JPH0264507A - Optical needle and manufacture thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To make it possible to easily and surely form an optical needle by inserting an optical fiber into a metallic cover, partly projecting the fiber, compressively grinding the cover before curing of an adhesive and forming a plane perpendicular to the major axis. CONSTITUTION: The optical fiber 28 is immersed into an adhesive and is inserted into the internal cavity 26 of the slender tubular metallic cover 24 until its front end projects slightly therefrom Before the adhesive cures, a die 32 is pressed to one end 33 of the metallic cover 24 and the one end 33 is crimped or compressed to impart concentricity between the optical fiber 28 and the metallic cover 24. The compressed one end 33 is ground and is so worked to impart the flat surface perpendicular to the major axis of the metallic cover 24, by which the optical needle is formed.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention] (Industrial application field) The present invention relates to an optical needle and a method for manufacturing the same.

(Structure of the Invention) The optical needle consists of an optical fiber housed in a metal cover,
Both have the same axis. The optical fiber has optical surfaces formed at both ends thereof. Because the metal cover is relatively stiff compared to the optical fiber, the optical needle can be easily screwed into the alignment member, for example, to align the optical surface of one optical fiber with the optical surface of another optical fiber. This alignment member is, for example, in the form of a ceramic phenol.

According to the present invention, a method for manufacturing an optical needle by dipping a length of optical fiber into an adhesive and inserting it into an elongated tubular metal cover and curing said adhesive comprises: Upon insertion, before the adhesive hardens, at least one end of the metal cover is compressed to ensure concentricity between the optical fiber and the metal cover, and one compressed end is ground to align the long axis of the metal cover. The process consists of providing a flat surface perpendicular to the surface. It is necessary to insert the optical fiber into the metal cover to such an extent that the optical fiber protrudes beyond the one end of the metal cover.

Further, according to the present invention, the metal cover is made of a metal cover, and at least one end of the metal cover is compressed to ensure concentricity between the optical fiber and the metal cover, and one end of the metal cover is ground and the optical fiber is ground. An optical needle is provided providing a flat optical surface perpendicular to the long axis of the fiber.

(Example) The present invention will be described in more detail based on an example with reference to the attached drawings.

An optical fiber 28 dipped in liquid adhesive and slightly smaller than the lumen 26 of the metal cover 24 is inserted into the lumen until one end 28' of the optical fiber 28 protrudes from the lumen 26, as shown. Insert into 26. before the adhesive hardens.
The die 32 is applied to one end 33 of the metal cover 24, and the one end 33 is crimped or compressed to eliminate the gap 35 between the wall of the lumen 2B and the optical fiber 28 at the one end 33, thereby separating the optical fiber 2B and the metal cover. Give concentricity between 24. Once the adhesive has cured, the optical fibers 28 are brought into close proximity to the ends 33 of the metal cover 24, and the ends 33 are ground to line A in the drawing to form the respective ends of the optical needles manufactured in the manner described above. gives an optical surface. This optical surface is perpendicular to the long axis of metal cover 24.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

The drawing is a schematic illustration of an embodiment of an optical needle according to the invention. 24...Metal cover 2B...Inner cavity 28.
...Optical fiber 33...End 35...Gap

Claims (1)

Claims: 1) A method of manufacturing an optical needle by dipping a length of optical fiber (28) in an adhesive, inserting it into an elongated tubular metal cover (24), and curing said adhesive. And,
When the optical fiber (28) is inserted into the metal cover (24),
Before the adhesive hardens, at least one end of the metal cover (24) is compressed to separate the optical fiber (28) and the metal cover (24).
4) A method for manufacturing an optical needle, comprising the steps of ensuring concentricity between the two and grinding the compressed end (33) to give a flat surface perpendicular to the long axis of the metal cover (24). 2) The optical fiber (28) is inserted into the metal cover (24) to such an extent that the optical fiber (28) projects beyond the one end of the metal cover (24). Method for manufacturing optical needles. 3) consisting of a metal cover (24);
At least one end (33) of the optical fiber (28) is compressed to ensure concentricity between the optical fiber (28) and the metal cover (24), and one end (33) of the optical fiber (28) is ground. ) an optical fiber needle characterized in that it presents a flat optical surface perpendicular to the long axis of the fiber.