JPH10260337A - Optical fiber bundle and its manufacture - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain the optical fiber bundle of optical fibers of high position precision with good reproducibility by forming through holes in a guide member and fixing the optical fibers to the guide member while inserting each lengthwise end part into one of the through holes. SOLUTION: Photosensitive glass after a heat treatment is stuck on a plate made of vinyl chloride and dipped in an HF solution to etch its exposed part, and thus through holes 2 which have rectangular horizontal cross sections are formed in the photosensitive glass to obtain a 1st guide member 1. The 2nd guide member 4, in which through holes 5 are formed by the same method as the 1st guide member 1, is obtained. Then one-end sides of rectangular fibers 3 are inserted into the respective through holes 2 formed in the 1st guide member 1. Thus, the rectangular fibers 3 are positioned by the 1st guide member 1. Similarly, the other-end sides of the rectangular fibers 3 are inserted into through holes 5 formed in a 2nd guide member 2 and positioned.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an optical fiber bundle formed by binding a plurality of optical fibers into a predetermined shape.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as one of transmission means for transmitting an image or an intensity distribution, an optical fiber bundle formed by binding a plurality of optical fibers into a predetermined shape has been used. For example, an optical fiber bundle of a type in which a plurality of optical fibers are bundled so that the arrangement specifications of the optical fibers on the light incident surface side and the arrangement specifications of the optical fibers on the light exit surface side are the same, is an endoscope or the like. It is often used as an image guide. In recent years,
A plurality of optical fibers are bundled so that the arrangement specifications of the optical fibers on the light incident surface side and the arrangement specifications of the optical fibers on the light exit surface side are different, and this is used as an image converter (optical fiber bundle type image converter). (Optical Engineering, 2nd
6, No. 2, pp. 88-95).

[0003]

For an optical fiber bundle, such as an image guide, in which the arrangement specifications of the optical fibers on the light incident surface side and the arrangement specifications of the optical fibers on the light exit surface side are the same, the foil stacking method and the elution method are used. A method in which optical fibers are bundled with desired accuracy by a method such as a method has already been manufactured.

However, for an optical fiber bundle of a type such as an optical fiber bundle type image converter in which the arrangement specifications of the optical fibers on the light incident surface side and the arrangement specifications of the optical fibers on the light exit surface side are different, an image guide is manufactured. The conventional method used as the method for this cannot be applied. A technique for obtaining an optical fiber bundle type image converter in which a plurality of optical fibers are bundled with high positional accuracy with high reproducibility has not yet been established.

An object of the present invention is to provide an optical fiber bundle which can easily obtain a bundle of a plurality of optical fibers with high positional accuracy with good reproducibility, and a method of manufacturing the same.

[0006]

An optical fiber bundle according to the present invention for achieving the above object has a plurality of optical fibers and a guide member for binding these optical fibers into a predetermined shape. Has a plurality of through holes used for positioning the optical fibers, and each of the optical fibers has a longitudinal end inserted into any of the plurality of through holes. And is fixed to the guide member.

Further, the method of manufacturing an optical fiber bundle according to the present invention, which achieves the above object, comprises a guide member manufacturing step of forming a plurality of through holes in a material for the guide member to obtain a guide member; An optical fiber insertion step of inserting an optical fiber into each of the through holes formed in the optical fiber, and an optical polishing step of optically polishing each of the optical fiber end faces inserted through the guide member. is there.

[0008]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail. First, the optical fiber bundle of the present invention will be described. As described above, the optical fiber bundle of the present invention includes a plurality of optical fibers and a guide member for binding these optical fibers into a predetermined shape.

The number of the above optical fibers can be appropriately selected according to the intended use of the optical fiber bundle. The type of the optical fiber is not particularly limited, and various optical fibers such as a chalcogenide optical fiber, a fluoride optical fiber, and a silica-based optical fiber can be used according to the intended use of the optical fiber bundle. When an optical fiber bundle as an image guide or an image converter is to be obtained, an optical fiber bundle having high transmission characteristics in an infrared region or a visible region is particularly useful.

Furthermore, the cross-sectional shape of each optical fiber in the radial direction can be appropriately selected from triangles, rectangles, hexagons, and circles. In order to obtain an optical fiber bundle having a high packing density of optical fibers, it is preferable to use an optical fiber having a triangular, rectangular or hexagonal cross-sectional shape in the radial direction. If the transmittance of the optical fiber used is the same, the higher the packing density of the optical fiber,
An optical fiber bundle with high transmission efficiency can be obtained. On the other hand, the end face in the longitudinal direction of the optical fiber (meaning the end face on the end side fixed to a guide member described later; the same applies hereinafter) is a light incident surface or a light exit surface, and therefore is preferably an optical polished surface. From the viewpoint of obtaining an optical fiber bundle having a good optically polished surface, it is preferable to use an optical fiber that is not easily chipped during optical polishing, that is, an optical fiber having a circular cross section in the radial direction.

The above-mentioned guide member, which is another component of the optical fiber bundle of the present invention, is for binding the above-mentioned plurality of optical fibers into a predetermined shape, and the guide member is used for positioning each optical fiber. A plurality of through holes are formed.

The positioning of the optical fiber by the guide member is performed by inserting the longitudinal end of each optical fiber to be positioned into one of the plurality of through holes formed in the guide member. This is performed by fixing an optical fiber to the guide member. At this time, if a plurality of optical fibers are inserted through one through hole and fixed, problems such as (a) crosstalk will occur, (b) positional accuracy of individual optical fibers will decrease, etc. Therefore, only one optical fiber is inserted and fixed in one through hole. Therefore, each of the above-mentioned through holes has a size that allows one of the above-described optical fibers to pass therethrough.

In order to obtain an optical fiber bundle in which individual optical fibers are positioned with high precision, the horizontal cross-sectional shape (meaning a radial cross-sectional shape; the same applies hereinafter) of the above-described through hole is to be positioned. It is preferable that the optical fiber has a shape similar or similar to the cross-sectional shape in the radial direction of the optical fiber. However, if the diameter of the through hole is extremely large compared to the diameter of the optical fiber to be positioned, it becomes difficult to perform the positioning of the optical fiber with high accuracy. It is preferable to make the size as small as possible within the range in which it can be performed.

Further, when the radial cross section of the optical fiber to be positioned is a regular polygon or a circle and the radial cross section of the core of the optical fiber is similar to the radial cross section of the optical fiber. Is
Even if the horizontal cross-sectional shape of the through hole is a circumscribed polygon or a circumscribed circle with respect to the radial cross-sectional shape (regular polygon or circle) of the optical fiber to be positioned, positioning of the optical fiber can be performed with high accuracy. It is.

Further, the above-mentioned vertical cross-sectional shape of the through-hole (which means a cross-sectional shape in a direction parallel to the penetrating direction; the same applies hereinafter) is tapered, and the guide member has a tapered shape.
When the guide member is arranged such that the main surface on the side where the opening diameter of the through hole is smaller among the two main surfaces faces the longitudinal end of the optical fiber bundle, the outer surface of the guide member ( Of the two main surfaces of the guide member, this means the main surface facing the longitudinal end of the optical fiber bundle. The same applies hereinafter.) It is possible to fix the optical fiber on the side. By fixing the optical fiber in this manner, the positional accuracy of the optical fiber at the longitudinal end (the end on the light incident surface side or the end on the light exit surface side) of the optical fiber bundle can be further improved. In this case,
The advantages (1) and (2) are further obtained.

(1) Since the inner wall of the tapered through-hole can be used as a guide when an optical fiber is inserted into the through-hole, the through-hole formed in manufacturing an optical fiber bundle can be used. The work of inserting the optical fiber into the fiber becomes easy. (2) Since the gap between adjacent through holes is small on the outer surface of the guide member and larger on the inner surface of the guide member, it is easy to increase the packing density of the optical fibers.

The above-mentioned through-hole may be formed by any method such as electric discharge machining, electron beam machining, laser machining, dry etching, wet etching and the like. The method of forming the through hole is appropriately selected depending on the packing density of the optical fiber in the target optical fiber bundle, the positional accuracy of the optical fiber required for the optical fiber bundle, the material of the guide member, productivity, and the like. You. When obtaining an optical fiber bundle in which the packing density of optical fibers is high and these optical fibers are bundled with high positional accuracy, a desired number of through holes are formed with high definition under high positional accuracy. Since it is required to use a guide member,
In such a case, it is preferable to form the through hole by etching (dry etching or wet etching).

The guide member having the through hole is for binding a plurality of optical fibers into a predetermined shape, and the optical fiber bundle generally requires flexibility. For this reason, as the guide member, even when the optical fiber bundle is bent, a plate-shaped member having a mechanical strength enough to maintain the positional accuracy of each optical fiber on the light incident surface side or the light output surface side at a desired accuracy. Are preferred.

The material of the guide member may be glass, metal, metal, or the like, depending on the packing density of the optical fiber in the target optical fiber bundle, the use of the optical fiber bundle, and the like.
Ceramics, resin, and the like can be appropriately selected. In order to obtain a guide member in which a desired number of through holes are formed with high definition under high positional accuracy, it is preferable to use a photosensitive glass as a material of the guide member, and in particular, a chemically cut photosensitive glass. It is preferable to use If chemical-cutting photosensitive glass is used as the material of the guide member, a desired number of through holes can be formed with high precision with high positional accuracy by lithography, and the horizontal cross-sectional shape of the through holes at this time Can be easily formed into a desired shape, and the vertical cross-sectional shape can be easily formed into a tapered shape.

The guide member does not have to have a single-layer structure, but has a multi-layer structure in which plate-like or sheet-like materials made of the same or different materials are laminated. Alternatively, a reinforcing member may be provided in a region other than the region where the through hole is formed. The guide member having a multilayer structure may be one in which the above-described through hole is formed after obtaining a plate-like material having a multilayer structure to be a material of the guide member, or a material of the guide member. After a through-hole is formed in each of the plate-shaped or sheet-shaped objects, they may be laminated.

As described above, the positioning of the optical fiber by the guide member is performed by inserting the longitudinal end of each optical fiber to be positioned into one of a plurality of through holes formed in the guide member. In this state, each optical fiber is fixed to the guide member. The fixing of the optical fiber to the guide member may be performed mechanically by contact between the guide member and the optical fiber, or may be performed by using an adhesive such as a thermosetting adhesive or a photocuring adhesive. You may.

Since the end face in the longitudinal direction of each optical fiber serves as a light incident face or a light emitting face, the end faces of the individual optical fibers on the light incident face side or the light emitting face side are located on substantially the same plane. Preferably, the surface is optically polished. In order to obtain an optical fiber bundle having high light transmission efficiency, the total area of the optical fiber end faces (meaning the sum of the areas of the polished optical fiber end faces on the light incident surface side or the light emission surface side; the same applies hereinafter). It is preferable that 70% or more be an optically polished surface. The ratio of the optically polished surface to the total area of the end face of the optical fiber is more preferably 80% or more, and particularly preferably 95% or more.

The position of the end face in the longitudinal direction of each optical fiber is appropriately set in consideration of the material of the optical fiber (which means a core material or a clad material; the same applies hereinafter) and the material of the guide member. . That is,
In order to obtain an optically polished surface, it is necessary to perform polishing.If the material of the optical fiber is softer than the material of the guide member, when the guide member is polished at the time of polishing to obtain the optically polished surface, polishing debris of each optical fiber is generated. Since the longitudinal end faces are damaged, in such a case, the longitudinal end faces of the respective optical fibers are projected approximately 100 to 1000 μm from the outer surface of the guide member, and these end faces are substantially coplanar. Preferably, it is located.

On the other hand, when the material of the optical fiber is harder than the material of the guide member, even if the guide member is polished at the time of polishing to obtain an optically polished surface, the end surface in the longitudinal direction of each optical fiber is scratched by the polishing debris. Due to the low risk, the longitudinal end faces of each optical fiber may protrude from the outer surface of the guide member as described above, and these end faces may be located substantially on the same plane. And may be located on substantially the same plane.

The positioning of the optical fiber by the guide member may be performed at one end in the longitudinal direction of the optical fiber bundle, or may be performed at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the optical fiber bundle. Furthermore, besides at one or both ends in the length direction of the optical fiber bundle,
It may be done in the middle part.

Further, the optical fiber bundle of the present invention comprises:
The arrangement specifications of the optical fibers on the light incident surface side and the arrangement specifications of the optical fibers on the light exit surface side may be the same or different. How to arrange the optical fibers on each of the light incident surface side and the light exit surface side is appropriately selected depending on the intended use of the optical fiber bundle and the like. Therefore, 2
When the optical fiber is positioned by one or more guide members, the arrangement specification of the through holes in each guide member can be appropriately selected according to the arrangement position of the guide member.

As described above, in the optical fiber bundle of the present invention, a plurality of optical fibers are positioned and bound by the above-described guide member having a plurality of through holes. For the through hole formed in the guide member, by appropriately selecting the material of the guide member and the method of forming the through hole,
The position accuracy can be easily increased, and high definition can be easily achieved, and the reproducibility is high. Therefore, by using a guide member having a desired mechanical strength, and by using a plurality of through-holes formed with high positional accuracy as the guide member, a plurality of optical fibers can be used. An optical fiber bundle bound with high positional accuracy can be easily obtained with good reproducibility. The optical fiber bundle of the present invention having such advantages is suitable as an image guide, an optical fiber type image converter, or the like, or as a material thereof.

Next, a method of manufacturing the optical fiber bundle according to the present invention will be described. As described above, the method of manufacturing an optical fiber bundle according to the present invention includes a guide member manufacturing step, an optical fiber insertion step, and an optical polishing step.

The above guide member manufacturing step is a step of forming a plurality of through holes in a material for the guide member to obtain a guide member. Since the material for the guide member has already been described in the description of the optical fiber bundle of the present invention, the description is omitted here. The method of forming the through-holes, the size and shape of each through-hole, and the specification of the arrangement of the through-holes have already been described in the description of the optical fiber bundle of the present invention. I do.

When it is desired to obtain a guide member having a multi-layer structure in which plate-like or sheet-like materials made of the same or different materials are laminated, as described above, the material of the guide member is used. A through-hole may be formed after obtaining a plate-like material having a multi-layer structure to be formed, or after forming a through-hole in each of a plate-like material or a sheet-like material serving as a material of the guide member, these are laminated. You may. When it is intended to obtain a guide member in which a reinforcing member is provided in a region other than the region in which the through hole is formed, the reinforcing member is formed in the material after forming the through hole in a predetermined material. A member may be provided (including a case where a reinforcing member is provided in an optical polishing step to be described later). After a reinforcing member is provided at a desired position of a predetermined material, a through hole is formed in the material. You may.

The optical fiber insertion step is a step of inserting an optical fiber into each of the through holes formed in the guide member. Insertion of the optical fiber into each of the through holes formed in the guide member can be performed by using an optical polishing step described later on the end face of the optical fiber to be inserted into the through hole, and the end face of each optical fiber. To be able to be located on substantially the same plane.

If the material of the optical fiber is softer than the material of the guide member, if the guide member is polished in the optical polishing surface step, the end surface of each optical fiber (the end surface to be the optically polished surface) is scratched by the polishing debris. In such a case, the end face of each optical fiber (the end face to be an optically polished surface) is approximately 2 to 5
It is preferable to insert an optical fiber into each of the through holes formed in the guide member so as to protrude mm.

On the other hand, when the material of the optical fiber is harder than the material of the guide member, even if the guide member is polished in the optical polishing surface step, the end surface of each optical fiber (the end surface to be the optically polished surface) is formed by the polishing dust. Small risk of scratching. Therefore, in such a case,
The optical fiber may be inserted into each of the through holes formed in the guide member so that the end face of each optical fiber projects from the guide member, or the guide may be inserted such that the end face of each optical fiber does not project from the guide member. An optical fiber may be inserted into each of the through holes formed in the member.

Each optical fiber must be fixed to the guide member at the time of optical polishing so that each optical fiber does not move in the optical polishing step described later. This fixing may be performed in the present optical fiber insertion step. ,
It may be performed in an optical polishing step described later. As described above, the fixing of the optical fiber to the guide member may be mechanical by contact between the guide member and the optical fiber when the optical fiber is inserted into the through-hole. An adhesive such as a curable adhesive may be used.

The optical polishing step performed after the optical fiber insertion step is a step of optically polishing each end face of the optical fiber on the side inserted into the guide member. In this optical polishing step, it is ideal that all of the end faces of the optical fibers fixed to the guide member are optically polished surfaces. However, if 70% or more of the total area of the optical fiber end faces is optically polished, the transmission efficiency is improved. The optical fiber bundle having a high density can be obtained. As described above, the ratio of the optically polished surface to the total area of the end face of the optical fiber is more preferably 80% or more, and particularly preferably 95% or more.

In optically polishing each end face of the optical fiber on the side fixed to the guide member, it is preferable to previously fix a toy material on the outer surface of the guide member or around the guide member. At this time, the material of the yato material is preferably the same as the material of the optical fiber, particularly the core material. By performing the above-mentioned optical polishing using a yato material, the ratio of the optically polished surface to the total area of the end face of the optical fiber can be relatively easily increased to 95% or more.

The above-described optical fiber bundle of the present invention can be obtained by performing the respective steps of the above-described guide member manufacturing step, optical fiber insertion step, and optical polishing step. In the case where the positioning of the optical fiber by the guide member is to obtain an optical fiber bundle at both ends in the length direction,
Each of the guide member manufacturing step, the optical fiber insertion step, and the optical polishing step is performed a required number of times (including one time). The order of execution of each step at this time is not particularly limited as long as a desired optical fiber bundle is obtained.

In order to obtain an optical fiber bundle in which the positioning of the optical fiber by the guide member is performed at one or both ends in the longitudinal direction and also at an intermediate portion, the intermediate position of the optical fiber bundle is required. A step of manufacturing a guide member for positioning the optical fiber in the portion, and a step of inserting the optical fiber into each of the through holes formed in the guide member and fixing the optical fiber to the guide member in this state. Perform at the appropriate time.

[0039]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below. Example 1 (1) Guide member production process First, a 4 × 4 × 0.3 mm double-side polished chemically cut photosensitive glass plate was prepared as a material for a guide member.
In addition, a quartz glass plate and a predetermined shape of Cr (chrome) formed on one surface of the quartz glass plate are used as a photomask for transferring the opening pattern to the photosensitive glass plate.
The deposited film, that is, the shape in plan view is 270 × 270 μ
m × 10 × 1 with 290 μm pitch
A photomask consisting of a Cr-deposited film provided in a 0 matrix was prepared. Next, the photomask is placed on the photosensitive glass plate such that the Cr vapor-deposited film on the photomask is in close contact with the photosensitive glass plate. In this state, ultraviolet rays are applied to the photosensitive glass from the photomask side. Irradiation was performed to expose a portion of the photomask exposed from the opening provided in the Cr film in the thickness direction thereof. Next, this photosensitive glass was heat-treated at 480 ° C. for 30 minutes using an electric furnace. The heat treatment crystallized the above-mentioned photosensitive portion in the photosensitive glass.

The photosensitive glass after the heat treatment was adhered to a vinyl chloride plate, which was immersed in a 5% HF aqueous solution for 5 minutes to etch the photosensitive portion. Through this etching, through holes having a rectangular horizontal cross section are formed in the photosensitive glass in a matrix of 10 × 10 at a pitch of 290 μm, thereby forming an intended guide member (hereinafter referred to as “first guide member”). Guide member.)
was gotten. The vertical cross-sectional shape of each through hole formed in the first guide member has a tapered shape, and the horizontal cross-section on the surface of the photosensitive glass on the side that was not in contact with the vinyl chloride plate during etching. The shape is 280 × 2
The rectangular cross section on the surface of the photosensitive glass on the side in contact with the vinyl chloride plate at the time of etching is a rectangle of 270 × 270 μm.

Further, in the same manner as in obtaining the first guide member, the through hole having a rectangular horizontal cross section is 290 μm.
A guide member formed in a 2 × 50 matrix at a pitch (hereinafter, this guide member is referred to as “second guide member”) was obtained. The outer size of the second guide member is 2 ×
It is 18 × 0.3 mm, and the shape and size of each through hole formed in the second guide member are the same as the shape and size of the through hole formed in the first guide member. .

(2) Optical fiber insertion step First, a columnar material (7 × 7 × 110 m) made of an As—S two-component chalcogenide glass having an As ratio of 40 at% is used.
m) was prepared, and this column was placed in a heat-shrinkable tube made of tetrafluoroethylene having an inner diameter of 10.5 mmφ and a length of 110 mm, and then heated with a dryer to obtain a preform for a chalcogenide optical fiber. Next, the preform was heated to 420 ° C. and spun, and the core made of chalcogenide glass had a radial cross-sectional shape of 250 μm.
After obtaining a chalcogenide optical fiber having a rectangular shape of m-square and a radial cross-section including a cladding made of tetrafluoroethylene having a rectangular shape of 260 μm square, 100 optical fibers of 30 cm in length were cut out from the chalcogenide optical fiber. . Then, for each optical fiber, the cladding (tetrafluoroethylene layer) at both ends was removed over a range of 3 cm from the end face to expose the core (the optical fiber after the core was exposed was referred to as " Rectangular fiber ").

Next, as shown in FIGS. 1 (a) and 1 (b),
One end of a rectangular fiber 3 (only the core is shown) was inserted into each of the through holes 2 formed in the first guide member 1. The insertion direction of the rectangular fiber 3 is a direction from the side where the horizontal cross-sectional shape of the through hole 2 is a rectangle of 280 × 280 μm to the side where the rectangular cross section is 270 × 270 μm. The guide member 1 was inserted until it penetrated. At this time, the horizontal sectional shape of the through hole 2 on the outer surface 1a of the first guide member 1 is a rectangle of 270 × 270 μm, and the radial sectional shape of the core bare from the rectangular fiber 3 is 2 mm.
Each rectangular fiber 3 was positioned by the first guide member 1 because of its rectangular shape of 50 × 250 μm.

Similarly, the other end of the rectangular fiber 3 was inserted into the through-hole 5 formed in the second guide member 4 and positioned (see FIGS. 1A and 1B). In addition,
Reference numeral 4a in FIGS. 1A and 1B denotes a second guide member 4.
3 shows the outer surface.

(3) Optical polishing step First, a Yatoi material (4 × 9 × 5 m) made of an As—S two-component chalcogenide glass having an As content of 40 at% is used.
m) were prepared. Then, as shown in FIGS. 2 (a) and 2 (b), the periphery of the first guide member 1 is surrounded by these toy members 6, and the normal direction of the surface of each toy member 6 and the first guide member 1 These were aligned so that their normal directions coincided with each other, and they were fixed with an epoxy adhesive 7. Next, polishing is started using a rough wrapping film from the end face side of each of the rectangular fibers 3 protruding from the outer surface 1a of the first guide member 1, and the lapping film is gradually removed while observing the polished surface of each of the toy materials 6. Each of the rectangular fibers 3 was polished so that the end face became an optically polished surface. The polishing at this time was performed so that the end surface (optically polished surface) of each rectangular fiber 3 was formed at a position protruding from the outer surface 1a of the first guide member 1 by about 100 μm.

As shown in FIGS. 2C and 2D,
4 × 32 made of glass having the same composition as the above Yatoi material 6
By using two x5 mm jaw members 8 and two 4 x 7 x 5 mm jaw members 9 made of glass having the same composition as the above-mentioned jato members 6, the periphery of the second guide member 4 is divided into two. Enclosed by 8, 9 and aligned so that the normal direction of the surface of each of the toy members 8, 9 coincides with the normal direction of the surface of the second guide member 4.
Fixed at 0. The outer surface 4 of the second guide member 4 is polished in the same manner as polishing the end face of each rectangular fiber 3 protruding from the outer surface 1a of the first guide member 1.
Polishing was performed so that the end face of each rectangular fiber 3 protruding from “a” became an optically polished surface. The polishing at this time was also performed so that the end surface (optically polished surface) of each rectangular fiber 3 was formed at a position protruding from the outer surface 4a of the second guide member 4 by about 100 μm.

By performing the above-described optical polishing, an intended optical fiber bundle was obtained. When the end face of each rectangular fiber 3 on the outer surface 1a side of the first guide member 1 of this optical fiber bundle was observed with a microscope, chipping of the edge was not substantially recognized as shown in FIG. , Had a beautiful polished surface.
Similarly, when the end faces of the respective rectangular fibers 3 on the outer surface 4a side of the second guide member 4 were observed, chipping of the edges was not substantially recognized on these end faces, and a clean polished surface was obtained. (See FIG. 3B).

Example 2 The shape of the first guide member in plan view was 13 × 13 mm.
In addition, the shape of the second guide member in plan view is 15 ×
After the guide member forming step and the optical fiber insertion step were performed in exactly the same manner as in Example 1 except that the diameter was changed to 32 mm, the optical polishing step was performed as follows.

First, four yato materials having the same composition, shape and size as the yato material 6 used in Example 1 were prepared, and as shown in FIGS. 4 (a) and 4 (b), These jaw members 12 were attached to the outer surface 11a of the member 11 using an epoxy adhesive 13. At this time, the disposition position of each of the yatoy members 12 is a position where all the rectangular fibers 3 are surrounded by the four yatoy members 12 when viewed in plan. Next, polishing was performed in the same manner as in Example 1 so that the end face of each rectangular fiber 3 protruding from the outer surface 11a of the first guide member 11 became an optical polishing surface.

As shown in FIGS. 4C and 4D,
Two yatoy materials 14 having the same composition, shape and size as the yatoy material 8 used in the first embodiment, and two yatoy materials 15 having the same composition, shape and size as the yatoy material 9 used in the first embodiment are prepared. Then, when viewed in plan, the four yatoi materials 14,
These toy members 14 and 15 were adhered to the outer surface 16a of the second guide member 16 using an epoxy adhesive 17 so that all the rectangular fibers 3 were surrounded by 15. And it grind | polished like Example 1 so that the end surface of each rectangular fiber 3 protruded from the outer surface 16a of the 2nd guide member 16 might become an optical polishing surface.

By performing the above-described optical polishing, an intended optical fiber bundle was obtained. When the end face of each of the rectangular fibers 3 on the outer surface 11a side of the first guide member 11 of this optical fiber bundle was observed with a microscope, chipping of the edge was not substantially recognized and cleanliness was observed as in Example 1. Polished surface. Similarly, the outer surface 16 of the second guide member 16
When the end faces of the rectangular fibers 3 on the a side were observed, chipping of the edges was not substantially recognized on these end faces, and a clean polished surface was obtained.

As shown in FIG. 5A, when the reinforcing member 18 made of, for example, glass is adhered to the inner surface 11b of the first guide member 11 and the polishing is performed, the first guide member is polished during the polishing. Damage to the member 11 can be suppressed.
Similarly, as shown in FIG. 5B, the second guide member 1
The reinforcing member 19 made of glass, for example, is
When the polishing is performed by attaching the second guide member 1 during polishing,
6 can be prevented from being damaged.

Example 3 The shape of the first guide member in plan view was 13 × 13 mm.
In addition, the shape of the second guide member in plan view is 15 ×
After the guide member forming step and the optical fiber insertion step were performed in exactly the same manner as in Example 1 except that the diameter was changed to 32 mm, the optical polishing step was performed as follows.

First, as shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B,
An epoxy adhesive 22 is applied so as to cover the end of each rectangular fiber 3 protruding from the outer surface 21 a of the first guide member 21.
A reinforcing member 23 made of glass was adhered to the inner surface 21b of the. Next, polishing was performed in the same manner as in Example 1 so that the end face of each rectangular fiber 3 protruding from the outer surface 21a of the first guide member 21 became an optical polishing surface.

As shown in FIGS. 6C and 6D,
An epoxy adhesive 25 is applied so as to cover the end of each of the rectangular fibers 3 protruding from the outer surface 24a of the second guide member 24.
A glass reinforcing member 26 was adhered to the inner surface 24b of the. And it grind | polished like Example 1 so that the end surface of each rectangular fiber 3 protruded from the outer surface 24a of the 2nd guide member 24 might become an optical polishing surface.

By performing the above-described optical polishing, an intended optical fiber bundle was obtained. When the end face of each of the rectangular fibers 3 on the outer surface 21a side of the first guide member 21 of this optical fiber bundle was observed with a microscope, as shown in FIG. It had a relatively clean polished surface. Similarly, when the end face of each of the rectangular fibers 3 on the outer surface 24a side of the second guide member 24 was observed, some chipping of the edge was recognized, but the polished surface was relatively clean (FIG. 7 ( b)).

Example 4 (1) Step of Producing Guide Member In forming a through hole in a chemically-cuttable photosensitive glass plate as a material for a guide member, a quartz glass plate and a predetermined glass plate formed on one surface of the quartz glass plate were formed. Cr deposited film of shape,
That is, a photomask consisting of a Cr-deposited film in which a total of 100 openings each having a regular hexagonal shape with a side length of 150 μm when viewed in a plan view and having a honeycomb shape at a pitch of 275 μm was used. In the same manner as in Example 1, an intended guide member (hereinafter, this guide member is referred to as "first guide member") was obtained. The vertical cross-sectional shape of each through hole formed in the first guide member has a tapered shape, and the horizontal cross-section on the surface of the photosensitive glass on the side that was not in contact with the vinyl chloride plate during etching. The shape is a regular hexagon with a side length of 160 μm, and the horizontal cross-sectional shape on the photosensitive glass surface on the side that was in contact with the vinyl chloride plate at the time of etching has a side length of 150 μm.
m regular hexagon.

In the same manner as the first guide member is obtained, a guide member having a total of 100 through-holes having a regular hexagonal horizontal cross section is formed at a pitch of 275 μm (hereinafter, this guide member). Is referred to as a “second guide member”). The outer size of the second guide member is 2 × 30 ×
0.3 mm, and the shape and size of each through hole formed in the second guide member are the same as the shape and size of the through hole formed in the first guide member.

(2) Optical fiber insertion step First, the optical fiber is made of a fluoride glass having a ZBLAN composition containing ZrF ₄ , BaF ₂ , LaF ₃ , AlF ₃ and NaF as main components, and has a regular hexagonal shape having a horizontal section of 5.0 mm on a side. A hexagonal column having a height of 110 mm is prepared, and the hexagonal column is housed in a heat-shrinkable tube made of tetrafluoroethylene having an inner diameter of 10.5 mm and a length of 110 mm, and then heated by a drier to obtain a preform for a fluoride optical fiber. Was. Next, the preform is heated to 600 ° C. and spun, and the core made of fluoride glass has a regular hexagonal shape with a side of 130 μm on a side and a cladding made of tetrafluoroethylene having a thickness of 5 μm. After obtaining the fluoride optical fiber, a total of 100 optical fibers having a length of 30 cm were cut out from the fluoride optical fiber. Then, for each optical fiber, the cladding (layer of tetrafluoroethylene) at both ends was 3 cm from the end face.
(The optical fiber after the core was exposed was referred to as a “hexagonal fiber” hereinafter.)
That. ).

Thereafter, as shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, the hexagonal fiber 3 is inserted into each of the through holes 32 formed in the first guide member 31 in the same manner as in the first embodiment.
3 (however, only the core is shown) was inserted and fixed. Further, in the same manner as in Example 1, the other end of the hexagonal fiber 33 was inserted and fixed in the through hole 35 formed in the second guide member 34 (FIG. 8A,
(B)). Note that reference numeral 31 in FIGS.
a indicates the outer surface of the first guide member 31, and reference numeral 34 a indicates the outer surface of the second guide member 34.

(3) Optical Polishing Step First, it is made of fluoride glass having the same shape and size as the jaw material 6 used in Example 1 and having the same composition as the base glass of the hexagonal fiber 33. Jatoi 36
9 are prepared, and as shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B, the respective toy members 36 are arranged around the first guide member 31 in the same manner as in the first embodiment, and are aligned. These were fixed with an epoxy adhesive 37. Next, Example 1
Similarly, the outer surface 31a of the first guide member 31
The end faces of the hexagonal fibers 33 protruding from the surface were polished so as to be optically polished. In FIG. 9A, each hexagonal fiber 33 is illustrated as being positioned in a matrix, but these hexagonal fibers 33 are arranged in a honeycomb shape as shown in FIG. Is positioned at

As shown in FIGS. 9C and 9D,
A 4 × 35 × 5 mm yato material 38 made of fluoride glass having the same composition as the base glass of the hexagonal fiber 33, and a 4 × 15 × 5 mm yaw material 38 made of fluoride glass having the same composition as the yato material 38. Two jaw members 39 are prepared, and each jaw member 38, 39 is arranged around the second guide member 34 and is aligned in the same manner as in the first embodiment. Fixed at 40. Then, in the same manner as in Example 1, polishing was performed so that the end face of each hexagonal fiber 33 projecting from the outer surface 34a of the second guide member 34 became an optical polishing surface.

By performing the above-mentioned optical polishing, an intended optical fiber bundle was obtained. When the end face of each hexagonal fiber 33 on the outer surface 31a side of the first guide member 31 of this optical fiber bundle was observed with a microscope, as shown in FIG.
No chipping of the edge was substantially observed, and the surface was clean. Similarly, when the end faces of the respective hexagonal fibers 33 on the outer surface 34a side of the second guide member 34 were observed, as shown in FIG. It had a beautiful polished surface.

Example 5 The shape of the first guide member in plan view was 13 × 13 mm.
In addition, the shape of the second guide member in plan view is 15 ×
After the guide member forming step and the optical fiber insertion step were performed in exactly the same manner as in Example 4 except that the diameter was changed to 43 mm, the optical polishing step was performed as follows.

First, four yatoy materials having the same composition, shape and size as the yatoy material 36 used in the fourth embodiment were prepared, and as shown in FIGS. These jaw members 42 were attached to the outer surface 41 a of the member 41 using an epoxy adhesive 43. At this time, the disposition position of each of the yato members 42 is a position where all the hexagonal fibers 33 are surrounded by the four yato members 42 when viewed in plan. Next, after this, each hexagonal fiber 33 projecting from the outer surface 41a of the first guide member 41
Was polished in the same manner as in Example 1 so that the end face of the substrate became an optical polished surface. In FIG. 11A, each hexagonal fiber 33 is illustrated as being positioned in a matrix.
Are positioned in a honeycomb shape as shown in FIG.

As shown in FIGS. 11 (c) and 11 (d), the yatoy material 44 used in the fourth embodiment has the same composition, shape and size as the yatoy material 38 used in the fourth embodiment. Two jaw members 45 each having the same composition, shape, and size as 39 are prepared, and these four toy members 44, 45 surround all hexagonal fibers 33 in plan view. 44, 45 in the second
Was attached to the outer surface 46a of the guide member 46 using an epoxy adhesive 47. Then, the second guide member 46
Was polished in the same manner as in Example 1 so that the end face of each hexagonal fiber 33 protruding from the outer surface 45a of the.

By performing the above-described optical polishing, an intended optical fiber bundle was obtained. When the end face of each hexagonal fiber 33 on the outer surface 41a side of the first guide member 41 of this optical fiber bundle was observed with a microscope, the same as in Example 4,
No chipping of the edge was substantially observed, and the surface was clean. Similarly, when the end faces of the respective hexagonal fibers 33 on the outer surface 46a side of the second guide member 46 were observed, no chipping of the edges was substantially recognized on these end faces, and a clean polished surface was obtained. Was.

As shown in FIG. 12 (a), when a reinforcing member 48 made of, for example, glass is attached to the inner surface 41b of the first guide member 41 and polishing is performed, the first guide member is polished during polishing. Damage to the member 41 can be suppressed. Similarly, as shown in FIG. 12B, when a reinforcing member 49 made of, for example, glass is adhered to the inner surface 46b of the second guide member 46 and polished, the second guide member 46 is polished during polishing. Can be prevented from being damaged.

Example 6 The shape of the first guide member in plan view was 13 × 13 mm.
In addition, the shape of the second guide member in plan view is 15 ×
After the guide member forming step and the optical fiber insertion step were performed in exactly the same manner as in Example 4 except that the diameter was changed to 43 mm, the optical polishing step was performed as follows.

First, as shown in FIGS. 13 (a) and 13 (b), the epoxy adhesive is applied so as to cover the end of each hexagonal fiber 33 projecting from the outer surface 51a of the first guide member 51. Then, a reinforcing member 53 made of glass was attached to the inner surface 51 b of the first guide member 51. Next, the outer surface 51 of the first guide member 51
Polishing was performed in the same manner as in Example 1 so that the end face of each hexagonal fiber 33 protruding from a became an optical polishing surface. In FIG. 13A, each hexagonal fiber 33 is shown as being positioned in a matrix, but these hexagonal fibers 33 are not shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 0 (a), they are positioned in a honeycomb shape.

As shown in FIGS. 13 (c) and 13 (d), the epoxy adhesive is applied so as to cover the end of each hexagonal fiber 33 projecting from the outer surface 54a of the second guide member 54. 55, and a glass reinforcing member 56 was attached to the inner surface 54b of the second guide member 54. Then, the outer surface 5 of the second guide member 54
Polishing was performed in the same manner as in Example 1 so that the end face of each hexagonal fiber 33 projecting from 4a became an optical polishing surface.

By performing the above-described optical polishing, an intended optical fiber bundle was obtained. As for this optical fiber bundle, when the end face of each hexagonal fiber 33 on the outer surface 51a side of the first guide member 51 was observed with a microscope, as shown in FIG.
Although some chipping of the edge was observed, the surface was relatively polished. Similarly, when the end surface of each hexagonal fiber 33 on the outer surface 54a side of the second guide member 54 was observed, the chip was found to have a relatively clean polished surface although some chipping of the edge was recognized (FIG. 14). (B)
reference).

Example 7 (1) Step of Producing a Guide Member In forming a through hole in a chemically cut photosensitive glass plate as a material for a guide member, a quartz glass plate and a predetermined glass plate formed on one surface of the quartz glass plate were formed. Cr deposited film of shape,
That is, a total of 100 openings each having a circular shape having a diameter of 220 μm in plan view are closely packed.
A target guide member (hereinafter, this guide member is referred to as a "first guide member") in the same manner as in Example 1 except that a photomask made of a Cr vapor-deposited film formed at a pitch of μm is used. I got The vertical cross-sectional shape of each through hole formed in the first guide member has a tapered shape, and the horizontal cross-section on the surface of the photosensitive glass on the side that was not in contact with the vinyl chloride plate during etching. The shape was a circle with a diameter of 230 μm, and the horizontal cross-sectional shape on the surface of the photosensitive glass on the side that was in contact with the vinyl chloride plate during etching was a circle with a diameter of 220 μm.

In the same manner as the first guide member, a guide member having a total of 100 through-holes having a circular horizontal cross section is formed in a row at a pitch of 240 μm (hereinafter, this guide member is referred to as a first guide member). "A second guide member"). The outer dimension of the second guide member is 2 × 28 ×
0.3 mm, and the shape and size of each through hole formed in the second guide member are the same as the shape and size of the through hole formed in the first guide member.

(2) Optical fiber insertion step First, a preform having a diameter of 10.0 mm and a length of 110 mm made of SiO ₂ glass is prepared, and this preform is heated to 2200 ° C. and spun, followed by resin coating. Then, a silica-based glass fiber having a diameter of 200 μm in diameter and a resin coating layer (cladding) of 10 μm in thickness in the radial direction of a core made of SiO ₂ glass was obtained. 30
A total of 100 cm optical fibers were cut out. And
With respect to each optical fiber, the clad (resin coating layer) at both ends was removed over a range of 3 cm from the end face to expose the core (the optical fiber after the core was exposed is hereinafter referred to as a “circular fiber”). .). Thereafter, one end of a circular fiber was inserted into each of the through holes formed in the first guide member in the same manner as in Example 1. Further, the other end of the circular fiber was inserted into the through hole formed in the second guide member in the same manner as in Example 1.

(3) Optical Polishing Step First, four SiO ₂ glass toy materials having the same shape and size as the toy material 6 used in Example 1 were prepared, and FIGS. 15A and 15B were used. As shown in (1), these jaw members 61 were arranged around the first guide member 62 and aligned with each other in the same manner as in Example 1, and they were fixed with the epoxy-based adhesive 63. At this time, each circular fiber 64 was fixed to the first guide member 62 by the epoxy adhesive 63 described above. Next, in the same manner as in Example 1, polishing was performed so that the end face of each circular fiber 64 projecting from the outer surface 62a of the first guide member 62 became an optical polishing surface. In FIG. 15A, the circular fibers 64 are illustrated as being positioned in a matrix. However, as shown in FIG. Positioned.

[0077] Further, FIG. 15 (c), the (d), the the lens holder unit member 65 of 4 × 35 × 5 mm made of SiO ₂ glass, also 4 × 15 × composed of SiO ₂ glass 5
mm toy materials 66, and two of these toy materials 65, 66 are used in the same manner as in the first embodiment.
These were arranged around the guide member 67 and aligned, and they were fixed with an epoxy-based adhesive 68. At this time, each of the circular fibers 64 is connected to the epoxy adhesive 6.
8 fixed to the second guide member 67. Then, in the same manner as in Example 1, the polishing was performed so that the end face of each circular fiber 64 protruding from the outer surface 67a of the second guide member 67 became the optical polishing surface.

By performing the above-described optical polishing, an intended optical fiber bundle was obtained. When the end face of each circular fiber 64 on the outer surface 62a side of the first guide member 62 of this optical fiber bundle was observed with a microscope, chipping of the edge was not substantially recognized as shown in FIG. , Had a beautiful polished surface. Similarly, the outer surface 6 of the second guide member 67
When the end faces of the circular fibers 64 on the 7a side were observed, as shown in FIG. 16 (b), substantially no chipping of the edges was observed on these end faces as well, resulting in a clean polished surface.

Example 8 The shape of the first guide member in plan view was 13 × 13 mm.
In addition, the shape of the second guide member in plan view is 15 ×
After the guide member forming step and the optical fiber insertion step were performed in exactly the same manner as in Example 7 except that the diameter was changed to 43 mm, the optical polishing step was performed as follows.

First, four yatoy materials having the same composition, shape and size as the yatoy material 61 used in Example 7 were prepared, and as shown in FIGS. 17 (a) and 17 (b), the first guide was used. These jaw members 72 were attached to the outer surface 71a of the member 71 using an epoxy-based adhesive 73. At this time, the disposition position of each of the yatoy members 72 is a position where all the circular fibers 64 are surrounded by the four yatoy members 72 when viewed in plan. Next, the outer surface 71 of the first guide member 71
Polishing was performed in the same manner as in Example 1 so that the end surface of each circular fiber 64 protruding from a became an optical polished surface.
At this time, the first guide member 71 has a thickness of 50 μm.
m. Note that FIG.
In FIG. 16A, the circular fibers 64 are illustrated as being positioned in a matrix, but these circular fibers 64 are positioned in a bale stack as shown in FIG. I have.

As shown in FIGS. 17 (c) and 17 (d), as shown in FIGS. 17 (c) and (d), the yatoy material 65 used in Example 7 has the same composition, shape and size as the yatoy material 65. Yatoi 76 with the same composition, shape and size as 669
These two toy members 75 and 76 are placed in the second position so that all the circular fibers 64 are surrounded by the four toy members 75 and 76 when viewed in plan.
Was adhered to the outer surface 77a of the guide member 77 using an epoxy adhesive 78. Then, the second guide member 77
Circular fibers 6 projecting from the outer surface 77a of the
Polishing was carried out in the same manner as in Example 1 so that the end face of No. 4 became an optical polishing surface. The polishing at this time is performed by the second guide member 7.
7 was deleted over a thickness of 50 μm.

By performing the above-described optical polishing, an intended optical fiber bundle was obtained. When the end face of each circular fiber 64 on the outer surface 71a of the first guide member 71 of this optical fiber bundle was observed with a microscope, chipping of the edge was not substantially recognized and clean as in Example 7. It had a polished surface. Similarly, the outer surface 77 of the second guide member 77
Observation of the end faces of the respective circular fibers 64 in FIG. a showed that substantially no chipping of the edges was observed on these end faces as well, resulting in a clean polished surface.

As shown in FIG. 18A, when a reinforcing member 79 made of, for example, glass is attached to the inner surface 71b of the first guide member 71 and polishing is performed, the first guide member is polished during polishing. Damage to the member 71 can be suppressed. Similarly, as shown in FIG. 18B, when a reinforcing member 80 made of, for example, glass is adhered to the inner surface 77b of the second guide member 77 and polished, the second guide member 77 is polished during polishing. Can be prevented from being damaged.

Embodiment 9 The shape of the first guide member in plan view was 13 × 13 mm.
In addition, the shape of the second guide member in plan view is 15 ×
Example 7 A guide member producing step and an optical fiber insertion step were performed in exactly the same manner as in Example 7 except that the diameter was changed to 43 mm, and an optical polishing step was performed as described below.

First, as shown in FIGS. 19 (a) and 19 (b), the epoxy adhesive 82 covers the end of each circular fiber 64 projecting from the outer surface 81a of the first guide member 81. , And a glass reinforcing member 83 was attached to the inner surface 81 b of the first guide member 81. Next, the outer surface 81a of the first guide member 81
Polishing was performed in the same manner as in Example 8 so that the end face of each circular fiber 64 projecting from the surface became an optical polished surface. In FIG. 19A, the circular fibers 64 are illustrated as being positioned in a matrix. However, as shown in FIG. Is positioned at

As shown in FIGS. 19C and 19D, the epoxy-based adhesive 85 covers the end of each circular fiber 64 projecting from the outer surface 84a of the second guide member 84. Was applied, and a glass reinforcing member 86 was attached to the inner surface 84b of the second guide member 84. Then, the outer surface 84 of the second guide member 84
Polishing was performed in the same manner as in Example 8 so that the end face of each circular fiber 64 protruding from a became an optical polished surface.

By performing the above-described optical polishing, an intended optical fiber bundle was obtained. When the end face of each circular fiber 64 on the outer surface 81a of the first guide member 81 was observed with a microscope with respect to this optical fiber bundle, as shown in FIG. It had a beautifully polished surface. Similarly, when the end face of each circular fiber 64 on the outer surface 84a of the second guide member 84 was observed, the chip was found to have a relatively clean polished surface although some chipping of the edge was recognized (FIG. 20 (b)). )reference).

Example 10 (1) Step of Producing Guide Member First, a 4 × 4 × 0.3 mm Al plate was prepared as a material for a guide member. Next, one side of this Al plate is
A resist pattern having the opening pattern shown in FIG. This resist pattern is formed so that a total of 100 openings 90 exhibiting a regular triangle having a side length of 270 μm when viewed in a plane are densely packed,
The gap between adjacent openings 90 is 20 μm (see FIG. 21A). Next, the Al plate provided with the above resist pattern is attached to a vinyl chloride plate, which is immersed in a mixed solution of 5% HF aqueous solution and 5% HNO ₃ aqueous solution for 2 minutes, and A through 90
One plate was etched. Thereafter, the resist pattern was peeled off to obtain a target guide member (hereinafter, this guide member is referred to as “first guide member”).
The vertical cross-sectional shape of each through hole formed in the first guide member has a tapered shape, and the horizontal cross-sectional shape on the surface of the Al plate on the side that was not in contact with the vinyl chloride plate during etching. Is 270 to 280μ on one side
m, with rounded corners and jagged edges.
On the other hand, the horizontal cross-sectional shape of each through hole on the surface of the Al plate that was in contact with the vinyl chloride plate at the time of etching was a triangular shape having a side length of 260 to 270 μm, with rounded corners and jagged edges. Was.

Also, except that a resist pattern having an opening pattern shown in FIG. 21 (b) was used, the first guide member was formed in the same manner as in the case of obtaining the first guide member, and the horizontal cross-sectional shape was formed in a row of 100 pieces. Guide member (hereinafter, this guide member is referred to as a “second guide member”).
I got At this time, the resist pattern had a regular triangle having a side length of 270 μm when viewed in plan.
00 openings 91 are formed in a line in the same direction, and the gap between adjacent openings 91 is 20 μm.
It is. The outer dimension of the second guide member is 2 × 30 × 0.3 m
m, and the shape and size of each through-hole formed in the second guide member are the same as the shape and size of the through-hole formed in the first guide member.

(2) Optical fiber insertion step First, a preform made of a multi-component glass containing SiO ₂ as a main component and further containing an alkali oxide or an alkaline earth oxide was prepared. This preform has a horizontal cross section of a regular triangle having a side of 8.0 mm and a height of 110 mm.
It has a triangular prism. Next, the above preform was added to 900
° C and spinning, followed by resin coating. The core of multi-component glass described above has a regular triangular cross section of 240 μm on each side, and the thickness of the resin coating layer (cladding) is A 5 μm multi-component glass optical fiber was obtained. The edges of the multi-component glass optical fiber were rounded.

Thereafter, a total of 100 optical fibers having a length of 30 cm were cut out from the multi-component glass optical fiber. Then, for each optical fiber, the cladding (resin coating layer) at both ends was removed over a range of 3 cm from the end face to expose the core (the optical fiber after the core was exposed was referred to as a “triangular fiber”). ").

Next, one end of the triangular fiber was inserted into each of the through holes formed in the first guide member in the same manner as in Example 1. Further, the other end of the triangular fiber was inserted into each of the through holes formed in the second guide member in the same manner as in Example 1.

(3) Optical Polishing Step First, four jaw members were arranged around the first guide member and aligned in the same manner as in Example 1, and then these were fixed with an epoxy-based adhesive. . At this time, as the yato material, a material composed of a multi-component glass having the same composition as the core of the triangular fiber was used. Each triangular fiber was fixed to the first guide member by the epoxy adhesive. Next, in the same manner as in Example 1, the end surface of each triangular fiber projecting from the outer surface of the first guide member was polished so as to be an optical polished surface. Further, two kinds of yatoy materials having a different size (four in total) were arranged around the second guide member in the same manner as in Example 1, and after positioning, they were fixed with an epoxy-based adhesive. . At this time, as each of the aforementioned yatoi materials,
The triangular fiber was made of a multi-component glass having the same composition as the core of the triangular fiber, and each triangular fiber was fixed to the second guide member by the epoxy adhesive. Then, in the same manner as in Example 1, polishing was performed so that the end faces of the triangular fibers protruding from the outer surface of the second guide member became the optically polished surfaces.

By performing the above-mentioned optical polishing, an intended optical fiber bundle was obtained. When the end face of each triangular fiber on the outer surface a side of the first guide member of the optical fiber bundle was observed with a microscope, some chipping of the edge was recognized, but the polished surface was good. Similarly, when the end faces of the triangular fibers on the outer surface side of the second guide member were observed, some chipping of the edges was also observed on these end faces, but the polished surface was good.

Example 11 (1) Step of Producing Guide Member First, one guide member made of a chemically-cuttable photosensitive glass plate was obtained in exactly the same manner as in the production of the first guide member in Example 1 (hereinafter, referred to as a guide member). This guide member is referred to as a “first guide member”.) Further, another guide member made of a chemically-cuttable photosensitive glass plate was obtained in exactly the same manner as in the preparation of the first guide member in Example 1 except that the etching time was changed to 8 minutes (hereinafter, this guide member). Is referred to as a “first guide member”.) The horizontal cross-sectional shape and the vertical cross-sectional shape of the through hole formed in the first guide member are the first cross-sectional shape.
a is the same as the horizontal or vertical cross-sectional shape of the through hole formed in the guide member a, but the size of the horizontal cross section is the size of the horizontal cross section of the through hole formed in the first a guide member As a result, it was enlarged by 2.5 μm in each of the four directions.

Next, the first guide member 1a and the first guide member 1b were bonded to each other to obtain a first guide member. At this time, the 1b guide member is disposed on the surface of the 1a guide member on the side where the diameter of the through hole is large, and the side of the 1b guide member where the diameter of the through hole is small. The surface of the first member abuts against the surface of the first guide member so that the center axis of the through hole formed in the first guide member (the center axis in a direction parallel to the through direction) and the first guide member are aligned. The two through-holes were bonded with good positional accuracy so that the center axis of the formed through-hole (the center axis in a direction parallel to the through-hole direction) coincided.

Also, one guide member (hereinafter, this guide member is referred to as a “second guide member”) is obtained in exactly the same manner as in the manufacture of the second guide member in Example 1, and the etching time is reduced to 8 times. 1 in the same manner as in the preparation of the second guide member in Example 1 except that
Thus, one guide member (hereinafter, this guide member is referred to as “2b guide member”) was obtained. The horizontal sectional shape and the vertical sectional shape of the through hole formed in the guide member 2b are the same as the horizontal sectional shape or the vertical sectional shape of the through hole formed in the guide member 2a. The size of the cross section is 2.times. In each of the four directions from the size of the horizontal cross section of the through hole formed in the second guide member.
It was enlarged by 5 μm. Then, the above-mentioned 2a guide member and 2b guide member were bonded together in exactly the same manner as in the manufacture of the first guide in this example, to obtain a desired second guide member.

(2) Optical fiber insertion step 100 rectangular fibers having the same shape and size as those used in the first embodiment are used, and the first guide member 1 (see FIG. 1) and the second guide member used in the first embodiment are used. Example 1 except that the first guide member 101 or the second guide member 104 was used instead of the guide member 4 (see FIG. 1) as shown in FIGS. Similarly, each rectangular fiber 3 was inserted and fixed in the first guide member 101 and the second guide member 102, respectively.

At this time, since the diameter of each through hole 102b formed in the first guide member 101b is large, the rectangular fiber 3 can be more easily inserted into the first guide member 1b.
01 was able to be inserted into the through hole 102. Similarly,
Since the diameter of each through hole 105b formed in the second guide member 104b was large, the rectangular fiber 3 could be more easily inserted into the through hole 105 of the second guide member 104. Further, since the thickness of the first guide member 101 is large and the thickness of the second guide member 104 is also large, their mechanical strength is increased, and work and handling are easier.

Note that reference numeral 10 in FIGS.
1a denotes the above-mentioned 1a guide member, and reference numeral 10 denotes
Reference numeral 2a denotes a through hole provided in the first guide member 101a, reference numeral 102b denotes a through hole provided in the first guide member 101b, reference numeral 104a denotes the second guide member, and reference numeral 105a denotes a second guide member. 2a guide member 10
Reference numeral 105b denotes a through hole provided in 4a.
Reference numeral 106 denotes an outer surface of the first guide member 101, and reference numeral 1 denotes a through hole provided in the guide member 104b.
Reference numeral 07 denotes an outer surface of the second guide member 104, respectively.

(3) Optical Polishing Step In exactly the same manner as in Example 1, the end face of each rectangular fiber 3 projecting from the outer surface 106 of the first guide member 101 was polished so as to be an optical polished surface. Further, in exactly the same manner as in Example 1, the polishing was performed so that the end face of each rectangular fiber 3 projecting from the outer surface 107 of the second guide member 104 becomes an optical polishing surface.

By performing the above-described optical polishing, an intended optical fiber bundle was obtained. When the end face of each of the rectangular fibers 3 on the outer surface 106 side of the first guide member 101 of this optical fiber bundle was observed with a microscope, chipping of the edge was not substantially recognized and cleanliness was observed as in the first embodiment. Polished surface. Similarly, when the end faces of the respective rectangular fibers 3 on the outer surface 107 of the second guide member 104 were observed, substantially no chipping of the edges was observed on these end faces, and a clean polished surface was obtained.

Measurement of Accuracy For each of the optical fiber bundles obtained in Examples 1 to 11, how much the position of each optical fiber end face on the outer surface side of the first guide member deviates from the target position is described. I asked. Similarly, it was determined how much the position of the end face of each optical fiber on the outer surface side of the second guide member deviated from the target position.

As a result, a chemically-cuttable photosensitive glass plate is used as a material for the guide member, and through holes are formed in these chemically-cuttable photosensitive glass plates by etching. In Examples 1 to 9 and Example 11 in which the second guide member was obtained, the deviation was within 6 to 10 μm (Examples 1 to 9) or 6 to 10 μm.
Within 8 μm (Example 11), each optical fiber was positioned with high positional accuracy. In Example 10 in which an Al plate was used as a material for the guide member and through holes were formed in the Al plate by etching to obtain the desired first guide member material and second guide member, Was within 12 to 15 μm, and in Example 10 as well, each optical fiber was positioned with high positional accuracy. For reference, when the optical fibers are bound in a bale-stacked shape without using the guide member, the above-described displacement is increased by approximately one digit.

Ratio of Optically Polished Surface For each of the optical fiber bundles obtained in Examples 1 to 11, the ratio of the optically polished surface to the optical fiber end surface on each of the first guide member side and the second guide member side was calculated. I asked. Table 1 shows the results.

[0106]

[Table 1]

As shown in Table 2, Examples 1 to 1
In each of the optical fiber bundles obtained in step 1, the ratio of the optically polished surface to the end face of the optical fiber on each of the first guide member side and the second guide member side is 80%.
Up to 100%.

Measurement of Light Transmission Efficiency For each of the optical fiber bundles obtained in Examples 1 to 11, the first guide member side was the light incident surface, and the second
Using the guide member side as a light emitting surface, the transmission efficiency was measured in the following manner. First, a wavelength of 1.3 as measurement light.
Using a laser diode light of μm, the measurement light was incident on each optical fiber constituting the optical fiber bundle via a silica-based optical fiber. The intensity of outgoing light from each optical fiber constituting the optical fiber bundle is detected by a Ge photodetector, and the ratio of the amount of outgoing light to the amount of incident light (hereinafter, this ratio is referred to as “light transmission efficiency I”). "). Further, the ratio of the amount of outgoing light to the amount of light obtained by subtracting the reflection loss from the light incident on the optical fiber bundle (hereinafter, this ratio is referred to as “light transmission efficiency II”) was also determined. Table 2 shows the results.

[0109]

[Table 2]

As shown in Table 3, Examples 1 to 1
Each of the optical fiber bundles obtained in 1 has a transmission efficiency that can be put to practical use.

[0111]

As described above, the optical fiber bundle of the present invention is an optical fiber bundle in which a plurality of optical fibers bundled with high positional accuracy can be easily obtained with good reproducibility. Therefore, according to the present invention, for example, it becomes easy to provide a high-definition optical fiber type image converter.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 (a) is a partially cutaway side view schematically showing a relationship between an optical fiber and a guide member in an optical fiber insertion step in Embodiment 1, and FIG. 1 (b) schematically shows the above relationship. It is a partial notch top view shown typically.

FIG. 2A is a partially cutaway front view schematically showing a relationship between an optical fiber and a first guide member in an optical polishing step in Example 1, and FIG. FIG. 2 is a partially cutaway side view schematically showing the relationship, and FIG.
FIG. 2C is a partially cutaway front view schematically showing the relationship between the optical fiber and the second guide member in the optical polishing step in Example 1, and FIG. 2D is a schematic view showing the above relationship. It is a partial cutaway side view.

FIG. 3A is a partial front view schematically showing an end face of each optical fiber on the first guide member side in the optical fiber bundle obtained in Example 1, and FIG. FIG. 9 is a partial front view schematically showing an end face of each optical fiber on the side of the second guide member in the optical fiber bundle obtained in FIG.

FIG. 4A is a partially cutaway front view schematically showing a relationship between an optical fiber and a first guide member in an optical polishing step according to a second embodiment, and FIG. FIG. 4 is a partially cutaway side view schematically showing the relationship,
FIG. 4C is a partially cutaway front view schematically illustrating the relationship between the optical fiber and the second guide member in the optical polishing step according to the second embodiment, and FIG. 4D is a schematic view illustrating the relationship. It is a partial cutaway side view.

FIG. 5A is a partially cutaway side view schematically showing a reinforcing member provided as necessary to a first guide member in an optical polishing step in Embodiment 2, and FIG. FIG. 9 is a partially cutaway side view schematically showing a reinforcing member provided as necessary to a second guide member in an optical polishing step in Embodiment 2.

FIG. 6A is a partially cutaway front view schematically showing a relationship between an optical fiber and a first guide member in an optical polishing step according to a third embodiment, and FIG. FIG. 6 is a partially cutaway side view schematically showing the relationship,
FIG. 6C is a partially cutaway front view schematically illustrating the relationship between the optical fiber and the second guide member in the optical polishing step according to the third embodiment, and FIG. 6D schematically illustrates the above relationship. It is a partial cutaway side view.

FIG. 7A is a partial front view schematically showing an end face of each optical fiber on a first guide member side in the optical fiber bundle obtained in Example 3, and FIG. FIG. 9 is a partial front view schematically showing an end face of each optical fiber on the side of the second guide member in the optical fiber bundle obtained in FIG.

FIG. 8A is a partially cutaway side view schematically illustrating a relationship between an optical fiber and a guide member in an optical fiber insertion step according to a fourth embodiment, and FIG. 8B is a schematic view illustrating the relationship. It is a partial notch top view shown typically.

FIG. 9 (a) is a partially cutaway front view schematically showing a relationship between an optical fiber and a first guide member in an optical polishing step according to a fourth embodiment, and FIG. FIG. 9 is a partially cutaway side view schematically showing the relationship;
FIG. 9C is a partially cutaway front view schematically showing the relationship between the optical fiber and the second guide member in the optical polishing step in Example 1, and FIG. 9D is a view schematically showing the above relationship. It is a partial cutaway side view.

10A is a partial front view schematically showing an end face of each optical fiber on a first guide member side in the optical fiber bundle obtained in Example 4, and FIG.
FIG. 9 is a partial front view schematically showing an end face of each optical fiber on a second guide member side in the optical fiber bundle obtained in Example 4.

FIG. 11A is a partially cutaway front view schematically showing a relationship between an optical fiber and a first guide member in an optical polishing step in Example 5, and FIG. FIG. 11C is a partially cutaway front view schematically showing the relationship between the optical fiber and the second guide member in the optical polishing step in the fifth embodiment. FIG. 11D is a partially cutaway side view schematically showing the above relationship.

FIG. 12A is a partially cutaway side view schematically showing a reinforcing member provided as necessary to a first guide member in an optical polishing step in Embodiment 5, and FIG.
(B) is a partial notch side view which shows roughly the reinforcement member provided as needed in the 2nd guide member in the optical grinding | polishing process in Example 5. FIG.

FIG. 13A is a partially cutaway front view schematically showing a relationship between an optical fiber and a first guide member in an optical polishing step according to a sixth embodiment, and FIG. FIG. 13C is a partially cutaway side view schematically illustrating the relationship, and FIG. 13C is a partially cutaway front view schematically illustrating the relationship between the optical fiber and the second guide member in the optical polishing step in the sixth embodiment. FIG. 13D is a partially cutaway side view schematically showing the above relationship.

FIG. 14A is a partial front view schematically showing an end face of each optical fiber on the first guide member side in the optical fiber bundle obtained in Example 6, and FIG.
FIG. 13 is a partial front view schematically showing an end face of each optical fiber on a second guide member side in the optical fiber bundle obtained in Example 6.

FIG. 15 (a) is a partially cutaway front view schematically showing a relationship between an optical fiber and a first guide member in an optical polishing step according to a seventh embodiment, and FIG. FIG. 15C is a partially cutaway front view schematically illustrating a relationship between an optical fiber and a second guide member in an optical polishing step according to a seventh embodiment. FIG. 15D is a partially cutaway side view schematically showing the above relationship.

16A is a partial front view schematically showing an end face of each optical fiber on the first guide member side in the optical fiber bundle obtained in Example 7, and FIG.
FIG. 13 is a partial front view schematically showing an end face of each optical fiber on a second guide member side in the optical fiber bundle obtained in Example 7.

FIG. 17 (a) is a partially cutaway front view schematically showing a relationship between an optical fiber and a first guide member in an optical polishing step in Example 8, and FIG. FIG. 17C is a partially cutaway front view schematically showing the relationship, and FIG. 17C is a partially cutaway front view schematically showing the relationship between the optical fiber and the second guide member in the optical polishing step in the eighth embodiment. FIG. 17D is a partially cutaway side view schematically showing the above relationship.

FIG. 18 (a) is a partially cutaway side view schematically showing a reinforcing member provided as necessary to a first guide member in an optical polishing step in Embodiment 8, and FIG.
(B) is a partial notch side view which shows roughly the reinforcement member provided as needed in the 2nd guide member in the optical grinding | polishing process in Example 8. FIG.

FIG. 19A is a partially cutaway front view schematically showing a relationship between an optical fiber and a first guide member in an optical polishing step according to a ninth embodiment. FIG. FIG. 19C is a partially cutaway side view schematically showing the relationship, and FIG. 19C is a partially cutaway front view schematically showing the relationship between the optical fiber and the second guide member in the optical polishing step in the ninth embodiment. FIG. 19D is a partially cutaway side view schematically showing the above relationship.

FIG. 20 (a) is a partial front view schematically showing an end face of each optical fiber on the first guide member side in the optical fiber bundle obtained in Example 9, and FIG. 20 (b).
FIG. 19 is a partial front view schematically showing an end face of each optical fiber on the second guide member side in the optical fiber bundle obtained in Example 9.

FIG. 21 (a) is a partial plan view schematically showing a resist pattern used to obtain a first guide member in a guide member manufacturing step in Example 10, and FIG.
(B) is a second example of the guide member manufacturing process in the tenth embodiment.
FIG. 6 is a partial plan view schematically showing a resist pattern used to obtain the guide member of FIG.

FIG. 22 (a) is a partially cutaway side view schematically showing a relationship between an optical fiber and a guide member in an optical fiber insertion step in Embodiment 11;
FIG. 4 is a partially cutaway plan view schematically showing the above relationship.

[Explanation of symbols]

1,11,21,31,41,51,62,71,8
1, 101 ... first guide member, 2, 32, 102 ...
Through-hole formed in the first guide member, 3 ... rectangular fiber (optical fiber), 4, 16, 24, 3
4, 46, 54, 67, 77, 84, 104 ... second guide member, 5, 35, 105 ... through holes formed in the second guide member, 6, 8, 9, 12, 14, 14, 1
5,36,38,39,42,44,45,61,6
5, 66, 72, 75, 76: Yatoi material, 33: hexagonal fiber (optical fiber), 64: circular fiber (optical fiber).

Claims (12)

[Claims] A plurality of optical fibers; and a guide member for binding the optical fibers into a predetermined shape. The guide member includes a plurality of through holes used for positioning the optical fibers. A hole is formed, wherein each of the optical fibers is fixed to the guide member in a state where a longitudinal end is inserted into any of the plurality of through holes, bundle. 2. The optical fiber bundle according to claim 1, wherein the optical fiber is a chalcogenide optical fiber, a fluoride optical fiber, or a silica-based optical fiber. 3. The method according to claim 1, wherein a horizontal cross-sectional shape of each of the plurality of through holes formed in the guide member is similar or approximate to a radial cross-sectional shape of the optical fiber to be positioned. Fiber optic bundle. 4. The optical fiber bundle according to claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of through holes formed in the guide member is formed by etching. 5. The optical fiber bundle according to claim 1, wherein the guide member is made of chemically-cuttable photosensitive glass. 6. The optical fiber bundle according to claim 1, wherein the guide member has a multi-layer structure. 7. A guide member manufacturing step of forming a plurality of through holes in a material for a guide member to obtain a guide member, and inserting an optical fiber into each of the through holes formed in the guide member. And an optical polishing step of optically polishing each end face of the optical fiber on the side inserted into the guide member. 8. The method according to claim 7, wherein a plurality of through-holes having a horizontal cross-sectional shape similar or similar to the radial cross-sectional shape of the optical fiber to be positioned are formed in the material for the guide member. 9. The method according to claim 7, wherein a plurality of through holes are formed in the material for the guide member by etching. 10. The method according to claim 7, wherein a chemically cut photosensitive glass is used as a material for the guide member. 11. The method according to claim 7, wherein a guide member having a multilayer structure is obtained. 12. The method according to claim 7, wherein a chalcogenide optical fiber, a fluoride optical fiber, or a silica-based optical fiber is used as the optical fiber.