers 12 are arranged in the V groove portion of the V groove substrate 70 next to the ribbon fiber, and after performing steps 1 to 7 in FIG. By applying () the adhesive 36 to all 16 cores again and curing it (), the ribbon fiber 6 of 16 cores can be obtained ().

Here, the adhesive 36 used in the present invention is
It is preferable that it can be solidified in a short time and that it has a viscosity of 10,000 cP or less. This is because if the adhesive takes a long time to cure, the fiber moves from the state where the position in the longitudinal direction is adjusted, and the adjusted fiber angle may shift. For this reason, adhesives that cure within at least 10 minutes are preferred. If an UV adhesive is used, it can be cured in a very short time of 5 minutes or less, and if the thermosetting adhesive is used, there is a concern that the viscosity of the adhesive changes during heating, which causes a change in the adjustment fiber angle. It is more preferable because it has no adverse effect. That is, the adhesive used in the present invention is preferably a UV adhesive that can be cured in a short time because it is preferable to quickly fix and coat the special fiber after adjusting the position of the predetermined processed portion in the longitudinal direction. Is preferable, and it is particularly preferable to use a urethane acrylate resin which is a usual coating.

Next, the adhesive used in the present invention works as a lubricant between the special fibers when adjusting the position of the predetermined processing portion in the longitudinal direction, and has a viscosity of 10,000 cP in order to prevent rotation interference between the special fibers. The following is preferable. An example of an adhesive that satisfies the above conditions is a urethane acrylate resin having a viscosity of 3000 cP.

In addition, the ribbon forming jig 2 used in the present invention
0, lower mold (V-groove substrate) 70 or upper mold (holding substrate) 72
It is preferable that the material of (1) is glass that transmits UV, but since it is difficult to process the ribbon forming grooves 24a and 24b, acrylic may be used. When acrylic is used, the thickness of the ribbon forming jig 20, the lower mold (V-groove substrate) 70 or the upper mold (pressing substrate) 72 is made as thin as possible, and UV is used.
It is preferable not to disturb the transmission.

Further, the ribbon forming jig 2 used in the present invention
0, lower mold (V-groove substrate) 70 or upper mold (holding substrate) 72
It is preferable to use a material having a peeling effect or to apply or coat a mold release material on the inner surface so that the adhesive does not adhere to the inner surface.

As the special fiber used in the present invention, any one of a lensed fiber, a TEC fiber, a metallized fiber, and a fiber grating fiber obtained by fusing different kinds of fibers can be preferably used.

The special fiber used in the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. As shown in FIG. 10, the lensed fiber is a fiber in which the tip of the bare fiber portion 10 is processed into a lens, and there are various shapes of the lens portion 40 other than those shown in the drawing. TEC (Thermal expansion: Thermal Expand
The ed core) fiber is a fiber in which the core at the tip of the bare fiber portion 10 is enlarged, as shown in FIG. This is characterized in that it is possible to easily take in light from the tip of the bare fiber portion 10 by having the expanded core portion 42. As described above, the special fibers shown in FIGS. 10 to 11 are mainly used for LD (laser) coupling.

Next, the metallized (coated) fiber is a fiber in which the bare fiber portion 10 is metallized (coated) as shown in FIG. 12, and its main application is for sealing. As shown in FIG. 13, a fiber obtained by fusing different types of fibers is obtained by fusing the bare fiber portion 10 and the heterogeneous fiber 48, for example, when a waveguide is used, a conversion function with the waveguide is installed in advance. It is a fiber that can contribute to space saving of the device, and its main application is H
IGNA waveguide. The grating fiber is
As shown in FIG. 14, it is a fiber having a wavelength selection element (diffraction grating) 49 in a part of the bare fiber portion 10, and its main application is as a wavelength selection element itself. In addition, the wavelength selection element (diffraction grating) 49 is obtained by irradiating UV with a mask of a predetermined pattern on a part of the bare fiber portion.
By changing the refractive index of the glass irradiated with UV, only predetermined wavelengths can be selected. As described above, the bare fiber portion that has been subjected to the predetermined processing is in an uncovered bare state, but the bare fiber portion that has been subjected to the predetermined processing is covered. Of course, as long as the positional accuracy in the longitudinal direction of the predetermined processed portion has a predetermined accuracy, it goes without saying that it is within the scope of the present invention.

[0060]

As described above, according to the present invention, an optical fiber array using a special fiber in which a bare fiber portion is not subjected to a predetermined treatment and the bare fiber portion is subjected to a predetermined treatment. Since it is not necessary to adjust the position in the longitudinal direction of each predetermined processed portion at the time of manufacturing, it is possible not only to easily manufacture a multi-fiber array or a half-pitch fiber array, but also to improve work efficiency and yield. be able to.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 shows an example of a ribbon fiber of the present invention, (a) is a left side view, (b) is a front view, and (c) is a detailed view of (a).

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a ribbon fiber manufacturing method of the present invention.

FIG. 3 shows an example of a lower die of a ribbon forming jig used in the present invention, (a) is a left side view, (b) is a front view, and (c) is AA of (b). FIG.

4A and 4B show an example of an upper mold of a ribbon forming jig used in the present invention, in which FIG. 4A is a front view and FIG.
FIG.

FIG. 5 shows another example of the ribbon fiber of the present invention, (a) is a left side view, (b) is a front view, and (c) is a detailed view of (a).

FIG. 6 is a view showing an application example of the ribbon fiber shown in FIG. 5, and FIG. 6A is an explanatory view showing a relational position where the respective concavities and convexities are fitted when the ribbon fibers are superposed on each other, and FIG. FIG. 4 is an explanatory view showing a state in which ribbon fibers are superposed.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory view showing an example of a method for manufacturing the ribbon fiber shown in FIG.

8A and 8B show an example of a method for adjusting the position of a special fiber in the longitudinal direction applied in the present invention, in which FIG. 8A is an explanatory view of a main part, and FIG. 8B is an explanatory perspective view.

9A and 9B show another example of the method for adjusting the position of the special fiber in the longitudinal direction applied in the present invention, in which FIG. 9A is an explanatory view of a main part, and FIG. 9B is an explanatory perspective view.

FIG. 10 is a schematic view showing a special fiber 1 (lensed fiber) used in the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a schematic view showing a special fiber 2 (TEC fiber) used in the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a schematic view showing a special fiber 3 (metallized fiber) used in the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a schematic view showing a special fiber 4 (a fiber obtained by fusing different kinds of fibers) used in the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram showing a special fiber 5 (grating fiber) used in the present invention.

FIG. 15 shows an example of a half pitch fiber array, (a) is a left side view, (b) is a front view,
(C) is a right side view.

[Explanation of symbols]

1, 1a, 1b ... Ribbon fiber (8 cores), 2 ... Ribbon part, 3 ... Recessed part, 4 ... Convex part, 6 ... Ribbon fiber (16
Heart) 10 ... Bare fiber part, 12 ... Special fiber, 19
... Covering part, 20 ... Ribbon forming jig, 22 ... Lower mold, 23 ...
V groove portion, 24a, 24b ... Ribbon forming groove, 25 ... Formwork,
26 ... Upper mold, 28 ... Adhesive inflow port, 30 ... Half pitch fiber array, 31 ... Lower substrate, 32 ... Upper substrate, 33
a, 33b ... Fiber ribbon, 34 ... V groove part, 35 ... Fiber, 36 ... Adhesive agent, 37 ... Free buffer part, 38 ... Fiber support part, 39 ... Open part, 40 ... Lens part, 42 ... Enlarged core part, 46 ... metallized layer, 48 ... heterogeneous fiber,
49 ... Wavelength selection element, 50 ... Abutting jig, 52, 53 ... Line, 64 ... CCD camera, 70 ... Lower mold (V-groove substrate),
71 ... V groove, 72 ... Upper mold (pressing substrate), 74 ... Spatula,
80 ... Longitudinal position adjusting jig, 82 ... UV lamp.

Claims (13)

[Claims] 1. A plurality of special fibers, which have been subjected to a predetermined process, are aligned with respect to a bare fiber part of a fiber in which a predetermined process is not applied to a bare fiber part, and a part of the special fiber has a length 2 A ribbon fiber having a ribbon portion of ˜300 mm. 2. The special fiber is a lensed fiber, T
The ribbon fiber according to claim 1, which is one of an EC fiber, a metallized fiber, a fiber obtained by fusing different kinds of fibers, and a grating fiber. 3. The ribbon fiber according to claim 1, wherein the ribbon portion has a positioning means. 4. The ribbon fiber according to claim 3, wherein the positioning means is formed in an uneven shape. 5. The polarization fiber with ribbon according to claim 4, wherein the irregularities are arranged at a regular pitch or discontinuously. 6. The polarization fiber with a ribbon according to claim 5, wherein the unevenness has a sawtooth or curved waveform. 7. A special fiber obtained by performing a predetermined process on a bare fiber part of a fiber in which the bare fiber part is not subjected to a predetermined process, has an accurate pitch width, and is provided in a longitudinal direction of the predetermined process part. A method for manufacturing a ribbon fiber, which comprises forming a ribbon portion by aligning a plurality of pieces while adjusting the positions to have a predetermined accuracy and then fixing and covering a part of the pieces with an adhesive. 8. An upper die having a ribbon-forming groove for ribbonizing a special fiber obtained by subjecting a bare fiber portion to a predetermined processing, which has not been subjected to a given processing to a bare fiber portion. Using a ribbon-forming jig composed of a lower die, the special fiber is placed in the V-groove portions provided at both ends of the ribbon-forming groove of the lower die with a precise pitch and in a longitudinal direction of a predetermined processed portion. After aligning a plurality of pieces while adjusting the positions so as to have a predetermined accuracy, an adhesive is poured into the frame formed by the groove for ribbon formation of the upper mold and the lower mold to cure the adhesive, A method for manufacturing a ribbon fiber, which comprises removing the lower mold and the upper mold to form a ribbon portion. 9. The special fiber is a lensed fiber, T
The ribbon fiber manufacturing method according to claim 7, which is one of an EC fiber, a metallized fiber, a fiber obtained by fusing different kinds of fibers, and a grating fiber. 10. The method for producing a ribbon fiber according to claim 7, wherein an adhesive is applied to a portion where the special fibers come into contact with each other when the position of the predetermined processed portion in the longitudinal direction is adjusted. 11. The method for producing a ribbon fiber according to claim 7, wherein the adhesive has a viscosity of 10,000 cP or less. 12. The method for producing a ribbon fiber according to claim 11, wherein the adhesive is a urethane acrylate resin. 13. An optical fiber array manufactured by using the ribbon fiber according to any one of claims 1 to 6.