JPH023002A - Positioning method for butt end face of optical fiber - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To prevent the deterioration of an optical transmission characteristic to be caused by an external flaw by running an end face of an optical fiber against a collision plate which is placed between both the optical fibers without bringing a core part of the optical fiber into contact therewith. CONSTITUTION:A collision plate 2 in which a recessed part 21 is formed is used for a part which a core 11 part of an optical fiber 1 of both faces comes into contact with, so that when the end faces of both the optical fibers 1 are run against the collision plate 2, only a clad 12 part of the optical fiber comes into contact with the collision plate 2, and the core 11 part does not come into contact with the collision plate 2 due to the recessed part 21. Accordingly, when the optical fiber 1 is run against the collision plate 2, only its clad 12 part comes into contact with the collision plate 2, and the core 11 part does not come into contact with the collision plate 2. In such a way, an external flaw caused by the contact of the core 11 can be prevented, and the deterioration of an optical transmission characteristic to be caused by an external flaw can be prevented.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION (Field of Industrial Application) The present invention relates to a method for positioning abutting end faces of optical fibers when fusion splicing or temporarily splicing optical fibers in optical communications.

(Prior Art and Problems to be Solved) FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of an example of a conventional method for positioning abutting end faces of optical fibers. As shown in the figure, the optical fiber (1) is positioned by abutting against both sides of the abutment plate (2), which is placed in advance between the end faces of the opposing optical fibers (1).

In the conventional positioning method described above, since the core (1 plate) end of the optical fiber (1) comes into contact with the abutment plate (2), there is a risk that the core end face will be damaged. Loss during this period increases and optical transmission characteristics deteriorate.

If the optical fiber (1) is brought into contact with the plate (2) at the intersection, it is not possible to transmit light between the two optical fibers (1). Furthermore, there is a problem in that the axis misalignment of the optical fiber (1) can only be observed in one direction.

(Means for Solving the Problems) The present invention provides a method for positioning the abutting end faces of optical fibers that solves the above-mentioned problems. It's about guessing.

FIGS. 1A to 1C are explanatory views of specific examples of the method for positioning abutting end faces of optical fibers according to the present invention.

In the same figure (A), as an abutting plate (2), the starting point ζ (21
) is used to connect both optical fibers (1
) is pressed against the abutting plate (2).
Only the cladding (12) part of 1) contacts the abutment plate (2), and the core (1)) part contacts the abutment plate (2) by the four parts mentioned above.
) Avoid contact with

In the same figure (1''), the abutment plate (2) is positioned below the axes of both optical fibers (1), and only a part of the lower part of the cladding (12) of the optical fiber (1) is attached to the abutment plate (1). 2) so that the core (1)) portion and the upper portion of the cladding (12) do not come into contact with each other.

In the same figure (c), an optical fiber (1
The core (1)) of the core (1) is located in this gap (221i'!l), and the cladding (12) is in contact with the abutment plate (2).

(Function) As shown in Figure 1 (a) to (c), the abutting plate (2)
By considering the configuration of the optical fiber (+) or the positional relationship with respect to the optical fiber (+1),
When the cladding (I2) is in contact with the abutting plate (2), only the core (1) part is in contact with the abutting plate (2).
Never come into contact with. Therefore, damage caused by contact with the core (II) can be prevented.

In addition, as shown in the same figure (c), there is no inclusion in an optical sense between the opposing optical fiber end faces, such as by providing a gap (22) in the center of the abutment plate (2). By doing so, optical transmission between both optical fibers becomes possible.

Figures 3 (a) and (b) both show the axis deviation of the optical fiber (1) observed using an optical system such as a microscope when the optical fiber (1) is positioned upside down by the abutting plate (2) as shown in Figure 1. FIG.

At this time, by disposing a mirror (3) inclined at 45 degrees with respect to the observation direction of the optical fiber (1) on the side of the abutment plate (2), the optical fiber image can be seen as shown in (a) and (b) in the figure. By observing with a microscope from above, optical fiber images in two directions intersecting 1a can be observed.

Furthermore, after positioning both optical fibers (1) by abutting them against the abutting plate (2) as described in "-" and observing the axis deviation of the optical fibers (1), from this state, the abutting plate (2) ), the abutting plate (2) touches the core of the optical fiber (1) (
1)) may damage the core (2). In order to prevent this, the abutment plate (2)
By retracting the core (1) of the optical fiber (1) in the direction of the arrow in the figure, the core (1) of the optical fiber (1) does not come into contact with the abutment plate (2), and the core (I) is not damaged.

(Effect of the invention) Here it is! - As explained above, according to the method for positioning the abutting end faces of optical fibers of the present invention, when the optical fiber is abutted against the abutment plate, only the cladding portion contacts the abutment plate, and the core portion contacts the abutment plate. By avoiding contact with the core, the core will not be damaged and deterioration of optical transmission characteristics due to damage can be prevented.

At this time, light transmission between the optical fibers is made possible by providing a gap in the center of the abutment plate or otherwise preventing optical inclusions from forming between the opposing end surfaces of the optical fibers.

In addition, by placing a mirror tilted at 45 degrees with respect to the optical fiber viewing direction on the abutment plate, it is possible to observe optical fiber flaws in two orthogonal directions using the optical system, and it is possible to correct axial misalignment, etc. becomes.

Furthermore, by considering the retracting direction of the abutment plate in the positioning state of the optical fiber, it is possible to prevent damage to the core of the optical fiber when the abutment plate is retracted.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIGS. 1A to 1C are explanatory views of specific examples of the method for positioning abutting end faces of optical fibers according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of a conventional positioning method. FIG. 3 (ri and naka) are explanatory diagrams of a method for observing the optical fiber positioned in FIG. 1. FIGS. 4(a) to 4(a) are explanatory diagrams of a method for retracting the abutting plate from the positioning state of the optical fiber.

Claims (4)

[Claims] (1) A method of positioning the end surfaces of opposing optical fibers by abutting them against an abutment plate placed in advance between both optical fibers, characterized in that the core portion of the optical fiber abuts against the abutment plate without contacting the abutment plate. A method for positioning the butt end faces of optical fibers. (2) The optical fiber according to claim (1), characterized in that when both optical fibers are abutted against the abutment plate, a gap defined by the abutment plate exists between the cores of both optical fibers. Butt end face positioning method. (3) A claim characterized in that a mirror tilted at 45° with respect to the observation direction is provided on the abutment plate, both optical fibers are abutted against the abutment plate, and both optical fibers are observed from one direction by an optical system. The method for positioning abutting end faces of optical fibers according to item (1) or (2). (4) Claim (1) characterized in that when the abutment plate is retracted with both optical fibers abutting against the abutment plate, the core portions of both optical fibers do not come into contact with the abutment plate at the time of retraction. Alternatively, the method for positioning abutting end faces of optical fibers according to (2).