JPS6191603A - Optical fiber end surface mirror and its manufacture - Google Patents

Optical fiber end surface mirror and its manufacture

Info

Publication number
JPS6191603A
JPS6191603A JP59211271A JP21127184A JPS6191603A JP S6191603 A JPS6191603 A JP S6191603A JP 59211271 A JP59211271 A JP 59211271A JP 21127184 A JP21127184 A JP 21127184A JP S6191603 A JPS6191603 A JP S6191603A
Authority
JP
Japan
Prior art keywords
optical fiber
end surface
melting point
smoothed
low
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
JP59211271A
Other languages
Japanese (ja)
Other versions
JPH0480361B2 (en
Inventor
Yoshinobu Mihashi
三橋 慶喜
Satoshi Ishihara
聡 石原
Masafumi Tagawa
雅文 田川
Hiroshi Yamazaki
洋 山崎
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology AIST
Azbil Corp
Sumita Optical Glass Inc
Original Assignee
Agency of Industrial Science and Technology
Azbil Corp
Sumita Optical Glass Inc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Agency of Industrial Science and Technology, Azbil Corp, Sumita Optical Glass Inc filed Critical Agency of Industrial Science and Technology
Priority to JP59211271A priority Critical patent/JPS6191603A/en
Publication of JPS6191603A publication Critical patent/JPS6191603A/en
Publication of JPH0480361B2 publication Critical patent/JPH0480361B2/ja
Granted legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • GPHYSICS
    • G02OPTICS
    • G02BOPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
    • G02B6/00Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
    • G02B6/24Coupling light guides
    • G02B6/26Optical coupling means
    • G02B6/262Optical details of coupling light into, or out of, or between fibre ends, e.g. special fibre end shapes or associated optical elements
    • GPHYSICS
    • G02OPTICS
    • G02BOPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
    • G02B6/00Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
    • G02B6/02Optical fibres with cladding with or without a coating
    • G02B6/02052Optical fibres with cladding with or without a coating comprising optical elements other than gratings, e.g. filters

Landscapes

  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Optics & Photonics (AREA)
  • Optical Fibers, Optical Fiber Cores, And Optical Fiber Bundles (AREA)

Abstract

PURPOSE:To manufacture an optical fiber end surface mirror through extremely simple operation without using any large-scale device by plating the optical fiber end surface which is cut in a plane perpendicular to the axial line of the optical fiber and smoothed with metal which has a low fusion point. CONSTITUTION:Part of the periphery of the optical fiber is flawed with a carbide bit and cleaved with stress, and the end surface is smoothed into a plane perpendicular to the axis or fused and smoothed with discharge heat. The metal 2 having a 58 deg.C low fusion point below the resistive temperature of the object optical is fused in a container and the optical fiber 5 which has the end surface smoothed is dipped in the molten metal 2 after the clad 6 is separated and elevated slowly to solidify sticking metal 2. Therefore, the operation is easily performed at low temperature without using any special device, and the manufacture is carried out even at an actual site.

Description

【発明の詳細な説明】 〔産業上の利用分野〕 本発明は、光通信用デバイスの調整、測定や、光ファイ
バ干渉計等に用いる光ファイバ端面鏡に関する。さらに
詳しくは、光ファイバ内を伝搬してきた光を光ファイバ
終端面で有効にもとの光ファイバ内に反射させ再度逆方
向に光ファイバ内に光を伝搬させる光ファイバ終端面に
設けられた反射鏡に関する。
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to an optical fiber end mirror used for adjusting and measuring optical communication devices, optical fiber interferometers, and the like. More specifically, it is a reflector provided on the optical fiber end surface that effectively reflects the light that has propagated within the optical fiber back into the original optical fiber at the end surface of the optical fiber and propagates the light again in the opposite direction into the optical fiber. Regarding mirrors.

〔従来の技術〕[Conventional technology]

従来、光ファイバ端面鏡の製作は、光ファイバ端面に金
属(アルミニウム、銀など)や誘電体を真空蒸着するこ
とによって行なわれ、金属薄膜内面鏡や誘電体多層膜内
面鏡として得ていた。これは、真空槽内に被蒸着物であ
る光ファイバを入れ、油拡散ポンプ、メカニカルブース
タポンプ、油回軸ポンプ等で10″″4〜10””’a
a++)Ig程度の真空を作り、その中で蒸着物の温度
を上げて蒸発させ、その蒸気を光ファイバに付着させて
鏡面を作るというものである。
Conventionally, optical fiber end mirrors have been manufactured by vacuum-depositing metals (aluminum, silver, etc.) or dielectrics on the end faces of optical fibers, resulting in metal thin film inner mirrors or dielectric multilayer inner mirrors. This is done by placing the optical fiber to be deposited in a vacuum chamber and using an oil diffusion pump, mechanical booster pump, oil rotary pump, etc.
A++) A vacuum of about Ig is created, the temperature of the deposited material is raised in the vacuum to evaporate it, and the vapor is attached to an optical fiber to create a mirror surface.

〔発明が解決しようとする問題点〕[Problem that the invention seeks to solve]

以上のような方法による光ファイバ端面鏡の製作が一般
的に行なわれているが、次の様な問題点が存在していた
Although optical fiber end mirrors are generally manufactured by the method described above, there are the following problems.

■ 真空蒸着機という特殊な装置を必要とする。■ Requires special equipment called a vacuum evaporator.

■ 真空槽を真空に引く時間を含め製造所要時間が長い
■ The manufacturing time is long, including the time required to evacuate the vacuum chamber.

0)真空蒸着時に光ファイバに水分、油等が付着しない
ように細心の注意をはられなければならない。(これに
よって端面鋺の仕上り特性や蒸着に要する時間が変わる
。) +4)光ファイバが非常に長尺な場合、光ファイバ全体
を収納する大きな真空槽を必要とする。
0) Great care must be taken to prevent moisture, oil, etc. from adhering to the optical fiber during vacuum deposition. (This changes the finish characteristics of the end face and the time required for vapor deposition.) +4) If the optical fiber is very long, a large vacuum chamber is required to house the entire optical fiber.

■ 蒸気が光ファイバ端面に付着する際、温度ストレス
によって表面を痛める。
■ When steam adheres to the end face of an optical fiber, it damages the surface due to temperature stress.

本発明は以上の問題点を解決するために成されたもので
ある。
The present invention has been made to solve the above problems.

〔問題点を解決するための手段〕[Means for solving problems]

本発明による光ファイバ端面鏡は、光ファイバ端面を光
の伝搬方向側の軸と垂直に切断し、この面をへき開、研
摩等によって平滑処理した後、この光ファイバの耐熱温
度以下で溶融させた低融点金属中に挿入し、この光ファ
イバ端面に付着した低融点金属を凝固させることによっ
て鍍金するものである。
The optical fiber end mirror according to the present invention is obtained by cutting an optical fiber end face perpendicular to the axis in the light propagation direction, smoothing this face by cleaving, polishing, etc., and then melting the end face at a temperature below the heat-resistant temperature of the optical fiber. The optical fiber is inserted into a low melting point metal and plated by solidifying the low melting point metal attached to the end face of the optical fiber.

〔作 用〕[For production]

本発明によれば真空蒸着機のような大がかシな装置を一
切使わず、溶融した低融点金属中に浸すのみという非常
に単純な作業で処理できる。
According to the present invention, the process can be performed by simply immersing the material in molten low-melting point metal without using any large-scale equipment such as a vacuum evaporator.

〔実施例〕〔Example〕

以下、図面を参照して実施例を説明する。第1図は本発
明による光ファイバ端面鏡の製造の過程を示したもので
ある。(、a)は容器1に低融点金属2を入れ、ヒータ
ー3で加熱することによって融解させた状態である。こ
こで用いる低融点金属は、低温ろう付材料(低温はんだ
を含む、いわゆる軟ろう)を用いるのであるが、Blを
主材としたS n +Pb+ In+Cd等から成る低
温はんだで、融点が47〜183℃程度であシ本発明の
実施に好ましい材料である。
Examples will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows the process of manufacturing an optical fiber end mirror according to the present invention. (, a) shows a state in which a low melting point metal 2 is placed in a container 1 and melted by heating with a heater 3. The low-melting point metal used here is a low-temperature brazing material (including low-temperature solder, so-called soft solder), and is a low-temperature solder consisting of Bl as the main material, Sn + Pb + In + Cd, etc., and has a melting point of 47 to 183. It is a preferred material for practicing the present invention.

低融点金属の選定にあたっては、鍍金対象となる光ファ
イバの耐熱温度、使用雰囲気等を考慮して決定する。す
なわち、融点が低すぎる場合、使用雰囲気温度の影響に
より金属が溶融することもあシ、また融点が高すぎる場
合には鍍金時に光ファイバ端面が損傷したシ、光ファイ
バ自体が損傷することがある。融点が低すぎて使いにく
いものとしては水銀がある。この金属の場合、通常室温
(25℃程度)で液体であるため、この温度条件での応
用には利用できない。また融点が高すぎて使いにくいも
のとして、プラスチック光ファイバに通常のSn 60
%、Pb40%のハンダを使う例が挙げられる。このは
んだの共晶温度183℃は、プラスチック光ファイバの
最大温度定格(80℃程度)を越える温度となり、光フ
ァイバの損傷はまぬがれない。
When selecting a low melting point metal, the temperature limit of the optical fiber to be plated, the atmosphere in which it will be used, etc. are taken into consideration. In other words, if the melting point is too low, the metal may melt due to the influence of the ambient temperature, and if the melting point is too high, the end face of the optical fiber may be damaged during plating, or the optical fiber itself may be damaged. . Mercury is difficult to use because its melting point is too low. Since this metal is normally liquid at room temperature (about 25° C.), it cannot be used for applications under this temperature condition. Also, the melting point is too high and it is difficult to use, so ordinary Sn 60 is used as a plastic optical fiber.
%, Pb 40% solder is used. The eutectic temperature of this solder, 183° C., exceeds the maximum temperature rating (approximately 80° C.) of the plastic optical fiber, and damage to the optical fiber is inevitable.

今、Bi 49%、Pb 18%、5n12%、In2
1%なる組成で、融点58℃の低温はんだをガラス光フ
ァイバに鍍金する場合を考える。上述の様に第1図(a
)は低融点金属をヒーターで融解させたものであるが、
この時の温度は融点よシ10〜20℃程度高い温度に保
っておく。これは、この程度の製産から下で粘性が窩ぐ
なり、光ファイバ入の接着性が良いので鍍金の仕上が9
が良くなる。図(b)は融解した低融点金属の表面の酸
化膜を取シ除く作業を示している。これは酸化膜が光フ
ァイバの端面に付着すると反射率が著しく低下するので
、熱伝導率の低い物質で作ったスプーン4で溶解金属の
温度を下げないようにこの酸化膜を取り除く。
Now, Bi 49%, Pb 18%, 5n12%, In2
Consider the case where a glass optical fiber is plated with a low temperature solder having a composition of 1% and a melting point of 58°C. As mentioned above, Figure 1 (a
) is a low melting point metal melted with a heater,
The temperature at this time is kept at about 10 to 20°C higher than the melting point. This is because the viscosity decreases at this level of production, and the adhesion of the optical fiber is good, so the plating finish is 9.
gets better. Figure (b) shows the process of removing the oxide film on the surface of the molten low melting point metal. This is because if an oxide film adheres to the end face of an optical fiber, the reflectance will drop significantly, so this oxide film is removed using a spoon 4 made of a material with low thermal conductivity so as not to lower the temperature of the molten metal.

図(c)は端面を平滑処理した光ファイバ5の被膜6を
剥離して、この端面を溶融金属2中に浸した状態を示し
ている。この状態からゆっくりと光ファイバを引き上け
て、付着した低融点金属が凝固すれば鍍金は終了する。
Figure (c) shows a state in which the coating 6 of the optical fiber 5 whose end face has been smoothed has been peeled off and the end face is immersed in the molten metal 2. From this state, the optical fiber is slowly pulled up and the plating is completed when the attached low melting point metal solidifies.

(第1図(d))なお、凝固には送風等による強制冷却
が良い効果を得ている。
(FIG. 1(d)) Note that forced cooling by blowing air or the like has a good effect on solidification.

次に、光ファイバ端面の平滑処理の方法を述べる。平滑
処理には何通りかの方法があるが、例えば第2図に示す
ように、光ファイバ7に超硬バイト8で所望の垂直断面
に沿った円周の一部に傷をつけ、応力を加えることによ
ってへき開し、垂直断面を得るという方法や、第3図に
示すように、光ファイバ9をステンレスパイプやセラミ
ック裂の7エルール10内に接着剤で固定した後、この
端面をフェルール10ごとラッピングフィルムで研摩し
たり、アルミナ粉末を用いたパフ研摩を施すという方法
、さらに第4図に示すように放電電極11.11’間に
光ファイバ端面12を位置させ、放電による熱で光ファ
イバ端面を融解して平滑化する方法がある。具体的には
ガラス光ファイバの平滑処理において、次に示すような
データで良好な平滑面が得られた。放電電流14.6m
A、放電電圧35004放電時間0.17sccX 電
極間隔1.5瓢当然ながら平滑化する光ファイバの材質
や直径などによってもこの条件は変わってくる。以上の
ような方法によって平滑面が得られ、さらにこの端面を
溶融金属中に浸す前に水やアルコールで洗浄することで
反射面の仕上が9が良くなることは言うまでもない。
Next, a method for smoothing the end face of an optical fiber will be described. There are several methods for smoothing, but for example, as shown in Figure 2, a part of the circumference of the optical fiber 7 is scratched with a carbide cutting tool 8 along a desired vertical cross section to reduce stress. Alternatively, as shown in Fig. 3, after fixing the optical fiber 9 in the ferrule 10 of a stainless steel pipe or ceramic crack with adhesive, this end face is cleaved with the ferrule 10. In addition, as shown in FIG. 4, the optical fiber end face 12 is positioned between the discharge electrodes 11 and 11', and the optical fiber end face is heated by the heat generated by the discharge. There is a method of melting and smoothing. Specifically, in smoothing a glass optical fiber, a good smooth surface was obtained according to the data shown below. Discharge current 14.6m
A. Discharge voltage: 35004 Discharge time: 0.17 scc X Electrode spacing: 1.5 mm Naturally, these conditions vary depending on the material and diameter of the optical fiber to be smoothed. It goes without saying that a smooth surface can be obtained by the method described above, and that the finish of the reflective surface can be improved by cleaning the end surface with water or alcohol before immersing it in molten metal.

以上のようにして得られた端面鏡は振動や外力によって
低融点金属が光ファイバ端面からはがれ落ちてしまう可
能性もあるので、エポキシ接着剤等でコーティングする
ことによって強化すると安全で、さらにコーテイング後
の端面をその低融点金属の融点以上の温度に上げてもあ
る程度までは耐えるという遮温効果も生じる。
Since there is a possibility that the low melting point metal of the end mirror obtained as described above may peel off from the optical fiber end face due to vibration or external force, it is safe to strengthen it by coating it with epoxy adhesive, etc. Even if the end face of the metal is raised to a temperature higher than the melting point of the low melting point metal, it also has a heat shielding effect that allows it to withstand the temperature to a certain extent.

〔発明の効果〕〔Effect of the invention〕

以上のようにして得られる光ファイバ端面鏡は、その方
法の容易さから特殊な装置も必要とせず短時間で形成で
き、また製造過程の温度が比較的低いので、従来の技術
の問題点を解決するばかりでなく、その結果として現場
での作業も可能となって、例えば現場で反射鏡の劣化が
発見された場合に、その場で修理が可能となる。また、
低融点金属ということで、融点を選択すれば耐熱温度の
低いプラスチックファイバにも使用できるという利点も
有するなど非常に大きな効果を奏するものである。
The optical fiber end mirror obtained as described above can be formed in a short time without the need for special equipment due to the ease of the method, and since the temperature in the manufacturing process is relatively low, it overcomes the problems of conventional technology. Not only does this solve the problem, but as a result, it becomes possible to perform work on-site. For example, if deterioration of a reflector is discovered on-site, it becomes possible to repair it on the spot. Also,
Since it is a low melting point metal, it has the advantage that it can also be used for plastic fibers with low heat resistance if the melting point is selected, and has very great effects.

【図面の簡単な説明】[Brief explanation of drawings]

第1図は本発明による光ファイバ端面鏡の製造過程を示
した図である。第2図、第3図、第4図は光ファイバ端
面の平滑処理方法の例を示した図である。 1・・・・容器、2・・・・低融点金属、3・・・・ヒ
ーター、5,7.9・・・・光ファイバ、8・・・・超
硬バイト、10・・・・フェルール、11.11’・・
・・電極。
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the manufacturing process of an optical fiber end mirror according to the present invention. FIG. 2, FIG. 3, and FIG. 4 are diagrams showing an example of a method for smoothing the end face of an optical fiber. 1... Container, 2... Low melting point metal, 3... Heater, 5, 7.9... Optical fiber, 8... Carbide cutting tool, 10... Ferrule , 11.11'...
··electrode.

Claims (3)

【特許請求の範囲】[Claims] (1)光ファイバの軸線と垂直な平面で切断、平滑処理
した光ファイバ端面に、低融点金属を鍍金してなる光フ
ァイバ端面鏡。
(1) An optical fiber end mirror made by plating a low melting point metal on the end face of an optical fiber that has been cut and smoothed on a plane perpendicular to the axis of the optical fiber.
(2)鍍金対象光ファイバの耐熱温度以下で融解する低
融点金属をその光ファイバの耐熱温度以下で加熱、融解
させて、この低融点金属中に平滑処理された端面を有す
る鍍金対象光ファイバを挿入し、この光ファイバ端面に
付着した低融点金属を凝固させることによつて鍍金する
ことを特徴とする光ファイバ端面鏡の製造方法。
(2) A low-melting point metal that melts below the heat-resistant temperature of the optical fiber to be plated is heated and melted at a temperature below the heat-resistant temperature of the optical fiber, and an optical fiber to be plated having a smoothed end face in the low-melting point metal is produced. 1. A method of manufacturing an optical fiber end mirror, which comprises inserting the optical fiber and solidifying a low melting point metal attached to the end surface of the optical fiber to perform plating.
(3)光ファイバ端面の平滑処理を放電の熱によつて融
解することを特徴とする特許請求の範囲第1項記載の光
ファイバ端面鏡の製造方法。
(3) A method for manufacturing an optical fiber end mirror according to claim 1, characterized in that the smoothing treatment of the optical fiber end face is melted by the heat of electric discharge.
JP59211271A 1984-10-11 1984-10-11 Optical fiber end surface mirror and its manufacture Granted JPS6191603A (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP59211271A JPS6191603A (en) 1984-10-11 1984-10-11 Optical fiber end surface mirror and its manufacture

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP59211271A JPS6191603A (en) 1984-10-11 1984-10-11 Optical fiber end surface mirror and its manufacture

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
JPS6191603A true JPS6191603A (en) 1986-05-09
JPH0480361B2 JPH0480361B2 (en) 1992-12-18

Family

ID=16603151

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
JP59211271A Granted JPS6191603A (en) 1984-10-11 1984-10-11 Optical fiber end surface mirror and its manufacture

Country Status (1)

Country Link
JP (1) JPS6191603A (en)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2019074911A1 (en) * 2017-10-09 2019-04-18 Corning Incorporated Metallized mirror coatings for light diffusing optical fibers and methods of manufacturing the same

Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS5946303U (en) * 1982-09-17 1984-03-27 日立電線株式会社 leaky light guide

Family Cites Families (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS5946303B2 (en) * 1980-05-02 1984-11-12 株式会社リケン thermal spray surface layer

Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS5946303U (en) * 1982-09-17 1984-03-27 日立電線株式会社 leaky light guide

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2019074911A1 (en) * 2017-10-09 2019-04-18 Corning Incorporated Metallized mirror coatings for light diffusing optical fibers and methods of manufacturing the same
US11378736B2 (en) 2017-10-09 2022-07-05 Corning Incorporated Metallized mirror coatings for light diffusing optical fibers and methods of manufacturing the same

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
JPH0480361B2 (en) 1992-12-18

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US3042550A (en) Solid delay line improvements
US5778125A (en) Optical fiber terminations
JPH04318503A (en) Optical-fiber machining method
US2964839A (en) Flux free bonded article and method
JPS6240404A (en) Low loss fiber optic coupler and manufacture thereof
US3590467A (en) Method for bonding a crystal to a solid delay medium
US6671450B2 (en) Apparatus and method to metallize, reinforce, and hermetically seal multiple optical fibers
JPS6191603A (en) Optical fiber end surface mirror and its manufacture
US4706256A (en) Fritless endbell assembly
JPS6114609A (en) Making of naked fiber taper for metal cover fiber
JPS59172787A (en) Submounting device for semiconductor laser
JPH02287409A (en) Method for connecting optical fiber
JPH04270181A (en) Method for soldering superconducting fiber to copper channel
JP2895654B2 (en) High strength connection method of optical fiber
CN104375231B (en) Simple manufacturing method for optical waveguide
CN112346180B (en) Method for packaging optical fiber and metal part
JPS641763B2 (en)
JPS63253905A (en) Manufacture of sleeve for optical fiber
JPH0157884B2 (en)
JP3076127B2 (en) Optical fiber terminal for hermetic sealing
JP3307493B2 (en) Manufacturing method of quartz optical fiber with lens
JPS58120543A (en) Production of metal coated fiber
SU101167A1 (en) Method of connecting parts of glass bulbs of electronic and other lamps
JPS6155642B2 (en)
JPH08304642A (en) Terminal part of optical fiber bundle and its formation

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
EXPY Cancellation because of completion of term