JP3269066B2 - Fiber array manufacturing method - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an improvement in a method for manufacturing a fiber array constituting an optical functional component such as an optical filter module, an optical isolator, an optical multiplexing / demultiplexing module, or an optical branching / coupling module.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As shown in FIG. 18 and the like, a fiber array 1 is used for optical functional components such as an optical filter module, an optical isolator, an optical multiplexing / demultiplexing module, and an optical branching / coupling module. However, when manufacturing the fiber array 1, as shown in FIGS. 16 and 17, a combination of the separated SM array 40A and the GI array 30A can be considered.

The SM array 40A is shown in FIGS.
As shown in FIG. 21A, for example, a rectangular box structure is provided, and a plurality of SM optical fibers 41 are provided at the end thereof.
Are arranged side by side in a row, and guide holes 22A for supporting the positioning pins 23 in a fitted state are formed in both sides in the longitudinal direction. Multiple SM
As shown in FIG. 17, the tips of the optical fibers 41 are arranged side by side inside the SM array 40A in an array manner, and are aligned with the vertical surface of the tip of the SM array 40A. .

On the other hand, the above-mentioned GI array 30A
As shown in FIG. 16, FIG. 17 and FIG. 21 (a), for example, it is configured to have a length of about 1 mm, and a plurality of GI optical fibers 31 are arranged side by side in a horizontal line. At the same time, guide holes 22A penetrating through the positioning pins 23 are formed on both sides of the interior, and are mounted on the distal end surface of the SM array 40A via the positioning pins 23. The plurality of GI optical fibers 31 are, as shown in FIG.
A plurality of SM optical fibers 41 are arranged side by side at the same arrangement pitch as the arrangement pitch, and both end surfaces thereof are aligned with the upright surface of the GI array 30A. Have the function of matching the SM optical fiber 41 and collimating outgoing light emitted from the SM optical fiber 41 in parallel.

Therefore, when manufacturing the fiber array 1, the positioning pins 23 are inserted into the pair of guide holes 22A of the SM array 40A, and the guide holes 2 of the GI array 30A are inserted into the pair of positioning pins 23.
2A are fitted and positioned, and the SM array 40A
And the GI array 30A, the fiber array 1 can be configured.

[0008] As shown in FIG. 18, a plurality of completed fiber arrays 1 are laminated to form a fiber array group 100.
Are arranged in two groups, and the two fiber array groups 100 are opposed to each other via a gap, and a filter, a beam splitter, a polarizing element, a wave plate, or the like is provided between the pair of fiber array groups 100. By interposing the optical element 200, the optical functional component shown in FIG. 19 can be configured.

FIG. 20 shows another fiber array 1 which can be considered. In this case, an SM array 40 is shown.
A is, for example, formed in a rectangular shape, and a plurality of SM optical fibers 41 are inserted in the end portion thereof in a horizontal line.
On both sides of the surface, V-shaped guide grooves 22 for supporting the positioning pins 23 are respectively cut out in the longitudinal direction. As shown in the figure, the tips of the plurality of SM optical fibers 41 are arranged side by side in a row in a row in a plurality of fiber grooves 42 at the center of the surface of the SM array 40A via a flat plate 43. At the same time, they are aligned at the same level as the upright surface at the tip of the SM array 40A.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 20, the GI array 30A has a length of, for example, about 1 mm, and a plurality of GI
The optical fibers 31 are arranged side by side in a horizontal line, and V-shaped guide grooves 22 for supporting positioning pins 23 are cut out on both sides of the surface, so that the V-shaped guide grooves 22 are positioned on the distal end surface of the SM array 40A. It is layered via the pin 23. The plurality of GI optical fibers 31 are, as shown in FIG.
A plurality of SM optical fibers 41 are arranged in parallel via the flat plate 33 at the same arrangement pitch as that of the SM optical fibers 41, and both end surfaces thereof are aligned at the same level with the upright surface of the GI array 30A. On the basis of this, the optical axis matches the SM optical fiber 41 and the SM optical fiber 41
Has a function of collimating the light emitted from the light source in parallel.

Therefore, when manufacturing the fiber array 1, the positioning pins 23 are respectively inserted into the pair of guide grooves 22 of the SM array 40A, and the guide grooves 22 of the GI array 30A are inserted into the pair of positioning pins 23. The SM arrays 40A and G
If the I-array 30A is layered, the fiber array 1 can be configured in the same manner as described above.

[0010]

As described above, when the fiber array 1 is manufactured, the separated SM array 40A is used.
And the GI array 30A can be considered.
A special effect can be expected based on the structure of this combination, but the independent SM array 40A and GI array 30
In the combination work of A, there is no possibility that the work may be complicated and complicated.

When the separated SM array 40A and the GI array 30A are combined, these two arrays 40A
-It is an important issue to prevent the optical loss from minimizing the axial deviation and the angular deviation between 30A. When the SM array 40A and the GI array 30A are positioned by the positioning pins 23, the cause of the axial deviation and the angular deviation may be as shown in FIGS. 21B and 21C.
The angle deviation of the end face of 30A, that is, the parallelism between both end faces is considered. However, if a gap is generated between the SM optical fiber 41 and the GI optical fiber 31 or if the SM optical fiber 41 and the GI optical fiber 31 are fixed while applying a force for crushing the gap, an adverse effect such as the occurrence of an axis shift or an angle shift may be considered. Not without.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above, and an object of the present invention is to provide a method of manufacturing a fiber array capable of reliably wiping out concerns of complicated work and misalignment of axes and angles.

[0013]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, in order to achieve the above-described object, a plurality of GI light beams are provided in a plurality of fiber grooves of a portion corresponding to a GI array on a surface on the other end side of the substrate. A plurality of GI optical fibers are inserted and aligned so that the end faces of the plurality of GI optical fibers are positioned at predetermined positions on the substrate.
A plurality of SM optical fibers are inserted into a plurality of fiber grooves corresponding to the M array, and are positioned by abutting against end faces of a plurality of GI optical fibers. Then, the plurality of SM optical fibers and the GI optical fibers are bonded and bonded. Then, unnecessary portions of the plurality of GI optical fibers are cut together with a part of the portion corresponding to the GI array so that the plurality of GI optical fibers after bonding are aligned to a predetermined length.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, when positioning the GI optical fiber or the SM optical fiber, the surface of the substrate is observed near a joint between the plurality of SM optical fibers and the plurality of GI optical fibers. They use windows.

In the first aspect of the present invention, an alignment pin is inserted into the plurality of fiber grooves of the SM array-equivalent portion, and then the GI optical fiber is inserted into contact with the alignment pin. While positioning and bonding the GI optical fiber, then pulling out the alignment pin, then inserting and coupling the SM optical fiber, and then bonding the SM optical fiber. Is also good.

In the first aspect of the present invention, an alignment pin is inserted into the plurality of fiber grooves of the GI array-equivalent portion, and then an SM optical fiber is inserted and brought into contact with the alignment pin. Together with positioning and bonding the SM optical fiber, then pulling out the alignment pin, then inserting and coupling the GI optical fiber,
Thereafter, the GI optical fiber may be bonded.

In the first invention of the present invention, when positioning the GI optical fiber or the SM optical fiber, a positioning stopper is inserted into the observation window, and a plurality of fiber grooves or GIs of the SM array equivalent part are inserted. The SM optical fiber or the GI optical fiber may be inserted into a plurality of fiber grooves of the array equivalent portion, and the SM optical fiber or the GI optical fiber may be positioned by being brought into contact with a positioning stopper.

Further, in the second invention of the present invention,
A plurality of GI optical fibers are inserted into and positioned in a plurality of fiber grooves of a portion corresponding to the GI array on a surface on the other end side of the substrate, and a plurality of GI optical fibers are positioned on the surface on one end side of the substrate.
A plurality of SM optical fibers are inserted and positioned in a plurality of fiber grooves of a portion corresponding to the M array.
The M optical fiber and the GI optical fiber are joined and bonded, and then the vicinity of the joint between the plurality of SM optical fibers and the GI optical fiber is cut along with the substrate at a predetermined width to form the GI array equivalent portion and the SM array equivalent portion. Split into two, then
The GI array-equivalent portion and the SM array-equivalent portion are positioned and bonded via a positioning member, and then a part of the GI array-equivalent portion is cut and the plurality of GI optical fibers after bonding are cut to a predetermined length. They are aligned.

[0019]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, first,
The GI optical fibers are inserted into the plurality of fiber grooves of the portion corresponding to the GI array, and the ends of the plurality of GI optical fibers are aligned so as to be positioned at the same position, and then the plurality of GI optical fibers are bonded. Then, the SM optical fibers are inserted into the plurality of fiber grooves of the SM array equivalent portion, and the ends of the plurality of SM optical fibers are positioned by abutting against the end surfaces of the plurality of GI optical fibers. Glue each and then multiple GIs
The unnecessary portion of the optical fiber is cut together with the portion corresponding to the GI array in a lump and formed into a predetermined length, whereby the fiber array can be manufactured.

Further, according to the second aspect of the present invention, first, a plurality of fiber grooves are provided in a plurality of fiber grooves corresponding to the GI array.
While inserting the I optical fibers, the SM optical fibers are respectively inserted into a plurality of fiber grooves of a portion corresponding to the SM array, and the tip surfaces of the plurality of GI optical fibers and the SM optical fibers are combined. GI optical fiber and S
The M optical fibers are respectively bonded. Then, multiple GIs
The vicinity of the joint between the optical fiber and the SM optical fiber is cut into a predetermined width, and the GI array equivalent part and the SM array equivalent part of the cut substrate are positioned by a positioning member.
The array equivalent part and the SM array equivalent part are bonded. And
By cutting a part of the plurality of GI optical fibers and forming them into a predetermined length, a fiber array can be manufactured.

[0021]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The first embodiment of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to one embodiment shown in FIGS.

The method for manufacturing a fiber array according to the first invention of the present invention, as shown in FIG.
A plurality of GI optical fibers 31 are inserted and positioned in the array equivalent section 30, and a plurality of SM optical fibers 41 are inserted and positioned in the SM array equivalent section 40 of the substrate 20. The GI optical fibers 31 are bonded and bonded, and unnecessary portions 31a of the GI optical fibers 31 are cut and removed so that the bonded GI optical fibers 31 are aligned to a predetermined length.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 4, the substrate 20 is formed to be thin in a substantially rectangular plane, and a substantially groove-shaped observation window 21 is provided at the center of the surface in the depth direction of FIG. The observation window 21 is notched and the GI optical fiber 31 and S
It will be used for observation when coupling the M optical fiber 41 (see FIG. 5). On both sides of the surface of the substrate 20, V-shaped guide grooves 22 are cut out in the diagonal left and right directions in FIG. 1 so that the positioning pins 23 are fitted into the pair of guide grooves 22, respectively. Has become. The pair of positioning pins 23 are connected to the fiber array 1.
Are used for preventing displacement (see FIG. 18) at the time of lamination (see FIG. 18), and for connecting to another fiber array 1 (see FIG. 19). In the case where the pair of positioning pins 23 are used for connection with another fiber array 1 opposed thereto, the shape and the position of an optical element 200 described later are appropriately corrected so as not to cause any trouble. Become.

On the other hand, the GI array equivalent section 30 described above
As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, a plurality of Gs
It comprises a plurality of fiber grooves 32 for adhering and mounting I optical fibers (graded index type optical fibers) 31 in a horizontal row, and is formed on the other end (front side in FIG. 1) of the surface of the substrate 20. , A plurality of GI optical fibers 31
The GI array 30A is configured to be cut and removed later together with the unnecessary portion 31a to shorten the length of the GI array 30A. The plurality of fiber grooves 32 are formed continuously in a substantially saw-toothed manner in the left-right direction of FIG. 3 and extend in the left-right direction of FIG. Further, as shown in FIG. 4, the distal ends of the plurality of GI optical fibers 31 are connected to the upper edge 2 at the other end of the observation window 21.
1a, and are fixed to the plurality of fiber grooves 32 by a flat plate 33 in a pressed state. However, the plurality of GI optical fibers 31
Are arranged in parallel with the arrangement pitch of the plurality of SM optical fibers 41, and have a function of aligning the optical axis of the SM optical fibers 41 and collimating the emitted light emitted from the SM optical fibers 41 in parallel. are doing.

On the other hand, the SM array equivalent section 40
As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, a plurality of SM optical fibers (single mode optical fibers) 41 are composed of a plurality of fiber grooves 42 in which a plurality of SM optical fibers 41 are adhered and mounted in a horizontal row. It is formed on the (rear) side of FIG.
It has a function of configuring the SM array 40A. The plurality of fiber grooves 42 are formed continuously in a substantially sawtooth manner in the left-right direction in FIG. 3 and extend in the left-right direction in FIG. Further, the tips of the plurality of SM optical fibers 41 are shown in FIG.
As shown in the figure, the GI optical fibers 31 are positioned in contact with the distal end surfaces of the GI optical fibers 31, respectively, and are fixed to the plurality of fiber grooves 42 by a flat plate 43 in a pressed state. However, the pair of flat plates 33 and 43
As shown in FIG. 5, each of the elevations is disposed so as to be flush with the elevation of the observation window 21, and is covered in advance so as to sandwich the observation window 21.

Therefore, when manufacturing the fiber array 1, first, the GI optical fibers 31 are inserted into the plurality of fiber grooves 32 in the GI array equivalent portion 30, respectively (FIG. 2).
Then, the ends of the plurality of GI optical fibers 31 are visually checked so as to be at the same level as the upper edge 21 a of the vertical surface at the other end of the observation window 21, in other words, at the same position as the upper edge of the flat plate 33. Then, the GI optical fibers 31 are bonded to the plurality of fiber grooves 32 with the adhesive 5 (see FIG. 6).

Next, SM optical fibers 41 are inserted into the plurality of fiber grooves 42 of the SM array equivalent section 40 (see FIG. 2), and the ends of the SM optical fibers 41 are connected to the end surfaces of the GI optical fibers 31. After positioning (see FIG. 6) against the plurality of fiber grooves 42,
The M optical fibers 41 are bonded with the adhesive 5.

After the plurality of SM optical fibers 41 are fixed in this way, the unnecessary portions 31a of the plurality of GI optical fibers 31 are cut and removed together with the GI array equivalent portion 30 and a part of the flat plate 33 (FIG. 4). If the length is reduced to a predetermined length (about 1 mm), the fiber array 1 shown in FIG. 1 can be manufactured. As described above, since the GI optical fiber 31 which has been set in advance is cut into the original length later, the work becomes complicated.
Obviously, the risk of complications can be eliminated.

The positioning pins 23 are respectively fitted into the pair of guide grooves 22 of the fiber array 1, and a plurality of the fiber arrays 1 are laminated to form a fiber array group 10.
After the two fiber array groups 100 are opposed to each other via a gap, a filter, a beam splitter, a polarizing element, or a wave plate is disposed between the pair of fiber array groups 100. By interposing the optical element 200, an optical functional component can be formed (in this regard, see FIGS. 18 and 19).

According to the above configuration, since the GI array equivalent section 30 and the SM array equivalent section 40 are integrally disposed on the substrate 20, the complicated work involved in combining the independent SM array 40A and the GI array 30A is complicated. It is possible to reliably eliminate the risk of complication and complication. In addition, multiple GIs
The distal ends of the optical fibers 31 are visually aligned so as to be at the same position as the upper edge 21a of the vertical surface on the other end side of the observation window 21 and positioned and bonded. Since the plurality of SM optical fibers 41 are bonded to each other, the plurality of GI optical fibers 31 are bonded.
Can be reliably aligned with high accuracy of several tens of microns.

Although the embodiment uses the observation window 21, the pair of guide grooves 22, and the positioning pins 23, it may be omitted if not necessary.
Further, as long as it has a positioning function, the same operation and effect as those of the above-described embodiment can be obtained without using the positioning pin 23.

FIG. 7 shows a second embodiment of the first invention of the present invention. In this case, the positioning pins 6 are horizontally inserted into the plurality of fiber grooves 42 in the SM array equivalent section 40. And the GI optical fiber 31 is inserted and brought into contact with the positioning pin 6, and the GI optical fiber 31 is positioned and adhered. Then, the positioning pin 6 is retracted and pulled out, and the SM optical fiber 41 is pulled out. The SM optical fiber 41 is bonded by insertion and then bonding.

As shown in the figure, the positioning pins 6 are processed with high precision in length, and are horizontally mounted on the sides of the holding table 7. Other parts are the same as in the above embodiment.

In this embodiment, the same operation and effect as those of the above embodiment can be expected. In addition, the GI optical fiber 31 is brought into contact with the high-precision positioning pin 6 without visual inspection by an operator. Since it is positioned and bonded, multiple G
It is clear that the lengths of all the I optical fibers 31 can be reliably aligned with high accuracy of several tens of microns.

In this embodiment, the observation window 21 is used. However, if it is not necessary, the observation window 21 may be omitted. In this embodiment, the positioning pins 6 are inserted into the plurality of fiber grooves 42 in the SM array equivalent section 40. However, the positioning pins 6 are inserted into the plurality of fiber grooves 32 in the GI array equivalent section 30. Needless to say, this may be done. Furthermore, the same effect as that of the above-described embodiment can be obtained by using one or a plurality of positioning pins 6.

FIG. 8 shows a third embodiment of the first invention of the present invention. In this case, when positioning the GI optical fiber 31, first, the positioning stopper 8 is attached to the observation window 21. The GI optical fiber 31 is inserted vertically into the plurality of fiber grooves 32 of the GI array equivalent part 30, and the GI optical fiber 31 is
And a plurality of fiber grooves 3
2, the GI optical fibers 31 are respectively bonded with an adhesive 5,
Thereafter, the positioning stopper 8 is pulled out.

Like the positioning pins 23, the positioning stoppers 8 are processed with high precision in length, and are appropriately attached to the holding table 7 (not shown) as necessary. Other parts are the same as those in the above-described embodiments.

In this embodiment, the same operation and effect as those of the above-mentioned embodiments can be expected, and the GI optical fiber 31 is attached to the high-precision positioning stopper 8 not by the eyes of the operator.
It is evident that it is possible to reliably align the lengths of the plurality of GI optical fibers 31 with high accuracy of several tens of microns because the GIs are brought into contact with each other and positioned and bonded.

In this embodiment, the pair of guide grooves 2
2 and the positioning pin 23 may be omitted as appropriate. In addition, as long as it has a positioning function, the same function and effect as those of the above embodiments can be expected without using the positioning pin 23. Further, in the present embodiment, the positioning is performed by bringing the GI optical fiber 31 into contact with the positioning stopper 8, but it goes without saying that the SM optical fiber 41 may be brought into contact with the positioning stopper 8. Further, the positioning stopper 8 does not necessarily need to be processed with high precision, and may be a single or a plurality of positioning stoppers. Further, a positioning stopper 8 is attached to the holding table 7.
The same operation and effect as those of the above-mentioned embodiments can be expected without inserting the same.

Finally, the second invention of the present invention will be described in detail based on one embodiment shown in FIGS.

In the method for manufacturing the fiber array 1 according to the second invention of the present invention, the plurality of SM optical fibers 41 and the GI optical fiber 31 positioned on the substrate 20 are bonded and bonded, and the plurality of SM optical fibers 41 The joint J of the GI optical fiber 31 is cut and removed together with the substrate 20 to divide the GI array equivalent part 30 and the SM array equivalent part 40 into two parts.
The I-array equivalent portion 30 and the SM-array equivalent portion 40 are positioned and fixed via the positioning pins 23, and then a plurality of GIs
The unnecessary portions 31a of the optical fiber 31 are cut and removed so that the plurality of GI optical fibers 31 after bonding are aligned to a predetermined length.

As shown in FIG. 9, the substrate 20 is formed to be thin in a substantially rectangular plane, and on both sides of the surface of the substrate 20, V-shaped guide grooves 22 are respectively cut diagonally left and right in FIG. The pair of guide grooves 22 are missing.
Each of the positioning pins 23 (positioning members) is fitted into each of them. This pair of positioning pins 23
Performs an action of preventing a positional deviation at the time of bonding the cut GI array equivalent portion 30 and SM array equivalent portion 40. Further, the central part of the surface of the substrate 20 is covered with a flat plate 24 having a substantially rectangular flat shape and covering the ends of the plurality of GI optical fibers 31 and SM optical fibers 41.
It is cut after the I optical fiber 31 and the SM optical fiber 41 are bonded (see FIG. 11).

On the other hand, the GI array equivalent section 30 described above
As shown in the figure, the GI optical fiber 31 is composed of a plurality of fiber grooves 32 for adhering and mounting a plurality of GI optical fibers 31 in a horizontal row, and is formed on the other end (front side in FIG. 9) of the surface of the substrate 20. By cutting and removing the unnecessary portions 31a of the GI optical fibers 31 together with the unnecessary portions 31a, the function of configuring the GI array is performed. The plurality of fiber grooves 32 are formed continuously in a substantially saw-toothed manner in the left-right direction in FIG. 9 and extend in the left-right direction in FIG. Further, as shown in FIG. 10, the tips of the plurality of GI optical fibers 31 are fixed to the plurality of fiber grooves 32 by the flat plate 24 in a pressed state. However, the plurality of GI optical fibers 31 are arranged side by side at the same arrangement pitch as the arrangement pitch of the plurality of SM optical fibers 41, and their optical axes are aligned with the SM optical fibers 41.
And collimates the emitted light emitted from the SM optical fiber 41 in parallel.

On the other hand, the SM array equivalent section 40
As shown in FIG. 9, a plurality of SM optical fibers 41 are bonded and mounted in a row in a row, and are formed of a plurality of fiber grooves 42, and are formed at one end (in the back of FIG. 9) of the surface of the substrate 20. And has a function of configuring an SM array. The plurality of fiber grooves 42 are formed continuously in a substantially saw-tooth manner in the left-right direction of FIG. 9, extend in the left-right direction of FIG. 9, and communicate with the plurality of fiber grooves 32 constituting the GI array equivalent portion 30. are doing. Further, a plurality of SM optical fibers 4
As shown in FIG. 10, the distal end of each of the plurality of GI optical fibers 31 is positioned in contact with the distal end surface of each of the plurality of GI optical fibers 31, and is fixed to the plurality of fiber grooves 42 in a pressed state by the flat plate 24. I have.

Accordingly, when manufacturing the fiber array 1, first, the GI optical fibers 31 are inserted into the plurality of fiber grooves 32 constituting the GI array equivalent section 30, respectively, and the plurality of The SM optical fibers 41 are respectively inserted into the fiber grooves 42 of FIG.
Arrows and FIG. 10), and the tip surfaces of the plurality of GI optical fibers 31 and the SM optical fiber 41 are abutted against each other and positioned.
And the SM optical fiber 41 are bonded with an adhesive 5 (see FIG. 10).

Next, a plurality of GI optical fibers 31 and SM
The coupling portion J of the optical fiber 41 is cut to a width of 0.5 mm with a diamond blade (not shown) having a width of 0.5 mm (FIG. 11).
And FIG. 12). Thus, the joint J between the GI optical fiber 31 and the SM optical fiber 41 is 0.5 m
Since the GI optical fiber 31 and the SM optical fiber 41 are cut and removed to a width of m, the coupling surfaces of the plurality of GI optical fibers 31 and the SM optical fibers 41 are irregular (FIG. 12).
However, the end face positions can be aligned with high accuracy.

Next, the pair of guide grooves 22 in the GI array equivalent portion 30 of the substrate 20 cut into two and the pair of guide grooves 22 in the SM array equivalent portion 40 are positioned by the pair of positioning pins 23, and the GI array The equivalent part 30 and the SM array equivalent part 40 are bonded with the adhesive 5 (see FIG. 13).

After bonding the GI array equivalent section 30 and the SM array equivalent section 40 in this manner, a plurality of GI optical fibers 3
1 is cut and removed together with the GI array equivalent part 30 and a part of the flat plate 24 (FIG. 1).
4) and shorten it to a predetermined length (about 1 mm)
In this case, the fiber array 1 shown in FIG. 15 can be manufactured. As described above, since the GI optical fiber 31 which has been set in advance is cut and removed later to obtain the original length, it is obvious that the risk of complication and complexity accompanying the work can be eliminated. It is.

A plurality of fiber arrays 1 are stacked to form two fiber array groups 100. After the two fiber array groups 100 are opposed to each other with a gap therebetween, the pair of fiber array groups 100 is formed. If an optical element 200 such as a filter, a beam splitter, a polarizing element, or a wave plate is interposed between the optical elements 100, an optical functional component can be configured (this point is shown in FIGS. 18 and 19).
reference).

According to the above method, the joint J between the GI optical fiber 31 and the SM optical fiber 41 is cut to a width of 0.5 mm.
Since the GI optical fiber 31 and the SM optical fiber 41 after the cutting are removed, the parallelism between the end faces of the GI optical fiber 31 and the SM optical fiber 41 can be remarkably improved. As a result, axial displacement and angular displacement can be reliably prevented and optical loss can be significantly suppressed. it can.

In this embodiment, a pair of guide grooves 22 and positioning pins 23 are used. However, if not necessary, they may be omitted as appropriate. Furthermore, as long as it has a positioning action, the same action and effect as those of the above embodiments can be expected without using the positioning pin 23.

Further, in the above embodiments, a plurality of GIs
Although the case where the optical fiber 31 and the SM optical fiber 41 are used has been described, the present invention is not limited to this. Even if a plurality of other types of optical fibers are used as appropriate,
The same operation and effect as those of the above-described embodiments can be obtained.

[0053]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the risk of complication and complication accompanying the work of combining independent SM arrays and GI arrays can be reliably avoided. Has a significant effect. Further, there is a special effect that the lengths of the plurality of GI optical fibers can all be accurately aligned with high accuracy of several tens of microns.

Further, according to the second aspect of the present invention, it is possible to improve the parallelism between the end faces of the GI optical fiber and the SM optical fiber after cutting, thereby preventing axial deviation and angular deviation and thereby improving optical performance. There is a special effect that the reduction of mechanical loss can be expected.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall perspective view showing one embodiment of a method for manufacturing a fiber array according to the first invention of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a manufacturing process diagram showing one embodiment of a method for manufacturing a fiber array according to the first invention of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory view showing a substrate of the method for manufacturing a fiber array according to the first invention of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a manufacturing process diagram showing one embodiment of a method for manufacturing a fiber array according to the first invention of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a manufacturing process diagram showing one embodiment of a method for manufacturing a fiber array according to the first invention of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a manufacturing process diagram showing one embodiment of a method for manufacturing a fiber array according to the first invention of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a manufacturing process diagram showing a second embodiment of the method for manufacturing a fiber array according to the first invention of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a manufacturing process diagram showing a third embodiment of the method for manufacturing a fiber array according to the first invention of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a manufacturing process diagram showing one embodiment of a method for manufacturing a fiber array according to the second invention of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a manufacturing process diagram showing one embodiment of a method for manufacturing a fiber array according to the second invention of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a manufacturing process diagram showing one embodiment of a method for manufacturing a fiber array according to the second invention of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a manufacturing process diagram showing one embodiment of a method for manufacturing a fiber array according to the second invention of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a manufacturing process diagram showing one embodiment of a method for manufacturing a fiber array according to the second invention of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a manufacturing process diagram showing one embodiment of a method for manufacturing a fiber array according to the second invention of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is an overall perspective view showing one embodiment of a method for manufacturing a fiber array according to the second invention of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is an assembly view showing a method for manufacturing a fiber array.

FIG. 17 is an explanatory sectional view showing a structure of a fiber array.

FIG. 18 is a perspective view showing a structure of a fiber array group.

FIG. 19 is a perspective view showing an optical functional component.

FIG. 20 is an assembly view showing another fiber array manufacturing method.

FIG. 21 is an explanatory diagram showing a problem with a method for manufacturing a fiber array.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Fiber array, 5 ... Adhesive, 6 ... Positioning pin, 8 ... Positioning stopper, 20 ... Substrate, 21 ... Observation window, 22 ... Guide groove, 23 ... Positioning pin, 30 ... GI
Array equivalent part, 31: GI optical fiber, 31a: unnecessary part, 32: fiber groove, 40: SM array equivalent part, 41
... SM optical fiber, 42 ... fiber groove, J: coupling part.

Continuation of the front page (56) References JP-A-4-116608 (JP, A) JP-A-2-210405 (JP, A) JP-A-4-130304 (JP, A) JP-A-63-104007 (JP) , A) Hikaru Hei 3-42104 (JP, U) (58) Field surveyed (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) G02B 6/26 G02B 6/24 G02B 6/36

Claims (6)

(57) [Claims] A GI array on a surface on the other end side of a substrate.
A plurality of GI optical fibers are
And insert the end faces of the plurality of GI optical fibers on the substrate.
To be aligned with the same position
A portion corresponding to the SM array on the surface on the one end side of the substrate.
Insert multiple SM optical fibers into multiple fiber grooves
And abut against the end faces of the plurality of GI optical fibers.
And then the SM fiber and GI light
The fibers are bonded and bonded, and then the plurality of GI
Unnecessary part of optical fiber together with part of GI array equivalent part
The plurality of GI optical fibers after being cut and bonded at once
A fiber array characterized in that
Manufacturing method of b. 2. The GI optical fiber or the SM optical fiber.
When positioning a plurality of SM optical fibers and a plurality of
View of the surface of the substrate near the joint of the GI optical fiber
2. The file according to claim 1, wherein a window is used.
A method of manufacturing a valley. 3. A plurality of fibers corresponding to the SM array
Insert the alignment pin into the groove, and then
Insert the rivet and abut the alignment pin,
Position and glue the GI optical fiber, and then
Pull out the alignment pin and then the SM optical fiber
Then, the SM optical fiber is connected.
The fiber array according to claim 1, wherein the fiber array is attached.
Manufacturing method. 4. A plurality of fibers corresponding to the GI array
Insert the alignment pin into the groove, and then
Insert the rivet and abut the alignment pin,
Position and adhere the SM optical fiber, and then
Pull out the alignment pin and then the GI fiber
And then connect the GI optical fiber.
The fiber array according to claim 1, wherein the fiber array is attached.
Manufacturing method. 5. The GI optical fiber or the SM optical fiber.
At the time of positioning, place a positioning stopper on the observation window.
And insert a plurality of fiber grooves or G
The SM optical fiber is inserted into a plurality of fiber grooves corresponding to the I-array.
Insert a fiber or GI optical fiber and insert the SM optical fiber or
Is the position where the GI optical fiber is in contact with the positioning stopper.
3. The fiber array according to claim 2, wherein
Manufacturing method of b. 6. A GI array on the surface on the other end side of the substrate.
A plurality of GI optical fibers are
Is inserted and positioned, and one end of the substrate is
In the plurality of fiber grooves on the surface corresponding to the SM array,
Insert and position multiple SM optical fibers, then
These multiple SM optical fibers and GI optical fibers are connected.
And bonding the plurality of SM optical fibers and G
Cut the vicinity of the joint of the I optical fiber to a predetermined width together with the substrate.
And divide the GI array equivalent part and SM array equivalent part into two parts.
Then, the GI array equivalent part and the SM array phase
This part is positioned and bonded via a positioning member,
After that, a part of the GI array equivalent part is cut and adhered.
It is characterized in that the plurality of GI optical fibers are aligned to a predetermined length.
A method of manufacturing a fiber array .