JP2006284821A - Connecting method for plastic optical fiber and optical article - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a connecting method for a plastic optical fiber with which tip portions of a plastic optical fiber (POF) and a plastic optical fiber can easily and securely be connected to each other. <P>SOLUTION: The connecting method for the plastic optical fiber is characterized in that the tip portion of the plastic optical fiber provided with a 1st coupling portion at the tip portion is fitted in a guide hole bored in a 2nd coupling portion of a base body where an optical waveguide is formed, and the 1st coupling portion and the 2nd coupling portion are engaged with each other to connect the plastic optical fiber and optical waveguide to each other. A style in which the 1st coupling portion is a projection portion and the 2nd coupling portion is a recessed portion engaging the projection portion, a style wherein the 1st coupling portion is a recessed portion and the 2nd coupling portion is a projection portion engaging the recessed portion, etc., are preferable. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a plastic optical fiber connection method and an optical article that can easily and reliably connect a plastic optical fiber (POF) and a multimode polymer optical waveguide.

  In recent years, an optical communication technology using optical fiber communication has been expected as an infrastructure for realizing a large-capacity communication path. At present, various measures such as optical communication network development are being developed for the spread of Fiber to the Home (FTTH). Also, in recent computer systems, wiring problems such as wiring delay due to electrical wiring and lack of communication bandwidth between devices have become obvious, and optical communication technology has attracted attention as a means to solve these problems. Yes.

One of the technical problems of such optical communication is the development of alignment technology (connection) between optical devices. A typical optical device for alignment is connection between optical fibers. In addition to the connection between optical fibers, it is also important to connect an optical fiber with a light emitting element, a light receiving element, an optical waveguide, a microlens, and the like. The connection of optical devices is fundamentally different from the connection principle of electronic components, and the connecting end faces must match with an accuracy of several hundred nanometers. For this reason, even a skilled person with experience and skill would take a very long time to connect manually. For example, when a silica-based optical waveguide and a silica-based optical fiber are joined, alignment takes a very long time and is expensive.
For this reason, in multi-channels, attempts have been made to embed a silica-based optical fiber in a V-groove substrate to facilitate bonding with an optical waveguide. Patent Document 1 proposes a method for connecting optical fibers in which guide holes for inserting optical fibers are provided in an optical substrate.
However, even in these cases, an expensive V-groove substrate is required, and it is difficult to process the Si substrate, resulting in an increase in cost.

  Recently, the use of a film optical waveguide or a plastic optical fiber (POF) in a folding cellular phone, a hinge portion through which a signal line connecting a main body having a keypad or a main board and a liquid crystal panel passes has been studied. These film optical waveguides and plastic optical fibers are required to be mechanically flexible so that optical characteristics do not deteriorate even when optical wiring or optical fibers are bent.

  Therefore, it is easy to align the connection between the plastic optical fiber and the polymer optical waveguide, and it is desired to provide a simple connection method. However, a satisfactory connection is not yet provided. Currently.

JP-A 63-77010

  An object of the present invention is to solve the above-described problems and achieve the following objects. That is, according to the present invention, the plastic optical fiber (POF) and the multi-mode polymer optical waveguide can be joined by a simple method, the assembly cost can be reduced, and a large amount can be manufactured at a low cost. It is an object of the present invention to provide a plastic optical fiber connection method that is difficult to come out even when used, and an optical article manufactured by the connection method.

Means for solving the above problems are as follows. That is,
<1> The distal end portion of the plastic optical fiber provided with the first coupling portion at the distal end portion is inserted into a guide hole provided with the second coupling portion of the base on which the optical waveguide is formed, and the first coupling portion and the first coupling portion are inserted. A connecting method for plastic optical fibers, wherein two plastic coupling portions are engaged with each other to connect the plastic optical fiber and the optical waveguide. In the plastic optical fiber connecting method according to <1>, the guide of the plastic optical fiber provided with the first coupling portion at the tip is provided with the second coupling portion of the base on which the optical waveguide is formed. The plastic optical fiber and the multimode optical waveguide can be connected by a simple method that is inserted into the hole, and the first coupling portion and the second coupling portion are engaged with each other. A large amount can be produced at low cost.
<2> The plastic optical fiber connection method according to <1>, wherein the first coupling portion is a convex portion, and the second coupling portion is a concave portion that engages with the convex portion.
<3> The plastic optical fiber connection method according to <1>, wherein the first coupling portion is a concave portion, and the second coupling portion is a convex portion that engages with the concave portion.
<4> The plastic optical fiber connection method according to any one of <1> to <3>, wherein a plurality of first coupling portions and a plurality of second coupling portions are provided. In the method for connecting plastic optical fibers according to <4>, since a plurality of first coupling portions and a plurality of second coupling portions are provided, the structure is difficult to come out even when the optical fiber is bent.
<5> The plastic optical fiber connection method according to any one of <1> to <4>, wherein the first coupling portion and the second coupling portion are each formed in a ring shape. In the method for connecting plastic optical fibers according to <5>, since the first coupling portion and the second coupling portion are each formed in a ring shape, the structure is difficult to come out even when the optical fiber is bent. .
<6> The plastic optical fiber connection method according to any one of <1> to <5>, wherein the plastic optical fiber and the optical waveguide are bonded together and then fixed together with an adhesive.
<7> The method for connecting plastic optical fibers according to any one of <1> to <6>, wherein the diameter of the plastic optical fiber is 500 μm or more.
<8> The method for connecting plastic optical fibers according to any one of <1> to <7>, wherein the optical waveguide is a multimode polymer optical waveguide.
The plastic optical fiber connection method according to any one of <7> and <8> is particularly suitable for a combination of a large-diameter plastic optical fiber (POF) and a multimode polymer optical waveguide capable of increasing the aperture. It is a thing.
<9> An optical article obtained by the plastic optical fiber connecting method according to any one of <1> to <8>.

  According to the present invention, the conventional problems can be solved, and the plastic optical fiber (POF) has a large diameter, and the multimode polymer optical waveguide joined to the plastic optical fiber (POF) can also have a large diameter. A method for connecting a plastic optical fiber, which can be joined to a mode optical waveguide by a simple method, can be manufactured in a large amount at a low cost with a low assembly cost, and is difficult to be removed even when used for bending applications and the connection method The optical article obtained by the above can be provided.

(Plastic optical fiber connection method and optical article)
In the plastic optical fiber connecting method of the present invention, the distal end portion of the plastic optical fiber provided with the first coupling portion at the distal end portion is inserted into the guide hole provided with the second coupling portion of the substrate on which the optical waveguide is formed, The first coupling portion and the second coupling portion are engaged with each other to connect the plastic optical fiber and the optical waveguide.
The optical article of the present invention is produced by the plastic optical fiber connecting method of the present invention.
Hereinafter, the details of the optical article of the present invention will be clarified through the description of the plastic optical fiber connecting method of the present invention.

<Plastic optical fiber connection method>
The plastic optical fiber is connected by inserting the distal end portion of the plastic optical fiber provided with the first coupling portion at the distal end portion into the guide hole provided with the second coupling portion of the substrate on which the optical waveguide is formed. The first coupling portion and the second coupling portion are engaged with each other.
The first coupling portion is provided at a distal end portion of the plastic optical fiber. On the other hand, the second coupling portion is provided in the guide hole of the base body on which the optical waveguide is formed.

There is no restriction | limiting in particular as said plastic optical fiber, Although it can select suitably according to the objective, The diameter of a plastic optical fiber is preferable 500 micrometers or more, and 500-1000 micrometers is preferable. When the aperture is less than 500 μm, the strength of the plastic optical fiber itself is lost, and connection with the optical waveguide may be difficult.
The plastic optical fiber is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the intended purpose. However, a gradient index plastic optical fiber including a core portion having a refractive index distribution from the center toward the outside is suitable. It is.
About the manufacturing method of the said plastic optical fiber, it is disclosed by Unexamined-Japanese-Patent No. 2004-212711, Unexamined-Japanese-Patent No. 2004-264746, etc., for example.

The optical waveguide is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the purpose. A multimode polymer optical waveguide is preferable from the viewpoint that the aperture can be increased. A guide hole for inserting the plastic optical fiber is provided. The guide hole has a central axis that matches the central axis of the optical waveguide, and an inner diameter that is substantially equal to the outer diameter of the plastic optical fiber.

  The shape, structure, size, etc. of the substrate are not particularly limited and can be appropriately selected depending on the purpose, but a polymer substrate is preferable. Examples of the shape of the substrate include a flat plate shape, a sheet shape, and a film shape, and the structure may be a single layer structure or a laminated structure. It can be appropriately selected according to the use and type of the optical waveguide.

  The material for the polymer substrate is not particularly limited, and any material commonly used for optical waveguides can be suitably used. For example, (meth) acrylic acid esters (fluorine-free (meta-free) ) Acrylic acid ester (i), fluorine-containing (meth) acrylic acid ester (ii)), styrenic compound (iii), vinyl esters (iv), bisphenol A, which is a raw material for polycarbonates, and the like are used as polymerizable compounds. And those polymerized by polymerization, polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), and the like. Examples thereof include homopolymers obtained by polymerizing these as raw materials, copolymers obtained by combining two or more of these, and mixtures of the homopolymers and copolymers.

  Examples of the fluorine-free methacrylic acid ester and the fluorine-free acrylic acid ester (i) include, for example, methyl methacrylate, ethyl methacrylate, isopropyl methacrylate, tert-butyl methacrylate, benzyl methacrylate, phenyl methacrylate, Examples include cyclohexyl methacrylate, diphenylmethyl methacrylate, adamantyl methacrylate, isobornyl methacrylate, norbornyl methacrylate and the like. Among these, methyl acrylate, ethyl acrylate, tert-butyl acrylate, phenyl acrylate, and the like are particularly preferable.

  Examples of the fluorine-containing acrylic ester and fluorine-containing methacrylate ester of (ii) include 2,2,2-trifluoroethyl methacrylate, 2,2,3,3-tetrafluoropropyl methacrylate, 2,2,3. , 3,3-pentafluoropropyl methacrylate, 1-trifluoromethyl-2,2,2-trifluoroethyl methacrylate, 2,2,3,3,4,4,5,5-octafluoropentyl methacrylate, 2, 2,3,3,4,4-hexafluorobutyl methacrylate and the like.

Examples of the (iii) styrene compound include styrene, α-methylstyrene, chlorostyrene, bromostyrene, and the like.
Examples of the vinyl ester (iv) include vinyl acetate, vinyl benzoate, vinyl phenyl acetate, and vinyl chloroacetate.

  Moreover, as a polymer which forms the said polymer base | substrate, in addition to said various compounds, for example, methyl methacrylate (MMA) and fluoride (meth) acrylates such as trifluoroethyl methacrylate (FMA) and hexafluoroisopropyl methacrylate are used. Mention may be made of copolymers. In addition, copolymers of MMA and alicyclic (meth) acrylates such as (meth) acrylate having a branch such as tert-butyl methacrylate, isobornyl methacrylate, norbornyl methacrylate, tricyclodecanyl methacrylate, etc. It is done. Furthermore, polycarbonate (PC), norbornene-based resin (for example, ZEONEX (registered trademark: manufactured by Nippon Zeon Co., Ltd.), functional norbornene-based resin (for example, ARTON (registered trademark: manufactured by JSR)), fluorine resin (for example, , Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), etc.) Also, a fluororesin copolymer (for example, PVDF copolymer), tetrafluoroethylene perfluoro (alkyl vinyl ether), etc. (PFA)) Random copolymer, chlorotrifluoroethylene (CTFE) copolymer, etc. can also be used, and the hydrogen loss (H) of these polymers is replaced with deuterium atoms (D), resulting in transmission loss. Can also be reduced.

  Other additives can be added to the polymer substrate as long as the optical transmission performance is not deteriorated. For example, a stabilizer can be added for the purpose of improving weather resistance and durability. Further, for the purpose of improving optical transmission performance, a stimulated emission functional compound for optical signal amplification can be added.

  There is no restriction | limiting in particular as a manufacturing method of the said optical waveguide, Although it can select suitably according to the objective, For example, the method as described in Unexamined-Japanese-Patent No. 9-281351, Unexamined-Japanese-Patent No. 2003-172841, etc. Is mentioned.

  As the first coupling portion and the second coupling portion provided in the guide hole of the base on which the plastic optical fiber and the optical waveguide are formed, for example, (1) the first coupling portion is a convex portion, and the second coupling portion A mode in which the coupling portion is a concave portion that engages with the convex portion, (2) a mode in which the first coupling portion is a concave portion, and the second coupling portion is a convex portion that engages with the concave portion, and the like are preferable. It is mentioned in.

  There are no particular restrictions on the size, shape, number, and the like of the convex portions or concave portions in the first coupling portion and the second coupling portion, which can be appropriately selected according to the purpose. The cross-sectional shape may be a triangle, a quadrangle, a semicircle, a circle, an ellipse, or the like. The shape of the concave portion is not particularly limited as long as it is a shape capable of engaging with the convex portion, and can be appropriately selected according to the purpose. The cross-sectional shape is an inverted triangle, a quadrangle, an inverted semicircle, Circle, ellipse, etc.

In addition, a plurality of the first coupling portions and the second coupling portions may be provided. Thereby, it becomes a structure which is hard to come off when the optical fiber is bent.
Moreover, it is preferable that the said 1st coupling | bond part and the said 2nd coupling | bond part are formed in ring shapes, such as a ring-shaped convex part and a ring-shaped recessed part. Thereby, it becomes a structure which is hard to come off when the optical fiber is bent.
There is no restriction | limiting in particular as a formation method of a said 1st coupling part and a said 2nd coupling part, According to the objective, it can select suitably, For example, various shaping | molding methods, cutting, thermoforming, adhesion | attachment of a protrusion, a ring Fitting, ring embedding, and the like.

In the plastic optical fiber connecting method of the present invention, the distal end portion of the plastic optical fiber provided with the first coupling portion at the distal end portion is inserted into the guide hole provided with the second coupling portion of the substrate on which the optical waveguide is formed, The first coupling portion and the second coupling portion are engaged with each other to connect the plastic optical fiber and the optical waveguide.
Next, after bonding the plastic optical fiber and the optical waveguide, it is preferable to fix them together with an adhesive.
There is no restriction | limiting in particular as said adhesive agent, According to the objective, it can select suitably, For example, an epoxy-type adhesive agent, an acrylic adhesive agent, a urethane type adhesive agent, a silicone type adhesive agent etc. are mentioned.

Here, FIG. 1 shows a cross-sectional view of the distal end portion of the plastic optical fiber 10, 1 is a core portion, and 2 is a grad portion. This plastic optical fiber is provided with two pairs of convex portions 3, 3 in the radial direction.
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the distal end portion of the plastic optical fiber 10, where 1 is a core portion and 2 is a grad portion. This plastic optical fiber is provided with four pairs of convex portions 3, 3, 3, 3 in two radial directions.
As shown in FIG. 3, a guide hole 7 is provided in the base 8 on which the optical waveguide 5 is formed. The guide hole 7 has a central axis that matches the central axis of the optical waveguide, and an inner diameter that is substantially equal to the outer diameter of the plastic optical fiber.
When the distal end portion of the plastic optical fiber is inserted into the guide hole 7, the convex portions 3, 3 of the plastic optical fiber engage with the concave portions 6, 6 of the guide hole 7, and the plastic optical fiber and the optical waveguide are engaged. And are joined in an aligned state.
Next, after the plastic optical fiber and the optical waveguide are bonded, they are bonded and fixed together with an adhesive.
The plastic optical fiber shown in FIG. 2 can be connected in the same way as the plastic optical fiber shown in FIG. 1, but the number of convex portions (concave portions) is as large as four, so that the connection is made stronger. can do.

Here, FIG. 4 shows a cross-sectional view of the distal end portion of the plastic optical fiber 10, 1 is a core portion, and 2 is a grad portion. This plastic optical fiber 10 is provided with two pairs of recesses 6 and 6 in the radial direction.
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the distal end portion of the plastic optical fiber 10, where 1 is a core portion and 2 is a grad portion. This plastic optical fiber 10 is provided with four pairs of recesses 6, 6, 6, 6 in two radial directions.
As shown in FIG. 6, a guide hole 7 is provided in the base 8 on which the optical waveguide 5 is formed. The guide hole 7 has a central axis that matches the central axis of the optical waveguide, and an inner diameter that is substantially equal to the outer diameter of the plastic optical fiber.
When the distal end portion of the plastic optical fiber is inserted into the guide hole 7, the concave portions 6 and 6 of the plastic optical fiber are engaged with the convex portions 3 and 3 of the guide hole 7, and the plastic optical fiber and the optical waveguide are engaged. And are joined in an aligned state.
Next, after the plastic optical fiber and the optical waveguide are bonded, they are bonded and fixed together with an adhesive.
The plastic optical fiber shown in FIG. 5 can be connected in the same manner as the plastic optical fiber shown in FIG. 4, but the number of convex portions (concave portions) is as large as four, so that the connection is made stronger. can do.

In FIG. 7, two rows of convex portions 3 and 3 are provided in a ring shape at the tip of the plastic optical fiber 10, and two rows of concave portions 6 are formed in the guide hole 7 of the base 8 on which the optical waveguide 5 is formed. , 6 are provided in a ring shape.
When this plastic optical fiber 10 is inserted into the guide hole 7 of the base 8 on which the optical waveguide 5 is formed, two rows of ring-shaped convex portions 3, 3 of this plastic optical fiber are provided in the guide hole 7 2. The plastic optical fiber and the optical waveguide are joined by engaging with the ring-shaped concave portions 6 and 6 in the row.
Next, after the plastic optical fiber and the optical waveguide are bonded, they are bonded and fixed together with an adhesive.

<Optical products>
The optical article of the present invention is produced by the plastic optical fiber connecting method of the present invention. The optical article of the present invention is an optical fiber, an optical waveguide, and further, if necessary, a light emitting element, a light receiving element, an optical switch, an optical switch. Includes optical components such as isolators, optical integrated circuits, and optical transceiver modules.
Any known technique can be applied as a technique related to these. For example, the basic and actual of plastic optical fiber (published by NTS Corporation), Nikkei Electronics 2001.1.2.3, pages 110 to 127, “Printed Wiring You can refer to "This time, optical components are mounted on the board." By combining with the various technologies described in the above documents, internal wiring in computers and various digital devices, internal wiring in vehicles and ships, optical terminals and digital devices, optical links between digital devices, general households, housing complexes Suitable for optical transmission systems suitable for short distances such as high-speed, large-capacity data communication and control applications that are not affected by electromagnetic waves, including optical LANs in factories, offices, hospitals, schools, etc. Can be used.

Furthermore, IEICE TRANS. ELECTRON. , VOL. E84-C, No. 3, MARCH 2001, p. 339-344 “High-Uniformity Star Coupler Using Diffused Light Transmission”, Journal of Japan Institute of Electronics Packaging, Vol. 3, no. 6, 2000, pages 476 to 480, which are described in “Interconnection with Optical Sheet Bus Technology”, and Japanese Patent Laid-Open Nos. 10-123350, 2002-90571, 2001-290055, etc. Optical buses described: Japanese Patent Laid-Open Nos. 2001-74971, 2000-329962, 2001-74966, 2001-74968, 2001-318263, 2001-31840, etc. Optical star couplers described in JP 2000-241655 A, etc .; JP 2002-624457, JP 2002-101044, JP 2001-305395 A, etc. Optical signal transmission device and optical data bus system; optical described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-23011 Optical signal cross-connect system described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-86537, etc .; Optical transmission system described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-26815; Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-339554, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-339555 Multi-function system described in each publication such as No., etc .; and using various optical waveguides, optical splitters, optical couplers, optical multiplexers, optical demultiplexers, etc., combined transmission and reception, etc. An advanced optical transmission system can be constructed.
In addition to the above optical transmission applications, it can also be used in the fields of illumination, energy transmission, illumination, and sensors.

  Although the plastic optical fiber and the optical article of the present invention have been described in detail above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications may be made without departing from the gist of the present invention.

  Examples of the present invention will be described below, but the present invention is not limited to the following examples.

Example 1
As shown in FIG. 1, two convex portions having a size of about 10 μm were formed at the tip of a plastic optical fiber (POF) having a diameter of 750 μm.
On the other hand, a concave portion having a shape to be engaged with a convex portion of a plastic optical fiber was provided in a guide hole of an acrylic resin plate (PMMA, width 10 mm, thickness 5 mm, length 50 mm) on which an optical waveguide was formed. The guide hole has a central axis that coincides with the central axis of the optical waveguide and an inner diameter that is substantially equal to the outer diameter of the plastic optical fiber.
As shown in FIG. 3, when the distal end portion of the plastic optical fiber is inserted into the guide hole 7, the convex portions 3, 3 of the plastic optical fiber engage with the concave portions 6, 6 of the guide hole 7, and the plastic light The fiber and the optical waveguide were joined in an aligned state.
Next, after joining the said plastic optical fiber and the said optical waveguide, both were adhere | attached with the epoxy resin-type optical adhesive (EP330), and the plastic optical fiber and the optical waveguide were fixed.

<Evaluation>
Even if the plastic optical fiber was repeatedly bent 1000 times for the obtained plastic optical fiber-optical waveguide connection, the optical fiber did not come out of the optical waveguide.

(Example 2)
As shown in FIG. 4, two concave portions having a size of about 10 μm were formed at the tip of a plastic optical fiber (POF) having a diameter of 750 μm.
On the other hand, the convex part of the shape engaged with the concave part of a plastic optical fiber was provided in the guide hole of the acrylic resin board (PMMA, width 10mm, thickness 5mm, length 50mm) which formed the optical waveguide. The guide hole has a central axis that coincides with the central axis of the optical waveguide and an inner diameter that is substantially equal to the outer diameter of the plastic optical fiber.
As shown in FIG. 6, when the distal end portion of the plastic optical fiber is fitted into the guide hole 7, the concave portions 6 and 6 of the plastic optical fiber engage with the convex portions 3 and 3 of the guide hole 7, and the plastic light The fiber and the optical waveguide were joined in an aligned state.
Next, after joining the said plastic optical fiber and the said optical waveguide, both were adhere | attached with the epoxy resin-type optical adhesive (EP330), and the plastic optical fiber and the optical waveguide were fixed.

<Evaluation>
Even if the plastic optical fiber was repeatedly bent 1000 times for the obtained plastic optical fiber-optical waveguide connection, the optical fiber did not come out of the optical waveguide.

  According to the plastic optical fiber connecting method of the present invention, the plastic optical fiber and the multimode optical waveguide can be joined by a simple method, the assembly cost is reduced, and a large amount can be manufactured at low cost. (POF) and a multimode polymer optical waveguide can be simply connected to provide an inexpensive optical article.

FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing an example of the plastic optical fiber of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic view showing another example of the plastic optical fiber of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a state in which the plastic optical fiber of the present invention and the optical waveguide are connected. FIG. 4 is a schematic view showing an example of the plastic optical fiber of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a schematic view showing another example of the plastic optical fiber of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a view showing another example of the state in which the plastic optical fiber of the present invention and the optical waveguide are connected. FIG. 7 is a view showing still another example of the state in which the plastic optical fiber of the present invention and the optical waveguide are connected.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Core part 2 Clad part 3 Convex part 5 Optical waveguide 6 Concave part 7 Guide hole 8 Base | substrate 10 Plastic optical fiber

Claims (9)

  The plastic optical fiber provided with the first coupling portion at the distal end is fitted into the guide hole provided with the second coupling portion of the base on which the optical waveguide is formed, and the first coupling portion and the second coupling portion are inserted. Are connected to each other, and the plastic optical fiber and the optical waveguide are connected to each other.   The method for connecting plastic optical fibers according to claim 1, wherein the first coupling portion is a convex portion, and the second coupling portion is a concave portion engaged with the convex portion.   The method for connecting plastic optical fibers according to claim 1, wherein the first coupling portion is a concave portion, and the second coupling portion is a convex portion that engages with the concave portion.   4. The plastic optical fiber connection method according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of first coupling portions and a plurality of second coupling portions are provided.   The method for connecting plastic optical fibers according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the first coupling portion and the second coupling portion are each formed in a ring shape.   6. The method for connecting plastic optical fibers according to claim 1, wherein the plastic optical fiber and the optical waveguide are bonded together and then fixed together with an adhesive.   The method for connecting plastic optical fibers according to claim 1, wherein the diameter of the plastic optical fibers is 500 μm or more.   The method for connecting plastic optical fibers according to claim 1, wherein the optical waveguide is a multimode polymer optical waveguide. An optical article obtained by the plastic optical fiber connecting method according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

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