JP2014149168A - Method of monitoring curing of photocurable resin and optical component connection method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method of monitoring curing of a photocurable resin, which easily detects a curing state of a photocurable resin without adversely affecting the photocurable resin.SOLUTION: A method of monitoring curing of a photocurable resin includes the steps of: supplying a photocurable resin 1 including a liquid photocurable resin 1b and resin particles 1a having a refractive index equivalent to that of the photocurable resin 1b in a fully curing state, to an object 2; detecting brightness of the photocurable resin 1b, the resin particles 1a, and the boundary between them through an image while hardening the photocurable resin 1 with light irradiation for photocuring; comparing first brightness of at least one of the photocurable resin 1b and the resin particles 1a and second brightness of the boundary with each other; and determining that the more the photocurable resin 1 cures the smaller the difference in brightness is.

Description

  The present invention relates to a photocuring resin curing monitoring method and an optical component connecting method.

  In many industrial fields, a photocuring method in which a resin is irradiated with ultraviolet rays and cured is used as a method for curing an adhesive or a coating agent. Compared with thermal curing methods that use thermal energy, the photocuring method has many advantages such as not diffusing harmful substances into the atmosphere, short curing time, and adaptability to heat-sensitive products. Yes. The photocurable resin used in the photocuring method is mainly liquid before light irradiation, but changes to a solid after ultraviolet irradiation.

  Such a photocurable resin contains a photopolymerization initiator in addition to the main agent. The photopolymerization initiator, for example, generates radicals and cations upon receiving irradiated ultraviolet rays, and the generated radicals and cations cause a polymerization reaction with the main agent. With this polymerization reaction, the photocurable resin changes to a solid. Accordingly, the degree of curing of the photocurable resin is determined according to the degree of polymerization.

  Regarding photo-curing resins, it is difficult to visually determine the degree of curing, and a method for easily determining the state of the resin accompanying curing is desired. However, since there is no easy way to make judgments, the actual situation is that the curing time is set to a safe time in advance at the manufacturing site, and the manufacturing time is increased due to excessive curing. In order to stabilize the product, monitoring of the curing state during actual curing is desired.

  As a method for monitoring the curing, a system for measuring hardness in a state where an optical fiber is in contact with a resin has been commercialized as an optical fiber adhesive curing sensor by Nippon Sheet Glass Co., Ltd. This sensor measures the refractive index by utilizing the property that the refractive index of the photo-curing adhesive changes as the irradiation time of the ultraviolet ray to the photo-curing adhesive becomes longer, that is, as the curing of the adhesive proceeds. System.

  As another method, a method for estimating the state of an ultraviolet curable resin is known, and includes the following steps. That is, a method for estimating the state of an ultraviolet curable resin containing a main agent composed of at least one of a monomer or an oligomer and a photopolymerization initiator, an irradiation step of irradiating the ultraviolet curable resin with ultraviolet rays, and irradiation in the irradiation step A detection step for detecting the fluorescence emitted by the photopolymerization initiator in response to the ultraviolet light, and an estimation step for estimating the state of the ultraviolet curable resin based on the fluorescence detected in the detection step.

JP 2007-248244 A

  However, since the optical fiber type adhesive curing sensor described above is a method of measuring the refractive index of the resin using the interface between the resin and the optical fiber, it is necessary to bring the optical fiber into contact with the resin, and the resin is cured. Sometimes the optical fiber and the resin are bonded. Therefore, it is necessary to cut the optical fiber after the resin is cured, and the product in which the optical fiber remains in the resin is the product.

  Further, in the above-described method for estimating the state of the ultraviolet curable resin, the intensity of the fluorescence emitted from the photopolymerization initiator is detected. Therefore, the ultraviolet curable resin is irradiated with ultraviolet light that is excitation light for generating fluorescence. There is a need to. Accordingly, since the photo-curing resin is irradiated with the photo-curing ultraviolet light and the ultraviolet light for inspection and the hardness changes, the light used for detection affects the curing of the resin.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a photocuring resin curing monitoring method capable of easily detecting the curing state of the photocurable resin without adversely affecting the photocurable resin, and an optical component connecting method using the photocurable resin. Is to provide.

According to one aspect of the present embodiment, a photo-curing resin including a liquid photo-curing resin material and resin particles having a refractive index equivalent to a cured completion state of the photo-curing resin material is an object. A step of supplying the light curable resin by curing the light curable resin by irradiation with light for light curing, and the brightness of each of the light curable resin material and the resin particle boundary, and the light curable resin material and the resin particle Comparing the first brightness of the at least one of the photocurable resin material and the resin particles with the second brightness of the boundary, and detecting the first brightness and the second brightness And a step of determining that the curing of the photo-curing resin is progressing as the difference in brightness is reduced.
The objects and advantages of the invention will be realized and attained by means of the elements and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims. It is to be understood that the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the invention.

  According to this embodiment, the curing state of the photocurable resin can be easily detected without adversely affecting the photocurable resin.

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a monitoring device used in the photocuring resin curing monitoring method according to the embodiment. FIGS. 2A to 2C are plan views showing an example of temporal changes in the image of the photocurable resin film irradiated with ultraviolet rays in the photocuring resin curing monitoring method according to the embodiment. FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram showing an example of a method for producing resin fine particles to be mixed with the photocurable resin material used in the photocuring resin curing monitoring method according to the embodiment. 4A and 4B are enlarged plan views illustrating changes in brightness before and after curing of the photocurable resin used in the method of monitoring the curing of the photocurable resin according to the embodiment. . FIGS. 5A and 5B show examples of measurement results of changes in brightness distribution before and after curing of the photocurable resin used in the method of monitoring the curing of the photocurable resin according to the embodiment. FIG. FIG. 6 is a characteristic diagram showing an example of the distribution of brightness before curing of the photocurable resin containing resin fine particles used in the method of monitoring the curing of the photocurable resin according to the embodiment. FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a method for curing a photocurable resin including resin fine particles used in the method for monitoring the curing of a photocurable resin according to the embodiment. FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a first example to which the photocuring resin curing monitoring method according to the embodiment is applied. FIG. 9 is a side view showing a method for connecting optical components according to a second example to which the photocuring resin curing monitoring method according to the embodiment is applied. 10A and 10B are perspective views illustrating a third example to which the photocuring resin curing monitoring method according to the embodiment is applied.

  Embodiments will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, similar components are given the same reference numerals.

  FIG. 1 shows a configuration diagram of a monitoring device used in the photocuring resin curing monitoring method according to the embodiment.

  The photocuring monitoring device 10 has a stage 11 for placing a component (object) 2 on which a photocurable resin 1 to be observed is applied or dropped. The photocuring monitoring device 10 also has an observation system part A for monitoring the cured state of the photocurable resin 1 and an illumination system part B for curing the liquid photocurable resin 1.

  The observation system part A has a camera 12 having a solid-state image sensor (not shown) and a microscope 13 attached to the lens mount of the camera 12. The microscope 13 has a lens having a magnification that can expand fine particles having a size of, for example, several μm to several tens of μm, and further, an image based on light emitted from the photocurable resin 1 is displayed on the solid-state imaging unit of the camera 12. It has a structure for imaging. As a solid-state image sensor incorporated in the camera 12, a CCD image sensor, a MOS image sensor, a CMOS image sensor, or the like is applied. The image data imaged on the solid-state image sensor is subjected to data processing by a signal processing unit (not shown) in the camera 12, and then transmitted to the control unit 14 and stored in the storage unit 14a therein. As the control unit 14, for example, a computer including a storage unit 14a, a processing unit 14b, a display unit 14c, a keyboard (not shown), and the like is used. The processing unit 14b includes a CPU, a clock, a storage device, and the like. The control unit 14 stores a program for detecting and analyzing the brightness distribution of the image for each pixel of the imaging element 12a based on the image data captured by the camera 12, in the storage unit 14a.

  The illumination system part B includes a curing illumination light source 15 for illuminating resin curing light, for example, ultraviolet light (UV), and light irradiation connected to a light emitting end of the curing illumination light source 15 via an optical fiber 17. And a head 16. The light irradiation head 16 is provided with a lens capable of adjusting the incident light through the optical fiber 15 to enlarge, reduce, or equal magnification. The curing illumination light source 15 includes a mercury lamp, a mercury xenon lamp, and the like, and on / off and light intensity adjustment are controlled by keyboard operation, mouse operation, and the like of the control unit 14. The light emitted from the curing illumination light source 15 may include light having a wavelength other than the resin curing light.

  As shown in FIG. 2 (a), the liquid photocurable resin 1 in the initial state is made of uncured liquid resin particles 1a made of a photocurable resin that has been previously cured into particles of several μm to several tens of μm. It is mixed with the photocurable resin material 1b. The resin fine particles 1a are obtained by curing the same material as the liquid photocurable resin material 1b by light irradiation to form fine particles, and may be referred to as resin particles.

  The liquid photocurable resin material 1b has, for example, a monomer, an oligomer, a photopolymerization initiator, and an additive. The photopolymerization initiator is a substance that initiates a photopolymerization reaction by light irradiation. Examples of additives include fillers, colorants, and thixotropic agents. In the photopolymerization reaction, the photopolymerization initiator is activated by light irradiation to generate radical molecules, cations, and the like that initiate the reaction, thereby causing polymerization and crosslinking reaction of oligomers and monomer molecules. This reaction occurs in a chain, the molecular weight increases by a three-dimensional crosslinking reaction, and the resin changes from a liquid to a solid. As the photopolymerization initiator, for example, a material that reacts with ultraviolet rays having a wavelength of 200 nm to 400 nm is used.

  The method for producing the resin fine particles 1a is not particularly limited, and it may be formed by cutting a lump of resin with a cutter or by the method shown in FIG.

  In FIG. 3, the container 21a of the atomizer 21 is filled with an uncured liquid photocurable resin 22, the tube 21c of the nozzle 21b is inserted therein, and the liquid photocurable resin 22 is further fed into the nozzle 21b with pressure. Then, it is sprayed in a mist form from the tip of the nozzle 21b. For example, when the mist-like liquid particles 22a are irradiated with ultraviolet rays from the light irradiation head 16 of the curing illumination light source 15 described above, the liquid particles 22a of several μm to several tens of μm are cured to become cured particles 22b and reach the receiving tray 23. To do. Further, the tray 23 is irradiated with ultraviolet rays to cure the cured particles 22b to a desired hardness. The cured particles 22b cured by such a method are used as the resin fine particles 1a. In addition, the resin fine particle 1a in this embodiment should just be equivalent to the refractive index after the liquid photocurable resin material 1b hardens | cured to target hardness, and a material in particular is not limited.

Next, a method for curing the photocurable resin 1 dropped on the component 2 and its curing monitoring will be described.
First, as shown in FIG. 1, the photocurable resin 1 is irradiated with ultraviolet rays from the curing illumination light source 15 through the optical fiber 17 and the light irradiation head 16 under the control of the control unit 14. The photocurable resin 1 in the initial state is in a state where the resin fine particles 1a are mixed with the liquid photocurable resin material 1b. In this state, since the resin fine particle 1a has a higher refractive index than the liquid photocurable resin material 1b, when the image of the photocurable resin 1 is enlarged and displayed on the display unit 14c by the microscope 13, FIG. 2 (a). As shown in FIG. 2, the resin particles 1a and the liquid photocurable resin material 1b are in a state that can be distinguished by eyes. The refractive index, that is, the hardness of the resin fine particle 1a is equal to the final refractive index, that is, the hardness of the photocurable resin 1 to be obtained by light irradiation.

  As the integrated time of ultraviolet irradiation to the photocurable resin 1 increases, the liquid photocurable resin material 1b in the photocurable resin 1 is cured by a chemical reaction, and its refractive index gradually increases, and the resin particles 1a. Gradually approach the refractive index of. When the image of the photocurable resin 1 in this state is magnified by the microscope 13, the boundary between the resin particle 1a and the liquid photocurable resin material 1b changes to a state in which it is difficult to distinguish, as shown in FIG. 1a becomes difficult to detect.

  Further, as the integrated time of the ultraviolet irradiation increases, the liquid photocurable resin material 1b in the photocurable resin 1 undergoes a reaction due to the ultraviolet irradiation, and its refractive index further increases and eventually hardens. It becomes the same as the refractive index of the resin particle 1a. When the image of the photocurable resin 1 in the final state is enlarged by the microscope 13, as shown in FIG. 2C, the liquid photocurable resin material 1b becomes a resin having the final target hardness, and the resin fine particles 1a and It changes to the integrated cured resin 1d, and the resin fine particles 1a cannot be distinguished.

  Changes in the refractive index and light transmittance from the initial state to the final state of the photocurable resin 1 as described above, in other words, changes in hardness can be visually confirmed without measuring the refractive index. Therefore, the final state of the curing can be recognized without measuring the refractive index of the material of the photocurable resin 1 for any photocurable resin 1.

  It is also possible to automatically execute the visual judgment according to the program of the control unit 14, and the details will be described next.

FIG. 4A shows an example of an image obtained by enlarging the boundary between the liquid uncured first photocurable resin material 1e and the cured second photocurable resin 1f after irradiation with ultraviolet rays and the vicinity thereof with the microscope 13. Show. The second photo-curable resin 1f is larger than the resin fine particles 1a. The boundary appears to the extent that it can be visually confirmed in the image of the display unit 14c. When the brightness distribution at the position along the XX line is detected based on the image data captured by the camera 12 through the microscope 13, the brightness distribution characteristic as shown in FIG. A local minimum value such as noise is generated at the boundary 1x between the first photocurable resin material 1e and the cured second photocurable resin 1f. This is due to the difference in refractive index between the two.

  In contrast, when the uncured first photocurable resin material 1e and the cured second photocurable resin 1f are irradiated with ultraviolet rays, as shown in FIG. 4B, the first photocurable resin 1e. And the boundary 1x of the second photocurable resin 1f are blurred. In this state, when the brightness distribution at the position along the XX line is detected based on the image data captured by the camera 12 through the microscope 13, the brightness distribution characteristic as shown in FIG. 5B is obtained. At the boundary 1x between the first photocurable resin 1e and the second photocurable resin 1f, the maximum amount of decrease in brightness is smaller than in the initial state.

  Therefore, when the maximum decrease in the brightness of the boundary 1x obtained by the measurement disappears, the data processing unit 14b of the control unit 14 determines that the curing of the first photocurable resin 1e is completed, and the curing illumination The light source 15 is turned off, and the operator is notified that the light curing process of the first photocurable resin 1e has been completed. In this case, the disappearance of the boundary is compared with the brightness of the boundary and the brightness of the first photocurable resin 1e or the second photocurable resin 1f, and when they enter the same brightness range, It is determined that the brightness is equivalent and the first photocurable resin 1e is cured.

  The description of FIGS. 4 and 5 is a case where the second photocurable resin 1f is a relatively large block, and the second photocurable resin 1f is several μm to several tens of μm, that is, as shown in FIG. In the case of the resin fine particles 1a, the brightness at the boundary is, for example, as shown in FIG. That is, the boundary between the resin fine particle 1a and the uncured photocurable resin material 1b is generated at two places in the cross section taken along the line II in FIG. 2A, and the brightness of the resin fine particle 1a itself is difficult to understand. 2A to 2C, the boundary between the resin fine particles 1a and the liquid photocurable resin may be compared with the liquid photocurable resin, and the brightness of the boundary may be compared. The end point of curing may be detected by the fact that is in the same range as the brightness of the photocurable resin.

  Next, a method for monitoring the curing of the photocurable resin 1 shown in FIG. 2 will be described based on the flow of FIG.

  First, the photocurable resin 1 formed by mixing the resin fine particles 1a cured by light irradiation and the uncured liquid photocurable resin material 1b is dropped or applied to the component 2 (a in FIG. 7). Thereafter, the control unit 14 acquires an enlarged image of the photocurable resin 1 by imaging with the camera 12 through the microscope 13, and the brightness distribution of the region including the liquid photocurable resin material 1b and the resin fine particles 1a. And the image data is stored in the storage unit 14a (b in FIG. 7). Furthermore, as illustrated in FIG. 6, since the brightness is greatly reduced and the minimum value appears at the boundary between the resin fine particle 1a and the liquid photocurable resin material 1b, the boundary of the boundary is based on the brightness distribution data of the image data. The position is extracted, and the position where the minimum value appears is determined as the boundary between the photocurable resin material 1b and the resin fine particles 1a (c in FIG. 7).

  Thereafter, while irradiating the photocurable resin 1 with ultraviolet rays, the brightness value of the photocurable resin material 1b is compared with the brightness value of the above-mentioned boundary, and the brightness range of the photocurable resin material 1b is compared. It is determined whether or not an equivalent state is reached in which the brightness of the boundary is included (d in FIG. 7). As the ultraviolet irradiation time elapses, the light transmittance of the photocurable resin material 1b is improved and the brightness gradually increases, while the light transmittance at the boundary between the photocurable resin material 1b and the resin fine particles 1a is also gradually improved. Finally, it becomes difficult to confirm the position of the boundary.

Subsequently, it is examined whether or not the brightness of the boundary portion is included in the range of values indicating the brightness of the photocurable resin material 1b (e in FIG. 7). When the boundary cannot be specified, it is determined that the refractive indexes of the photocurable resin material 1b and the resin fine particles 1a are equal to each other, and the ultraviolet irradiation is stopped (f in FIG. 7). In addition, after determining that the boundary has disappeared, over light irradiation may be performed for a preset time, and ultraviolet irradiation may be stopped after the time has elapsed.

  The resin fine particles 1a in the photocurable resin 1 may be dispersed toward the surface after the photocurable resin material 1b is applied or dropped. 7 may be the boundary portion and the resin fine particles 1a. The same applies to the following description.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the photocurable resin 1 including the plurality of cured resin fine particles 1a and the liquid photocurable resin material 1b is irradiated with light and cured. For this reason, the boundary between the resin fine particles 1a and the photocurable resin material 1b, that is, when the local attenuation of brightness cannot be distinguished can be determined as the entire photocurable resin 1 is in a cured state, Excessive light irradiation more than necessary can be prevented, energy saving can be achieved, and throughput can be improved.

  By the way, as a measurement of the curing state of the photocurable resin by light irradiation, it was investigated in advance how the appearance of the resin fine particles in the photocurable resin proceeding with curing changes with the progress of curing. You may keep it. For example, in the method of focusing on the change in the brightness of the boundary (tone value on the image) as described above as a change in the appearance of the resin fine particles, the relationship between the brightness of the boundary and the curing state as the curing progresses is looked up. You may investigate and memorize | store as a table (LUT). About the hardening state at this time, since the object is a sample, it is possible to perform hardness measurement using a direct contact type measuring instrument. Using the LUT thus examined, the curing state may be measured from the brightness of the boundary on the image obtained from the actual object.

  In the above description, the example in which the curing state of the photocurable resin dropped or applied on the component 2 is detected by the monitor has been described. However, other examples of the monitoring target are described below based on FIGS. 8, 9, and 10. Explained.

  FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a part of the liquid crystal panel. The liquid crystal panel 30 shown in FIG. 8 has a pair of glass substrates 32 and 33 that are bonded together with a frame-shaped sealing material 31 therebetween. For example, a transparent electrode (not shown) is formed on each of the glass substrates 32 and 33 facing each other, and alignment films 34 and 35 are formed thereon. In addition, an opening 31a for injecting liquid crystal is formed in a part of the frame-shaped sealing material 31, and after injecting the liquid crystal 36, the liquid photocurable resin 1 similar to the above is filled in the opening 31a. Thereafter, the photocurable resin 1 is cured by ultraviolet irradiation by the method as described above, and the opening 31a is sealed.

  In this case, the photocurable resin 1 is irradiated with ultraviolet rays (UV) from the periphery of the opening 31a or from the periphery of the glass substrates 32 and 33, and the microscope 13 of the monitor device 10 shown in FIG. Is placed. As a result, the image data of the image of the photocurable resin 1 is taken into the control unit 14 via the microscope 13 and the camera 12. Based on the image data, the end point of the curing of the photocurable resin 1 can be detected according to the flowchart of FIG. In addition, the irradiation system part B shown in FIG. 1 may be used for ultraviolet irradiation, and an ultraviolet lamp (not shown) may be disposed around the glass substrates 21 and 22. In addition, after determining that the photocurable resin 1 has been cured to the target hardness, the over irradiation may be performed for a predetermined time. Thereby, grasping | ascertaining of the hardness of the photocurable resin 1 becomes easy, excessive ultraviolet irradiation is prevented and work efficiency improves.

FIG. 9 is a side view showing optical components that are optically connected to each other, for example, the optical waveguide 41 and the optical fiber 44.
In FIG. 9, the optical waveguide 41 is formed in a stripe shape on the first substrate 42 with an insulating film 43 interposed therebetween, for example. The optical fiber 44 is fitted in the V groove 47 of the second substrate 46. Furthermore, the optical connection end faces of the optical fiber 44 and the optical waveguide 41 are connected to each other via a photocurable photocurable adhesive 40 in a state of being abutted with each other. The photocurable adhesive 40 used for the optical connection has a light transmission property that transmits light having a wavelength that is guided through the optical fiber 44 and the optical waveguide 41.

  The photocurable adhesive 40 is a kind of photocurable resin, and is produced, for example, by mixing the cured resin fine particles 1a and the photocurable resin material 1a with, for example, an epoxy resin as in FIG. In the same manner as other adhesives, a polymer is formed by a polymerization reaction and cured to exhibit adhesive ability. In this case, a chain polymerization reaction occurs by irradiating light.

  When the optical waveguide 41, which is an optical component, and the core 45 of the optical fiber 44 are optically connected, a photo-curing adhesive 40 is interposed between them, and light is transmitted between the first substrate 43 and the second substrate 46. A curable adhesive 40 is interposed. In that state, the microscope 13 shown in FIG. 1 is brought close to the photocurable adhesive 40 and an enlarged image is formed on the camera 12, and the curing of the photocurable adhesive 40 is monitored according to the flowchart shown in FIG. When the intensity of brightness at the boundary between the photocurable resin 1b to be cured and the resin fine particles 1a becomes equal to that in other regions, it is determined that the hardness of the adhesive 40 has been cured to the target, and the ultraviolet irradiation is stopped. . Note that over-irradiation may be performed at a predetermined time after determining that the target hardness has been cured. Thereby, it becomes easy to grasp the hardness of the photo-curable adhesive 40, excessive ultraviolet irradiation is prevented, and work efficiency is improved.

  10A and 10B show a method of connecting the first optical fiber 51 and the second optical fiber 52, which are optical components.

  First, as shown in FIG. 10A, the connection end faces of the first optical fiber 51 and the second optical fiber 52 are arranged to face each other at an interval. Thereafter, the optical axes of the cores C of the first optical fiber 51 and the second optical fiber 52 are aligned. In this state, a liquid photocurable resin 53 a that is cured by irradiation with light of the first wavelength is interposed between the first optical fiber 51 and the second optical fiber 52. Thereafter, light having the first wavelength is irradiated toward the core C of the second optical fiber 52 from the core C of the first optical fiber 51 through the photocurable resin 53a. Thereby, the coupling core 53 is formed by curing the photocurable resin 53a between the core C of the first optical fiber 51 and the core C of the second optical fiber 52 on the extension thereof. Thereafter, the uncured photocurable resin 53a is washed away with a solvent.

  Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 10B, a liquid second photocurable resin 54 a whose refractive index after curing is lower than that of the bonded core 53 is supplied to the periphery of the bonded core 53 and irradiated from an ultraviolet lamp. The second photo-curing resin 54a is formed around the coupling core 53 as the coupling clad 54. In the initial state, the liquid second photocurable resin 54a is a resin prepared by mixing uncured liquid photocurable resin material and cured resin fine particles, as shown in FIG. 2 (a). Is used. Then, an enlarged image of the photocurable resin 54a magnified by the microscope 13 shown in FIG. 1 is acquired, and the ultraviolet irradiation is stopped when the target hardness is reached according to the flow shown in FIG. . This makes it easy to grasp the hardness of the second photocurable resin 54a, prevents excessive ultraviolet irradiation, and improves work efficiency.

  All examples and conditional expressions given here are intended to help the reader understand the inventions and concepts that have contributed to the promotion of technology, such examples and It is interpreted without being limited to the conditions, and the organization of such examples in the specification is not related to showing the superiority or inferiority of the present invention. While embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail, it will be understood that various changes, substitutions and variations can be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Next, the embodiment will be further described.
(Supplementary Note 1) A step of supplying a photocurable resin containing a liquid photocurable resin material and resin particles having a refractive index equivalent to the cured state of the photocurable resin material to an object, and photocuring Detecting the boundary between the photocurable resin material and the resin particles and the brightness of the photocurable resin material and the resin particles by an image while curing the photocurable resin by irradiation with light for And comparing the first brightness of at least one of the photocurable resin material and the resin particles with the second brightness of the boundary, the smaller the difference between the first brightness and the second brightness is, A step of determining that the curing of the photocurable resin is proceeding, and a method for monitoring the curing of the photocurable resin.
(Supplementary note 2) The supplementary note 1 includes a step of determining that the curing of the photocurable resin is completed in a state where the second brightness is equal to the range of the first brightness. A method for monitoring curing of the photocurable resin as described.
(Appendix 3) The photocuring resin curing monitor according to any one of appendices 1 to 2, wherein the resin particles are formed by curing the same material as the photocurable resin material. Method.
(Additional remark 4) The said resin particle is mixed from the surface of the said photocurable resin material, after supplying the said liquid photocurable resin material on the said target object, The additional description 1 thru | or the additional statement 4 characterized by the above-mentioned The curing monitoring method for a photocurable resin according to any one of the above.
(Additional remark 5) Before irradiating the said light, it is judged that the part with the largest amount of depression among the brightness distribution based on the image data of the said photocurable resin acquired through the microscope is said boundary. The curing monitoring method for a photocurable resin according to any one of Supplementary notes 1 to 5.
(Supplementary Note 6) A photocurable adhesive including a liquid photocurable resin material and resin particles having a refractive index equivalent to a cured completion state of the photocurable resin material is used as a first optical component and a second optical component. The step of sandwiching between optical components, and the curing of the photocurable adhesive by irradiation of light for photocuring, the boundary between the photocurable resin material and the resin particles, the photocurable resin material, and the resin Detecting the brightness of each of the particles by an image, comparing the first brightness of at least one of the photocurable resin material and the resin particles with the second brightness of the boundary, and the second brightness. And a step of determining that the curing of the photocurable adhesive is completed in a state in which the thickness is equal to the first brightness range.
(Supplementary note 7) The optical component connecting method according to supplementary note 6, wherein the irradiation of the light is stopped when a preset time has elapsed after it is determined that the curing is completed.
(Supplementary note 8) The optical component connecting method according to any one of supplementary notes 6 to 7, wherein the resin particles are formed by curing the same material as the photocurable resin material.
(Appendix 9) The resin particles are mixed from the surface of the photocurable resin material after the photocurable resin material is sandwiched between the first optical component and the second optical component. The optical component connecting method according to any one of Appendix 6 to Appendix 8.
(Additional remark 10) Before irradiating the said light, it is judged that the part with the largest amount of depression among the brightness distribution based on the image data of the said photocurable resin acquired through the microscope is said boundary. The optical component connecting method according to any one of Supplementary Notes 6 to 9.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Photocurable resin 1a Resin fine particle 1b Photocurable resin material 2 Component 10 Photocuring monitoring apparatus 12 Camera 13 Microscope 14 Control part 15 Illumination light source 16 Curing light head 17 Optical fiber 30 Liquid crystal panel 31 Sealing material 31a Opening part 32 33 Glass substrate 40 Photocurable adhesive
41 Optical waveguide 44 Optical fibers 51 and 52 Optical fiber 53 Bonding core 54a Photocurable resin 54 Bonding clad

Claims (5)

A liquid photocurable resin material;
Supplying a photocurable resin containing a resin particle having a refractive index equivalent to the cured state of the photocurable resin material to an object;
While curing the photocurable resin by irradiation with light for photocuring, the boundary between the photocurable resin material and the resin particles and the brightness of the photocurable resin material and the resin particles are detected by images. And a process of
The first brightness of at least one of the photocurable resin material and the resin particles is compared with the second brightness of the boundary, and the light becomes smaller as the difference between the first brightness and the second brightness becomes smaller. Determining that the curing of the curable resin is progressing,
Monitoring method for photocurable resin containing   The method for monitoring the curing of a photocurable resin according to claim 1, wherein the resin particles are formed by curing the same material as the photocurable resin material.   2. The portion of the brightness distribution based on the image data of the photocurable resin acquired through a microscope before the light irradiation is determined to be a portion having the maximum drop amount as the boundary. Or the hardening monitoring method of the photocurable resin of Claim 2. A photo-curing adhesive comprising a liquid photo-curing resin material and resin particles having a refractive index equivalent to the cured state of the photo-curing resin material is applied between the first optical component and the second optical component. The step of sandwiching between,
While curing the photo-curable adhesive by irradiation with light for photo-curing, the brightness of each of the photo-curable resin material and the resin particles, and the brightness of the photo-curable resin material and the resin particles is illustrated by an image. Detecting process;
The first brightness of at least one of the photocurable resin material and the resin particles is compared with the second brightness of the boundary, and the second brightness becomes equal to the range of the first brightness. A step of determining that the curing of the photocurable adhesive is completed in a state where
An optical component connection method comprising:   The resin particles are mixed from the surface of the photocurable resin material after the photocurable resin material is sandwiched between the first optical component and the second optical component. 5. The optical component connecting method according to 4.

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