JPH0548445B2 - - Google Patents
Info
- Publication number
- JPH0548445B2 JPH0548445B2 JP58037382A JP3738283A JPH0548445B2 JP H0548445 B2 JPH0548445 B2 JP H0548445B2 JP 58037382 A JP58037382 A JP 58037382A JP 3738283 A JP3738283 A JP 3738283A JP H0548445 B2 JPH0548445 B2 JP H0548445B2
- Authority
- JP
- Japan
- Prior art keywords
- glass tube
- optical fiber
- optical
- hollow glass
- optical fibers
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Lifetime
Links
- 239000011521 glass Substances 0.000 claims description 79
- 239000013307 optical fiber Substances 0.000 claims description 67
- 230000003287 optical effect Effects 0.000 claims description 24
- 238000009826 distribution Methods 0.000 claims description 23
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 claims description 19
- 238000010438 heat treatment Methods 0.000 claims description 16
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 claims description 11
- 239000002994 raw material Substances 0.000 claims description 8
- 239000007788 liquid Substances 0.000 claims description 6
- 238000001035 drying Methods 0.000 claims description 4
- VYPSYNLAJGMNEJ-UHFFFAOYSA-N Silicium dioxide Chemical compound O=[Si]=O VYPSYNLAJGMNEJ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 6
- 238000003780 insertion Methods 0.000 description 5
- 230000037431 insertion Effects 0.000 description 5
- 238000005253 cladding Methods 0.000 description 3
- 238000010586 diagram Methods 0.000 description 3
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 3
- 230000001902 propagating effect Effects 0.000 description 3
- ATUOYWHBWRKTHZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N Propane Chemical compound CCC ATUOYWHBWRKTHZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 230000005540 biological transmission Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000007796 conventional method Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 2
- 230000004927 fusion Effects 0.000 description 2
- RZVAJINKPMORJF-UHFFFAOYSA-N Acetaminophen Chemical compound CC(=O)NC1=CC=C(O)C=C1 RZVAJINKPMORJF-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- LFQSCWFLJHTTHZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N Ethanol Chemical compound CCO LFQSCWFLJHTTHZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- BLRPTPMANUNPDV-UHFFFAOYSA-N Silane Chemical compound [SiH4] BLRPTPMANUNPDV-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 150000004703 alkoxides Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 239000008119 colloidal silica Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000008878 coupling Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000010168 coupling process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000005859 coupling reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000005520 cutting process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000002019 doping agent Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000005516 engineering process Methods 0.000 description 1
- -1 etc. can be used Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000000835 fiber Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000002844 melting Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000008018 melting Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000000203 mixture Substances 0.000 description 1
- 235000019353 potassium silicate Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 239000001294 propane Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000005297 pyrex Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000010453 quartz Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000012827 research and development Methods 0.000 description 1
- 229910000077 silane Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000000377 silicon dioxide Substances 0.000 description 1
- NTHWMYGWWRZVTN-UHFFFAOYSA-N sodium silicate Chemical compound [Na+].[Na+].[O-][Si]([O-])=O NTHWMYGWWRZVTN-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 238000004017 vitrification Methods 0.000 description 1
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 230000037303 wrinkles Effects 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G02—OPTICS
- G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
- G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
- G02B6/24—Coupling light guides
- G02B6/26—Optical coupling means
- G02B6/28—Optical coupling means having data bus means, i.e. plural waveguides interconnected and providing an inherently bidirectional system by mixing and splitting signals
- G02B6/2804—Optical coupling means having data bus means, i.e. plural waveguides interconnected and providing an inherently bidirectional system by mixing and splitting signals forming multipart couplers without wavelength selective elements, e.g. "T" couplers, star couplers
- G02B6/2856—Optical coupling means having data bus means, i.e. plural waveguides interconnected and providing an inherently bidirectional system by mixing and splitting signals forming multipart couplers without wavelength selective elements, e.g. "T" couplers, star couplers formed or shaped by thermal heating means, e.g. splitting, branching and/or combining elements
Description
【発明の詳細な説明】
［産業上の利用分野］
本発明は光フアイバを伝搬する光ビームを複数
本の光フアイバに分配する光分配回路の製造方法
に関するものである。DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing an optical distribution circuit that distributes a light beam propagating through an optical fiber to a plurality of optical fibers.
［従来の技術］
光フアイバ伝送技術の急速な進歩に伴い、コン
ピユータ−コンピユータ間やコンピユータ端末間
のデータ伝送に光フアイバを使用する光データリ
ンクの研究開発が盛んに行われている。この光デ
ータリンクを構成する上で、複数本の入力用光フ
アイバからの光信号をミキシングして複数本の出
力用光フアイバの低損失で、かつ均等に分配し得
る光分配回路は必須のデバイスである。[Background Art] With the rapid progress of optical fiber transmission technology, research and development of optical data links that use optical fibers for data transmission between computers or between computer terminals is being actively conducted. In configuring this optical data link, an optical distribution circuit that can mix optical signals from multiple input optical fibers and distribute them evenly and with low loss to multiple output optical fibers is an essential device. It is.
従来、この種の光分配回路として、第１図に示
すように、多数本の光フアイバを１個所でまと
め、加熱しながらねじりを加えて融着し、その中
央部にテーパ状の領域５を形成することによつて
分配するものがある。このような構成にすること
により、たとえば光フアイバ１からの伝搬光ビー
ムを光フアイバ６，７，８および９に分配するよ
うになつている。しかしながら、テーパ状の細い
領域５は加熱溶融によつてその外径が１本の光フ
アイバの外径とほぼ等しい径にまで延伸されるの
で、中央部が折れ易くなり、信頼に欠ける。ま
た、このような細径延伸技術は熟練を要するた
め、その製造歩留りは悪く、量産には向かない方
法であつた。またテーパ部の表面状態によつて挿
入損失が変動するという問題点もあつた。そして
最大の問題点が、中央部の断面外径は加熱延伸前
は円ではなかつたものを加熱しながらねじりを加
えて融着、延伸してその断面外径を延するため
に、その断面内での各々の光フアイバの断面形状
はそのしわよせがきてそれぞれ不均一な形状にな
ることである。そのため、各々の光フアイバ間の
光結合も不均一となり、分配バラツキが大きくな
る点であつた。 Conventionally, as shown in FIG. 1, this type of optical distribution circuit has been constructed by combining a large number of optical fibers in one place, twisting and fusing them while heating, and forming a tapered region 5 in the center. There are things that are distributed by forming. With this configuration, for example, a propagating light beam from the optical fiber 1 is distributed to the optical fibers 6, 7, 8, and 9. However, since the tapered narrow region 5 is stretched by heating and melting until its outer diameter is approximately equal to the outer diameter of a single optical fiber, the central portion tends to break, resulting in a lack of reliability. Further, since such a narrow diameter stretching technique requires skill, the manufacturing yield is poor, and the method is not suitable for mass production. Another problem was that the insertion loss varied depending on the surface condition of the tapered portion. The biggest problem is that the cross-sectional outside diameter of the center part was not circular before heating and stretching, but in order to fuse and stretch it while heating, the cross-sectional outside diameter of the central part is extended. The cross-sectional shape of each optical fiber becomes uneven due to the wrinkles. Therefore, the optical coupling between the respective optical fibers also becomes non-uniform, resulting in large distribution variations.
第２図は１本の光フアイバを伝搬する光ビーム
を複数本の光フアイバに分配する従来の光分配回
路の製造法の工程を示す斜視図である。これは、
複数本の光フアイバ１０の一方の端１１を一つに
まとめ、ガラス管１２の中を貫通させる工程と、
ガラス管の外側から加熱源１４で加熱し、一体と
なつた溶融光フアイバを形成しながら、上記複数
本の光フアイバに一方の端１１から引張り力１３
を加え、上記溶融光フアイバをテーパ状１５に形
成する工程と、１本の光フアイバ径と等しい所で
上記テーパ部を切断する工程と、その切断面に他
の１本の光フアイバ１６を融着する工程からなる
光分配回路の製造法である。この方法がテーパ部
がガラス管で覆われているため、第１図の場合の
ような折れ易い、テーパ部の表面状態によつて挿
入損失が変動する。製造歩留りが悪いといつた問
題点は軽減される。しかし、ガラス管内が複数本
の光フアイバで中実されることはなく、必ず隙間
ができるので、このような状態でテーパ状に延伸
した場合には、他の１本の光フアイバを融着する
切断面の各々の光フアイバの断面形状も不均一に
なる。その不均一の度合いは第１図の場合よりも
少ないがやはり問題になる。またこの方法ではテ
ーパ状の切断面と他の１本の光フアイバとの融着
の際に精密な光学軸調整が必要であり、融着端面
の位置ずれによる分配バラツキを生じ易いといつ
た問題がある。 FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the steps of a conventional method for manufacturing an optical distribution circuit that distributes a light beam propagating through one optical fiber to a plurality of optical fibers. this is,
A step of combining one end 11 of the plurality of optical fibers 10 into one and passing it through the glass tube 12;
While heating the glass tube from the outside with a heat source 14 to form an integrated fused optical fiber, a tensile force 13 is applied to the plurality of optical fibers from one end 11.
a step of forming the fused optical fiber into a tapered shape 15, a step of cutting the tapered portion at a location equal to the diameter of one optical fiber, and fusion of another optical fiber 16 on the cut surface. This is a method of manufacturing an optical distribution circuit, which consists of a step of attaching the optical distribution circuit. In this method, since the tapered part is covered with a glass tube, the insertion loss varies depending on the surface condition of the tapered part, which is easily broken as in the case of FIG. The problem of poor manufacturing yield is alleviated. However, the inside of the glass tube is never filled with multiple optical fibers, and there is always a gap, so if the glass tube is stretched into a tapered shape in this condition, another optical fiber must be fused. The cross-sectional shape of each optical fiber at the cut surface also becomes non-uniform. Although the degree of non-uniformity is less than in the case of FIG. 1, it is still a problem. Another problem with this method is that precise optical axis adjustment is required when fusing the tapered cut surface with another optical fiber, which tends to cause distribution variations due to misalignment of the fused end face. There is.
本発明は、前記問題点を解決すべく創案された
ものであり、その目的は、挿入損失分配バラツキ
が小さい光分配回路を容易に製造することができ
る量産性に適した製造方法を提供することにあ
る。 The present invention was devised to solve the above-mentioned problems, and its purpose is to provide a manufacturing method suitable for mass production that can easily manufacture an optical distribution circuit with small insertion loss distribution variation. It is in.
［課題を解決するための手段］
上記目的を達成するために、本発明は、中空ガ
ラス管内に複数本の光フアイバを束にして挿入
し、その中空ガラス管の外周を加熱源で加熱しな
がら中空ガラス管の両端側（あるいは片端側の
み）から中空ガラス管の軸方向に引張り力を加え
て中空ガラス管をテーパ状に延伸し、中空ガラス
管と光フアイバ束とを融着することにより、入力
側および出力側光フアイバがｎ本（ｎ＞２）から
なる光分配回路を製造する方法において、上記中
空ガラス管内に挿入する光フアイバを予め中間部
で切断し、その端面処理後またはそのままの状態
で中空ガラス管の両端から上記切断した光フアイ
バ束を挿入して切断面同志を突き合わせ、ガラス
管と光フアイバ束、光フアイバと光フアイバの隙
間に、乾燥、加熱処理によりガラス化するガラス
原料液を充填してテーパ状に延伸するようにし
た。[Means for Solving the Problems] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention involves inserting a plurality of optical fibers into a bundle into a hollow glass tube, and heating the outer periphery of the hollow glass tube with a heating source. By applying a tensile force in the axial direction of the hollow glass tube from both ends (or only one end) of the hollow glass tube, stretching the hollow glass tube into a tapered shape, and fusing the hollow glass tube and the optical fiber bundle, In a method for manufacturing an optical distribution circuit consisting of n optical fibers on the input side and output side (n>2), the optical fiber to be inserted into the hollow glass tube is cut in advance at the middle part, and the end face is treated or left as is. In this state, the cut optical fiber bundle is inserted from both ends of the hollow glass tube, the cut surfaces are butted together, and the glass raw material to be vitrified by drying and heat treatment is inserted into the gaps between the glass tube and the optical fiber bundle, and between the optical fibers. It was filled with liquid and stretched into a tapered shape.
［実施例］
次に、本発明の実施例について第３図乃至第８
図を用いて説明する。[Example] Next, FIGS. 3 to 8 show examples of the present invention.
This will be explained using figures.
第３図ａ，ｂは本発明の光分配回路の製造方法
を説明するための概略図である。１７はガラス旋
盤で、中空ガラス管１８をチヤツクするチヤツク
部２５，２５′と、中空ガラス管１８を矢印２２
方法（あるいはその反対方向）に回転させる機構
と、主軸台２１，２１′を矢印２３，２３′方向
（あるいはそれぞれの反対方向）に移動させる機
構を有している。まずａに示すように、複数本の
光フアイバ１９を中空ガラス管１８内に挿入す
る。その場合、光フアイバ１９は予めその中間部
で切断したものを使用し、その端面処理後または
そのままの状態で図６に示すように中空ガラス管
１８の両端から挿入し、中空ガラス管１８の中間
部２９にて切断面同志を突き合わせる。さらに第
４図及び第５図に示すように、中空ガラス管１８
内には乾燥、加熱処理によりガラス化するガラス
原料液（ガラス２７）を充填しておく。その中空
ガラス管１８をガラス旋盤１７のチヤツク部２
５，２５′にチヤツクし、矢印２２方向へ回転さ
せる。中空ガラス管１８の中央部付近を加熱源２
０（都市ガス，プロパンガス、あるいは酸水素ガ
スを用いたバーナまたは抵抗加熱ヒータ、高周波
加熱ヒータ、さらにはCO2レーザなどでもよい。）
で加熱する。加熱方法は、中空ガラス管の外周か
ら一方向、または複数の方向、さらには同心状に
加熱する。この実施例の場合には１本バーナを用
いて加熱してある。なお、中空ガラス管の外周か
ら一様に加熱できる場合には中空ガラス管は矢印
２２方向へ回転させなくもよい。中空ガラス管が
軟化し始めたら、ガラス旋盤の主軸台２１，２
１′の両方（あるいはどちらか一方のみ）を矢印
２３，２３′方向（あるいは、２３か２３′方向の
いずれかのみ）へ延伸し中空ガラス管１８と光フ
アイバ束１９とを融着させ、テーパ部２４を形成
させる（第３図ｂ参照）。この過程で、上記ガラ
ス原料液が中空ガラス管１８の光フアイバ束１
９、光フアイバと光フアイバの隙間を埋めた状態
でガラス化する。ここで延伸はテーパ部２４の中
央付近の延伸された光フアイバ束の外径が１本の
光フアイバの直径とほぼ同程度になるまで続け
る。この作業はたとえばレーザを用いた光学的非
接触型寸法測定器で上記ガラス管の内径あるいは
外径を観測しながら延伸することによつて精度良
く行える。また上記測定器の出力信号を生後回路
を通して主軸台の移動機構にフイードバツクすれ
ば自動的に再現性よく作れるようになる。加熱源
２０は所望の直径にまで延伸するまで加熱してい
てもよいが、延伸前あるいはその途中で断にして
もよい。これはガラス管１８がすでに軟化状態に
なつていれば十分に延伸することができるという
事実に基づいた結果である。 FIGS. 3a and 3b are schematic diagrams for explaining the method of manufacturing the optical distribution circuit of the present invention. Reference numeral 17 denotes a glass lathe, which has chuck parts 25 and 25' for chucking the hollow glass tube 18, and a chuck part 25, 25' for chucking the hollow glass tube 18, and
(or in the opposite direction), and a mechanism to move the headstocks 21, 21' in the directions of arrows 23, 23' (or in the opposite directions). First, as shown in a, a plurality of optical fibers 19 are inserted into the hollow glass tube 18. In that case, the optical fiber 19 is cut in advance at its midpoint, and is inserted from both ends of the hollow glass tube 18 after its end face treatment or as is, as shown in FIG. At section 29, the cut surfaces are butted against each other. Furthermore, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the hollow glass tube 18
The inside is filled with a glass raw material liquid (glass 27) which is to be vitrified by drying and heat treatment. The hollow glass tube 18 is turned into the chuck part 2 of the glass lathe 17.
5, 25' and rotate in the direction of arrow 22. The heating source 2 is placed near the center of the hollow glass tube 18.
0 (A burner using city gas, propane gas, or oxyhydrogen gas, a resistance heater, a high-frequency heater, or even a CO 2 laser may be used.)
Heat it up. The heating method is to heat the hollow glass tube in one direction, in multiple directions, or even concentrically from the outer periphery of the hollow glass tube. In this example, one burner is used for heating. Note that if the hollow glass tube can be heated uniformly from the outer periphery, the hollow glass tube does not need to be rotated in the direction of arrow 22. When the hollow glass tube starts to soften, turn the headstock 21, 2 of the glass lathe
1' (or only one of them) is stretched in the direction of arrows 23, 23' (or only in the direction of 23 or 23'), the hollow glass tube 18 and the optical fiber bundle 19 are fused, and the taper is formed. 24 (see FIG. 3b). In this process, the glass raw material liquid is transferred to the optical fiber bundle 1 of the hollow glass tube 18.
9. Vitrify with the gaps between the optical fibers filled. Here, the stretching is continued until the outer diameter of the stretched optical fiber bundle near the center of the tapered portion 24 becomes approximately the same as the diameter of one optical fiber. This work can be carried out with high precision by, for example, stretching the glass tube while observing its inner diameter or outer diameter with an optical non-contact dimension measuring device using a laser. Furthermore, if the output signal of the measuring device is fed back to the headstock movement mechanism through the post-production circuit, it becomes possible to automatically generate the signal with good reproducibility. The heating source 20 may heat the material until it is stretched to a desired diameter, or may be cut off before or during the stretching. This is based on the fact that the glass tube 18 can be sufficiently stretched if it is already in a softened state.
第４図は中空ガラス管１８内に７本の光フアイ
バ１９−１〜１９−７を挿入した場合の延伸され
る前における中空ガラス管の中央部付近の断面図
を示したものである。この場合光フアイバは中空
ガラス管内に対称に配置されている。また、中空
ガラス管１８内には乾燥、加熱処理によりガラス
化するガラス原料液を充填し、上記隙間をガラス
２７で埋めている。このような構成で第３図の方
法により中空ガラス管を延伸して外径を真円にし
た場合、相似の断面構造となり、光の結合、分配
が均一に行われるようになる。これに対し、上記
ガラス原料液を中空ガラス管１８内に充填せずに
延伸処理を行なつた場合、隙間の部分のしわよせ
が若干光フアイバにおよぼされる。ここで上記隙
間に充填するガラス原料としては、金属アルコオ
キサイド（たとえば、Si（OC2H5）4，Si（OCH3）4，
Ｂ（OC2H5）3、など）と水の混合液、有機シラン
系のアルコール溶液（商品名シリカフイルム）、
水ガラス（たとえばK2Ｏ・nSiO2・xH2Ｏ）、コ
ロイダルシリカ、などを用いることができ、光フ
アイバのクラツドの屈折率に応じて種々使いわけ
ることができる。 FIG. 4 shows a cross-sectional view of the vicinity of the center of the hollow glass tube 18 before it is stretched when seven optical fibers 19-1 to 19-7 are inserted into the hollow glass tube. In this case, the optical fibers are arranged symmetrically within a hollow glass tube. Further, the hollow glass tube 18 is filled with a glass raw material liquid that is vitrified by drying and heat treatment, and the gap is filled with glass 27. When a hollow glass tube with such a configuration is stretched to have a perfect circular outer diameter by the method shown in FIG. 3, the cross-sectional structures will be similar, and light will be evenly coupled and distributed. On the other hand, if the drawing process is performed without filling the glass raw material liquid into the hollow glass tube 18, the optical fiber will be slightly wrinkled in the gap. Here, as the glass raw material to be filled in the above-mentioned gap, metal alkoxides (for example, Si(OC 2 H 5 ) 4 , Si(OCH 3 ) 4 ,
B (OC 2 H 5 ) 3 , etc.) and water, an organic silane alcohol solution (trade name: Silica Film),
Water glass (for example, K 2 O.nSiO 2.xH 2 O), colloidal silica, etc. can be used, and various materials can be used depending on the refractive index of the cladding of the optical fiber.
第５図は中空ガラス管１８内に光フアイバ１９
を10本挿入した場合の延伸する前における中空ガ
ラス管の中央部付近の断面図を示したものであ
る。この場合光フアイバは中空ガラス管１８内に
非対称に配置されており、隙間はガラス２７で完
全に埋め込まれている。このようにすれば、光フ
アイバが対称に配置されていない場合でも隙間の
しわよせが光フアイバにおよぼされず、延伸によ
り各々の光フアイバの断面形状を相対的に減少さ
せ、均一に保つことができる。従つて、光の分配
バラツキが生じない。 FIG. 5 shows an optical fiber 19 inside a hollow glass tube 18.
This figure shows a cross-sectional view of the vicinity of the center of a hollow glass tube before stretching when 10 tubes are inserted. In this case, the optical fibers are arranged asymmetrically in the hollow glass tube 18, and the gaps are completely filled with glass 27. In this way, even if the optical fibers are not arranged symmetrically, the wrinkling of the gap will not affect the optical fibers, and the cross-sectional shape of each optical fiber can be relatively reduced and kept uniform by stretching. I can do it. Therefore, variations in light distribution do not occur.
第７図は、第６図に用いる光フアイバの端面部
の縦断面を示したものである。この実施例の光フ
アイバはコア部３４、中間層部３３、クラツド部
３２、ジヤケツト部３１からなる構造のものであ
る。ａのように端面近傍のジヤケツト部３１のみ
を剥離した光フアイバ、ｂのようにコア部３４の
みをむきだしにした光フアイバ、さらには先端部
を丸めた光フアイバ、などを用いることができ
る。また、光フアイバの構造としては、グレーデ
ツド型、ステツプ型のいずれの屈折率分布のもの
でもよい。 FIG. 7 shows a longitudinal section of the end face portion of the optical fiber used in FIG. 6. The optical fiber of this embodiment has a structure consisting of a core section 34, an intermediate layer section 33, a clad section 32, and a jacket section 31. An optical fiber with only the jacket portion 31 in the vicinity of the end face peeled off as shown in a, an optical fiber with only the core portion 34 exposed as shown in b, and an optical fiber with a rounded tip can be used. Further, the structure of the optical fiber may be either a graded type or a step type with refractive index distribution.
第８図は本発明に適用できる中空ガラス管の構
造を示したものである。ａは同一径の中空ガラス
管、ｂは中空ガラス管の内壁に光フアイバのクラ
ツドの屈折率と同等かそれよりも低い屈折率のガ
ラス膜４５を堆積した中空ガラス管である。中空
ガラス管の材質としては、光フアイバに石英系の
ものを用いた場合には、石英ガラス、バイコール
ガラス、屈折率制御用ドーパントを含んだ石英ガ
ラスなどを用いる。多成分系フアイバを用いる場
合にはパイレツクスなどの低軟化点ガラスを用い
る。ガラス膜４５は、たとえばCVD法で堆積さ
せるが、その軟化点をクラツド部のそれよりも小
さくすることが望ましい。なお中空ガラス管の構
造は第８図のものに限定されない。たとえば、中
空ガラス管の両端部は光フアイバを挿入し易くす
るためにテーパ状に拡径されていてもよい。また
融着時の気泡残留を防ぐために中空ガラス管のど
こかに孔をあけておいてもよい。 FIG. 8 shows the structure of a hollow glass tube applicable to the present invention. A is a hollow glass tube of the same diameter, and b is a hollow glass tube in which a glass film 45 having a refractive index equal to or lower than the refractive index of the optical fiber cladding is deposited on the inner wall of the hollow glass tube. As the material of the hollow glass tube, when a quartz-based optical fiber is used, silica glass, Vycor glass, quartz glass containing a refractive index control dopant, etc. are used. When using a multi-component fiber, a low softening point glass such as Pyrex is used. The glass film 45 is deposited, for example, by CVD, and it is desirable that its softening point be lower than that of the cladding. Note that the structure of the hollow glass tube is not limited to that shown in FIG. For example, both ends of the hollow glass tube may be tapered to facilitate insertion of the optical fiber. Further, a hole may be made somewhere in the hollow glass tube in order to prevent air bubbles from remaining during fusion.
［発明の効果］
以上の説明から明らかなように本発明によれ
ば、次のような優れた効果が発揮できる。[Effects of the Invention] As is clear from the above description, according to the present invention, the following excellent effects can be exhibited.
(1) 光の結合、分配が行われるテーパ状が十分に
厚いガラスで覆われているので、機械的強度が
高く、また光学的特性も安定となる。さらにテ
ーパ部の外径は数百μm以上にできるので製造
し易く、製造歩留りもあがる。(1) The tapered shape where light is coupled and distributed is covered with sufficiently thick glass, so it has high mechanical strength and stable optical properties. Furthermore, since the outer diameter of the tapered portion can be several hundred μm or more, it is easy to manufacture and the manufacturing yield is increased.
(2) テーパ部の各々の光フアイバの断面形状が、
延伸前とほぼ相似形の円形に保てるので、光の
分配バラツキを小さく抑えることができる。(2) The cross-sectional shape of each optical fiber in the tapered part is
Since the circular shape can be maintained almost similar to that before stretching, variations in light distribution can be suppressed to a small level.
(3) 製造方法が簡単で、かつ光学軸調整などを不
要とし、低挿入損失、低分配バラツキの光分配
回路を容易に得ることができる。(3) The manufacturing method is simple, optical axis adjustment, etc. are not required, and an optical distribution circuit with low insertion loss and low distribution variation can be easily obtained.
第１図は従来の光分配回路の概略図、第２図は
従来の光分配回路の製造方法の工程を示す斜視
図、第３図ａ，ｂは本発明の光分配回路の製造方
法を説明するための概略図、第４図，第５図は中
空ガラス管内に光フアイバ束を挿入した場合の中
空ガラス管の中央部付近の断面図、第６図は本発
明の光分配回路用中空ガラス管と光フアイバ束の
構成例、第７図は本発明に用いる光フアイバの端
面付近の長手方向に沿う断面図、第８図は本発明
に用いる中空ガラス管の長手方向に沿う断面図で
ある。
図中、１〜４，６〜９，１０，１１，１６，１
９，１９−１〜１９−７，２８，２８′，３１は
光フアイバ、５は融着、テーパ部、１２，１８は
中空ガラス管、１４，２０は回転方向、２１，２
１′は主軸台、２５，２５′はチヤツク部、１３，
２３，２３′は引張り方向、２４，３０はテーパ
部、２７はガラス化原料（ガラス）である。
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a conventional optical distribution circuit, FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the steps of a conventional method of manufacturing an optical distribution circuit, and FIGS. 3a and 3b illustrate a method of manufacturing an optical distribution circuit of the present invention. 4 and 5 are cross-sectional views of the vicinity of the center of the hollow glass tube when an optical fiber bundle is inserted into the hollow glass tube, and FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of the hollow glass for optical distribution circuit of the present invention. An example of the structure of a tube and an optical fiber bundle, FIG. 7 is a sectional view along the longitudinal direction of the vicinity of the end face of the optical fiber used in the present invention, and FIG. 8 is a sectional view along the longitudinal direction of the hollow glass tube used in the present invention. . In the figure, 1-4, 6-9, 10, 11, 16, 1
9, 19-1 to 19-7, 28, 28', 31 are optical fibers, 5 is a fused tapered part, 12, 18 is a hollow glass tube, 14, 20 is a rotation direction, 21, 2
1' is the headstock, 25, 25' is the chuck part, 13,
23 and 23' are the tensile directions, 24 and 30 are tapered parts, and 27 is a vitrification raw material (glass).
Claims (1)
バを束にして挿入し、上記ガラス管の外周を加熱
源で加熱しながら上記ガラス管の端部から上記ガ
ラス管の軸方向に引張りを加えて光フアイバ束と
上記ガラス管を融着しつつ延伸する光分配回路の
製造方法において、上記中空ガラス管内に挿入す
る光フアイバを予め中間部で切断し、その端面処
理後またはそのままの状態で中空ガラス管の両端
から上記切断した光フアイバ束を挿入して切断面
同志を突き合わせ、ガラス管と光フアイバ束、光
フアイバと光フアイバの隙間に、乾燥、加熱処理
によりガラス化するガラス原料液を充填してテー
パ状に延伸することを特徴とする光分配回路の製
造方法。1 Insert a bundle of n optical fibers (n>2) into a hollow glass tube, and while heating the outer periphery of the glass tube with a heat source, pull it in the axial direction of the glass tube from the end of the glass tube. In addition, in the method for manufacturing an optical distribution circuit in which an optical fiber bundle and the glass tube are fused and stretched, the optical fibers to be inserted into the hollow glass tube are cut in advance at the middle part, and the end face is treated or left as is. The cut optical fiber bundle is inserted from both ends of the hollow glass tube, the cut surfaces are butted together, and a glass raw material liquid to be vitrified by drying and heat treatment is poured into the gaps between the glass tube and the optical fiber bundle, and between the optical fibers. A method for manufacturing an optical distribution circuit, characterized by filling it and stretching it into a tapered shape.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| JP3738283A JPS59164522A (en) | 1983-03-09 | 1983-03-09 | Manufacture of optical distributing circuit |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| JP3738283A JPS59164522A (en) | 1983-03-09 | 1983-03-09 | Manufacture of optical distributing circuit |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| JPS59164522A JPS59164522A (en) | 1984-09-17 |
| JPH0548445B2 true JPH0548445B2 (en) | 1993-07-21 |
Family
ID=12495971
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| JP3738283A Granted JPS59164522A (en) | 1983-03-09 | 1983-03-09 | Manufacture of optical distributing circuit |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| JP (1) | JPS59164522A (en) |
Families Citing this family (7)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JPH0721567B2 (en) * | 1984-10-31 | 1995-03-08 | 株式会社日立製作所 | Optical distribution circuit and manufacturing method thereof |
| JPS61226711A (en) * | 1985-04-01 | 1986-10-08 | Hitachi Ltd | Manufacture of optical distributing circuit |
| JPH0721569B2 (en) * | 1985-06-19 | 1995-03-08 | 株式会社日立製作所 | Optical fiber type distribution circuit and manufacturing method thereof |
| JPH0731291B2 (en) * | 1985-06-19 | 1995-04-10 | 株式会社日立製作所 | Method for manufacturing optical fiber type distribution circuit |
| JPS6299705A (en) * | 1985-10-28 | 1987-05-09 | Hitachi Ltd | Optical fiber type distributing circuit and its manufacture |
| US6658896B2 (en) * | 2002-01-18 | 2003-12-09 | Sunoptic Technologies Llc | Method of making a fiberoptic light guide |
| JP5671706B2 (en) * | 2012-05-17 | 2015-02-18 | パナソニックＩｐマネジメント株式会社 | Fiber laser oscillator |
Citations (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JPS57186730A (en) * | 1981-05-13 | 1982-11-17 | Nippon Telegr & Teleph Corp <Ntt> | Manufacture of optical distributor |
| JPS5918921A (en) * | 1982-07-23 | 1984-01-31 | Nippon Telegr & Teleph Corp <Ntt> | Fiber type coupler and its manufacture |
| JPS59142521A (en) * | 1983-02-03 | 1984-08-15 | Sumitomo Electric Ind Ltd | Optical branch element and its manufacture |
-
1983
- 1983-03-09 JP JP3738283A patent/JPS59164522A/en active Granted
Patent Citations (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JPS57186730A (en) * | 1981-05-13 | 1982-11-17 | Nippon Telegr & Teleph Corp <Ntt> | Manufacture of optical distributor |
| JPS5918921A (en) * | 1982-07-23 | 1984-01-31 | Nippon Telegr & Teleph Corp <Ntt> | Fiber type coupler and its manufacture |
| JPS59142521A (en) * | 1983-02-03 | 1984-08-15 | Sumitomo Electric Ind Ltd | Optical branch element and its manufacture |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| JPS59164522A (en) | 1984-09-17 |
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