JP5320191B2 - Optical connector and manufacturing method thereof - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an optical connector and a method of manufacturing the same, and more particularly to an optical connector that is disposed to face an optical element of an optical element component provided with an optical element, holds an optical waveguide, and transmits light between the optical waveguide and the optical element. The present invention relates to an optical connector to be coupled and a manufacturing method thereof.

  In recent years, with the expansion of transmission capacity, optical communication networks have attracted attention, and optical fiber communication networks are rapidly developing. The role played by optical connectors in optical fiber communication networks is extremely important, and various optical connectors have been developed. In addition, with the rapid development of multimedia, high-density wiring is becoming an indispensable item in information processing apparatuses such as large-capacity switches and massively parallel computers, and research on optical interconnection technology is being conducted extensively.

  In the optical interconnection technology, an optical connector that inputs and outputs signal light between an optical fiber and an optical element of an optical module is used. For example, in an optical connector that inputs and outputs signal light between an optical fiber guided parallel to the circuit board surface and an optical element of the optical module, the optical axis direction of the optical element is guided parallel to the circuit board surface. Since it is substantially perpendicular to the optical axis direction of the optical fiber, it is necessary to direct the optical axis direction of the optical fiber toward the optical element side of the optical module. For this purpose, an optical path changing surface for directing the optical axis direction of the optical fiber toward the optical element is formed inside the optical connector, and optical path conversion of the signal light emitted from the optical fiber is performed.

  Patent Document 1 holds the tip of an optical fiber in order to provide an optical coupling component that allows light from an optical fiber drawn parallel to the substrate surface to enter a light receiving element attached to the substrate surface so as to face the upper surface. A transparent plastic material, and a concave mirror for changing the light emitted from the tip of the optical fiber attached in the attachment hole by 90 degrees and condensing the light to enter the light receiving element on the substrate. Are integrally formed.

JP 2001-51162 A

  By the way, in the optical connector described above, the optical path changing surface for directing the optical axis direction of the optical fiber toward the optical element side is generally integrally formed with the connector body using a synthetic resin. The molding die that integrally molds the connector body with the optical path changing surface is a molding die that combines many mold parts that require high precision in order to accurately form the angle and position of the minute optical path changing surface. Is used.

  Here, in the above-described molding die, the die structure becomes complicated, so that the lead time for die production becomes long, and the die production cost may increase. Further, in the resin molding using the above-described molding die, since the die structure is complicated, it takes a lot of time to assemble each die part, and the productivity of the optical connector may be lowered. As described above, when an optical connector is manufactured by integrally forming a connector main body having an optical path changing surface, the manufacturing cost of the optical connector may increase.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an optical connector with a reduced manufacturing cost and a manufacturing method thereof.

An optical connector according to the present invention is disposed opposite to an optical element of an optical element component provided with an optical element, holds the optical waveguide, and optically couples between the optical waveguide and the optical element. A connector main body formed of a synthetic resin, provided on an end surface of the connector main body, the optical waveguide insertion port for inserting the optical waveguide, and provided in the connector main body, communicating with the optical waveguide insertion port And an optical waveguide insertion path through which the optical waveguide is inserted, and an optical waveguide insertion path that communicates with the optical element in the connector body, and passes between the upper surface of the connector body and the lower surface of the connector body. A window portion formed, and the optical waveguide is disposed so that a distal end portion of the optical waveguide protrudes from the window portion, and the distal end portion of the optical waveguide is in an optical axis direction of the optical waveguide or the optical element. Against Formed Te, causes optical coupling between said optical axis direction is changed by the internal reflection of the signal light and the optical waveguide and the optical element, the optical path formed by cutting or laser machining through the window have a change surface, the connector is provided on the lower surface body, wherein a fitting groove which is larger than the window portion and communicating said window through said fitted into the fitting groove after formation of the optical path changing surface A light-transmitting portion provided between the light incident / exit surface of the signal light and the optical element at the distal end portion of the optical waveguide, and in contact with the light incident / exit surface and the optical element; Including,
The optical element component has a guide pin or a guide hole for positioning the connector main body to the optical element component, and the connector main body is a guide hole for inserting the guide pin of the optical element component or the optical element component. It has the guide pin inserted in a guide hole, It is characterized by the above-mentioned.

  In the optical connector according to the present invention, the optical waveguide is preferably an optical fiber or a planar optical waveguide.

The method for manufacturing an optical connector according to the present invention includes an optical element component provided with an optical element, facing the optical element, holding an optical waveguide, and optically coupling the optical waveguide and the optical element. An optical connector manufacturing method for manufacturing an optical connector, wherein the optical connector includes a connector main body formed of a synthetic resin, is provided on an end surface of the connector main body, and is inserted into the optical waveguide. And an optical waveguide insertion path provided in the connector main body, communicating with the optical waveguide insertion port and inserting the optical waveguide, and communicating with the optical waveguide insertion path so as to face the optical element in the connector main body. A window portion formed between the upper surface of the connector body and the lower surface of the connector body, and a fitting groove provided on the lower surface of the connector body and communicating with the window portion and formed larger than the window portion. , the The optical waveguide is inserted through the optical waveguide insertion port, inserted into the optical waveguide insertion passage, the distal end portion of the optical waveguide is projected into the window portion, and the optical waveguide is attached to the connector body. A waveguide mounting step, and a processing unit that processes the tip of the optical waveguide from the window portion at a predetermined inclination angle with respect to the optical axis direction of the optical waveguide or the optical element, and signals the optical axis direction. An optical path changing surface forming step for forming an optical path changing surface for optically coupling between the optical waveguide and the optical element by changing the internal reflection of light; and after the optical path changing surface forming step, at the tip of the optical waveguide Translucent light formed by optical resin that is provided to be fitted in the fitting groove between the light incident / exit surface of the signal light and the optical element, and is in contact with the light incident / exit surface and the optical element. Bei a transparent portion formation step, a providing section , The processing means is inserted into the window portion, cutting the optical waveguide or tip of the optical waveguide with respect to the optical axis direction against the distal end of the optical waveguide at a predetermined inclination angle of the optical element A laser beam is applied to the tip of the optical waveguide at a predetermined inclination angle with respect to the optical axis direction of the optical waveguide or the optical element from the window portion, or laser processing is performed. In the laser processing apparatus, the optical element component has a guide pin or a guide hole for positioning the connector body on the optical element component, and the connector body has a guide hole into which the guide pin of the optical element component is inserted. Or it has the guide pin inserted in the guide hole of the said optical element component, It is characterized by the above-mentioned.

  In the optical connector manufacturing method according to the present invention, the optical waveguide is preferably an optical fiber or a planar optical waveguide.

  According to the optical connector having the above-described configuration and the manufacturing method thereof, by providing the optical path changing surface in the optical waveguide, the connector main body and the optical path changing surface are separately formed, and the mold structure of the molding die for forming the connector main body Is simplified and simplified, and the manufacturing cost of the optical connector is reduced. In addition, if the tip of the optical waveguide is tilted before fixing the optical waveguide to the connector body, it is necessary to adjust the tilt direction (phase), which makes precision positioning very difficult and results in poor accuracy (tip of the optical waveguide). Position and angle direction) are likely to occur. However, after fixing the optical waveguide to the connector body, the positioning direction between the processing means for inclining and the connector body should be ensured by determining (processing) the inclination direction of the tip of the optical waveguide. The optical waveguide tip processing becomes easy, and the manufacturing cost of the optical connector can be reduced and the manufacturing yield can be improved.

In embodiment of this invention, it is a perspective view which shows the structure of an optical connector. In embodiment of this invention, it is sectional drawing of the optical fiber insertion direction in an optical connector. In embodiment of this invention, it is a perspective view which shows the state which attached the optical connector to the optical module. In embodiment of this invention, it is sectional drawing of the optical fiber insertion direction which shows the state which attached the optical connector to the optical module. In embodiment of this invention, it is a perspective view which shows the optical connector provided with the cover body fitting groove | channel. In embodiment of this invention, it is a figure which shows the manufacturing process of an optical connector. In embodiment of this invention, it is a figure which shows the structure of the cutting apparatus. In embodiment of this invention, it is a figure which shows the manufacturing process of an optical connector. In embodiment of this invention, it is a figure which shows the structure of the laser processing apparatus.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the optical connector 10. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the optical connector 10 in the optical fiber insertion direction. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a state in which the optical connector 10 is attached to the optical module 12. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view in the optical fiber insertion direction showing a state in which the optical connector 10 is attached to the optical module 12.

  The optical connector 10 is disposed so as to face the optical element 14 of the optical module 12 having a function as an optical element component provided with the optical element 14, and has a function of holding an optical fiber 16, for example, an optical waveguide. doing. The optical connector 10 is attached to face the optical element 14 of the optical module 12 disposed on the circuit board 18 and optically couples between the optical fiber 16 and the optical element 14. The optical element 14 includes a light emitting element or a light receiving element, and has a function as an optical input / output end of the optical module 12. As the light emitting element, a surface emitting element type laser diode (VCSEL: Vertical Cavity Surface-Emitting Laser) or the like is used. Further, a photodiode (PD: Photo Diode) or the like is used as the light receiving element.

  For the optical fiber 16, for example, an all-quartz multimode optical fiber or a single mode optical fiber can be used. As the form of the optical fiber 16, for example, a single-core optical fiber, an optical fiber tape (ribbon), or the like is used. A planar optical waveguide may be used as the optical waveguide. As the planar optical waveguide, for example, a polymer-based or quartz-based planar optical waveguide can be used. For example, a planar optical waveguide made of polyimide resin is used as the polymer-based planar optical waveguide. In the following description, the optical waveguide held by the connector main body 20 will be described as the optical fiber 16. However, the optical waveguide is not limited to the optical fiber 16 and may be a planar optical waveguide.

  The connector main body 20 is formed into, for example, a wide and substantially square shape and has a function of holding the optical fiber 16. The connector body 20 is molded by transfer molding using a thermosetting resin such as an epoxy resin, or by molding such as injection molding using a thermoplastic resin such as polyphenylene sulfide resin (PPS) or liquid crystal polymer (LCP). The The optical fiber 16 is fixed to the connector body 20 with an adhesive or the like.

  The optical connector 10 is provided on the end face of the connector main body 20, and is provided with an optical fiber insertion port 22 for inserting the optical fiber 16. The optical connector 10 communicates with the optical fiber insertion port 22 and is inserted into the optical fiber 16. The optical fiber insertion path 24 is provided in the connector main body 20, communicates with the optical fiber insertion path 24, and has a window portion 26 formed through the connector main body upper surface and the connector main body lower surface.

  The optical fiber insertion port 22 is provided on the rear end face of the connector main body 20 and has a function as an optical waveguide insertion port for inserting the optical fiber 16 into the connector main body 20. The optical fiber insertion port 22 is provided, for example, in the approximate center of the rear end surface of the connector main body 20 and is formed in a size that allows the optical fiber 16 to be inserted. For example, when a multi-core optical fiber tape is used for the optical fiber 16, the optical fiber insertion port 22 is formed in a wide and substantially rectangular shape.

  The optical fiber insertion path 24 is provided in communication with the optical fiber insertion port 22 and has a function as an optical waveguide insertion path through which the optical fiber 16 is inserted. The optical fiber insertion path 24 communicates with the optical fiber insertion port 22, and the first insertion path 28 through which the coated optical fiber 16 is inserted, and the bare fiber with the coating removed, communicated with the first insertion path 28. And a second insertion passage 30 to be inserted. The second insertion passage 30 is formed narrower than the first insertion passage 28.

  The window portion 26 is provided in the connector main body 20 so as to face the optical element 14, communicates with the optical fiber insertion path 24, and is formed to penetrate between the connector main body upper surface 32 and the connector main body lower surface 34. It is formed in a hollow shape substantially perpendicular to the insertion direction. The window 26 is formed, for example, with a substantially rectangular cross section in a direction substantially orthogonal to the penetrating direction. An inner peripheral surface of the window portion 26 is provided in communication with the second insertion passage 30 of the optical fiber insertion passage 24, and the bare fiber distal end portion 36 with the coating removed is protruded into the window portion 26 and exposed. At least one optical fiber hole 40 is formed. For example, the optical fiber holes 40 are provided at a plurality of locations along a direction substantially orthogonal to the insertion direction of the optical fiber 16, and the plurality of optical fiber holes 40 are arranged in one row. The optical fiber hole 40 is formed by, for example, a round hole. In the case where a planar optical waveguide is used as the optical waveguide, a rectangular hole is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the window portion 26 so that the tip portion of the planar optical waveguide protrudes into the window portion 26 and is exposed. .

  The connector body 20 is preferably provided with a fitting groove 42 which is connected to the window portion 26 and fitted with a light transmitting member 57 which will be described later on the lower surface 34 of the connector body. The fitting groove 42 is formed, for example, from one connector body side surface to the other connector body side surface along a direction substantially orthogonal to the insertion direction of the optical fiber 16 and includes a groove bottom surface 44 and a groove side surface 46. Is done. The groove bottom surface 44 is preferably provided with at least one guide hole 50 through which a guide pin 48 for positioning the connector body 20 in the optical module 12 is inserted. For example, by passing a guide pin 48 protruding from the optical module 12 through the guide hole 50 and attaching the connector main body 20, the window portion 26 of the connector main body 20 is made to oppose the optical element 14 of the optical module 12 with high accuracy. Positioning. For example, it is more preferable that a pair of guide holes 50 are provided on both sides of the connector body lower surface side opening 52 communicating with the window portion 26. The optical module 12 may be provided with a guide hole for positioning the connector body 20, and the connector body 20 may be provided with a guide pin inserted into the guide hole of the optical module 12.

  The optical fiber 16 is attached to the connector body 20 with the distal end portion 36 of the optical fiber 16 protruding from the window portion 26. The optical fiber 16 is formed at the distal end portion 36 of the optical fiber 16 so as to be inclined with respect to the optical axis direction of the optical fiber 16 or the optical element 14, and the optical fiber direction is changed by internal reflection of the signal light. And an optical path 14 for optically coupling between the optical element 14 and the optical element 14. Here, the internal reflection means that light incident on the transparent body is reflected on the boundary surface with the outside (boundary surface with air or the like) without passing through the transparent body.

  The optical path changing surface 54 is preferably formed to be inclined by approximately 45 degrees with respect to the optical axis direction of the optical fiber 16 or the optical element 14. Thereby, when the optical connector 10 is installed in the optical module 12, the optical path changing surface 54 is located above the optical element 14 and faces the light emitting surface or the light receiving surface of the optical element 14, and transmitted by the optical fiber 16. The reflected signal light is bent by approximately 90 degrees by internal reflection and is incident on the optical element 14, and the signal light emitted from the optical element 14 is bent by approximately 90 degrees by internal reflection and transmitted through the optical fiber 16. it can. The tilt angle of the optical path changing surface 54 is preferably approximately 45 degrees with respect to the optical axis direction of the optical fiber 16 or the optical element 14, but is not necessarily limited to approximately 45 degrees. The optical path changing surface 54 is capable of internal reflection in which the signal light transmitted through the optical fiber 16 is incident on the optical element 14, and the internal reflection in which the signal light emitted from the optical element 14 is directed in the optical axis direction of the optical fiber 16. Is formed at an inclination angle that is possible. The signal light transmitted through the optical fiber 16 and internally reflected by the optical path changing surface 54 is emitted from the optical fiber light incident / exit surface 55 and is incident on the optical element 14. Further, the signal light emitted from the optical element 14 is incident on the distal end portion 36 of the optical fiber 16 from the optical fiber light incident / exit surface 55. As will be described later, the optical path changing surface 54 is formed by cutting or laser processing the distal end portion 36 of the optical fiber 16 from the window portion 26.

  Between the optical fiber light incident / exit surface 55 and the optical element 14, it is preferable to provide a light transmitting portion 56 that is in contact with the optical fiber light incident / exit surface 55 and the optical element 14 and is formed of an optical resin. By providing the translucent part 56 between the optical fiber light incident / exit surface 55 and the optical element 14, reflection by the air layer can be suppressed and a non-reflective state can be obtained. The translucent part 56 is formed of a translucent member 57 and an optical adhesive 58 that fills a gap between the translucent member 57 and the optical fiber light incident / exit surface 55. The translucent member 57 is formed in a sheet shape with optical resin, for example. The translucent member 57 is preferably formed of an optical resin that efficiently transmits light having a signal wavelength to be used (for example, 850 nm, 1310 nm, 1550 nm, etc.). As the optical resin, PC (polycarbonate resin), PEI (polyetherimide resin), PPA (polyphthalamide resin), or the like can be used. The translucent member 57 is provided with a pair of guide holes 60 through which the guide pins 48 are inserted. For the optical adhesive 58, for example, an epoxy resin adhesive can be used.

  The translucent member 57 is provided with a condensing lens that condenses the signal light on the translucent member light incident / exit surface 62 that is opposite to the surface filled with the optical adhesive 58 and that receives or emits signal light. Is preferred. The condenser lens is formed of, for example, a convex lens that protrudes from the light incident / exit surface 62 of the translucent member. The condensing lens is formed on an extension of the optical element 14 in the optical axis direction, and the signal light can be suppressed by condensing the signal light with the condensing lens. The optical coupling efficiency can be further improved.

  The condensing lens is preferably formed integrally with the translucent member 57 on the translucent member light incident / exit surface 62. The convex surface of the condensing lens is formed of an aspherical surface such as a spherical surface or a parabolic surface (parabolic surface), for example. Moreover, when using a multi-core optical fiber tape for the optical fiber 16, it is preferable that a condensing lens is provided on the light incident / exit surface 62 of the translucent member for each optical fiber core wire. The condenser lens is formed, for example, by providing at least one minute concave curved surface on the molding surface of the mold for molding the light incident / exiting surface 62 of the translucent member. Since the translucent member light incident / exit surface 62 is molded separately from the connector main body 20, a molding die having such a minute concave curved surface can be easily and accurately manufactured.

  The translucent member 57 is preferably provided with an uneven portion formed on the translucent member light incident / exit surface 62 so as to be arranged in an uneven manner with a period smaller than the signal wavelength of the signal light. By forming fine uneven portions arranged in an uneven shape with a period smaller than the signal wavelength of the signal light on the light transmitting / receiving surface 62, there is no reflection of the signal light on the light transmitting / receiving surface 62. It can be in a reflective state.

  The fine uneven portion can be formed, for example, by providing a molding surface for forming the fine uneven portion on the mold surface of the molding die for forming the translucent member 57. The molding surface for molding the fine irregularities is formed, for example, by providing metal nanoparticles on the mold surface. By molding the optical resin using a molding die having a molding surface for molding the fine uneven portion, the fine uneven portion can be formed on the translucent member light incident / exit surface 62 by transfer. Since the translucent member 57 is molded separately from the connector main body 20, the molding surface for molding the fine irregularities can be easily and accurately formed on the molding die of the translucent member 57. Further, the fine uneven portion may be directly formed on the light incident / exit surface 62 of the light transmitting member by using an electron beam lithography method. According to the electron beam lithography method, the translucent member light incident / exit surface 62 can be processed with a nanometer size.

  By providing an antireflection film on the light transmitting / emitting surface 62 of the light transmitting member, reflection of the signal light on the light incident / exiting surface 62 of the light transmitting member may be prevented. The antireflection film is formed by, for example, applying a dielectric material to the light incident / exiting surface 62 of the translucent member, vacuum deposition, or sputtering. Further, by providing the light attenuating film on the light incident / exiting surface 62 of the translucent member, the light intensity of the signal light can be reduced, so that the safety of the eyes can be further improved. The light attenuation film is formed, for example, by sputtering a metal material or the like.

  In addition, it is preferable that the connector main body upper surface 32 is provided with a cover body that covers the connector main body upper surface side opening 64 that communicates with the window portion 26 and a cover body fitting groove that is fitted to the cover body. FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing an optical connector provided with a lid fitting groove 66. The lid fitting groove 66 includes a lid fitting groove bottom surface 68 and a lid fitting groove side surface 70. The lid body fitting groove bottom surface 68 is provided with a connector main body upper surface side opening 64 substantially at the center. By covering the connector main body upper surface side opening 64 communicating with the window portion 26 with a lid (not shown), it is possible to prevent dust or the like from entering the window portion 26 and contaminating the optical path changing surface 54.

  Returning to FIGS. 3 and 4 again, the operation of the optical connector 10 will be described.

  The optical connector 10 is attached to face the optical element 14 of the optical module 12 disposed on the circuit board 18 and optically couples between the optical fiber 16 and the optical element 14. The optical connector 10 is positioned by the optical module 12 by inserting the guide pins 48 provided in the optical module 12 into the guide holes 50 of the connector body 20 and the guide holes 60 of the light transmitting member 57. The optical connector 10 is guided by the guide pins 48 and attached so that the window portion 26 of the connector body 20 faces the optical element 14 of the optical module 12, and the optical path changing surface 54 is the optical axis of the optical element 14. Positioned in the direction.

  In the case where the optical element 14 is a light receiving element, the signal light transmitted through the optical fiber 16 is bent at approximately 90 degrees by internal reflection at the optical path changing surface 54 and is emitted from the optical fiber light incident / exit surface 55 to be transmitted therethrough. The light is transmitted through the optical member 57 and is emitted from the light incident / exit surface 62 of the translucent member, and enters the optical element 14 of the optical module 12. Further, when the optical element 14 is a light emitting element, the signal light emitted from the optical element 14 of the optical module 12 is incident from the light transmissive member light incident / exit surface 62, passes through the light transmissive member 57, and is light. The light is incident on the front end portion 36 of the optical fiber 16 from the fiber light incident / exit surface 55, is bent at approximately 90 degrees by internal reflection at the optical path changing surface 54, and is directed in the optical axis direction of the optical fiber 16. Thus, the optical connector 10 optically couples the optical fiber 16 and the optical element 14.

  Next, a method for manufacturing the optical connector 10 will be described. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a manufacturing process of the optical connector 10.

  In the method of manufacturing the optical connector 10, the optical fiber 16 before forming the optical path changing surface 54 is inserted from the optical fiber insertion port 22, inserted into the optical fiber insertion path 24, and the distal end portion 36 of the optical fiber 16 is inserted into the window portion. 26, the optical fiber 16 is attached to the connector body 20, and the optical fiber 16 is inserted into the window portion 26 at a predetermined inclination angle with respect to the optical axis direction of the optical fiber 16 or the optical element 14. The tip portion 36 of the optical fiber 16 is applied to the tip portion 36 of the optical fiber 16 and is cut by a cutting device having a cutting portion for cutting, and is inclined with respect to the optical axis direction of the optical fiber 16 or the optical element 14. And an optical path changing surface forming step for changing the optical axis direction by internal reflection of the signal light to form an optical path changing surface 54 for optically coupling between the optical fiber 16 and the optical element 14. .

  In the optical fiber attaching step, as shown in FIG. 6A, the optical fiber 16 before forming the optical path changing surface 54 is inserted from the optical fiber insertion port 22 and is inserted into the optical fiber insertion path 24. 16 is a step of attaching the optical fiber 16 to the connector main body 20 by projecting the distal end portion 36 of the 16 into the window portion 26. The optical fiber 16 is positioned on the connector body 20 by projecting the end portion 36 of the bare fiber from which the coating has been removed into the window portion 26 by a predetermined amount, and then fixed to the connector body 20 with an epoxy resin adhesive or the like. The

  In the optical path changing surface forming step, as shown in FIGS. 6B and 6C, the optical path changing surface is inserted into the window portion 26 and light is incident at a predetermined inclination angle with respect to the optical axis direction of the optical fiber 16 or the optical element 14. This is a step of forming the optical path changing surface 54 with a cutting device having a cutting portion that cuts the tip portion 36 of the optical fiber 16 against the tip portion 36 of the fiber 16. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a configuration of the cutting device 72. The cutting device 72 includes a substantially disc-shaped cutting blade 74 that cuts the workpiece 73, an output shaft 76 that is coupled to the cutting blade 74, a drive motor 78 that rotationally drives the cutting blade 74, and the workpiece A stage 80 on which the object 73 is placed and a control unit 82 are included, and the distal end portion 36 of the optical fiber 16 is inclined from the window portion 26 with respect to the optical axis direction of the optical fiber 16 or the optical element 14 by a predetermined inclination. It has a function as a processing means for processing at an angle. The cutting device 72 includes a processing device that grinds the distal end portion 36 of the optical fiber 16.

  As the cutting blade 74, for example, a substantially circular diamond blade with diamond fine particles attached to the cutting edge is used. The cutting blade 74 has a cutting edge 84 of a size that can be inserted into the window portion 26 in order to process the distal end portion 36 of the optical fiber 16 from the window portion 26 of the connector body 20. The cutting edge 84 of the cutting blade 74 is inserted into the window portion 26, and is brought into contact with the distal end portion 36 of the optical fiber 16 at a predetermined inclination angle with respect to the optical axis direction of the optical fiber 16 or the optical element 14. It has a function as a cutting part for cutting the part 36.

  As the cutting blade 74, it is preferable to use a cutting edge 84 having an inclination angle of 45 degrees on the side where the optical path changing surface 54 is formed. A cutting edge 84 having an inclination angle of 45 degrees on the side on which the optical path changing surface 54 is formed is applied to the distal end portion 36 of the optical fiber 16 from a direction substantially perpendicular to the optical axis direction of the optical fiber 16 to perform cutting. An optical path changing surface 54 inclined at 45 degrees with respect to the optical axis direction of the optical fiber 16 can be formed.

  The stage 80 is composed of, for example, a six-axis stage or the like, and is configured to be capable of minute movement precisely in six-axis directions such as the X direction, the Y direction, and the Z direction. The control unit 82 has a function of controlling the drive of the drive motor 78 and the movement of the stage 80, and is configured by, for example, a general personal computer. As the cutting device 72, for example, a dicing device that is used to cut out an IC chip formed on a wafer and includes a dicing blade can be used.

  The control unit 82 controls the stage 80 to insert the cutting edge 84 of the cutting blade 74 into the window portion 26 from the connector main body upper surface side opening 64 communicating with the window portion 26. The cutting edge 84 of the cutting blade 74 is inserted into the window portion 26 from a direction substantially perpendicular to the optical axis direction of the optical fiber 16. Next, the control unit 82 controls the drive motor 78 to rotate the output shaft 76 to rotate the cutting blade 74 to cut the distal end portion 36 of the optical fiber 16. The inclined surface of the cutting edge 74 on the side where the optical path changing surface 54 is formed has a predetermined inclination angle with respect to the optical axis direction of the optical fiber 16. Thus, the optical path changing surface 54 inclined at a predetermined inclination angle can be formed. For example, when the inclined surface of the blade edge 84 is formed at an inclination angle of 45 degrees with respect to the optical axis direction of the optical fiber 16, the optical path changing surface 54 is 45 degrees with respect to the optical axis direction of the optical fiber 16. It is formed with the inclination angle. In order to suppress deformation or the like of the distal end portion 36 of the optical fiber 16 at the time of cutting, for example, a support jig that is inserted from the connector main body lower surface side opening 52 that communicates with the window portion 26 and supports the distal end portion 36 of the optical fiber 16. It is preferable to use tools.

  Further, a light-transmitting portion is provided between the optical fiber light incident / exit surface 55 and the optical element 14 so as to be in contact with the optical fiber light incident / exit surface 55 and the optical element 14 and to provide a light-transmitting portion 56 formed of an optical resin. It is preferable to provide a process. In the translucent portion forming step, as shown in FIG. 6 (d), the translucent member 57 is attached to the connector main body 20, and the gap between the translucent member 57 and the optical fiber light incident / exit surface 55 is removed by the optical adhesive 58. This is a step of forming the light-transmitting portion 56 by filling with. The translucent member 57 is fitted in the fitting groove 42 and attached to the connector main body lower surface 34 side. A gap between the translucent member 57 and the optical fiber light incident / exit surface 55 is filled with an epoxy resin-based transparent ultraviolet curing adhesive or the like. Thus, the manufacture of the optical connector 10 is completed.

  Next, another method for manufacturing the optical connector 10 will be described. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a manufacturing process of the optical connector 10. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the same element and detailed description is abbreviate | omitted.

  In the method of manufacturing the optical connector 10, the optical fiber 16 before forming the optical path changing surface 54 is inserted from the optical fiber insertion port 22, inserted into the optical fiber insertion path 24, and the distal end portion 36 of the optical fiber 16 is inserted into the window portion. 26, an optical fiber attaching step for attaching the optical fiber 16 to the connector body 20, and a tip end portion of the optical fiber 16 at a predetermined inclination angle with respect to the optical axis direction of the optical fiber 16 or the optical element 14 from the window portion 26. An optical path changing surface 54 that optically couples the optical fiber 16 and the optical element 14 is formed by changing the optical axis direction by internal reflection of the signal light. An optical path changing surface forming step.

  In the optical fiber attaching step, as shown in FIG. 8A, the optical fiber 16 before forming the optical path changing surface 54 is inserted from the optical fiber insertion port 22 and inserted into the optical fiber insertion path 24. 16 is a step of attaching the optical fiber 16 to the connector main body 20 by projecting the distal end portion 36 of the 16 into the window portion 26. The optical fiber 16 is positioned on the connector body 20 by projecting the end portion 36 of the bare fiber from which the coating has been removed into the window portion 26 by a predetermined amount, and then fixed to the connector body 20 with an epoxy resin adhesive or the like. The

  In the optical path changing surface forming step, the optical path is changed by a laser processing device that irradiates the tip portion 36 of the optical fiber 16 with the laser beam 90 at a predetermined inclination angle with respect to the optical axis direction of the optical fiber 16 or the optical element 14 from the window portion 26. This is a step of forming the surface 54. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of the laser processing apparatus 100. The laser processing apparatus 100 includes a laser light source 104, a mirror 106, a condenser lens 108, a stage 112 on which a workpiece 110 is placed, and a control unit 114. 16 has a function as a processing means for processing the tip end portion 36 at a predetermined inclination angle with respect to the optical axis direction of the optical fiber 16 or the optical element 14. As the laser processing apparatus 100, for example, an excimer laser apparatus used for processing an optical fiber or a planar optical waveguide is used.

  The laser light source 104 has a function of emitting a laser beam 90 such as a KrF excimer laser. The mirror 106 has a function of reflecting the laser beam 90 emitted from the laser light source 104 and directing the laser beam 90 toward the workpiece 110. The mirror 106 is formed by, for example, a metal coating or a dielectric coating. The laser beam condensing lens 108 has a function of condensing the laser beam reflected by the mirror 106 and irradiating the workpiece 110. The stage 112 is composed of, for example, a six-axis stage, etc., and has a function of placing the workpiece 110, and is configured to be capable of minute movement precisely in the six-axis directions such as the X direction, the Y direction, and the Z direction. Has been.

  The control unit 114 has a function of controlling the laser light source 104, the mirror 106, and the stage 112, and includes, for example, a general personal computer. The control unit 114 can control the laser light source 104 to emit or stop the emission of the laser beam 90. The controller 114 can adjust the reflection angle of the laser beam 90 emitted from the laser light source 104 by controlling the mirror 106. The control unit 114 can move the position of the workpiece 110 by controlling the stage 112.

  First, the control unit 114 controls the angle of the mirror 106 or the direction of the stage 112 in order to irradiate the laser beam 90 to the distal end portion 36 of the optical fiber 16 at a predetermined inclination angle with respect to the optical axis direction of the optical fiber 16. . The control unit 114 controls the stage 112 so that the distal end portion 36 of the optical fiber 16 is positioned at a substantially focal point of the laser beam 90 condensed by the laser beam condensing lens 108. Next, the control unit 114 controls the laser light source 104 to emit the laser beam 90. As shown in FIG. 8B, the emitted laser beam 90 is reflected by the mirror 106, collected by the condenser lens 108, passes through the window portion 26 from the connector main body upper surface side opening 64, and passes through the optical fiber 16. The tip portion 36 of the optical fiber 16 is irradiated at a predetermined inclination angle with respect to the optical axis direction. Then, as shown in FIG. 8C, the distal end portion 36 of the optical fiber 16 is ablated by the laser beam 90 to form an optical path changing surface 54 having a predetermined inclination angle. The tilt angle of the laser beam 90 is preferably 45 degrees with respect to the optical axis direction of the optical fiber 16. By irradiating the distal end portion 36 of the optical fiber 16 with the laser beam 90 at an inclination angle of 45 degrees with respect to the optical axis direction of the optical fiber 16, the optical path is inclined at 45 degrees with respect to the optical axis direction of the optical fiber 16. A surface 54 is formed.

  Further, a light-transmitting portion is provided between the optical fiber light incident / exit surface 55 and the optical element 14 so as to be in contact with the optical fiber light incident / exit surface 55 and the optical element 14 and to provide a light-transmitting portion 56 formed of an optical resin. It is preferable to provide a process. As shown in FIG. 8D, in the light transmitting portion forming step, the light transmitting member 57 is attached to the connector main body 20, and the gap between the light transmitting member 57 and the optical fiber light incident / exit surface 55 is removed by the optical adhesive 58. This is a step of forming the light-transmitting portion 56 by filling with. The translucent member 57 is fitted in the fitting groove 42 and attached to the connector main body lower surface 34 side. A gap between the translucent member 57 and the optical fiber light incident / exit surface 55 is filled with an epoxy resin-based transparent ultraviolet curing adhesive or the like. Thus, the manufacture of the optical connector 10 is completed.

  As described above, according to the optical connector configured as described above, the optical path changing surface is formed on the optical fiber, and the optical path changing surface is not provided on the connector main body. Therefore, the optical path changing surface is a minute and precise optical component. There is no need to use a molding die with a complicated structure to integrally mold the connector body, and molding can be performed using a molding die with a simplified and simplified structure, thus shortening the lead time for mold production. As well as being able to reduce mold production costs. In addition, by forming the optical path changing surface in the optical fiber and not providing the optical path changing surface in the connector body, it is not necessary to mold the resin with a molding die with a complicated structure. A simple optical connector can be easily manufactured. From these things, the manufacturing cost of an optical connector can be held down.

  According to the optical connector having the above configuration, since the optical path changing surface is formed in the optical fiber, when performing a design change of the optical path changing surface, cutting or laser processing for processing the tip of the optical fiber from the window portion. It is only necessary to adjust the processing conditions such as, and there is no need to change the design of the molding die for molding the connector body. For example, even when the inclination angle on the optical path changing surface is changed, the processing conditions of the tip portion of the optical fiber may be adjusted, so that the manufacturing cost of the optical connector can be suppressed.

  According to the optical connector configured as described above, the connector main body has at least one guide hole that is positioned in the optical module through the guide pin, so that the optical path changing surface is positioned in the optical axis direction of the optical element. It can be done easily.

  According to the method for manufacturing an optical connector in the above configuration, after the tip of the optical fiber protrudes and attaches to the window of the connector body, the tip of the optical fiber is processed from the window by cutting or laser processing. By forming the optical path changing surface, the accuracy of the position and orientation of the optical path changing surface can be improved more easily. If the tip of the optical fiber is tilted before fixing the optical fiber to the connector body, it will be necessary to adjust the tilt direction (phase), making precise positioning extremely difficult and resulting in inaccuracy (such as the position of the tip of the optical fiber). Angle direction) is likely to occur. However, after fixing the optical fiber to the connector body, the positioning direction between the processing means for tilting and the connector body should be ensured by determining (processing) the inclination direction of the tip of the optical fiber. The optical fiber tip processing becomes easy, and the manufacturing cost of the optical connector can be reduced and the manufacturing yield can be improved.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Optical connector 12 Optical module 14 Optical element 16 Optical fiber 18 Circuit board 20 Connector main body 22 Optical fiber insertion port 24 Optical fiber insertion path 26 Window part 28 First insertion path 30 Second insertion path 32 Connector main body upper surface 34 Connector main body lower surface 36 Tip portion 40 Optical fiber hole 42 Fitting groove 44 Groove bottom surface 46 Groove side surface 48 Guide pin 50 Guide hole 52 Connector body lower surface side opening 54 Optical path changing surface 55 Optical fiber light incident / exit surface 56 Light transmitting portion 57 Light transmitting member 58 Optical bonding Agent 60 Guide hole 62 Translucent member light incident / exit surface 64 Connector body upper surface side opening 66 Cover body fitting groove 68 Cover body fitting groove bottom surface 70 Cover body fitting groove side surface 72 Cutting device 73, 110 Workpiece 74 Cutting Blade 76 Output shaft 78 Drive motor 80, 112 Stage 82, 114 Control unit 84 Cutting edge 0 The laser beam 100 laser processing apparatus 104 laser light source 106 mirrors 108 a laser beam focusing lens

Claims (4)

An optical connector that is disposed facing the optical element of an optical element component provided with an optical element, holds an optical waveguide, and optically couples between the optical waveguide and the optical element,
Provided with a connector body made of synthetic resin
An optical waveguide insertion port provided on an end surface of the connector body, into which the optical waveguide is inserted;
An optical waveguide insertion path that is provided in the connector body, communicates with the optical waveguide insertion port, and inserts the optical waveguide;
A window portion formed so as to penetrate between the connector main body upper surface and the connector main body lower surface, communicating with the optical waveguide insertion path so as to face the optical element in the connector main body,
Including
The optical waveguide is disposed so that a distal end portion of the optical waveguide protrudes from the window portion, and the distal end portion of the optical waveguide is formed to be inclined with respect to an optical axis direction of the optical waveguide or the optical element, causes optical coupling between in the optical axis direction is changed by the internal reflection of the signal light and the optical waveguide and the optical element, have a light path changing surface formed by cutting or laser machining through the window ,
A fitting groove provided on the lower surface of the connector main body and formed to be larger than the window portion so as to communicate with the window portion; A light transmitting / receiving surface provided between the light incident / exit surface of the signal light and the optical element, in contact with the light incident / exit surface and the optical element, and formed of an optical resin,
The optical element component has a guide pin or a guide hole for positioning the connector main body to the optical element component, and the connector main body is a guide hole for inserting the guide pin of the optical element component or the optical element component. An optical connector having a guide pin inserted into a guide hole . The optical connector according to claim 1 ,
The optical connector is an optical fiber or a planar optical waveguide. Optical connector manufacturing method for manufacturing an optical connector that is disposed to face an optical element of an optical element component provided with an optical element, holds an optical waveguide, and optically couples between the optical waveguide and the optical element Because
The optical connector includes a connector main body formed of a synthetic resin, provided on an end surface of the connector main body, an optical waveguide insertion port for inserting the optical waveguide, an optical waveguide insertion port provided in the connector main body, An optical waveguide insertion path through which the optical waveguide is inserted, and an optical waveguide insertion path that is in communication with the optical element so as to face the optical element to the connector body, and pass between the upper surface of the connector body and the lower surface of the connector body. And a fitting groove provided on the lower surface of the connector main body and formed to be larger than the window portion in communication with the window portion, and the optical waveguide from the optical waveguide insertion port. An optical waveguide mounting step of inserting, inserting the optical waveguide into the connector body, inserting the optical waveguide through the optical waveguide insertion path, projecting the distal end portion of the optical waveguide into the window portion, and
The tip of the optical waveguide is processed from the window by a processing means that processes the optical waveguide at a predetermined inclination angle with respect to the optical axis direction of the optical waveguide or the optical element, and the optical axis direction is reflected by internal reflection of signal light. An optical path changing surface forming step for forming an optical path changing surface for optically coupling between the optical waveguide and the optical element by changing,
After the optical path changing surface forming step, the optical light element is provided by being fitted in the fitting groove between the light incident / exiting surface of the signal light and the optical element at the distal end portion of the optical waveguide, A translucent part forming step of contacting the optical element and providing a translucent part formed of optical resin;
Equipped with a,
The processing means is inserted into the window and cuts the front end of the optical waveguide by contacting the front end of the optical waveguide at a predetermined inclination angle with respect to the optical axis direction of the optical waveguide or the optical element. A cutting device having a cutting portion, or a laser that performs laser processing by irradiating a laser beam from the window portion to the tip portion of the optical waveguide at a predetermined inclination angle with respect to the optical axis direction of the optical waveguide or the optical element. Processing equipment,
The optical element component has a guide pin or a guide hole for positioning the connector main body to the optical element component, and the connector main body is a guide hole for inserting the guide pin of the optical element component or the optical element component. A method of manufacturing an optical connector comprising a guide pin inserted into a guide hole . It is a manufacturing method of the optical connector according to claim 3 ,
The method of manufacturing an optical connector, wherein the optical waveguide is an optical fiber or a planar optical waveguide.

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