JPH0815561A - Fiber array for optical waveguide - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To obtain a fiber array for an optical waveguide used for realizing an optical waveguide type device which operates stably even in a severe environment and has excellent reliability. CONSTITUTION:This fiber array for the optical waveguide is formed by using fiber arrays to be used in the juncture of the optical waveguide device and low melting glass 4 in connecting and fixing these arrays. The respective optical fibers of coated fibers 3 of the fiber arrays are fixed by the low melting glass 4 into the array V-grooves 2 of a V-groove substrate 1. The thin film of the low melting glass is deposited by evaporation on the connecting surface to the optical waveguide element after polishment and the fiber arrays are fused by this thin film of the low melting glass at the time of connection to the optical waveguide.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a fiber array for connecting an optical fiber and an optical waveguide in an optical waveguide type component.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in an optical waveguide type component, an optical fiber array to be used and its connecting portion are fixed by using an organic adhesive such as UV or visible light type. However, when they are used, there are drawbacks such as variation in characteristics due to displacement of the connection portion due to aging of the adhesive and lack of long-term reliability due to peeling. In addition, when it is used in a place where vibration and temperature / humidity change is severe, it is difficult to use due to the expansion and shrinkage of the adhesive and the above reasons.

Further, in order to improve reliability, a method of fusion-bonding the both by laser welding or the like has been attempted, but in the case of direct fusion, there is a large difference in heat capacity between the optical fiber and the optical waveguide. Only the optical fiber was deformed, and it was difficult to perform highly accurate alignment and manufacturing was difficult.

An object of the present invention is to provide a fiber array for an optical waveguide, which realizes an optical waveguide type device which operates stably even in a severe environment and has excellent reliability.

[0005]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention uses a low melting point glass for connecting and fixing an optical waveguide type component, and forms an array shape toward a connection surface with an optical waveguide element. An optical waveguide fiber array, wherein an optical fiber is fixed to each groove on the formed substrate with a low melting point glass and a low melting point glass is vapor-deposited on the connection surface.

[0006]

Embodiments Next, embodiments according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of an optical waveguide fiber array according to the present invention, showing a 4-core array type. An array V-groove 2 is formed on the V-groove substrate 1,
The fiber array core wire 3 is fixed to the array V groove 2 by using the low-melting glass 4 and the upper substrate 5, and the rear fiber protective coating portion is formed by using an ordinary adhesive 6.
Although a 4-core array is used here, the present invention is not limited to this and is applied to an array having arbitrary ports. As the V-groove substrate material used here, for example, in the case of a glass material such as quartz glass, if the quality is the same as that of the fixing low melting point glass, the compatibility is good, but there is no need to limit to it, alumina, A ceramic material such as zirconia may be used. The same applies to the substrate on the low melting point glass.

FIG. 2 is a side view showing a connection structure with the optical waveguide element A. The optical waveguide fiber array connection surface side is polished, and then a low-melting glass thin film is vapor-deposited. The optical waveguide element A is joined to the entrance / exit surface by local heating fusion bonding. After that, the periphery is fusion-fixed and reinforced by the low-melting glass 8. Low melting point glass is usually BO
₂ , consisting of components such as PBO and having a softening point of about 400 ° C, which softens at a lower temperature than ordinary silica glass,
It can be welded and can reduce residual stress strain due to high temperature heating.

FIG. 3 shows a manufacturing process of a fiber array for an optical optical waveguide. First, as shown in (a), a V-groove substrate 1, a fiber array core wire 3, and a substrate having a low melting point glass thin plate attached to the lower surface thereof. Prepare 4'and assemble. The protective coating of the fiber array core wire 3 on the V groove is removed. Next, as shown in (b), the low melting point glass-attached substrate 4 ′ is placed on the array core wire 3, and the whole is, for example, a BN heater and Al ₂ O.
₃ Pressurize and heat with a local heating source 9 such as (alumina) ceramics. At that time, heat is applied to the array core wire 3 with a protective coating.
The heat insulating plate 10 cuts off so as not to conduct to the side. After softening and fusing, the portion is annealed. Then, the protective coating side is fixed with the adhesive 6 as shown in FIG. Finally, the entrance / exit surface is optically polished, and then a low melting point glass is vapor-deposited to a thickness of several μm by a sputtering device or the like to form a polishing vapor deposition surface 11. Thereby, the fiber array according to the present invention is manufactured. In order to connect the optical waveguide, its surface may be aligned with the optical waveguide entrance / exit end face and locally heated and fixed. After that, by further reinforcing and fixing the periphery with a low melting point glass, it is possible to realize an optical waveguide having long-term reliability in a severe environment.

[0009]

As described above, the fiber array for an optical waveguide according to the present invention has the following excellent advantages.

Since the fiber array core wire and the V-groove substrate are fixed by the low melting point glass, the characteristics are not deteriorated due to environmental changes and aging.

Since the connection with the optical waveguide is performed by fusing the low melting point glass thin film, when glass materials are used for the optical waveguide and the substrate, the material characteristics are well matched and highly reliable.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of a fiber array for an optical waveguide according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view of a connection structure between the optical waveguide fiber array of FIG. 1 and the optical waveguide.

3 (a), (b) and (c) are process diagrams for manufacturing a fiber array for an optical waveguide of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1: V-groove substrate 2: Array V-groove 3: Fiber array core wire 4, 8: Low melting point glass 5: Upper substrate 6: Adhesive 11: Polished vapor deposition surface A: Optical waveguide device

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. An optical fiber is fixed to each groove on a substrate formed in an array toward a connection surface with an optical waveguide device with a low melting glass, and a low melting glass is vapor-deposited on the connection surface. A fiber array for an optical waveguide characterized by being formed.