JP2008096843A - Optical waveguide structure, light receptacle using the same, and method of manufacturing the optical waveguide structure - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an optical waveguide structure that properly maintains a fixed power of an optical isolator, even when the optical isolator is miniaturized. <P>SOLUTION: The optical waveguide structure 1 includes a fiber stub 3, arranged in the middle of the axial direction that is in the inner circumference side of a sleeve 2 along an optical waveguide direction, and the optical isolator 5 that is abutted against an end surface of a light-incident side of the fiber stub 3 and intercepts light reflected from a network side. A support 4 that supports the optical isolator 5 is arranged on the light-incident side of the fiber stub 3, the support 4 is fastened to the sleeve 2, fiber stub 3 and optical isolator 5, and the optical isolator 5 is embedded in the support 4. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an optical waveguide structure incorporated in an optical receptacle or the like, and more particularly to an optical waveguide structure having an optical isolator that blocks reflected light from a network side.

  As is well known, optical transmitters used for communication applications include light emitting elements such as semiconductor lasers that convert electrical signals into optical signals and transmit them, and light emitted from the light emitting elements is connected to an optical fiber on the network side. What is provided with the optical receptacle for doing is widely used. In recent years, in this type of optical transmitter, there has been a demand for long-distance transmission and higher communication speed, and therefore the actual situation is that higher output and higher frequency of light emitting elements are being promoted. .

  In response to this situation, the reflected light (returned light) from the network side is also becoming stronger, and the adverse effect of the reflected light on the light emitting element is gradually increasing. Therefore, in this type of optical transmitter, it is customary to place an optical isolator on the optical path of the light transmitted from the light emitting element in order to block the reflected light from the network side.

  However, an optical isolator is a very expensive element. If the size of the optical isolator is not sufficiently reduced, the optical transmitter becomes very expensive as a result, and the optical transmitter is provided at a low cost. It becomes difficult.

Therefore, as a countermeasure for this problem, among the optical receptacles, a fiber on which the optical fiber on the network side is in contact with the end on the light output side and the light emitted from the light emitting element is collected on the end on the light input side Usually, a technique for realizing miniaturization of an optical isolator by fixing the optical isolator to the end face of the stub on the optical input side with an adhesive is employed (see, for example, Patent Document 1 below). Patent Document 2 below discloses a technique in which a concave portion is formed on the end surface of the fiber stub on the light input side, and an optical isolator is fixed to the bottom surface of the concave portion with an adhesive.
JP 2000-162475 A JP-A-2005-241808

  However, in the technique of bonding an optical isolator to the end face of the fiber stub with an adhesive as in the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1, the bonding area is inevitably reduced as the optical isolator is downsized. Therefore, the fixing force of the optical isolator is reduced. Therefore, in the optical receptacle manufacturing process or the optical transmitter manufacturing process using the optical receptacle, a situation may occur in which the optical isolator is detached from the end face of the fiber stub.

  Further, even in the technique disclosed in Patent Document 2, the optical isolator is bonded only to the bottom surface of the recess, and the outer peripheral surface of the optical isolator bonded to the bottom surface of the recess and the inner periphery of the recess Since the gap is formed between the surfaces, the above-described problems caused by the decrease in the fixing force of the optical isolator can occur as well.

  An object of the present invention is to provide an optical waveguide structure capable of maintaining a good fixing force of an optical isolator even when the optical isolator is downsized.

  In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a contact portion disposed in the axial direction on the inner peripheral side of the sleeve whose axial direction is along the optical waveguide direction, and a light input side of the contact portion. An optical waveguide structure comprising an optical isolator disposed and in contact with or close to the corresponding contact portion to block reflected light from the network side, and the optical isolator is supported on the optical input side of the contact portion A support portion is disposed, the support portion is fixed to the sleeve, the contact portion, and the optical isolator, and the optical isolator is embedded in the support portion.

  According to such a configuration, since the optical isolator is fixed while being embedded in the support portion, at least the outer peripheral surface of the optical isolator is fixed by the support portion. Therefore, even if the optical isolator is downsized, the fixing force can be maintained well. Thus, for example, when the optical waveguide structure is assembled in the manufacturing process of the optical receptacle or the like, it is possible to reliably prevent the problem that the optical isolator is detached from the support portion.

  Said structure WHEREIN: You may make it the said support part have a sealing part which seals the end surface by the side of the optical input of the said optical isolator.

  According to this configuration, since the end surface on the light input side of the optical isolator is sealed by the sealing portion of the support portion, the outer peripheral surface of the optical isolator is fixed to the end surface on the light input side by the support portion. Will be. Therefore, the fixing force of the optical isolator can be further increased.

  Further, since the outer peripheral surface of the optical isolator and the end surface on the light input side are sealed by the support portion, the end surface on the light output side of the optical isolator is sealed by the contact portion. Thus, the optical isolator can be hermetically sealed. If the optical isolator is hermetically sealed in this manner, it is possible to accurately prevent the optical isolator from being deteriorated by moisture or the like contained in the outside air. Therefore, the function of the optical isolator can be maintained in a stable state for a long period of time, and as a result, the optical isolator that is an expensive element can be effectively used.

  In the above configuration, the end surfaces on both the light input side and the light output side of the optical isolator are parallel to the surface orthogonal to the axial direction of the sleeve, and the end surface on the light input side of the sealing portion is Further, an inclined surface inclined with respect to a surface orthogonal to the axial direction of the sleeve may be formed.

  In this way, for example, in an optical transmitter using an optical receptacle in which such an optical waveguide structure is incorporated, since the end surface on the light input side of the sealing portion is an inclined surface, the light is transmitted from the light emitting element. It is possible to prevent the incident light from being reflected by the end face on the light input side of the optical isolator and entering the light emitting element. More specifically, when a part of the light transmitted from the light emitting element is reflected by the inclined surface of the sealing portion, the reflected light is reflected in a direction away from the optical axis of the light emitting element. At the same time, when a part of the light that has passed through the sealing portion is reflected by the end face on the light incident side of the optical isolator, the reflected light deviates from the optical axis of the light emitting element at the inclined surface of the sealing portion. Refracted in the direction. Therefore, as described above, it is possible to suitably avoid the situation where the reflected light reflected by the end face on the light input side of the optical isolator enters the light emitting element. Furthermore, since it is not necessary to dispose the optical isolator per se with respect to the axial direction of the sleeve, the mounting operation of the optical isolator is not unduly complicated.

  In the above configuration, the contact portion may be configured by a fiber stub formed by inserting and fixing an optical fiber to a ferrule.

  In this way, since the optical isolator is fixed in a state of being embedded in the support portion, the optical isolator is in contact with or close to the end surface of the optical fiber stub without separately forming a recess or the like on the end surface of the fiber stub. In this state, it can be positioned accurately. In particular, it is preferable that the abutting portion is constituted by a fiber stub formed by fusing and fixing a ferrule to an optical fiber. In this case, since an organic material such as an adhesive is not used, the environment resistance is excellent.

  In this case, it is preferable that the sleeve and the ferrule are formed of crystallized glass, and the support portion is formed of amorphous glass.

  If it does in this way, it will become possible to fuse a support part to a sleeve, a ferrule, and an optical isolator by heating, without using an adhesive agent. In this case, since aged deterioration of the fixed state is suppressed as compared with the case of fixing using an adhesive, stable use over a long period of time can be realized.

  Further, in the above configuration, the contact portion may be configured only by a transparent body.

  In this way, the configuration is simplified as compared with the case where a fiber stub is used as the contact portion, so that the cost of the contact portion can be reduced.

  In this case, it is preferable that the sleeve is formed of crystallized glass, and the support and the transparent body are formed of amorphous glass.

  If it does in this way, it will become possible to fuse | melt a support part to a sleeve, a transparent body, and an optical isolator by heating, and the effect similar to the advantage which heat fusion mentioned above already has can be acquired.

  An optical receptacle may be configured by incorporating an optical waveguide structure having the above-described configurations as appropriate.

  In this way, the same effects as the advantages of the optical waveguide structure having the above-described configurations can be obtained.

  In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a contact portion disposed in the axial direction on the inner peripheral side of the sleeve whose axial direction is along the optical waveguide direction, and a light input side of the contact portion. In an optical waveguide structure manufacturing method comprising an optical isolator arranged and in contact with or close to a corresponding contact portion to block reflected light from the network side, on the inner peripheral side of the sleeve, the optical isolator, The disposing step of disposing the support portion base material and the contact portion base material, and the support in a state where the optical isolator and the support portion base material are positioned on the light input side of the contact portion base material. A fixing step of fixing a base material to the sleeve, the contact portion base material, and the optical isolator. In this fixing step, a support portion is formed on the light input side of the contact portion, and the support portion It is characterized by embedding the optical isolator.

  According to such a method, since the support member base material in the disposing step becomes a support portion in the fixing step, and the optical isolator is fixed in a state where the optical isolator is embedded by the support portion, at least the outer peripheral surface of the optical isolator is Then, it is fixed by the support portion. Therefore, even when the optical isolator is miniaturized, it is possible to maintain its fixing force well.

  In the above method, the support base material includes a base base material that surrounds an outer peripheral surface of the optical isolator, and a sealing portion base material that seals an end surface on the light input side of the optical isolator, In the initial stage of the disposing process, the opening on the light input side of the sleeve is sealed with the sealing member base material, and then the base material and the optical isolator are disposed on the inner peripheral side of the sleeve. And the base material of the abutting portion may be disposed.

  In this way, since the opening on the light input side of the sleeve is pre-sealed with the sealing part base material, the base part base material and the inner peripheral side of the sleeve with respect to the sealing part base material The optical isolator and the contact member base material can be easily disposed. Moreover, if each base material is arranged in this way in the arranging step, the outer peripheral surface of the optical isolator and the end surface on the light input side are fixed by the support portion obtained in the subsequent fixing step. Thus, the fixing force of the optical isolator can be further increased. At the same time, the optical isolator can be hermetically sealed by the support portion and the contact portion obtained in the same fixing step.

  In the above method, the base material may be disposed on the inner peripheral side of the sleeve in a state in which the optical isolator is previously stored in the base material in the disposing step.

  In this way, when the optical isolator is disposed on the inner peripheral side of the sleeve, since the optical isolator is stored in the base base material in advance, if the base base material is disposed on the inner peripheral side of the sleeve, The optical isolator is automatically arranged on the inner peripheral side of the sleeve. Therefore, even when the optical isolator is downsized, the optical isolator can be arranged smoothly and quickly without being troublesome and complicated as in the case where the optical isolator is provided alone on the inner peripheral side of the sleeve. It is possible to proceed with the installation work.

  In the above method, it is preferable to perform fixing by heat fusion in the fixing step.

  In this way, a plurality of base materials can be fixed simultaneously by heating and fusion, and thus the manufacturing process can be simplified.

  In the above method, the contact portion base material may be constituted by a fiber stub in which a ferrule is fused and fixed to an optical fiber.

  If it does in this way, an optical fiber does not loosen by the said heating, and it becomes possible to prevent an axial shift suitably.

  As described above, according to the optical waveguide structure according to the present invention, since the optical isolator is fixed in a state of being embedded in the support portion, even if the optical isolator is miniaturized, the fixing force is reduced. It can be maintained well. Therefore, when manufacturing an optical receptacle by incorporating this optical waveguide structure, or when manufacturing an optical transmitter by incorporating this optical receptacle, it is possible to eliminate the problem that the optical isolator is detached, As a result, various manufacturing processes relating to the optical waveguide structure can proceed smoothly and quickly.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view showing the overall configuration of the optical waveguide structure according to the first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the figure, the optical waveguide structure 1 includes a sleeve 2 whose axial direction is along the optical waveguide direction, and a fiber stub 3 disposed in the axial direction on the inner peripheral side of the sleeve 2; A support portion 4 disposed on the light input side of the fiber stub 3 and an optical isolator 5 that is embedded in the support portion 4 and is in contact with the end face on the light input side of the fiber stub 3 are provided.

  As will be described later, the fiber stub 3 functions as a contact portion in which the tip of the optical fiber on the network side that is inserted to the middle of the sleeve 2 in the axial direction is brought into contact with the end surface on the light output side. In this embodiment, the ferrule 6 and the optical fiber 7 inserted and fixed at the center of the ferrule 6 are provided. Note that both end faces of the fiber stub 3 have convex curved surfaces so that the coupling efficiency with the optical fiber on the network side and the optical isolator 5 is maintained well.

  The support portion 4 includes a base portion 8 fixed to the outer peripheral surface of the optical isolator 5 and a sealing portion 9 fixed to the end surface on the light input side of the optical isolator 5. The optical isolator 5 is embedded. In this state, the base portion 8 and the sealing portion 9 are fixed to the inner peripheral surface of the sleeve 2, and the base portion 8 is fixed to the fiber stub 3. Therefore, the optical isolator 5 is fixed to the sleeve 2 with the entire outer peripheral surface thereof being fixed by the base portion 8. Therefore, since the fixing area can be secured larger than when only the end face on the light output side of the optical isolator 5 is fixed, even if the optical isolator 5 is downsized, the fixing force of the optical isolator 5 can be secured. Can be maintained well. In addition, in this embodiment, since the sealing portion 9 is fixed to the end face of the optical isolator 5 on the optical input side, the fixing force of the optical isolator 5 can be further increased. The optical isolator 5 has polarizers on the light input side and the light output side, and a Faraday rotator between these polarizers. The optical isolator 5 used in the present invention is a magnet. A self-holding type Faraday rotator that does not need to be used is effective. In the case of using a normal Faraday rotator that requires a magnet, a magnet can be arranged around the sleeve 2. As a method of attaching the polarizer to the Faraday rotator, normal epoxy resin cannot be used, so an antireflective coating for glass is attached to both sides of the Faraday rotator, and this antireflective coating is applied using a room temperature bonding method A method of bonding a normal absorption polarizer (for example, a polar core or cupo), a method of directly applying a polarizer to a garnet serving as a Faraday rotator using a photonic crystal technique, or the like can be considered.

  Further, the end surface 9a on the light input side of the sealing portion 9 forms a parallel surface parallel to the surface orthogonal to the axial direction of the sleeve 2 or an inclined surface having a predetermined inclination angle with respect to the orthogonal surface. . As shown in FIG. 4, since light transmitted from a light emitting element 104 described later is condensed near the interface between the optical isolator 5 and the optical fiber 7 via the spherical lens 105, the end face 9a is a parallel plane. Although the amount of reflected light from the end face 9a is not large, the inclined surface is preferable because it can prevent unnecessary reflected light from entering the light emitting element. Therefore, the inclination angle of the end face 9a is set within a range of 0 ° to 8 °, for example. From the viewpoint of preventing unnecessary reflected light, the refractive index of the sealing portion 9 is preferably substantially the same as that of the optical fiber.

  The optical isolator 5 is configured to transmit light incident from the end face on the light input side, and block light incident from the end face on the light output side, among the light along the optical waveguide direction. The optical isolator 5 is positioned on the central axis L of the sleeve 2, and both end surfaces on the light input side and the light output side are substantially parallel to a surface orthogonal to the axial direction of the sleeve 2. Thus, it is embedded in the support portion 4 as described above.

  As a material of the optical waveguide structure 1 having the above configuration, glass is preferably used (excluding the optical isolator 5). Specifically, in this embodiment, the sleeve 2 and the ferrule 6 are formed of crystallized glass, and the support portion 4 is formed of amorphous glass. Among them, the base portion 8 is made of amorphous glass A having a low softening point, and the sealing portion 9 is made of amorphous glass B having a refractive index matching with the optical isolator 5. The softening point of the amorphous glass B is the same as or higher than the softening point of the amorphous glass A. Further, the ferrule 6 is previously fused and fixed to the optical fiber 7. And these are mutually fused by heating, without using an adhesive agent. Since the fixing state obtained in this manner is obtained by fusing glass, it is hardly affected by aging and is stable over a long period of time.

  In addition, the heating temperature at the time of performing heat fusion is within the softening point of the crystallized glass, within the softening point of the amorphous glass A, and below the heat resistant temperature of the optical isolator 5. Is preferred. Specifically, the heating temperature is preferably in the range of 300 ° C to 900 ° C, for example. When heat fusion is performed at a relatively high temperature, as shown in FIG. 2, the support portion 4 is configured such that the base portion 8 and the sealing portion 9 are fused and integrated with each other. Further, the support portion 4 is fused with the ferrule 6 and the optical isolator 5 in an interface. Since the heating temperature is a temperature below the softening point of the crystallized glass, only the base portion 8 and the sealing portion 9 are fused and fixed with an interface on the inner peripheral surface of the sleeve 2, and the fiber stub 3 is fixed to the base portion. 8 is fixed in the sleeve 2.

  When heat-sealing in this way, both the optical input side and optical output side end faces of the optical isolator 5 are sealed by the sealing portion 9 and the fiber stub 3, and the outer peripheral surface of the optical isolator 5 is the base portion. 8 is sealed. Therefore, the optical isolator 5 is hermetically sealed and does not come into contact with the outside air. Therefore, the situation where the optical isolator 5 deteriorates due to moisture or the like contained in the outside air can be accurately prevented, and the function of the optical isolator 5 can be maintained in a stable state over a long period of time.

  When the heating temperature is low, as shown in FIG. 1, the base portion 8 and the sealing portion 9 are fused to each other with an interface between them.

  This optical waveguide structure 1 is manufactured, for example, by the following procedure.

  As shown in FIG. 3, first, the sleeve 2 formed of crystallized glass is placed in a standing posture (a posture in which the lower end opening of the sleeve 2 is blocked by the work table) on a work table (not shown). At the same time, the rod-shaped sealing member base material 9X formed of the amorphous glass B is inserted into the inner peripheral surface (the state shown in FIG. 3A). In this state, the sleeve 2 in which the sealing member base material 9X is inserted is heated at a temperature that is not lower than the softening point of the amorphous glass B and not higher than the softening point of the crystallized glass. By this heating, the sealing portion base material 9X is fused to the sleeve 2 to seal the lower end opening of the sleeve 2, and the upper end surface of the sealing portion base material 9X becomes a convex curved surface by heating (FIG. 3 ( b)). Thereafter, an annular base member 8X that is housed around the optical isolator 5 and formed of amorphous glass A is inserted into the sleeve 2 and brought into contact with the upper end surface of the sealing member base material 9X. (State of FIG. 3C). Next, the fiber stub 3 having the ferrule 6 formed of crystallized glass is brought into contact with the upper end surface of the base material 8X (state shown in FIG. 3D). In this state, by heating again at a temperature below the softening point of the crystallized glass and above the softening point of the amorphous glass A, the base material 8X becomes the base 8 and the sealing material 9X is sealed. It becomes part 9. And the optical waveguide structure 1 which has the adhering state shown in FIG. 2 is manufactured by cut | disconnecting the lower end surface of this sealing part 9 diagonally by methods, such as grinding | polishing, and processing it into an inclined surface. In this manufacturing method, the fiber stub 3 is a contact portion base member before heating and melting, and functions as a contact portion after heating and melting. Further, in the manufacturing procedure shown in FIG. 3B, since the sleeve 2 into which the sealing member base material 9X is inserted is heated in a state of being placed on the work table, only the upper end surface of the sealing member base material 9X is present. Although it explained that it became a convex curved surface, you may heat in the state which supported the sleeve 2 so that the up-and-down both end surfaces of the sealing part base material 9X may become a convex curved surface. That is, even in this case, the optical waveguide structure 1 similar to the above can be manufactured by finally cutting the lower end surface of the sealing portion 9 obliquely and processing it into an inclined surface.

  According to such a manufacturing method, since the optical isolator 5 is inserted into the sleeve 2 in a state of being stored in the base base material 8X in advance, the optical isolator alone is used as the central axis L of the sleeve 2 as in the prior art. Compared with the case of positioning up, the operation can be greatly simplified. That is, if the optical isolator 5 is reduced in size to, for example, 0.5 mm square or less, it is troublesome and cumbersome to attempt to position the optical isolator 5 alone on the central axis L of the sleeve 2 due to poor handling properties. Work is forced. On the other hand, if the above manufacturing method is adopted, the optical isolator 5 is stored in the base base material 8X in advance, and the base base material 8X is inserted into the sleeve 2, so that the handling property is greatly improved. The optical isolator 5 is automatically positioned on the central axis L of the sleeve 2 by the base material 8X. Therefore, even if the optical isolator 5 is a small one having a size of 0.5 mm square or less, the optical isolator 5 can be accurately positioned and fixed without lowering the work efficiency.

  As a method for housing the optical isolator 5 in the base base material 8X, for example, a space formed in the center of the annular base base material 8X in a state where the optical isolator 5 is placed on a predetermined work table. After covering the base base material 8X from above the optical isolator 5 so that the optical isolator 5 is positioned at the part, the optical isolator 5 is temporarily fixed to the base base material 8X with a bonding material such as low melting point glass. Is mentioned.

  FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view showing an optical transmitter using an optical receptacle incorporating the optical waveguide structure configured as described above. As shown in the figure, this optical transmitter 101 includes an optical receptacle 103 formed by inserting and fixing the sleeve 2 of the optical waveguide structure 1 into a folder 102, and a flange portion 102a of the folder 102, and a semiconductor laser or the like. The light emitting element 104 and the case 106 provided with the spherical lens 105 are comprised.

  The connector plug 108 having the optical fiber 107 on the network side is brought into contact with the end face on the light output side of the fiber stub 3 in the optical waveguide structure 1, and the light transmitted from the light emitting element 104 is collected by the ball lens 105. The light is transmitted to the network side through the optical waveguide structure 1 while being emitted. At this time, the light emitted from the light emitting element 104 is focused on the core portion of the optical fiber 7 on the light input side end face of the fiber stub 3 in the optical waveguide structure 1.

  FIG. 5 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view showing the overall configuration of the optical waveguide structure according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The optical waveguide structure 1A according to the second embodiment is different from the optical waveguide structure 1 according to the first embodiment described above in the configuration of the contact portion. Below, it demonstrates centering on this difference, and it attaches | subjects the same code | symbol about a common component, and abbreviate | omits detailed description.

  As shown in the figure, the contact portion of the optical waveguide structure 1A is composed only of the transparent body 3A. The transparent body 3A is made of amorphous glass in this embodiment. From the viewpoint of preventing unnecessary reflected light, the refractive index of the transparent body 3A is preferably substantially the same as that of the optical fiber.

  In the manufacturing method of the optical waveguide structure 1A, instead of the fiber stub 3, a transparent base material whose both end faces (not shown) are processed into convex curved surfaces is inserted into the sleeve 2 to thereby form the first embodiment described above. The same procedure can be used. Then, when heated and melted in the same manner as described above, as shown in FIG. 6, the transparent body 3A, the base portion 8, and the sealing portion 9 are integrated with no mutual interface, and all these Is fused to the inner peripheral surface of the sleeve 2. When the heating temperature is low, as shown in FIG. 5, the transparent body 3 </ b> A, the base portion 8, and the sealing portion 9 are fused to each other with an interface between them.

  Also, as shown in FIG. 7, an optical transmitter 101A using an optical receptacle 103A incorporating such an optical waveguide structure 1A is basically the same as the optical transmitter 101 according to the first embodiment described above. There is a difference in that the focal position of the light emitted from the light emitting element 104 is changed to the core portion of the optical fiber 107 on the light input side end face of the connector plug 108.

  As described above, according to the optical waveguide structure according to the first and second embodiments of the present invention, since the optical isolator is fixed in a state of being embedded in the support portion, the optical isolator is reduced in size. Even in this case, the fixing force can be maintained well. Therefore, it is possible to reliably prevent the optical isolator from being detached when an optical receptacle is manufactured by incorporating such an optical waveguide structure, or when an optical transmitter is manufactured by incorporating an optical receptacle.

1 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view illustrating an optical waveguide structure according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the adhering state of the optical waveguide structure shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the manufacture procedure of the optical waveguide structure shown in FIG. It is a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the optical transmitter incorporating the optical waveguide structure shown in FIG. It is a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the optical waveguide structure which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the adhering state of the optical waveguide structure shown in FIG. It is a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the optical transmitter incorporating the optical waveguide structure shown in FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1, 1A Optical waveguide structure 2 Sleeve 3 Fiber stub 3A Transparent body 4 Support part 5 Optical isolator 6 Ferrule 7 Optical fiber 8 Base part 8X Base base material 9 Sealing part 9X Sealing part base material 101, 101A Optical transmitter 102 Folder 102a Flange parts 103, 103A Optical receptacle 104 Light emitting element 105 Ball lens 106 Case

Claims (12)

An abutting portion disposed in the axial direction on the inner circumferential side of the sleeve along the optical waveguide direction, and a network side disposed on the light input side of the abutting portion and in contact with or close to the corresponding contacting portion. In an optical waveguide structure comprising an optical isolator that blocks reflected light from
A support portion that supports the optical isolator is disposed on the light input side of the contact portion, and the support portion is fixed to the sleeve, the contact portion, and the optical isolator, and the optical isolator is An optical waveguide structure characterized by being embedded in a support portion.   2. The optical waveguide structure according to claim 1, wherein the support portion includes a sealing portion that seals an end surface on the light input side of the optical isolator.   The end surfaces on both the light input side and the light output side of the optical isolator are parallel to the surface orthogonal to the axial direction of the sleeve, and the end surface on the light input side of the sealing portion is the shaft of the sleeve. The optical waveguide structure according to claim 2, wherein the optical waveguide structure has an inclined surface inclined with respect to a surface orthogonal to the direction.   The optical waveguide structure according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the contact portion is formed of a fiber stub formed by inserting and fixing an optical fiber to a ferrule.   The optical waveguide structure according to claim 4, wherein the sleeve and the ferrule are formed of crystallized glass, and the support portion is formed of amorphous glass.   The optical waveguide structure according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the abutting portion is composed of only a transparent body.   The optical waveguide structure according to claim 6, wherein the sleeve is made of crystallized glass, and the support part and the transparent body are made of amorphous glass.   An optical receptacle comprising the optical waveguide structure according to any one of claims 1 to 7. An abutting portion disposed in the axial direction on the inner circumferential side of the sleeve along the optical waveguide direction, and a network side disposed on the light input side of the abutting portion and in contact with or close to the corresponding contacting portion. In the method of manufacturing an optical waveguide structure comprising an optical isolator that blocks reflected light from
A disposing step of disposing the optical isolator, the support member base material, and the contact member base material on the inner peripheral side of the sleeve; and the optical isolator and the light source on the light input side of the contact member base material. A fixing step of fixing the support portion base material to the sleeve, the contact portion base material and the optical isolator in a state where the support portion base material is positioned. A method of manufacturing an optical waveguide structure, wherein a support portion is formed on an optical input side, and the optical isolator is embedded in the support portion.   The support part base material includes a base part base material that surrounds an outer peripheral surface of the optical isolator, and a sealing part base material that seals an end surface on the light input side of the optical isolator, In the step, the opening on the light input side of the sleeve is sealed with the sealing portion base material, and then the base base material, the optical isolator, and the contact are formed on the inner peripheral side of the sleeve. The method for manufacturing an optical waveguide structure according to claim 9, wherein the base material is disposed.   11. The optical waveguide structure according to claim 10, wherein in the disposing step, the base material is disposed on an inner peripheral side of the sleeve in a state where the optical isolator is preliminarily accommodated in the base material. Body manufacturing method.   The method for manufacturing an optical waveguide structure according to any one of claims 9 to 11, wherein in the fixing step, fixing is performed by heat fusion.

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