JP2582242Y2 - Optical waveguide connection structure - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an optical waveguide used for optical communication, optical measurement, an optical computer, etc., and more particularly, a connection structure of an optical waveguide suitable for connection between optical waveguides or between an optical waveguide and an optical fiber. It is about.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, for example, the following method has been used to connect an optical fiber and a three-dimensional optical waveguide.

As shown in FIG. 10A, a lens 82 is provided between an optical fiber 80 and an optical waveguide 81, and the input and output ends of the optical fiber 80 and the optical waveguide 81 are optically connected using the lens system. How to combine.

[0004] As shown in FIG.
A method in which an optical fiber 80 is fixed in a V-shaped groove 83 provided in the optical waveguide 81, and the optical fiber 80 is bonded to the end face of the optical waveguide 81.

[0005] As shown in FIG. 10 (c), a method of inserting and fixing an optical fiber 80 in a cylindrical ruby bead 85, and abutting the optical fiber 80 on an end face of an optical waveguide 81 to adhere the same.

[0006]

However, the above-mentioned prior art has the following problems.

In either case, accurate alignment is required when connecting the optical fiber and the optical waveguide, and the connection adjustment work is difficult.

In the case of the prior art shown in FIGS. 10B and 10C, the connection cannot be removed because of the semi-permanent connection.

In each of the conventional examples, the input and output end faces of the optical fiber and the optical waveguide are planes perpendicular to the light propagation direction, so that reflection occurs at the end faces.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and provides a connection structure of an optical waveguide in which an optical fiber and an optical waveguide or optical waveguides can be easily connected, detached, and hardly causes reflection. With the goal.

[0011]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the connection structure of the optical waveguide according to the present invention, as shown in FIG.
Input / output of a plurality of optical waveguides 31 at least on the branched side
The end is exposed on the same end surface side of the optical waveguide substrate 30 and
The input and output ends of the plurality of optical waveguides 31 on the branched side are respectively
In the connection structure of the optical waveguide connected to other optical components,
At least the input / output end of each optical waveguide 31 on the branched side
The exposed end portions of the optical waveguide substrate 30 are
Leave an interval to allow the cylindrical sleeve 13 to be inserted around
Into a semi-cylindrical shape to form a semi-cylindrical shape of the optical waveguide substrate 30.
Process each part into a cylindrical or semi-cylindrical shape
The other optical component is projected into the cylindrical sleeve 13.
The structure is such that they are connected by joining together.

The present invention also provides a semi-cylindrical cover 3 having substantially the same shape on the semi-cylindrical portion of the optical waveguide substrate 30.
8 was attached, and the attachment portion was formed in a columnar shape.

[0013]

With the above construction, the semi-cylindrical optical waveguide substrate 30 and the optical component such as a ferrule can be easily and reliably connected only by inserting and butting the optical component such as a ferrule into the sleeve 13.

Further, if a semi-cylindrical cover 38 is attached on the semi-cylindrical portion of the optical waveguide substrate 30 to form the entire column, the entire outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion is the sleeve 13 . It comes into contact with the inner peripheral surface, and more precise and strong bonding is possible.

[0015]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows the basic structure of the present invention.
FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a comparative example in which another optical component is connected to an end of one optical waveguide . As shown in the figure, in this comparative example , an optical waveguide substrate 1 having an optical waveguide 11 formed on the surface is provided.
The optical waveguide substrate 10 is processed into a semi-cylindrical shape, a cylindrical sleeve 13 is attached to the outer periphery of the end of the optical waveguide substrate 10, and a ferrule 16 with an optical fiber 15 is inserted into the sleeve 13 to insert the optical fiber 15. And the input / output end face of the optical waveguide 11 are abutted. Hereinafter, each component will be described.

As shown in FIG. 1, the ferrule 16 is an ordinary conventional cylindrical ferrule, and an optical fiber 15 is fixed to a central portion thereof.

As shown in FIG. 1, the sleeve 13 is formed in a cylindrical shape, and its inner diameter is substantially the same as the outer diameter of the ferrule 16.

Next, FIGS. 2 and 3 are views showing a method of manufacturing the optical waveguide substrate 10, wherein FIG. 2 (a) is a perspective view and FIG. 2 (b) is a side view. To manufacture the optical waveguide substrate 10, first, as shown in FIG. 2, the optical waveguide substrate 10 is formed into a semi-cylindrical shape. At this time, the outer diameter of the semi-cylindrical column is the same as the outer diameter of the ferrule 16. Next, as shown in FIG. 3, the optical waveguide 1 is placed on the surface of the optical waveguide substrate 10.
1 and the desired additional function 17. At this time, both ends of the optical waveguide 11 are located at the central axis of the semi-cylindrical optical waveguide substrate 10. Thus, the optical waveguide substrate 10 used in the present invention is completed.

Next, the connection between the optical fiber 15 and the optical waveguide 11 is performed by abutting and fixing the optical waveguide substrate 10 and the ferrule 16 in the sleeve 13 as shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a schematic side sectional view showing a connection state between the optical waveguide substrate 10 and the ferrule 16 in the sleeve 13. As shown in the figure, since both the end face of the optical fiber 15 and the input / output end face of the optical waveguide 11 are always located at the center of the sleeve 13, only the optical waveguide substrate 10 and the ferrule 16 are inserted into the sleeve 13. Both are securely connected. At this time, even if the optical waveguide substrate 10 or the ferrule 16 rotates in the sleeve 13, the positions of the input / output end face of the optical waveguide 11 and the core end face of the optical fiber 15 located at the center thereof do not change.

FIG. 5 illustrates the basic structure of another embodiment of the present invention.
It is a figure which shows the comparative example for clarity, and the figure (a) is a perspective view and the figure (b) is a side view. As shown in the figure,
In the comparative example , a substantially semi-cylindrical cover 18 was mounted on the optical waveguide substrate 10 in the state shown in FIG. 3, and the entire shape was cylindrical. FIG. 6 is a schematic side sectional view showing a state in which the optical waveguide substrate 10 with the cover 18 attached thereto is abutted against the ferrule 16 in the sleeve 13. When the cover 18 is mounted on the optical waveguide substrate 10 as shown in the figure, the entire outer circumference of the optical waveguide substrate 10 and the cover 18 are in contact with the inner circumference of the sleeve 13, so that the connection between the core of the optical fiber 15 and the optical waveguide 11 is achieved. Becomes more precise, reliable and robust.

The optical waveguide substrate 10 shown in FIG.
Alternatively, the end surface of the optical waveguide substrate 10 to which the cover 18 shown in FIG. 5 is attached may be processed into a spherical shape. At this time, it is desirable that the end face of the ferrule 16 to which the optical fiber 15 is attached is also processed into a spherical shape. FIG. 7 is a view showing a state where the end face of the optical waveguide substrate 10 to which the cover 18 is attached and the end face of the ferrule 16 to which the optical fiber 15 is attached are spherically processed and butted in the sleeve 13. With this configuration, not only the light-collecting effect is generated at the input / output end face of the optical waveguide 11 and the core end face of the optical fiber 15 to improve the connection efficiency, but also the end face reflection can be prevented, and further, the crimping effect can be obtained at the connection portion. can get.

In each of the above comparative examples, the entirety of the optical waveguide substrate 10 is
Since the body is processed into a semi-cylindrical shape, one of the optical waveguides 11
Can only be connected. Therefore, the present invention
A plurality of optical waveguides 11 branched on an optical waveguide substrate 10
Are formed, and a semi-cylindrical column is formed only at the end of each optical waveguide 11.
Shaped part allows connection of multiple terminals
Things.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing an embodiment in which the present invention is applied to an optical waveguide having multiple terminals. As shown in FIG. 3A, in the case of this embodiment, only the portion near the input / output end of the optical waveguide 31 provided on the optical waveguide substrate 30 is processed into a semi-cylindrical shape. A sleeve 13 is attached to the outer periphery of the semi-cylindrical portion as shown in FIG. 4B, and the ferrule is connected to the optical waveguide substrate 30 in the sleeve 13 as in the above-described embodiment. The same is true.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing an embodiment in which a semi-cylindrical cover 38 is adhered to the semi-cylindrical portion of the optical waveguide substrate 30 shown in FIG. With the configuration shown in FIG. 5, the same effects as those of the embodiment shown in FIG. 5 can be obtained.

In each of the above embodiments, an example in which an optical waveguide is connected to an optical fiber has been described. However, the present invention may be used to connect optical waveguides. That is, the end surfaces of the optical waveguide substrates having a semi-cylindrical shape may be abutted in the sleeve. Further, the present invention may be used to connect optical components other than optical fibers and optical waveguides to optical waveguides.

[0028]

As described in detail above, the optical waveguide connection structure according to the present invention has the following excellent effects.

By simply inserting an optical component such as an optical fiber and an optical waveguide into the sleeve and abutting them, the two can be reliably connected to each other. In addition, there is no need for permanent connection, and removal becomes possible.

When connecting an optical fiber to an optical waveguide,
For the optical fiber, a commonly used cylindrical ferrule can be used as it is.

Since no lens system is used, the number of parts is small, and alignment of the optical system is not required.

The present invention can be used for an optical waveguide having multiple terminals, and the optical waveguides can be connected to each other. Especially the present invention
In, the input / output end of each optical waveguide on the branched side is exposed
The end faces of the optical waveguide substrate
Processed into a semi-cylindrical shape with a space for inserting a sleeve
Each part of the optical waveguide substrate processed into a semi-cylindrical shape
The other optical component processed into a cylindrical or semi-cylindrical shape
Connect by butt in cylindrical sleeve
With the structure, a plurality of branches are formed on one optical waveguide substrate.
Optical waveguides, and other optical components at each input / output end
Despite the complex structure of connecting, each light
Extremely easy and accurate at each of the input and output ends of the waveguide
Optical components can be connected.

If a semi-cylindrical cover is mounted on the semi-cylindrical portion of the optical waveguide substrate and the whole is made into a cylindrical shape, more precise and strong coupling can be achieved, and higher coupling efficiency and reliability can be achieved. Is obtained.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a connection structure of an optical waveguide according to a comparative example for explaining a basic structure of the present invention.

FIGS. 2A and 2B are views showing a method of manufacturing the optical waveguide substrate 10, wherein FIG. 2A is a perspective view and FIG. 2B is a side view.

3A and 3B are diagrams illustrating a method of manufacturing the optical waveguide substrate 10, wherein FIG. 3A is a perspective view and FIG. 3B is a side view.

FIG. 4 is a schematic side sectional view showing a connection state between the optical waveguide substrate 10 and a ferrule 16 in a sleeve 13.

FIG. 5 illustrates a basic structure of another embodiment of the present invention.
A view, FIG. (A) is a perspective view, FIG. (B) is a side view.

FIG. 6 is a schematic side sectional view showing a state in which the optical waveguide substrate 10 with the cover 18 attached thereto is brought into contact with the ferrule 16 in the sleeve 13.

FIG. 7 illustrates a basic structure of still another embodiment of the present invention .
FIG. 4 is a schematic side sectional view for performing the above.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing an embodiment in which the present invention is applied to an optical waveguide having multiple terminals.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing an embodiment in which a cover 38 is adhered on a semi-cylindrical portion of the optical waveguide substrate 30.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a conventional method for connecting an optical fiber and a three-dimensional optical waveguide.

[Description of Signs] 10 Optical waveguide substrate 11 Optical waveguide 13 Sleeve 15 Optical fiber 16 Ferrule 18 Cover

Claims (2)

(57) [Scope of request for utility model registration] An optical waveguide branching on the optical waveguide substrate;
At least the input and output ends of the plurality of optical waveguides on the branched side
Exposed on the same end face side of the optical waveguide substrate and the branched side
The input and output ends of the plurality of optical waveguides are
In the connection structure of the optical waveguide connected to the optical waveguide, at least the input / output end of each of the branched optical waveguides is exposed.
Each of the end faces of the outgoing optical waveguide substrate
Form a semi-cylindrical shape with a space to insert a cylindrical sleeve
Processed, each part processed into semicylindrical optical waveguide substrate
First, insert other optical components processed into a cylindrical or semi-cylindrical shape.
Connect by butt in cylindrical sleeve
A connection structure for an optical waveguide. 2. A light guide according to claim 1, wherein a semi-cylindrical cover having substantially the same shape as said semi-cylindrical cover is attached to said semi-cylindrical portion of said optical waveguide, and said attaching portion is formed in a cylindrical shape. Wave path connection structure.