JP4357777B2 - Manufacturing method of optical components - Google Patents

Description

【００３９】
表１の結果から、実施例の光合分波器では、２．０Ｗの光を入射しても挿入損失の増加がほとんど見られなかった。
一方、比較例の光合分波器では、入射する光の強度を増加するにしたがって、挿入損失が増加することが見られた。
以上のことから、実施例の光合分波器は、高強度の光に対して優れた耐性を示すことが確認された。
【００４０】
【発明の効果】
以上説明したように、本発明の光部品は、コリメータレンズと、光ファイバ保持部材とを備えた光部品であって、前記コリメータレンズと前記光ファイバ保持部材との接合面における光の伝送路近傍には、接着剤が硬化してなる接着剤層が存在しないから、この光合分波器に、高強度の光が入射されても、この入射光により、コリメータレンズと光学素子との接合面、または、コリメータレンズと光ファイバ保持部材との接合面において、接着剤が発熱して温度が上昇し、熱分解することがない。したがって、コリメータレンズと光学素子との接合面、または、コリメータレンズと光ファイバ保持部材との接合面において、光の挿入損失が増加することがない。また、従来の光部品と同じ部品数で、高強度の光に対する耐性の優れたものとなる。
【００４１】
また、本発明の光部品の製造方法によれば、光の伝送路には、接着剤層が形成されない。したがって、得られた光部品に、高強度の光が入射されても、この入射光により、コリメータレンズと光学素子との接合面、または、コリメータレンズと光ファイバ保持部材との接合面において、接着剤が発熱して温度が上昇し、熱分解することがない。ゆえに、得られた光部品のコリメータレンズと光学素子との接合面、または、コリメータレンズと光ファイバ保持部材との接合面において、光の挿入損失が増加することがない。また、従来の光合分波器と同じ部品数で、高強度の光に対する耐性の優れた光部品を得ることができる。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】 本発明の光部品の第１の実施形態として、光合分波器を示す概略構成図である。
【図２】 本発明の光部品の第１の実施形態の光ファイバ保持部材の接合面を正面から見た図である。
【図３】 本発明の光部品の第３の実施形態を示す概略構成図であり、図３（ａ）は平面図、図３（ｂ）は正面図である。
【図４】 本発明の光部品の第４の実施形態を示す概略図であり、図４（ａ）は平面図、図４（ｂ）は正面図、図４（ｃ）は右側面図である。
【図５】 従来の光合分波器を示す概略構成図である。
【図６】 従来の光合分波器を示す概略構成図である。
【符号の説明】
２１・・・コリメータレンズ、２１ａ・・・一方の端面、２１ｂ・・・他方の端面、２２・・・誘電体多層膜フィルタ、２３・・・第１の光ファイバ保持部材、２３ａ，２４ａ・・・細孔、２３ｂ，２４ｂ・・・接合面、２４・・・第２の光ファイバ保持部材、２５・・・第１のポート、２６・・・第２のポート、２７，３０・・・光ファイバ素線、２７ａ，３０ａ・・・裸光ファイバ部、２７ｂ，３０ｂ・・・被覆層、２８・・・第３のポート、３１・・・第１の光ファイバアレイ、３１ａ，３２ａ・・・基材、３１ｂ，３２ｂ・・・蓋、３１ｃ，３２ｃ・・・保持部、３１ｄ，３２ｄ・・・細孔、３２・・・第２の光ファイバアレイ、３３，３４・・・分布屈折率光ファイバ[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a bulk type optical component such as a wavelength division multiplexing transmission component applied to an optical multiplexer, an optical demultiplexer, or the like that synthesizes or separates a plurality of lights having different wavelengths, or an optical isolator that transmits light in a certain direction. In particular, the present invention relates to an optical component that can withstand high intensity incident light and a method for manufacturing the same.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Optical components used for wavelength division multiplexing (WAVElength Division Multiplexing, hereinafter referred to as “WDM”) that multiplex-transmits multiple optical signals with different wavelengths in one direction or in two directions include fiber type and bulk type. is there.
Examples of the bulk type optical component include an optical multiplexer / demultiplexer (WDM component) having a characteristic of combining (multiplexing) or separating (demultiplexing) light of a plurality of systems having different wavelengths.
[0003]
FIG. 5 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a conventional optical multiplexer / demultiplexer.
In this optical multiplexer / demultiplexer, two cylindrical collimator lenses 1 and 1 are arranged via a disk-shaped dielectric multilayer filter 2 so that one end faces 1a and 1a thereof face each other. Are joined with adhesive.
In addition, a cylindrical first optical fiber holding member 3 or a cylindrical second optical fiber holding member 4 is attached to the other end faces 1b and 1b of the two collimator lenses 1 and 1, respectively. It is joined via.
Further, a pore 3 a is formed in the first optical fiber holding member 3. Furthermore, the optical fiber strands 7 and 7 for the first port 5 and the second port 6 have bare optical fiber portions 7a and 7a exposed by removing the coating layers 7b and 7b at the tips, It is inserted into the pore 3a and fixed with an adhesive or the like.
Further, a pore 4 a is formed in the second optical fiber holding member 4. Furthermore, the optical fiber strands 10 and 10 for the third port 8 and the fourth port 9 have bare optical fiber portions 10a and 10a that are exposed by removing the coating layers 10b and 10b at the tips thereof. It is inserted into the pore 4a and fixed with an adhesive or the like.
When the port 6 is an incident port, the ports 5 and 8 are outgoing ports, and when the port 6 is an outgoing port, the ports 5 and 8 are incident ports.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In order to join the two collimator lenses 1, 1 and the first optical fiber holding member 3 or the second optical fiber holding member 4, a general ultraviolet curable adhesive is used.
By the way, with the recent increase in speed and capacity of information transmission, the intensity of incident light required for an optical multiplexer / demultiplexer has increased from about 300 mW to 500 mW or more.
However, when strong light of 500 mW or more is incident on the conventional optical multiplexer / demultiplexer from the second port 6 or the third port 8, the incident light is incident on the second port 6 or the third port 8. Concentrate on one point. As a result, the adhesive that joins the collimator lenses 1, 1 and the first optical fiber holding member 3 or the second optical fiber holding member 4 generates heat at this one point, and the temperature rises and eventually burns. , The refractive index of the adhesive changes (the strength of the adhesive may also decrease). As a result, there is a problem that the insertion loss of light increases.
Similarly, in the first port 5, the light emitted from the collimator lens 1 is concentrated at one point. As a result, the adhesive that joins the collimator lens 1 and the first optical fiber holding member 3 generates heat at this one point and the temperature rises, eventually causing a change in refractive index, resulting in a light insertion loss. There was a problem of increasing.
[0005]
Therefore, an optical multiplexer / demultiplexer having a structure shown in FIG. 6 has been devised as an optical multiplexer / demultiplexer in which the insertion loss of light does not increase even when high-intensity light is incident.
In this optical multiplexer / demultiplexer, a disk-shaped dielectric multilayer filter 2 joined to one end face 1a of one collimator lens 1 with an adhesive or the like and the first optical fiber holding member 3 are: The first lens member 13 is held in a cylindrical storage member 11 made of quartz glass at a fixed interval and fixed via an adhesive layer 12 formed by curing a thermosetting adhesive. There is no.
Further, the other collimator lens 1 and the second optical fiber holding member 4 are housed in a cylindrical housing member 11 made of metal or the like at a predetermined interval, and the thermosetting adhesive is cured. The second lens member 14 is formed by being fixed through an adhesive layer 12.
The first lens member 13 and the second lens member 14 are arranged such that the dielectric multilayer filter 2 of the first lens member 13 and the collimator lens 1 of the second lens member 14 are spaced apart from each other. These are housed in a cylindrical housing member 15 made of metal or the like and fixed via solder 16.
[0006]
In the optical multiplexer / demultiplexer having such a structure, the collimator lens 1 and the first optical fiber holding member 3 or the second optical fiber holding member 4 are not joined with an adhesive. Therefore, even if high-intensity light is incident on this optical multiplexer / demultiplexer, there is no increase in insertion loss due to deterioration of the adhesive as described above.
However, this optical multiplexer / demultiplexer has more components than the conventional optical multiplexer / demultiplexer shown in FIG. There are also many alignment assembly processes in which the optical axes of the respective members coincide. Therefore, this optical multiplexer / demultiplexer is not suitable for mass production, and there is a problem that the manufacturing cost becomes high.
[0007]
The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and provides an optical component having the same number of components as that of a conventional structure and a light insertion loss that does not increase even when high-intensity light is incident, and a method for manufacturing the same. This is the issue.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
  The problem is that the collimator lens and the optical fiber holding member are arranged close to each other so that their optical axes coincide, and the side of the optical fiber housed in the optical fiber holding member on which the collimator lens is arranged From the opposite endUV rays are incidentUV light is applied to the vicinity of the collimator lens and the optical fiber holding member.OutWhile irradiating, an ultraviolet curable adhesive is injected into the adjacent portion, and in the adjacent portion, the adhesive is brought into contact with the ultraviolet light spreading from the end of the optical fiber to be cured, and the vicinity of the light transmission path The adhesive is prevented from penetrating and an adhesive layer is not formed in the vicinity of the light transmission path, and then the adhesive is cured outside the vicinity of the light transmission path to hold the collimator lens and the optical fiber. This can be solved by a method of manufacturing an optical component that joins members.
[0009]
  The problem is that the collimator lens and the optical fiber holding member are arranged close to each other so that their optical axes coincide with each other, and from the end face of the collimator lensUV rays are incidentIn the vicinity of the collimator lens and the optical fiber holding memberLeaveUVWhile covering the outer periphery of the end of the optical fiber stored in the optical fiber holding memberThen, an ultraviolet curable adhesive is injected into the adjacent portion, and the adhesive is brought into contact with the ultraviolet light covering the outer periphery of the end of the optical fiber at the adjacent portion to be cured, thereby adhering to the vicinity of the light transmission path. The adhesive layer is prevented from penetrating and the adhesive layer is not formed in the vicinity of the light transmission path, and then the adhesive is cured outside the vicinity of the light transmission path, and the collimator lens and the optical fiber holding member Can be solved by the manufacturing method of optical parts.
[0011]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The present invention will be described in detail below.
FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an optical multiplexer / demultiplexer as a first embodiment of an optical component of the present invention.
In the optical multiplexer / demultiplexer of this embodiment, the disc-shaped dielectric multilayer filter 22 of the optical element is arranged so that the two end surfaces 21a, 21a of the two cylindrical collimator lenses 21, 21 face each other. And these are joined by an adhesive or the like.
In addition, a cylindrical first optical fiber holding member 23 and a cylindrical second optical fiber holding member 24 are respectively provided on the other end faces 21b and 21b of the two collimator lenses 21 and 21, respectively. It is joined via an adhesive consisting of
A pore 23 a is formed in the first optical fiber holding member 23. Furthermore, the optical fiber strands 27, 27 for the first port 25 and the second port 26 are formed by removing the coating layers 27b, 27b at the tips of the bare optical fiber portions 27a, 27a, It is inserted into the pores 23a and fixed with an adhesive or the like.
In addition, a pore 24 a is formed in the second optical fiber holding member 24. Further, the bare optical fiber portion 30a exposed by removing the coating layer 30b at the tip of the optical fiber strand 30 for the third port 28 is inserted into the pore 24a, and an adhesive or the like is inserted. It is fixed with.
When the port 26 is an incident port, the port 25 and the port 28 are output ports. When the port 26 is an output port, the port 25 and the port 28 are incident ports.
[0012]
Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 2, the optical multiplexer / demultiplexer according to this embodiment includes the collimator lenses 21, 21, the joint surface 23 b of the first optical fiber holding member 23, and the joint surfaces of the second optical fiber holding member 24. In 24b, the adhesive layer that joins them has a substantially circular hole in the vicinity of the light transmission path at the center, and the adhesive layer does not exist. This adhesive layer is formed in a donut shape having the same central axis as that of the collimator lens 21, the first optical fiber holding member 23, and the second optical fiber holding member 24.
That is, the optical multiplexer / demultiplexer according to this embodiment is configured such that the ends of the bare optical fiber portions 27a and 27a and the end of the bare optical fiber portion 30a and the other end faces 21b and 21b of the two collimator lenses 21 and 21 are joined. The adhesive layer is not present.
[0013]
As described above, the adhesive layer is formed in the vicinity of the light transmission path on the joint surface 23b of the collimator lens 21 and the first optical fiber holding member 23 and on the joint surface 24b of the collimator lens 21 and the second optical fiber holding member 24. Is not present, even if high intensity light of 500 mW or more is incident on the optical multiplexer / demultiplexer, the incident light generates heat at the bonding surfaces 23b and 24b, and the temperature rises. There is no thermal decomposition. Therefore, the insertion loss of light does not increase at the joint surface 23b between the collimator lens 21 and the first optical fiber holding member 23 and the joint surface 24b between the collimator lens 21 and the second optical fiber holding member 24.
The optical multiplexer / demultiplexer of this embodiment has the same number of parts as the conventional optical multiplexer / demultiplexer shown in FIG. 5, and has excellent resistance to high-intensity light.
[0014]
The collimator lens 21 used in this embodiment is composed of a rod lens, a grin lens, or the like made of alkali glass or the like, and its refractive index increases as it approaches the optical axis, and decreases as it moves away from the optical axis and approaches the outer periphery. It is changing continuously.
The collimator lens 21 has a cylindrical shape, and a joint surface with the first optical fiber holding member 23 or the second optical fiber holding member 24 is formed obliquely.
The dimensions of the collimator lens 21 are about 1.0 to 2.0 mm in outer diameter and about 4.6 to 4.8 mm in length, and are appropriately set according to the refractive index distribution and material.
[0015]
The dielectric multilayer filter 22 is an optical element, for example, silica (SiO 2) on a substrate such as quartz glass.₂) And tantalum pentoxide (Ta₂O_FiveAnd the like, and the material and thickness are appropriately selected depending on the wavelength of light.
In this example, SiO₂And Ta₂O_FiveA thin film having a thickness of about 30 μm and a thickness of 1.3 mm × 1.3 mm is used.
In this embodiment, the dielectric multilayer filter is exemplified as the optical element. However, in the optical component of the present invention, an optical isolator element, a circulator element, or the like may be used as the optical element.
[0016]
The first optical fiber holding member 23 or the second optical fiber holding member 24 is B₂O_FiveThe joint surface with the collimator lens 21 is formed obliquely with a cylindrical shape made of glass such as quartz containing bismuth and borosilicate glass.
The dimensions of the first optical fiber holding member 23 and the second optical fiber holding member 24 are about 1.8 to 2.0 mm in outer diameter and about 6 to 10 mm in length.
In addition, the pores 23a and 24a are respectively formed in the longitudinal center of the first optical fiber holding member 23 or the second optical fiber holding member 24 so as to penetrate them. The shape of the openings of the pores 23a, 24a is a polygonal shape such as a square, a rectangle, or a rhombus, or a circle, and its dimensions are about 0.126 to 0.217 mm × 0.214 to 0.252 mm.
[0017]
As the optical fiber strands 27 and 30, a single mode optical fiber or a polarization maintaining optical fiber having an outer diameter of 250 μm is used.
The single mode optical fiber has a structure in which a coating layer made of an ultraviolet curable resin or the like is provided on a bare optical fiber made of quartz glass or the like.
The polarization maintaining optical fiber is germanium oxide (GeO).₂), And a clad made of quartz glass with the same central axis as the core, and a clad made of quartz glass around the core. And it is comprised from two stress-applying parts with a circular cross section which consist of glass with a larger thermal expansion coefficient than the quartz glass which forms this clad.
[0018]
In the optical multiplexer / demultiplexer according to this embodiment, the collimator lens 21 and the dielectric multilayer filter 22 are joined, the collimator lens 21, and the first optical fiber holding member 23 or the second optical fiber holding member 24. Examples of the adhesive used for bonding include an ultraviolet curable urethane acrylate adhesive and an epoxy acrylate adhesive.
[0019]
  A method for manufacturing the optical multiplexer / demultiplexer according to this embodiment is shown, and the method for manufacturing the optical component of the present invention is described.
  First, the dielectric multilayer filter 22 and the collimator lens 21 on the incident port side are bonded and fixed.
  Next, the collimator lens 21 and the first optical fiber holding member 23 in which the optical fiber strands 27 and 27 are accommodated in the pores 23a are arranged close to each other so that their optical axes coincide with each other. .
  Next, ultraviolet rays having a predetermined intensity are incident on the optical fiber strands 27 and 27 from the ends of the optical fiber strands 27 and 27 using a condenser lens or the like.
  Then, in the vicinity of the collimator lens 21 and the first optical fiber holding member 23, the ultraviolet rays emitted from the bare optical fiber portions 27a and 27a spread at an angle of about 42 ° from the ends of the bare optical fiber portions 27a and 27a. .
  Next, an ultraviolet curable adhesive is injected into the vicinity of the collimator lens 21 and the first optical fiber holding member 23 while the ultraviolet rays are continuously incident on the optical fiber strands 27 and 27. At this time,In the vicinity of the collimator lens 21 and the first optical fiber holding member 23, the ultraviolet light emitted from the bare optical fiber portions 27a and 27a and spread at an angle of about 42 ° from the ends of the bare optical fiber portions 27a and 27a,When the ultraviolet curable adhesive comes into contact, the contacted portion is cured. Accordingly, the adhesive does not permeate from the hardened portion to the end, and as a result, no adhesive layer is formed in the vicinity of the light transmission path.
  Next, after it is confirmed that the adhesive has not permeated into the light transmission path, the incidence of ultraviolet rays on the optical fiber strands 27 and 27 is stopped.
  Next, the uncured ultraviolet curable adhesive covering the outer periphery of the cured adhesive layer is irradiated with ultraviolet light from the outer periphery to cure the adhesive, and the collimator lens 21 and the first light. The fiber holding member 23 is bonded.
[0020]
Next, the collimator lens 21 and the second optical fiber holding member 24 are joined in the same manner as the joining of the collimator lens 21 and the first optical fiber holding member 23.
Next, the surface of the collimator lens 21 where the first optical fiber holding member 23 is not joined and the surface of the dielectric multilayer filter 22 where the collimator lens 21 is not joined are arranged to face each other, and the optical axes of both are arranged. Then, an ultraviolet curable adhesive is injected into the joint surface between the two.
Next, the adhesive is irradiated with ultraviolet rays from the outer periphery of the collimator lens 21 and the dielectric multilayer filter 22 to cure the adhesive, the collimator lens 21 and the dielectric multilayer filter 22 are joined, and optical multiplexing / demultiplexing is performed. Get a bowl.
[0021]
Further, the collimator lens 21 and the first optical fiber holding member 23 or the second optical fiber holding member 24 may be joined as follows.
First, the collimator lens 21 and the first optical fiber holding member 23 in which the optical fiber strands 27 and 27 are accommodated in the pores 23a are arranged close to each other so that their optical axes coincide with each other. .
Next, ultraviolet light having a predetermined intensity is incident from one end face 21 a of the collimator lens 21. At this time, the ultraviolet light is made equal to or smaller than the diameter of the collimator lens 21 and is incident on the collimator lens 21 in parallel. Then, the ultraviolet light incident from one end face 21 a of the collimator lens 21 is once condensed in the collimator lens 21 and spreads again, and in the vicinity of the collimator lens 21 and the first optical fiber holding member 23, the optical fiber is collected. Cover the outer periphery of the ends of the bare optical fiber portions 27a, 27a of the strands 27, 27.
Next, an ultraviolet curable adhesive is injected into the vicinity of the collimator lens 21 and the first optical fiber holding member 23 while the ultraviolet rays are continuously incident on the optical fiber strands 27 and 27. At this time, when the ultraviolet curable adhesive comes into contact with the ultraviolet rays covering the outer periphery of the ends of the bare optical fiber portions 27a and 27a, the contacted portions are cured. Accordingly, the adhesive does not permeate from the hardened portion to the end, and as a result, no adhesive layer is formed in the vicinity of the light transmission path.
Next, after it is confirmed that the adhesive has not permeated into the light transmission path, the incidence of ultraviolet rays on the optical fiber strands 27 and 27 is stopped.
Next, the uncured ultraviolet curable adhesive covering the outer periphery of the cured adhesive layer is irradiated with ultraviolet light from the outer periphery to cure the adhesive, and the collimator lens 21 and the first light. The fiber holding member 23 is bonded.
Similarly, the collimator lens 21 and the second optical fiber holding member 24 are joined.
[0022]
According to such a method of manufacturing an optical component, light is incident on the joint surface 23b of the collimator lens 21 and the first optical fiber holding member 23 and on the joint surface 24b of the collimator lens 21 and the second optical fiber holding member 24. An adhesive layer is not formed in the vicinity of the transmission path. Therefore, even when high-intensity light is incident on the obtained optical multiplexer / demultiplexer, the incident light generates heat at the bonding surfaces 23b and 24b, and the temperature does not increase and thermal decomposition does not occur. . Therefore, the insertion loss of light does not increase at the joint surfaces 23b and 24b of the obtained optical multiplexer / demultiplexer.
In addition, according to such a method for manufacturing an optical component, an optical component excellent in resistance to high-intensity light can be obtained with the same number of components as the conventional optical multiplexer / demultiplexer shown in FIG.
[0023]
As a second embodiment of the optical component of the present invention, in the optical multiplexer / demultiplexer of the first embodiment, the joint surface between the collimator lenses 21 and 21 and the dielectric multilayer filter 22, that is, the collimator lens 21 is used. , 21 has a substantially circular hole in the vicinity of the light transmission path in the center of the adhesive layer that joins the end surfaces 21a and 21a, and no adhesive layer exists. There is. The adhesive layer is formed in a donut shape having the same central axis as the collimator lenses 21 and 21 and the dielectric multilayer filter 22.
In this way, even if high-intensity light enters the optical multiplexer / demultiplexer, the adhesive generates heat and the temperature rises at the joint surface between the collimator lenses 21 and 21 and the dielectric multilayer filter 22. And no thermal decomposition. Therefore, the insertion loss of light does not increase at the joint surface between the collimator lenses 21 and 21 and the dielectric multilayer filter 22.
[0024]
  In the method of manufacturing the optical multiplexer / demultiplexer of this embodiment, first, the optical axes of the collimator lens 21, the dielectric multilayer filter 22, and the collimator lens 21 are aligned and arranged in this order. At this time, it arrange | positions so that the one end surfaces 21a and 21a of the collimator lenses 21 and 21 may oppose.
  Next, ultraviolet rays having a predetermined intensity are incident from the other end faces 21 b and 21 b of the collimator lenses 21 and 21. At this time, the ultraviolet rays incident from the other end surfaces 21 b and 21 b of the collimator lenses 21 and 21 are once condensed in the collimator lenses 21 and 21 and spread again to collimator lenses 21 and 21 and the dielectric multilayer filter 22. The ultraviolet rays emitted from the collimator lenses 21 and 21 cover the portion that becomes the light transmission pathYeah.
  Next, an ultraviolet curable adhesive is injected into the vicinity of the collimator lenses 21 and 21 and the dielectric multilayer filter 22 while maintaining the incidence of ultraviolet rays on the collimator lenses 21 and 21. At this time, when an ultraviolet curable adhesive comes into contact with ultraviolet rays, the contacted portion is cured. Therefore, the adhesive does not permeate from the hardened portion to the end, and as a result, the adhesive layer is not formed in the portion that becomes the light transmission path.
  Next, after confirming that the adhesive has not permeated into the light transmission path, the incidence of ultraviolet rays on the collimator lenses 21 and 21 is stopped.
  Next, the uncured ultraviolet curable adhesive covering the outer periphery of the cured adhesive layer is irradiated with ultraviolet light from the outer periphery to cure the adhesive, and the collimator lenses 21 and 21 and the dielectric The multilayer filter 22 is joined to obtain a joined body.
[0025]
Next, the above-described joined body and the first optical fiber holding member 23 in which the optical fiber strands 27 and 27 are accommodated in the pores 23a are arranged close to each other so that their optical axes coincide with each other. .
Next, ultraviolet rays having a predetermined intensity are incident on the optical fiber strands 27 and 27 from the ends of the optical fiber strands 27 and 27 using a condenser lens or the like.
Then, in the vicinity of the collimator lens 21 and the first optical fiber holding member 23, the ultraviolet rays emitted from the bare optical fiber portions 27a and 27a spread at an angle of about 42 ° from the ends of the bare optical fiber portions 27a and 27a. .
Next, an ultraviolet curable adhesive is injected into the vicinity of the collimator lens 21 and the first optical fiber holding member 23 while the ultraviolet rays are continuously incident on the optical fiber strands 27 and 27. At this time, when the ultraviolet curable adhesive comes into contact with the portion where the ultraviolet rays are condensed, the contacted portion is cured. Accordingly, the adhesive does not permeate from the hardened portion to the end, and as a result, no adhesive layer is formed in the vicinity of the light transmission path.
Next, after it is confirmed that the adhesive has not permeated into the light transmission path, the incidence of ultraviolet rays on the optical fiber strands 27 and 27 is stopped.
Next, the uncured ultraviolet curable adhesive covering the outer periphery of the cured adhesive layer is irradiated with ultraviolet light from the outer periphery to cure the adhesive, and the collimator lens 21 and the first light. The fiber holding member 23 is bonded.
Next, similarly to the joining of the collimator lens 21 and the first optical fiber holding member 23, the collimator lens 21 and the second optical fiber holding member 24 are joined to obtain an optical multiplexer / demultiplexer.
[0026]
According to such a method for manufacturing an optical component, no adhesive layer is formed on the light transmission path at the joint surface between the collimator lenses 21 and 21 and the dielectric multilayer filter 22. Therefore, it is possible to obtain an optical component in which the insertion loss of light does not increase at the joint surface between the collimator lenses 21 and 21 and the dielectric multilayer filter 22. Therefore, it is possible to obtain an optical multiplexer / demultiplexer that is more resistant to higher intensity light than the optical multiplexer / demultiplexer of the first embodiment.
[0027]
3A and 3B are schematic configuration diagrams showing a third embodiment of the optical component of the present invention. FIG. 3A is a plan view and FIG. 3B is a front view.
In the optical component of this embodiment, a first optical fiber array 31 and a second optical fiber array 32 are used instead of the first optical fiber holding member 23 and the second optical fiber holding member 24 shown in FIG. It is used. 3, the same components as those of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted.
[0028]
The first optical fiber array 31 and the second optical fiber array 32 are prismatic base materials 31a and 32a made of quartz, glass, ceramics, resin, metal, and the like, and bare optical fibers of optical fiber strands 27 and 27, respectively. The portions 27a and 27a and the bare optical fiber portions 30a and 30a of the optical fiber wires 30 and 30 are covered with prismatic lids 31b and 32b made of quartz, glass, ceramics, resin, metal, or the like. Further, the joint surfaces of the first optical fiber array 31 and the second optical fiber array 32 with the collimator lens 21 are formed obliquely.
The dimensions of the base materials 31a and 32a are about 8 to 15 mm in length, 1.8 to 2.2 mm in width, and about 0.5 to 12.0 mm in thickness.
The dimensions of the lids 31b and 32b are about 8 to 15 mm in length, 1.8 to 2.2 mm in width, and about 0.5 to 12.0 mm in thickness.
[0029]
In addition, two holding portions 31c and 31c for storing the optical fiber wires 27 and 27 are formed in the base material 31a over the entire length in the longitudinal direction in parallel with the central axis in the longitudinal direction of the base material 31a. Yes. The shape of the holding portion 31c may be any shape such as a V-groove, a circular shape, a rectangular shape, or a trapezoidal shape.
The size of the holding portion 31c is about an opening diameter of 126 to 135 μm.
The base material 32a is formed with two holding portions 32c and 32c for storing optical fiber strands 30 and 30 similar to the two holding portions 31c and 31c of the base material 31a.
[0030]
The optical component of this embodiment is manufactured by a method similar to the manufacturing method of the first embodiment or the second embodiment.
Therefore, similarly to the optical components of the first embodiment and the second embodiment, the optical component of the third embodiment also has excellent resistance to high-intensity light.
[0031]
FIG. 4 is a schematic view showing a fourth embodiment of the optical component of the present invention. FIG. 4 (a) is a plan view, FIG. 4 (b) is a front view, and FIG. 4 (c) is a right side view. is there.
In the optical component of this embodiment, a distributed refractive index optical fiber (hereinafter referred to as “GI optical fiber”) 33 is provided on the lid 31b of the first optical fiber array 31 shown in FIG. The distributed refractive index optical fiber 34 is accommodated in the lid 32 b of the second optical fiber array 32. 4, the same components as those of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1 and the third embodiment shown in FIG. 3 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted.
[0032]
The base material 31a of the first optical fiber array 31 has two holding portions 31c and 31c for housing the optical fiber strands 27 and 27 in the longitudinal direction parallel to the longitudinal center axis of the base material 31a. Is formed over the entire length. The shape of the holding portion 31c may be any shape such as a V-groove, a circular shape, a rectangular shape, or a trapezoidal shape.
The size of the holding portion 31c is about an opening diameter of 126 to 135 μm.
The base material 32a is formed with two holding portions 32c and 32c for storing optical fiber strands 30 and 30 similar to the two holding portions 31c and 31c of the base material 31a.
[0033]
The lid 31b is formed with a pore 31d for accommodating the GI optical fiber 33 over the entire length in the longitudinal direction in parallel with the central axis in the longitudinal direction of the lid 31b. The shape of the pore 31d may be any shape such as a V groove, a circle, a rectangle, or a trapezoid.
The size of the pore 31d is about an opening diameter of 126 to 135 μm.
The lid 32b is formed with a pore 32d for accommodating the GI optical fiber 34 similar to the holding portion 31d of the lid 31b.
[0034]
Of the optical fibers used in the optical components as described above, the single mode optical fiber is used for transmission in the 1.55 μm band, so its cut-off wavelength is about 1.2 μm. However, since the wavelength of ultraviolet rays is about several tens to 400 nm, it is difficult to transmit ultraviolet rays having sufficient intensity when ultraviolet rays are incident on a single mode optical fiber.
Therefore, in the optical component of this embodiment, the GI optical fibers 33 and 34 are used to irradiate each joint with ultraviolet rays and cure the ultraviolet curable adhesive used for joining each joint.
[0035]
The GI optical fibers 33 and 34 are optical fibers in which the refractive index distribution of the core portion is a function of position, and the refractive index distribution is circularly symmetric and squared in the radial direction (the refractive index at the center is maximum). It is approximated. The light propagating through the GI optical fibers 33 and 34 meanders in a sinusoidal manner according to the refractive index distribution.
The GI optical fibers 33 and 34 have a larger core (about 6 times) than the single mode optical fiber, and the wavelength band of light that can be transmitted is close to that of the single mode optical fiber. be able to. In addition, the length of the GI optical fibers 33 and 34 to be used is sufficient to be several tens of centimeters.
[0036]
According to the method of manufacturing an optical component using such GI optical fibers 33 and 34, the ends of the bare optical fiber portions 27a and 27a of the optical fiber strands 27 and 27 and the bare optical fibers of the optical fiber strands 30 and 30 are used. The terminals of the units 30a and 30a can be efficiently irradiated with ultraviolet rays. Therefore, the bonding surface between the collimator lens 21 and the first optical fiber array 31 and the bonding surface between the collimator lens 21 and the second optical fiber array 32 are bonded in the vicinity of the light transmission path at the time of bonding. The agent layer is not formed.
Moreover, according to the manufacturing method of the optical component of this example, optical components such as AWG (Arrayed Waveguide Grating) using the thermo-optic effect and other PLC components can be efficiently manufactured.
[0037]
Specific examples will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 and 5 to clarify the effects of the present invention.
(Example)
As an example, the optical multiplexer / demultiplexer shown in FIG. 1 was manufactured.
(Comparative example)
As a comparative example, the optical multiplexer / demultiplexer shown in FIG. 5 was manufactured.
Into these two optical multiplexers / demultiplexers, light having a wavelength of 1.55 μm is continuously incident at 500 mW, 1.0 W, 1.5 W, and 2.0 W with varying intensities, and the amount of change in insertion loss at that time is It was measured. The light intensity was maintained for 1 hour at each stage, and the total incident time was 4 hours.
The results are shown in Table 1.
[0038]
[Table 1]

[0039]
From the results of Table 1, in the optical multiplexer / demultiplexer of the example, an increase in insertion loss was hardly observed even when 2.0 W light was incident.
On the other hand, in the optical multiplexer / demultiplexer of the comparative example, it was observed that the insertion loss increases as the intensity of incident light increases.
From the above, it was confirmed that the optical multiplexer / demultiplexer of the example showed excellent resistance to high-intensity light.
[0040]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, the optical component of the present invention is an optical component including a collimator lens and an optical fiber holding member, and in the vicinity of a light transmission path at the joint surface between the collimator lens and the optical fiber holding member. Since there is no adhesive layer formed by curing the adhesive, even if high-intensity light is incident on this optical multiplexer / demultiplexer, the incident light causes the joint surface between the collimator lens and the optical element, Alternatively, the adhesive does not generate heat on the joint surface between the collimator lens and the optical fiber holding member, so that the temperature does not increase and thermal decomposition does not occur. Therefore, the insertion loss of light does not increase at the joint surface between the collimator lens and the optical element or the joint surface between the collimator lens and the optical fiber holding member. In addition, the same number of parts as the conventional optical parts and excellent resistance to high-intensity light.
[0041]
Moreover, according to the method for manufacturing an optical component of the present invention, no adhesive layer is formed on the light transmission path. Therefore, even if high-intensity light is incident on the obtained optical component, the incident light adheres to the joint surface between the collimator lens and the optical element or the joint surface between the collimator lens and the optical fiber holding member. The agent generates heat and the temperature rises and does not thermally decompose. Therefore, the insertion loss of light does not increase on the joint surface between the collimator lens and the optical element of the obtained optical component or the joint surface between the collimator lens and the optical fiber holding member. In addition, it is possible to obtain an optical component having the same number of components as a conventional optical multiplexer / demultiplexer and having excellent resistance to high-intensity light.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an optical multiplexer / demultiplexer as a first embodiment of an optical component of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a front view of the joint surface of the optical fiber holding member according to the first embodiment of the optical component of the present invention.
3A and 3B are schematic configuration diagrams showing an optical component according to a third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3A is a plan view and FIG. 3B is a front view.
FIG. 4 is a schematic view showing a fourth embodiment of the optical component of the present invention, FIG. 4 (a) is a plan view, FIG. 4 (b) is a front view, and FIG. 4 (c) is a right side view. is there.
FIG. 5 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a conventional optical multiplexer / demultiplexer.
FIG. 6 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a conventional optical multiplexer / demultiplexer.
[Explanation of symbols]
21 ... Collimator lens, 21a ... One end face, 21b ... The other end face, 22 ... Dielectric multilayer filter, 23 ... First optical fiber holding member, 23a, 24a,. -Fine pores, 23b, 24b ... joint surface, 24 ... second optical fiber holding member, 25 ... first port, 26 ... second port, 27, 30 ... light Fiber strands, 27a, 30a ... bare optical fiber parts, 27b, 30b ... coating layer, 28 ... third port, 31 ... first optical fiber array, 31a, 32a ... Base material, 31b, 32b ... lid, 31c, 32c ... holding part, 31d, 32d ... pore, 32 ... second optical fiber array, 33, 34 ... distributed refractive index light fiber

Claims (2)

The collimator lens and the optical fiber holding member are arranged close to each other so that their optical axes coincide,
Ultraviolet light is incident from the end of the optical fiber housed in the optical fiber holding member on the side opposite to the side on which the collimator lens is disposed, and the ultraviolet light is applied to the vicinity of the collimator lens and the optical fiber holding member. while shines out, injecting an ultraviolet curable adhesive to said adjacent portions, in the adjacent portion, the UV that extends from the terminal of the optical fiber is brought into contact with the adhesive was cured, the transmission line near the optical The adhesive layer is prevented from penetrating and an adhesive layer is not formed in the vicinity of the light transmission path, and then the adhesive is cured outside the vicinity of the light transmission path, so that the collimator lens and the optical fiber are cured. A method for producing an optical component, comprising: joining a holding member. The collimator lens and the optical fiber holding member are arranged close to each other so that their optical axes coincide,
To incident ultraviolet from the end surface of the collimator lens, Oite the adjacent portion of the optical fiber holding member and the collimator lens, ultraviolet rays, it covers the outer periphery of the terminal of the optical fiber housed in the optical fiber holding member Then, an ultraviolet curable adhesive is injected into the adjacent portion, and the adhesive is brought into contact with the ultraviolet light covering the outer periphery of the end of the optical fiber at the adjacent portion to be cured, to the vicinity of the light transmission path. The adhesive layer is prevented from penetrating and an adhesive layer is not formed in the vicinity of the light transmission path, and then the adhesive is cured outside the vicinity of the light transmission path, so that the collimator lens and the optical fiber are cured. A method for producing an optical component, comprising: joining a holding member.

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