KR20020068677A - Optical fiber block - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: An optical fiber block is provided to improve reliability of an optical communication system by fixing firmly an optical fiber. CONSTITUTION: An optical fiber block is formed with a lower plate(100) and an upper plate(200). An optical fiber(300) is located on the lower plate(100). The upper plate(200) is located on the lower plate(100) and the optical fiber(300). A plurality of grooves are formed on the lower plate(100) and the upper plate(200). The optical fiber(300) is surrounded by the grooves. The lower plate(100) and the upper plate(200) are formed by silicon, glass, metal, or plastics. The first and the second grooves are formed on the lower plate(100). The optical fiber(300) is formed with a core layer, a clad layer, and a protective layer. The third and the fourth grooves are formed on the upper plate(200).

Description

Optical Fiber Block

The present invention relates to an optical fiber block, and more particularly, to an optical fiber block used for optical connection between an optical element and an optical fiber.

As a transmission medium of optical communication, optical fibers and optical waveguides using total reflection of light are used.

1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a single-core optical fiber generally used in an optical communication system.

Referring to FIG. 1, the optical fiber 300 has a high refractive index and a core layer 301 having a diameter of several micrometers to several tens of micrometers and a cladding having a relatively low refractive index and a 125 μm diameter surrounding the core layer 301 ( The enamel layer 303 and the enamel layer 303 having a diameter of 250 μm are provided to surround the clad layer 302 to protect the clad layer 302, the core layer 301, and the clad layer 302. It consists of a jacket layer 304 of 900㎛ diameter installed to surround the. Here, the optical signal is transmitted through the core layer 301 and the clad layer 302. Hereinafter, the layers 303 and 304 formed to protect the core layer 301 and the clad layer 302 are collectively referred to as a protective layer 305 regardless of what form or what material they are made of.

Recently, optical devices using Planar Lightwave Circuit (PLC) technology have been used in optical communication systems. At this time, the optical signal transmitted through the optical fiber is input to the planar waveguide device, or in order to transfer the optical signal output from the planar waveguide device to another device, the input of the planar optical waveguide device mainly to the optical fiber block. Connect the output terminal to the optical fiber.

In general, the optical fiber block aligns the optical fiber spacing with the optical waveguide's input / output waveguide spacing for the connection between the optical fiber and the optical device, and digs a groove between two plates having a relatively wide cross section to reinforce the coupling section. The optical fibers are placed side by side and bonded by an adhesive material.

Figure 2a is a schematic diagram showing a conventional optical fiber block, Figure 2b is a schematic diagram showing the shape of the optical fiber according to Figure 1 located on the lower plate of the optical fiber block according to Figure 2a, Figure 2c is a shape of the optical fiber block in the shape according to Figure 2b It is a schematic diagram which showed the shape in which the upper board was located. FIG. 2D is a cross-sectional view illustrating a shape in which a bonding material is applied to the shape according to FIG. 2C. FIG.

Referring to FIG. 2A, the optical fiber block includes a lower plate 10 and an upper plate 20. Here, the lower plate 10 is composed of a predetermined region in which the V-groove 11 is provided, a region in which the V-groove 11 is formed, and the remaining predetermined region including a flat surface 12 having a step. In addition, the upper plate 20 is formed in a plate shape that can cover only a predetermined region of the lower plate 10 provided with the V-groove 11 without a step. At this time, the upper plate 20 according to the depth of the V-groove 11 provided in the lower plate 10, V in the predetermined region of the upper plate 20 so as to match the position with the V-groove 11 provided in the lower plate 10. In some cases, grooves are provided, and in some cases, a flat plate is provided without a V-groove.

Referring to FIG. 2B, when placing one strand of the optical fiber 300 according to FIG. 1 on the lower plate 10, the protective layer 305 is peeled off from the V-groove of the lower plate 10, that is, the core layer 301. ) And the cladding layer 302 are positioned, and the optical fiber 320 in which the protective layer 305 is not peeled off is positioned in a predetermined region of the lower plate 10 having a flat surface.

2C and 2D, the upper plate 20 is attached to the region in which the V-groove of the lower plate 10 is provided using the bonding material 30. In the region where the V-groove is not formed in the lower plate 10, the optical fiber 320 in which the protective layer 305 is not removed using the bonding material 30 is fixed.

As described above, in the case of fixing the optical fiber using a conventional optical fiber block, the bonding area between the lower plate and the upper plate is small, and the upper plate and the lower plate are easily separated. In addition, unlike the optical fiber located in the V-groove of the lower plate, the optical fiber in the state where the enamel layer or the jacket layer is not peeled off is fixed only by a large amount of bonding material. Will occur.

Due to the problems described above, the tensile strength between the optical fiber block and the optical fiber connected thereto is weakened, so that the optical connection with the optical device using the optical fiber is poor, thereby reducing the reliability of the optical communication system.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an optical fiber block which can improve the reliability of an optical communication system by firmly fixing an optical fiber.

1 is a schematic diagram showing a typical single-core optical fiber;

2A is a schematic diagram showing a conventional optical fiber block;

2B and 2C are schematic views showing a shape in which the optical fiber block according to FIG. 2A and the optical fiber according to FIG. 1 are combined;

Figure 2d is a cross-sectional view showing a shape in which the bonding material is applied to the bonding shape according to Figure 2c;

3A to 3C are schematic views for explaining an embodiment according to an example of the present invention;

4 is a schematic diagram showing a 4-core ribbon optical fiber as an example of a multi-core optical fiber;

5A to 5C are schematic diagrams for describing an embodiment according to another example of the present invention.

The optical fiber block according to an embodiment of the present invention for achieving the technical problem, the optical element and the core layer, a cladding layer formed to surround the core layer, a single-core optical fiber having a protective layer formed to surround the cladding layer An optical fiber block used for optically connecting; The first and second grooves having the first and second grooves positioned in the longitudinal direction, wherein the predetermined area of the optical fiber including the core layer and the clad layer is positioned without the protective layer in the single-core optical fiber; A lower plate having a first groove and a second groove connected to the first groove and provided with a predetermined region of the optical fiber in which the protective layer is not removed; Since the first groove and the second groove is provided on one surface of the lower plate provided to surround the optical fiber located in the first groove and the second groove with the lower plate, the protective layer is removed from the optical fiber It characterized in that it comprises a top plate provided with a third groove for wrapping the area that is not in the second groove with the lower plate.

The optical fiber block according to another embodiment of the present invention for achieving the technical problem, an optical element and a plurality of core layers, a plurality of clad layers formed to surround each of the core layers, one formed to surround the clad layer An optical fiber block used for optically connecting a multicore optical fiber having a protective layer; The multi-core optical fiber has a first groove and a second groove located in the longitudinal direction, wherein the predetermined region of the optical fiber consisting of the core layers and the clad layers without the protective layer in the multi-core optical fiber is provided A lower plate having the first groove and the second groove connected to the first groove and provided with a predetermined region of the optical fiber in which the protective layer is not removed; Since the first grooves and the second grooves are positioned on one surface of the lower plate, the optical fibers positioned in the first grooves and the second grooves are wrapped together with the lower plate, and the protective layer is removed from the optical fiber. It characterized in that it comprises a top plate provided with a third groove for wrapping the area that is not in the second groove with the lower plate.

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

3A to 3C are schematic diagrams for explaining an embodiment according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing a four-core ribbon optical fiber as an example of a multi-core optical fiber, and FIGS. 5A to 5C are examples of the present invention. Schematic diagrams for explaining the embodiment according.

First, embodiments according to an example of the present invention will be described in connection with FIGS. 1 and 3A to 3C. In Embodiment 1, the optical fiber is the optical fiber according to FIG. 1.

Example 1

Referring to FIG. 3A, the optical fiber block of the present invention includes a lower plate 100 and an upper plate 200. At this time, the lower plate 100 and the upper plate 200 may be made of the same form, or may be made of a different form. However, when the optical fiber 300 is positioned on the lower plate 100 as shown in FIG. 3b and then the upper plate 200 is positioned on the lower plate 100 and the optical fiber 300 as shown in FIG. The optical fiber 300 may be surrounded by the grooves 110, 120, 230, and 240 formed in the upper plate 200. Meanwhile, the lower plate 100 and the upper plate 200 are made of silicon, glass, metal, or plastic.

The lower plate 100 is divided into a predetermined region in which the first groove 110 is formed, and the remaining predetermined region in which the second groove 120 is formed that is wider and deeper than the first groove 110 and is connected to the first groove 110. . At this time, the first groove 110 and the second groove 120 formed in the lower plate 100 may be formed as a V-shaped groove or a U-shaped groove using a wet etching or using a diamond knife, but is not limited thereto. no.

Referring to FIG. 3B, in positioning one strand of single-core optical fiber 300 on the lower plate 100, the second groove 120 of the lower plate 100 has a core layer 301, a cladding layer 302, and a protective layer. An optical fiber 320 consisting of 305 is positioned. In addition, the protective layer 305 is removed from the first groove 110 of the lower plate 100 so that the optical fiber 310 including only the core layer 301 and the clad layer 302 is positioned. Herein, the optical fiber 300 positioned on the lower plate 100 is divided into two 310 and 320 for convenience, but the optical fiber 310 and the second groove 120 located in the first groove 110 are described. Since the optical fiber 320 is one strand, the optical fiber 320 located in the second groove 120 may be formed even when the depth of the first groove 110 is formed to be equal to the diameter of the optical fiber 310 located in the first groove 110. The predetermined area of) protrudes from the second groove 120. At this time, in order to prevent the predetermined region of the optical fiber 320 located in the second groove 120 from protruding from the second groove 120, the first groove 110 must be formed deeper. However, when the first groove 110 of the lower plate 100 deepens, the optical fiber 310 located therein is located in a straight shape in the longitudinal direction, but is easily bent in the height direction, which is not preferable. Therefore, the third groove 230 of the upper plate 200 to be described later is required.

Meanwhile, the optical fiber 300 may be positioned on the lower plate 100, and then the optical fiber 320 positioned in the second groove 120 of the lower plate 100 may be fixed to the lower plate 100 using a bonding material.

Referring again to FIG. 3A, in the present embodiment, the upper plate 200 is provided with a fourth groove 240 having the same shape as the first groove 110 of the lower plate 100, and the second groove 120 of the lower plate 100. It is shown in the shape provided with a third groove 230 of the same shape as). However, the depth and width of the third groove 230 provided in the upper plate 200 are not necessarily the same as that of the second groove 120 provided in the lower plate 100. However, when the second groove 120 of the lower plate 100 and the third groove 230 of the upper plate 200 are combined, the optical fiber 320 located in the second groove 120 of the lower plate 100 is lower plate. The second groove 120 of the 100 and the third groove 230 of the upper plate 200 may be surrounded. In addition, the depth and the width of the fourth groove 240 provided in the upper plate 200 are not necessarily the same as those of the first groove 110 provided in the lower plate 100. However, when the first groove 110 of the lower plate 100 and the fourth groove 240 of the upper plate 200 are combined, the optical fiber 310 located in the first groove 110 of the lower plate 100 is lower plate. The first groove 110 of the 100 and the fourth groove 240 of the upper plate 200 may be surrounded. Therefore, if the first groove 110 of the lower plate 100 is provided to a depth such that the optical fiber 310 located in the first groove 110 of the lower plate 100 is interpolated, the fourth groove ( 240) is unnecessary.

Referring to FIG. 3C, the first groove 110 of the lower plate 100 and the fourth upper plate 200 of the lower plate 100 using a bonding material in a state where the optical fiber 300 is positioned on the lower plate 100 as shown in FIG. 3B. The lower plate 100 and the upper plate 200 are bonded to each other so that the grooves 240 abut and the second grooves 120 of the lower plate 100 and the third grooves 230 of the upper plate 200 abut. Therefore, the optical fiber 310 consisting of only the core layer 301 and the cladding layer 302 is surrounded by the first groove 110 of the lower plate 100 and the fourth groove 240 of the upper plate 200. In addition, the optical fiber 320 including the core layer 301, the cladding layer 302, and the protective layer 305 has the second groove 120 of the lower plate 100 and the third groove 230 of the upper plate 200. Is surrounded by.

As described above, the upper plate is formed by forming an optical fiber block using the upper and lower plates provided with not only an optical fiber composed of a core layer and a cladding layer, but also grooves that can cover a predetermined area of the optical fiber composed of a core layer, a clad layer, and a protective layer. And the contact area of the lower plate is widened. In addition, even when a predetermined region of the optical fiber composed of the core layer, the clad layer, and the protective layer is bonded to the lower plate using the bonding material, the predetermined region of the optical fiber made of the core layer, the clad layer, and the protective layer is surrounded by the upper plate and the lower plate. By stacking, the area of bonding material exposed to the atmosphere can be reduced.

Example 2

In the present embodiment, an optical fiber block capable of positioning only one strand of single-core optical fiber has been described. However, when it is necessary to position a plurality of single-core optical fibers, one lower plate provided with the same number of first and second grooves as the number of single-core optical fibers and one upper plate provided with the same number of third grooves with the same number of single-core optical fibers The plurality of single-core optical fibers may be aligned. In this case, as described above, the fourth groove of the upper plate may or may not be formed.

Subsequently, an optical fiber block used for a four-core ribbon optical fiber as shown in FIG. 4 will be described as an embodiment according to another example of the present invention. 4 and 5a to 5c, the optical fiber in Embodiment 3 refers to the optical fiber of FIG.

Example 3

Referring to FIG. 5A, an optical fiber block used in the multicore optical fiber 400 includes a lower plate 500 and an upper plate 600 made of silicon, glass, metal, or plastic.

The lower plate 500 includes a predetermined area in which a plurality of first grooves 510 are formed, and one second groove connected to the first grooves 510 and provided wider and deeper than the first grooves 510. 520 is divided into the remaining predetermined areas. In this case, when the optical fiber 400 is positioned on the lower plate 500, the first grooves 510 and the second grooves 520 should be formed so that the optical fiber 400 is not bent.

The upper plate 600 may be formed in the same form as the lower plate 500 as described in the first embodiment, or may be formed in another form. In the present embodiment, by showing the lower plate 500 and the upper plate 600 in the same form, the upper plate 600 has a third groove 630 such as the second groove 520 of the lower plate 500 and the lower plate 500. Fourth grooves 640 are formed, such as the first grooves 510.

Referring to FIG. 5B, in placing the 4-core ribbon optical fiber on the lower plate 500, the second groove 520 of the lower plate 500 has four core layers 401 and clad layers 402 and four strands. A predetermined region of the optical fiber 420, which consists of a protective layer 403 which encloses the core layer 401 and the clad layer 402 at once, is located. In addition, the protective layer 403 is removed from the first grooves 510 of the lower plate 500 such that four optical fibers 410 including only the core layer 401 and the clad layer 402 are positioned. At this time, the optical fiber 410 located in the first groove 510 of the lower plate 500 and the optical fiber 420 located in the second groove 520 of the lower plate 500 are one multi-core optical fiber 400.

Referring to FIG. 5C, the first grooves 510 of the lower plate 500 and the upper plate 600 are made of a bonding material in a state in which the optical fiber 400 is positioned on the lower plate 500 as shown in FIG. 5B. The lower plate 500 and the upper plate 600 are bonded to each other such that the four grooves 640 abut and the second groove 520 of the lower plate 500 and the third groove 630 of the upper plate 600 abut. Accordingly, the optical fibers 410 including only the core layer and the cladding layer are surrounded by the first grooves 510 of the lower plate 500 and the fourth grooves 640 of the upper plate 600, respectively. The optical fiber 420 including the core layer, the cladding layer, and the protective layer is surrounded by the second groove 520 of the lower plate 500 and the third groove 630 of the upper plate 600.

According to the optical fiber block according to the present invention as described above, not only the optical fiber consisting of the core layer and the cladding layer, but also the upper and lower plates provided with grooves that can cover a predetermined region of the optical fiber consisting of the core layer, the cladding layer, and the protective layer. By forming the optical fiber block by using the contact area of the upper plate and the lower plate is widened to improve the tensile strength of the optical fiber block.

In addition, since the optical fiber is fixed to the groove provided in the lower plate without using the adhesive material, it is possible to prevent the movement or bending of the optical fiber generated when the bonding material is injected.

Furthermore, when a predetermined region of the optical fiber made up of the core layer, the clad layer, and the protective layer is bonded to the lower plate using the bonding material, the predetermined region of the optical fiber made of the core layer, the clad layer, and the protective layer is surrounded by the upper plate and the lower plate. By stacking, it is possible to reduce the area where the bonding material is exposed to the atmosphere, which prevents the bonding material from weakening to changes in temperature and humidity, and also increases the tensile strength of the optical fiber block by integrating the protective layer and the optical fiber block. Will be.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and it is apparent that many modifications are possible by those skilled in the art within the technical spirit of the present invention.

Claims (5)

An optical fiber block for optically connecting a single-core optical fiber having an optical element, a core layer, a cladding layer formed to surround the core layer, and a protective layer formed to surround the cladding layer; The first and second grooves having the first and second grooves positioned in the longitudinal direction, wherein the predetermined area of the optical fiber including the core layer and the clad layer is positioned without the protective layer in the single-core optical fiber; A lower plate having a first groove and a second groove connected to the first groove and provided with a predetermined region of the optical fiber in which the protective layer is not removed; Since the first groove and the second groove is provided on one surface of the lower plate provided to surround the optical fiber located in the first groove and the second groove with the lower plate, the protective layer is removed from the optical fiber An optical fiber block having a top plate provided with a third groove that surrounds the area that is not in addition to the second groove of the lower plate. In an optical fiber block used to optically connect a multi-core optical fiber having an optical element, a plurality of core layers, a plurality of clad layers formed to surround each of the core layers, one protective layer formed to surround the clad layer ; The multi-core optical fiber has a first groove and a second groove located in the longitudinal direction, wherein the predetermined region of the optical fiber consisting of the core layers and the clad layers without the protective layer in the multi-core optical fiber is provided A lower plate having the first groove and the second groove connected to the first groove and provided with a predetermined region of the optical fiber in which the protective layer is not removed; Since the first grooves and the second grooves are positioned on one surface of the lower plate, the optical fibers positioned in the first grooves and the second grooves are wrapped together with the lower plate, and the protective layer is removed from the optical fiber. An optical fiber block having a top plate provided with a third groove that surrounds the area that is not in addition to the second groove of the lower plate. According to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the first groove of the lower plate is provided so that a predetermined region of the optical fiber consisting of only the core layer and the clad layer is interpolated, when the upper plate is located on the lower plate 1. The optical fiber block according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined region of the upper plate positioned on the predetermined region of the lower plate on which the groove is formed is a flat plate without a groove. The first plate according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first plate is positioned on the lower plate so as to surround a predetermined region of the optical fiber including only the core layer and the clad layer together with the first groove of the lower plate. And a fourth groove is further provided in a predetermined region of the upper plate positioned on the predetermined region of the lower plate on which the groove is formed. The optical fiber block according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the lower plate and the upper plate are made of silicon, glass, metal, or plastic.