JPH08286081A - Optical fiber array - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To obtain a two-dimensional optical fiber array which is easily producible and has a high-accuracy pitch by disposing and fixing plural pieces of optical fibers and optical fibers for dummies into the space on the inner side of a frame part in a state of bundling the front ends thereof. CONSTITUTION: The two-dimensional optical fiber array is produced by bundling plural pieces of the optical fibers 2 of the same diameter and the optical fibers 3 for dummies in such a manner that the front ends thereof are not adjacent to the optical fibers 2 and disposing and fixing these fibers into the space on the inner side of the frame 1 in a bundled state. The frame 1 is formed by using glass, ceramics, etc., and previously working the glass or ceramics to a frame shape. The frame is otherwise formed by fixing four sheets of planer members to form a frame shape. The frame 1 may be a frame of a round or polygonal shape. The optical fibers 3 for dummies are the optical fibers similar to the optical fibers 2 and are formed as the optical fibers for dummies by not using these fibers for transmission of high signals.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a two-dimensional (longitudinal and laterally aligned) optical fiber array structure formed of a plurality of optical fibers.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A conventional two-dimensional optical fiber array in which a plurality of optical fibers are aligned vertically and horizontally is shown in FIG.
As shown in the perspective view of FIG. 1, after the optical fibers 12 are installed and fixed in the plurality of V grooves on the upper surface of the substrate 11a, the substrate 11b having the same V groove is stacked above the substrate 11a and the optical fibers 12 are inserted in the V grooves. Is set and fixed, and further, a substrate 11c having a V groove is similarly stacked above the substrate 11b, and the optical fiber 12 is installed and fixed in the V groove, and then a lid 13 is stacked above the substrate 11c and the substrates 11a, 11b, 11c and the lid 13 are integrated (see JP-A-55-48708).

Alternatively, as shown in the perspective view of FIG. 3, a plurality of holes having substantially the same size as the diameter of the optical fiber 12 are formed in the plate-like substrate 21 by etching or the like in the vertical and horizontal directions, and the holes are formed in the holes. The end of the optical fiber 12 is disposed and fixed (see Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 59-224813).

[0004]

However, in the conventional optical fiber array, it is necessary to machine the V-grooves of the substrates 11a, 11b, 11c or the holes of the plate-like substrate 21, and the pitch of the optical fibers 12 ( Since it is necessary to perform the above V-groove processing and hole processing with high accuracy in order to make the distance between optical fibers high), manufacturing a two-dimensional optical fiber array requires a great deal of cost and time. There was a problem that it would end up.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and provides an optical fiber array in which a plurality of optical fibers are aligned and fixed in the vertical and horizontal directions. This is an optical fiber array in which a plurality of optical fibers and dummy optical fibers are arranged and fixed in a space inside the fixing frame portion with their tips bundled.

In the present invention, a plurality of optical fibers,
The dummy optical fiber and the frame are combined to form an optical fiber array.

[0007]

According to the present invention, the plurality of optical fibers and the dummy optical fiber are simply arranged in the space inside the frame in a bundled state, so that the two-dimensional structure can be easily manufactured. It becomes an optical fiber array.

[0008]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

As shown in the front view of FIG. 1A and the perspective view of FIG. 1B, a plurality of optical fibers 2 having the same diameter and a dummy optical fiber 3 are arranged so that the optical fibers 2 are not adjacent to each other. Then, the two-dimensional optical fiber array is manufactured by bundling it, arranging it in the inner space of the frame 1 and fixing it.

The frame 1 may be made of glass, ceramics, or the like, and is formed by processing it into a frame shape in advance, or as shown in FIG. 1, by fixing four plate-like members into a frame shape. do it. In this embodiment, the rectangular frame is used, but a round frame, a polygonal frame, or the like may be used.

The dummy optical fiber 3 is an optical fiber similar to the optical fiber 2, and is used as a dummy optical fiber in the present invention because it is not actually used for the transmission of optical signals.

Although the optical fibers 2 are bundled so as not to be adjacent to each other in this embodiment, they may be bundled in any state depending on the purpose.

As described above, by arranging and fixing the ends of the optical fiber 2 and the dummy optical fiber 3 in the inner space of the frame 1 in a bundled state, it is necessary to process the conventional substrate etc. Therefore, the optical fiber array can be easily manufactured.

Further, by using an optical fiber element wire having a diameter of 125 μm as the optical fiber 2 and the dummy optical fiber 3,
When the optical fibers 2 are arranged so as not to be adjacent to each other as shown in FIG. 1, an optical fiber array having a pitch of 250 μm is obtained.
In this way, the optical fiber 2 having a uniform diameter measured by the outer diameter measurement
By selecting and using the dummy optical fiber 3, it is possible to easily realize an optical fiber array having a highly accurate pitch.

In this embodiment, the optical fiber 2 and the dummy optical fiber 3 are shown to be bundled after being determined in advance before being arranged in the inner space of the frame 1, but light of the same diameter is shown. Fibers or optical fiber strands are bundled and arranged in the inner space of the frame 1 and fixed, and after fixing, the optical fiber 2 used for optical signal transmission and the dummy optical fiber 3 not used for optical signal transmission are appropriately used. You may make it select.

With this arrangement, it is not necessary to previously arrange the optical fibers 2 and the dummy optical fibers 3 in order and bundle them, so that the manufacturing time of the optical fiber array can be significantly shortened and the pitch of the optical fibers can be reduced. After fixing the optical fiber or the optical fiber wire in the inner space of the frame 2, it can be freely determined.

[0017]

As described above, according to the present invention,
Since the plurality of optical fibers and the tips of the dummy optical fibers are arranged in a bundle in the space inside the frame, a two-dimensional optical fiber array that can be easily manufactured and has a highly accurate pitch is provided. Can be provided.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1A is a front view showing an optical fiber array of the present invention, and FIG. 1B is a perspective view.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a conventional optical fiber array.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a conventional optical fiber array.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1: Frame 2, 12: Optical fiber 3: Optical fiber for dummy 11a, 11b, 11c: Substrate 13: Lid 21: Plate substrate

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. An optical fiber array in which a plurality of optical fibers are aligned and fixed in a vertical direction and a horizontal direction, and a plurality of optical fibers and dummy light are provided in a space inside a frame for fixing the optical fibers. An optical fiber array in which fibers are arranged and fixed together with their tips bundled.