WO2023170862A1 - Core position specifying method, optical fiber connecton method, and optical fiber connection device - Google Patents
Core position specifying method, optical fiber connecton method, and optical fiber connection device Download PDFInfo
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- WO2023170862A1 WO2023170862A1 PCT/JP2022/010585 JP2022010585W WO2023170862A1 WO 2023170862 A1 WO2023170862 A1 WO 2023170862A1 JP 2022010585 W JP2022010585 W JP 2022010585W WO 2023170862 A1 WO2023170862 A1 WO 2023170862A1
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- G—PHYSICS
- G02—OPTICS
- G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
- G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
- G02B6/02—Optical fibres with cladding with or without a coating
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- G—PHYSICS
- G02—OPTICS
- G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
- G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
- G02B6/24—Coupling light guides
- G02B6/255—Splicing of light guides, e.g. by fusion or bonding
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- the present disclosure relates to a core position specifying method for specifying the position of each core at the end of a multi-core optical fiber, an optical fiber connecting method for connecting the ends of two multi-core optical fibers in which the position of each core has been specified, and an optical fiber.
- connection devices Regarding connection devices.
- Figure 1 shows the structure of an optical fiber.
- the optical fiber is composed of a core glass 11 through which light propagates, a clad glass 12 that covers the core glass, and a coating 13 that protects the glass portion.
- the diameter of the core glass 11 is 10 ⁇ m
- the diameter of the cladding glass 12 is 125 ⁇ m
- the diameter of the optical fiber including the coating is 250 ⁇ m.
- the characteristics of an optical fiber can be changed by changing the refractive index difference and refractive index distribution between the core glass and cladding glass, but the structure consisting of the core and cladding glass is common to all optical fibers. .
- FIG. 2 shows a cross-sectional view of the optical fiber glass.
- FIG. 2(A) shows an optical fiber in which the center O of the clad glass 12 and the center Oc of the core glass 11 are offset, and there is eccentricity. Such optical fibers are not currently manufactured.
- FIG. 1(B) shows that the centers of the clad glass 12 and the core glass 11 are aligned, and there is no eccentricity.
- a single-core optical fiber has a core placed in the center of a clad glass.
- FIG. 3 A method for connecting optical fibers without eccentricity is shown in FIG. 3 (see, for example, Non-Patent Document 1).
- the fusion splicing technique uses image recognition technology and a micrometer in conjunction to align the ends of the two optical fibers 31 placed in the V-groove 30 with high precision. Thereafter, an arc discharge 33 is formed between the two electrode rods 32, and the end portions of the optical fibers 31 are melted and connected by the heat, thereby integrating the two.
- optical fibers can be fusion spliced.
- the reason why fusion splicing can be performed by aligning the optical fibers is that the core is located at the center of the optical fiber.
- FIG. 4(A) shows the structure of a single-core optical fiber having one core
- FIG. 4(B) shows the structure of a multi-core optical fiber having four cores, as examples.
- FIG. 5 shows a cross-sectional view of the multi-core optical fiber shown in FIG. 4(B). Four pieces of core glass 11 are arranged in clad glass 12.
- Non-Patent Document 1 In the optical fiber splicing method of Non-Patent Document 1, simply butting two multi-core optical fibers together causes the cores to be misaligned, and fusion splicing cannot be performed as is. This is because many core glasses 11 are arranged in the clad glass 12. Furthermore, current image recognition technology does not have the accuracy to identify the position of the core from outside the optical fiber. That is, there is a problem in that it is difficult to connect multi-core optical fibers using the method of connecting single-core optical fibers.
- the present invention provides a method for specifying the core position of a multi-core optical fiber from the outside and enabling fusion splicing of the multi-core optical fibers, and an optical fiber connection method.
- An object of the present invention is to provide a method and an optical fiber connection device.
- the core position specifying method involves injecting test light from the side surface of an optical fiber and specifying the position of the core from the state of the reflected light reflected inside.
- the core position identification method includes: Injecting the test light from the optical interferometer perpendicularly into the side of the multi-core optical fiber;
- the present invention is characterized in that the reflected light of the test light reflected within the multi-core optical fiber is captured by the interferometer, and the position of the core in the cross section of the multi-core optical fiber is specified from the change in the intensity of the reflected light.
- the interferometer is a swept wavelength optical coherence tomography (SS-OCT).
- the present invention can provide a core position specifying method that can specify the position of the core of a multi-core optical fiber from the outside and enable fusion splicing of the multi-core optical fibers.
- the optical fiber connection method includes: identifying the positions of the cores at the ends of the two multi-core optical fibers using the core position identifying method; The end portions of the two multi-core optical fibers are faced to each other so that the cores are aligned, and the end portions of the two multi-core optical fibers are connected.
- the optical fiber connection method is as follows: specifying the position of the core at an end of one of the multi-core optical fibers using the core position specifying method; facing an end of the other multi-core optical fiber to an end of the multi-core optical fiber;
- the core position specifying method according to claim 1 or 2, specifying the position of the core at the other end of the multi-core optical fiber;
- the method may include rotating one of the multi-core optical fibers around an axis to align the cores at the opposing ends, and connecting the ends of the two multi-core optical fibers. .
- the optical fiber connection method includes: By injecting the test light perpendicularly into the side surface of the multi-core optical fiber, by capturing the reflected light reflected by the test light within the multi-core optical fiber, and from the change in the intensity of the reflected light, the core in the cross section of the multi-core optical fiber is detected.
- an interferometer for determining the position of the a holder that holds the two multi-core optical fibers with their respective ends facing each other; a rotation mechanism that rotates one of the multi-core optical fibers around an axis and aligns the cores at the opposing ends; an electrode rod that fusion-connects the ends of the two multi-core optical fibers; This can be realized with an optical fiber connection device equipped with
- the present invention provides a core position identification method, an optical fiber connection method, and an optical fiber connection device that can identify the core position of a multicore optical fiber from the outside and enable fusion splicing of the multicore optical fibers. I can do it.
- FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the structure of an optical fiber.
- FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a cross-sectional structure of an optical fiber. It is a figure explaining the connection method of an optical fiber.
- FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a single-core optical fiber and a multi-core optical fiber.
- FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a cross-sectional structure of a multi-core optical fiber.
- FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a core position specifying method according to the present invention.
- FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an interferometer used in the core position specifying method according to the present invention.
- FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an optical fiber connection method according to the present invention.
- FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an optical fiber connection device according to the present invention.
- FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an optical fiber connection method according to the present invention.
- FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an optical fiber connection device according to the present invention.
- FIGS. 6 and 7 are diagrams illustrating the core position specifying method of this embodiment.
- This core location method is Injecting test light L T from the optical interferometer 70 perpendicularly into the side surface of the multi-core optical fiber 50 (step S01);
- the position of the core in the cross section of the multi-core optical fiber 50 is determined by capturing the reflected light L R reflected by the test light L T in the multi-core optical fiber 50 with the interferometer 70 (step S02), and from the change in the intensity of the reflected light L R. Identifying (step S03) It is characterized by
- the interferometer 70 is a swept wavelength optical coherence tomography (SS-OCT).
- the interferometer 70 includes a wavelength swept light source 71, a beam splitter 72, a reference mirror 73, and a detector 74.
- the interferometer 70 identifies the core position as follows.
- the light from the light source 71 is split by a beam splitter 72, and one part is made into the optical fiber 50 to be measured as the test light LT , and the other part is made into the reference mirror 73 as the reference light LX .
- the test light LT incident on the optical fiber 50 is reflected at the interface between the core and the cladding, which have different refractive indexes, and is emitted from the optical fiber 50 as reflected light LR .
- the location where the reflected light LR is generated can be regarded as a location where there is a difference in refractive index, that is, the boundary between the core and the cladding.
- the interferometer 70 identifies the location where the reflected light LR is generated in the following manner.
- the reflected light L R reflected from the optical fiber 50 and the reference light L X reflected from the reference mirror 73 overlap again on the beam splitter 72 .
- the reflected light L R and the reference light L X interfere with each other, and if the distance traveled through the optical fiber 50 and the distance traveled back and forth through the reference mirror 73 are equal, the interference frequency becomes 0. Therefore, by moving the reference mirror 73 and using the detector 74 to find the position where the frequency of the interference light between the reflected light L R and the reference light L It is possible to determine whether a core exists.
- the interferometer 70 can thus identify the positions of a plurality of cores from the side of the optical fiber 50 by utilizing the difference in refraction between the core and the cladding.
- the positions of the plurality of cores can be specified by changing the wavelength of the light source 71 without moving the reference mirror 73.
- FIGS. 8 and 9 are diagrams for explaining the optical fiber connection method of this embodiment.
- This optical fiber connection method is Identifying the positions of the plurality of cores at the ends 50a of the two multi-core optical fibers 50 using the core position identifying method described in Embodiment 1 (step S11); The ends 50a of the two multi-core optical fibers 50 are faced to each other so that the positions of their respective cores are aligned (step S12), and the ends 50a of the two multi-core optical fibers are connected (step S13). It is characterized by
- step S11 a plurality of core positions at the end portions 50a of the two multi-core optical fibers 50 to be connected are specified using the method described in the first embodiment.
- step S12 two multi-core optical fibers 50 are placed in the V-groove 30 with their ends 50a facing each other as shown in FIG.
- the positions of a plurality of cores at the end portion 50a are known in both cases, the positions of the two cores are aligned so that they face each other.
- step S13 the ends 50a of the two multi-core optical fibers 50 are fusion-spliced as described in FIG. 3.
- FIGS. 10 and 11 are diagrams illustrating the optical fiber connection method of this embodiment.
- This optical fiber connection method is Identifying the positions of the plurality of cores at the end 50a of one multi-core optical fiber 50-1 using the core position identifying method described in Embodiment 1 (step S21); facing the end 50a of the other multi-core optical fiber 50-2 to the end 50a of the multi-core optical fiber 50-1 (step S22); Identifying the positions of the plurality of cores at the end 50a of the multi-core optical fiber 50-2 using the core position identifying method described in Embodiment 1 (step S23); Rotating one of the multi-core optical fibers (50-1 or 50-2) around the axis and aligning the positions of the respective cores at the opposing ends 50a (step S24), and rotating the two multi-core optical fibers ( 50-1, 50-2) (step S25) It is characterized by
- FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating the optical fiber connection device of this embodiment.
- This optical fiber connection device is By making the test light L T perpendicularly incident on the side surface of the multi-core optical fiber 50, by capturing the reflected light L R reflected by the test light L T within the multi-core optical fiber 50, and by changing the intensity of the reflected light L R , the multi-core an interferometer 70 that specifies the positions of the plurality of cores in the cross section of the optical fiber 50; a holder (V groove 30) that holds two multi-core optical fibers (50-1, 50-2) with their respective ends 50a facing each other; a rotation mechanism 80 that rotates one of the multi-core optical fibers (in this embodiment, the multi-core optical fiber 50-2) around an axis and aligns the positions of the respective cores at the opposing ends 50a; an electrode rod 32 that fusion-connects the ends 50a of two multi-core optical fibers (50-1, 50-2); Equipped with
- the position of each core of two multi-core optical fibers can be specified. However, in many cases, simply butting the ends of two multicore optical fibers together will result in the cores being misaligned, so it is necessary to align the core positions.
- the test light LT is incident on the surface of the multi-core optical fiber 50-2 using the interferometer 70, thereby positioning the multiple cores in real time.
- Fusion splicing is performed when the core position of multi-core optical fiber 50-2 matches the core position of multi-core optical fiber 50-1, which has been arranged with the core position known in advance.
Abstract
The purpose of the present invention is to provide a core position specifying method, optical fiber connection method, and optical fiber connection device, capable of externally specifying the position of a core of a multicore optical fiber and enabling fusion splicing between multicore optical fibers. The core position specifying method according to the present invention is characterized by causing test light LT from an optical interferometer 70 to enter a side surface of a multicore optical fiber 50 at a right angle (step S01); capturing reflected light LR, which is the test light LT reflected inside the multicore optical fiber 50, with the optical interferometer 70 (step S02); and specifying the position of a core on a cross-section of the multicore optical fiber 50 on the basis of a change in strength of the reflected light LR (step S03).
Description
本開示は、マルチコア光ファイバの端部における各コアの位置を特定するコア位置特定方法、各コアの位置が特定できた２つのマルチコア光ファイバの端部同士を接続する光ファイバ接続方法および光ファイバ接続装置に関する。
The present disclosure relates to a core position specifying method for specifying the position of each core at the end of a multi-core optical fiber, an optical fiber connecting method for connecting the ends of two multi-core optical fibers in which the position of each core has been specified, and an optical fiber. Regarding connection devices.
現在の光ファイバの接続方法について説明する。商用に用いられている光ファイバの種類は多くあるが、構造は一つに集約される。光ファイバの構造を図１に示す。光ファイバは光が伝搬するコアガラス１１、コアガラスを覆うようなクラッドガラス１２、ガラス部を保護する被覆１３から構成される。例えば、コアガラス１１の直径は１０μｍ、クラッドガラス１２の直径は１２５μｍ、被覆を含む光ファイバの直径は２５０μｍである。コアガラスとクラッドガラスの屈折率差及び屈折率分布を変えることで、光ファイバの特性を変えることができるが、コアとクラッドのガラスから構成される構造は、どの光ファイバにも共通している。
The current optical fiber connection method will be explained. There are many types of optical fibers used commercially, but they all have one structure. Figure 1 shows the structure of an optical fiber. The optical fiber is composed of a core glass 11 through which light propagates, a clad glass 12 that covers the core glass, and a coating 13 that protects the glass portion. For example, the diameter of the core glass 11 is 10 μm, the diameter of the cladding glass 12 is 125 μm, and the diameter of the optical fiber including the coating is 250 μm. The characteristics of an optical fiber can be changed by changing the refractive index difference and refractive index distribution between the core glass and cladding glass, but the structure consisting of the core and cladding glass is common to all optical fibers. .
コアガラスとクラッドガラスの位置について述べる。図２に光ファイバガラスの断面図を示す。図２（Ａ）はクラッドガラス１２の中心Ｏとコアガラス１１の中心Ｏｃがずれており、偏心がある光ファイバを示す。このような光ファイバは現在製造されていない。図１（Ｂ）はクラッドガラス１２とコアガラス１１の中心が一致しており、偏心がないことを示す。現在の光ファイバはこのように偏心が非常に少ない光ファイバが流通している。シングルコア光ファイバは、クラッドガラスの中心にコアが配置されている。
Let's talk about the positions of core glass and clad glass. FIG. 2 shows a cross-sectional view of the optical fiber glass. FIG. 2(A) shows an optical fiber in which the center O of the clad glass 12 and the center Oc of the core glass 11 are offset, and there is eccentricity. Such optical fibers are not currently manufactured. FIG. 1(B) shows that the centers of the clad glass 12 and the core glass 11 are aligned, and there is no eccentricity. Currently, optical fibers with very little eccentricity as described above are in circulation. A single-core optical fiber has a core placed in the center of a clad glass.
偏心がない光ファイバの接続方法を図３に示す（例えば、非特許文献１を参照）。融着接続技術は、画像認識技術とマイクロメータを連動させて、Ｖ溝３０に配置した２つの光ファイバ３１の端部を高精度に位置を合わせる。その後、２つの電極棒３２の間でアーク放電３３を形成し、その熱により光ファイバ３１の端部を溶融して接続し、両者を一体化させる技術である。放電の条件（パワー、時間）を最適化することで、光ファイバを融着接続することができる。光ファイバの位置合わせで融着接続ができる理由は、光ファイバの中心にコアが配置されているためである。
A method for connecting optical fibers without eccentricity is shown in FIG. 3 (see, for example, Non-Patent Document 1). The fusion splicing technique uses image recognition technology and a micrometer in conjunction to align the ends of the two optical fibers 31 placed in the V-groove 30 with high precision. Thereafter, an arc discharge 33 is formed between the two electrode rods 32, and the end portions of the optical fibers 31 are melted and connected by the heat, thereby integrating the two. By optimizing the discharge conditions (power, time), optical fibers can be fusion spliced. The reason why fusion splicing can be performed by aligning the optical fibers is that the core is located at the center of the optical fiber.
現在、光ファイバ通信の伝送容量を向上させる研究がされており、その解決手段の一つとして、クラッドガラスの中に、複数のコアガラスを配置させたマルチ光ファイバが挙げられる。マルチとは、複数のコアが配置していることを指している。コアの本数が多くなれば、通信速度がその分増加する。図４（Ａ）にコアが１つであるシングルコア光ファイバの構造と、図４（Ｂ）にコアが４つであるマルチコア光ファイバの構造を例として示す。図４（Ｂ）のマルチコア光ファイバの断面図を図５に示す。クラッドガラス１２の中にコアガラス１１が４本配置される。
Currently, research is being conducted to improve the transmission capacity of optical fiber communications, and one solution to this problem is a multi-optical fiber in which multiple core glasses are arranged within a clad glass. Multi refers to the arrangement of multiple cores. As the number of cores increases, the communication speed increases accordingly. FIG. 4(A) shows the structure of a single-core optical fiber having one core, and FIG. 4(B) shows the structure of a multi-core optical fiber having four cores, as examples. FIG. 5 shows a cross-sectional view of the multi-core optical fiber shown in FIG. 4(B). Four pieces of core glass 11 are arranged in clad glass 12.
非特許文献１の光ファイバ接続方法であると、２本のマルチコア光ファイバを突き合わせただけでは、コア同士の位置がずれており、そのままでは融着接続はできない。これは、クラッドガラス１２の中に、多くのコアガラス１１を配列させたためである。また、現在の画像認識技術では、光ファイバの外部からコアの位置を特定する精度が備わっていない。すなわち、シングルコア光ファイバの接続方法でマルチコア光ファイバを接続することは困難という課題があった。
In the optical fiber splicing method of Non-Patent Document 1, simply butting two multi-core optical fibers together causes the cores to be misaligned, and fusion splicing cannot be performed as is. This is because many core glasses 11 are arranged in the clad glass 12. Furthermore, current image recognition technology does not have the accuracy to identify the position of the core from outside the optical fiber. That is, there is a problem in that it is difficult to connect multi-core optical fibers using the method of connecting single-core optical fibers.
そこで、本発明は、上記課題を解決するために、マルチコア光ファイバのコアの位置を外部から特定し、マルチコア光ファイバ同士の融着接続を可能とすることができるコア位置特定方法、光ファイバ接続方法および光ファイバ接続装置を提供することを目的にする。
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a method for specifying the core position of a multi-core optical fiber from the outside and enabling fusion splicing of the multi-core optical fibers, and an optical fiber connection method. An object of the present invention is to provide a method and an optical fiber connection device.
上記目的を達成するために、本発明に係るコア位置特定方法は、光ファイバの側面から試験光を入射し、内部で反射した反射光の状態からコアの位置を特定することとした。
In order to achieve the above object, the core position specifying method according to the present invention involves injecting test light from the side surface of an optical fiber and specifying the position of the core from the state of the reflected light reflected inside.
具体的には、本発明に係るコア位置特定方法は、
光干渉計からの試験光をマルチコア光ファイバの側面に垂直に入射すること、
前記マルチコア光ファイバ内で前記試験光が反射した反射光を前記干渉計で捉えること、及び
前記反射光の強度変化から、前記マルチコア光ファイバの断面におけるコアの位置を特定すること
を特徴とする。
例えば、前記干渉計は、波長掃引型光干渉断層計（ＳＳ－ＯＣＴ：Ｓｗｅｐｔ Ｓｏｕｒｃｅ Ｏｐｔｉｃａｌ Ｃｏｈｅｒｅｎｃｅ Ｔｏｍｏｇｒａｐｈｙ）である。 Specifically, the core position identification method according to the present invention includes:
Injecting the test light from the optical interferometer perpendicularly into the side of the multi-core optical fiber;
The present invention is characterized in that the reflected light of the test light reflected within the multi-core optical fiber is captured by the interferometer, and the position of the core in the cross section of the multi-core optical fiber is specified from the change in the intensity of the reflected light.
For example, the interferometer is a swept wavelength optical coherence tomography (SS-OCT).
光干渉計からの試験光をマルチコア光ファイバの側面に垂直に入射すること、
前記マルチコア光ファイバ内で前記試験光が反射した反射光を前記干渉計で捉えること、及び
前記反射光の強度変化から、前記マルチコア光ファイバの断面におけるコアの位置を特定すること
を特徴とする。
例えば、前記干渉計は、波長掃引型光干渉断層計（ＳＳ－ＯＣＴ：Ｓｗｅｐｔ Ｓｏｕｒｃｅ Ｏｐｔｉｃａｌ Ｃｏｈｅｒｅｎｃｅ Ｔｏｍｏｇｒａｐｈｙ）である。 Specifically, the core position identification method according to the present invention includes:
Injecting the test light from the optical interferometer perpendicularly into the side of the multi-core optical fiber;
The present invention is characterized in that the reflected light of the test light reflected within the multi-core optical fiber is captured by the interferometer, and the position of the core in the cross section of the multi-core optical fiber is specified from the change in the intensity of the reflected light.
For example, the interferometer is a swept wavelength optical coherence tomography (SS-OCT).
光ファイバの側面から入射した試験光は屈折率が異なるクラッドとコアとの界面で反射する。この反射光を干渉計で捉え、反射光を解析することで光ファイバの表面からの深さを計測し、光ファイバ内のコアの位置を特定できる。従って、本発明は、マルチコア光ファイバのコアの位置を外部から特定し、マルチコア光ファイバ同士の融着接続を可能とすることができるコア位置特定方法を提供することができる。
The test light incident from the side of the optical fiber is reflected at the interface between the cladding and core, which have different refractive indexes. By capturing this reflected light with an interferometer and analyzing the reflected light, the depth from the surface of the optical fiber can be measured and the position of the core within the optical fiber can be determined. Therefore, the present invention can provide a core position specifying method that can specify the position of the core of a multi-core optical fiber from the outside and enable fusion splicing of the multi-core optical fibers.
また、本発明に係る光ファイバ接続方法は、
前記コア位置特定方法で、２つの前記マルチコア光ファイバの端部における前記コアの位置を特定すること、
前記コアの位置が揃うように２つの前記マルチコア光ファイバの前記端部を向かい合わせること、及び
２つの前記マルチコア光ファイバの端部を接続すること
を特徴とする。 Moreover, the optical fiber connection method according to the present invention includes:
identifying the positions of the cores at the ends of the two multi-core optical fibers using the core position identifying method;
The end portions of the two multi-core optical fibers are faced to each other so that the cores are aligned, and the end portions of the two multi-core optical fibers are connected.
前記コア位置特定方法で、２つの前記マルチコア光ファイバの端部における前記コアの位置を特定すること、
前記コアの位置が揃うように２つの前記マルチコア光ファイバの前記端部を向かい合わせること、及び
２つの前記マルチコア光ファイバの端部を接続すること
を特徴とする。 Moreover, the optical fiber connection method according to the present invention includes:
identifying the positions of the cores at the ends of the two multi-core optical fibers using the core position identifying method;
The end portions of the two multi-core optical fibers are faced to each other so that the cores are aligned, and the end portions of the two multi-core optical fibers are connected.
ここで、本発明に係る光ファイバ接続方法は、
前記コア位置特定方法で、一方の前記マルチコア光ファイバの端部における前記コアの位置を特定すること、
他方の前記マルチコア光ファイバの端部を、前記マルチコア光ファイバの端部に向かい合わせること、
請求項１又は２に記載のコア位置特定方法で、他方の前記マルチコア光ファイバの端部における前記コアの位置を特定すること、
前記マルチコア光ファイバのいずれかを軸を中心に回転し、向かい合わせた前記端部において前記コアの位置を揃えること、及び
２つの前記マルチコア光ファイバの前記端部を接続すること
であってもよい。 Here, the optical fiber connection method according to the present invention is as follows:
specifying the position of the core at an end of one of the multi-core optical fibers using the core position specifying method;
facing an end of the other multi-core optical fiber to an end of the multi-core optical fiber;
The core position specifying method according to claim 1 or 2, specifying the position of the core at the other end of the multi-core optical fiber;
The method may include rotating one of the multi-core optical fibers around an axis to align the cores at the opposing ends, and connecting the ends of the two multi-core optical fibers. .
前記コア位置特定方法で、一方の前記マルチコア光ファイバの端部における前記コアの位置を特定すること、
他方の前記マルチコア光ファイバの端部を、前記マルチコア光ファイバの端部に向かい合わせること、
請求項１又は２に記載のコア位置特定方法で、他方の前記マルチコア光ファイバの端部における前記コアの位置を特定すること、
前記マルチコア光ファイバのいずれかを軸を中心に回転し、向かい合わせた前記端部において前記コアの位置を揃えること、及び
２つの前記マルチコア光ファイバの前記端部を接続すること
であってもよい。 Here, the optical fiber connection method according to the present invention is as follows:
specifying the position of the core at an end of one of the multi-core optical fibers using the core position specifying method;
facing an end of the other multi-core optical fiber to an end of the multi-core optical fiber;
The core position specifying method according to
The method may include rotating one of the multi-core optical fibers around an axis to align the cores at the opposing ends, and connecting the ends of the two multi-core optical fibers. .
前記光ファイバ接続方法は、
試験光をマルチコア光ファイバの側面に垂直に入射すること、前記マルチコア光ファイバ内で前記試験光が反射した反射光を捉えること、及び前記反射光の強度変化から、前記マルチコア光ファイバの断面におけるコアの位置を特定することを行う干渉計と、
２つの前記マルチコア光ファイバをそれぞれの端部が向かい合わせとなるように保持するホルダと、
前記マルチコア光ファイバのいずれかを軸を中心に回転し、向かい合わせた前記端部において前記コアの位置を揃える回転機構と、
２つの前記マルチコア光ファイバの前記端部同士を融着接続する電極棒と、
を備える光ファイバ接続装置で実現できる。 The optical fiber connection method includes:
By injecting the test light perpendicularly into the side surface of the multi-core optical fiber, by capturing the reflected light reflected by the test light within the multi-core optical fiber, and from the change in the intensity of the reflected light, the core in the cross section of the multi-core optical fiber is detected. an interferometer for determining the position of the
a holder that holds the two multi-core optical fibers with their respective ends facing each other;
a rotation mechanism that rotates one of the multi-core optical fibers around an axis and aligns the cores at the opposing ends;
an electrode rod that fusion-connects the ends of the two multi-core optical fibers;
This can be realized with an optical fiber connection device equipped with
試験光をマルチコア光ファイバの側面に垂直に入射すること、前記マルチコア光ファイバ内で前記試験光が反射した反射光を捉えること、及び前記反射光の強度変化から、前記マルチコア光ファイバの断面におけるコアの位置を特定することを行う干渉計と、
２つの前記マルチコア光ファイバをそれぞれの端部が向かい合わせとなるように保持するホルダと、
前記マルチコア光ファイバのいずれかを軸を中心に回転し、向かい合わせた前記端部において前記コアの位置を揃える回転機構と、
２つの前記マルチコア光ファイバの前記端部同士を融着接続する電極棒と、
を備える光ファイバ接続装置で実現できる。 The optical fiber connection method includes:
By injecting the test light perpendicularly into the side surface of the multi-core optical fiber, by capturing the reflected light reflected by the test light within the multi-core optical fiber, and from the change in the intensity of the reflected light, the core in the cross section of the multi-core optical fiber is detected. an interferometer for determining the position of the
a holder that holds the two multi-core optical fibers with their respective ends facing each other;
a rotation mechanism that rotates one of the multi-core optical fibers around an axis and aligns the cores at the opposing ends;
an electrode rod that fusion-connects the ends of the two multi-core optical fibers;
This can be realized with an optical fiber connection device equipped with
なお、上記各発明は、可能な限り組み合わせることができる。
Note that the above inventions can be combined as much as possible.
本発明は、マルチコア光ファイバのコアの位置を外部から特定し、マルチコア光ファイバ同士の融着接続を可能とすることができるコア位置特定方法、光ファイバ接続方法および光ファイバ接続装置を提供することができる。
The present invention provides a core position identification method, an optical fiber connection method, and an optical fiber connection device that can identify the core position of a multicore optical fiber from the outside and enable fusion splicing of the multicore optical fibers. I can do it.
添付の図面を参照して本発明の実施形態を説明する。以下に説明する実施形態は本発明の実施例であり、本発明は、以下の実施形態に制限されるものではない。なお、本明細書及び図面において符号が同じ構成要素は、相互に同一のものを示すものとする。
Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The embodiments described below are examples of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments. Note that components with the same reference numerals in this specification and the drawings indicate the same components.
［実施形態１］
図６及び図７は、本実施形態のコア位置特定方法を説明する図である。本コア位置特定方法は、
光干渉計７０からの試験光ＬＴをマルチコア光ファイバ５０の側面に垂直に入射すること（ステップＳ０１）、
マルチコア光ファイバ５０内で試験光ＬＴが反射した反射光ＬＲを干渉計７０で捉えること（ステップＳ０２）、及び
反射光ＬＲの強度変化から、マルチコア光ファイバ５０の断面におけるコアの位置を特定すること（ステップＳ０３）
を特徴とする。 [Embodiment 1]
6 and 7 are diagrams illustrating the core position specifying method of this embodiment. This core location method is
Injecting test light L T from theoptical interferometer 70 perpendicularly into the side surface of the multi-core optical fiber 50 (step S01);
The position of the core in the cross section of the multi-coreoptical fiber 50 is determined by capturing the reflected light L R reflected by the test light L T in the multi-core optical fiber 50 with the interferometer 70 (step S02), and from the change in the intensity of the reflected light L R. Identifying (step S03)
It is characterized by
図６及び図７は、本実施形態のコア位置特定方法を説明する図である。本コア位置特定方法は、
光干渉計７０からの試験光ＬＴをマルチコア光ファイバ５０の側面に垂直に入射すること（ステップＳ０１）、
マルチコア光ファイバ５０内で試験光ＬＴが反射した反射光ＬＲを干渉計７０で捉えること（ステップＳ０２）、及び
反射光ＬＲの強度変化から、マルチコア光ファイバ５０の断面におけるコアの位置を特定すること（ステップＳ０３）
を特徴とする。 [Embodiment 1]
6 and 7 are diagrams illustrating the core position specifying method of this embodiment. This core location method is
Injecting test light L T from the
The position of the core in the cross section of the multi-core
It is characterized by
例えば、干渉計７０は、波長掃引型光干渉断層計（ＳＳ－ＯＣＴ）である。干渉計７０は、波長掃引光源７１、ビームスプリッタ７２、参照ミラー７３、及び検出器７４を備える。干渉計７０は、次のようにコア位置を特定する。
For example, the interferometer 70 is a swept wavelength optical coherence tomography (SS-OCT). The interferometer 70 includes a wavelength swept light source 71, a beam splitter 72, a reference mirror 73, and a detector 74. The interferometer 70 identifies the core position as follows.
光源７１からの光をビームスプリッタ７２で分割し、一方を試験光ＬＴとして測定対象の光ファイバ５０へ、他方を参照光ＬＸとして参照ミラー７３に入射させる。光ファイバ５０へ入射した試験光ＬＴは、屈折率に差があるコアとクラッドとの界面で反射され、反射光ＬＲとして光ファイバ５０から出射される。つまり、反射光ＬＲが発生した箇所が屈折率差がある場所、すなわちコアとクラッドの境界とみなすことができる。
The light from the light source 71 is split by a beam splitter 72, and one part is made into the optical fiber 50 to be measured as the test light LT , and the other part is made into the reference mirror 73 as the reference light LX . The test light LT incident on the optical fiber 50 is reflected at the interface between the core and the cladding, which have different refractive indexes, and is emitted from the optical fiber 50 as reflected light LR . In other words, the location where the reflected light LR is generated can be regarded as a location where there is a difference in refractive index, that is, the boundary between the core and the cladding.
干渉計７０は、次のようにして反射光ＬＲが発生した箇所を特定する。
光ファイバ５０から反射して戻ってきた反射光ＬＲと、参照ミラー７３で反射されて戻ってきた参照光ＬＸはビームスプリッタ７２上で再び重なる。このとき、反射光ＬＲと参照光ＬＸは干渉し、光ファイバ５０を往復する距離と参照ミラー７３を往復する距離が等しければ干渉周波数が０になる。そこで、参照ミラー７３を動かし、検出器７４で反射光ＬＲと参照光ＬＸの干渉光の周波数が０になる位置を見つけることで、光ファイバ５０内のどの深さに反射面、つまり、コアが存在するかを把握することができる。干渉計７０は、このように光ファイバ５０の側面から、コアとクラッドの屈折射の差を利用して複数のコアの位置を特定することができる。 Theinterferometer 70 identifies the location where the reflected light LR is generated in the following manner.
The reflected light L R reflected from theoptical fiber 50 and the reference light L X reflected from the reference mirror 73 overlap again on the beam splitter 72 . At this time, the reflected light L R and the reference light L X interfere with each other, and if the distance traveled through the optical fiber 50 and the distance traveled back and forth through the reference mirror 73 are equal, the interference frequency becomes 0. Therefore, by moving the reference mirror 73 and using the detector 74 to find the position where the frequency of the interference light between the reflected light L R and the reference light L It is possible to determine whether a core exists. The interferometer 70 can thus identify the positions of a plurality of cores from the side of the optical fiber 50 by utilizing the difference in refraction between the core and the cladding.
光ファイバ５０から反射して戻ってきた反射光ＬＲと、参照ミラー７３で反射されて戻ってきた参照光ＬＸはビームスプリッタ７２上で再び重なる。このとき、反射光ＬＲと参照光ＬＸは干渉し、光ファイバ５０を往復する距離と参照ミラー７３を往復する距離が等しければ干渉周波数が０になる。そこで、参照ミラー７３を動かし、検出器７４で反射光ＬＲと参照光ＬＸの干渉光の周波数が０になる位置を見つけることで、光ファイバ５０内のどの深さに反射面、つまり、コアが存在するかを把握することができる。干渉計７０は、このように光ファイバ５０の側面から、コアとクラッドの屈折射の差を利用して複数のコアの位置を特定することができる。 The
The reflected light L R reflected from the
なお、干渉計７０がＳＳ－ＯＣＴであれば、光源７１の波長を変化させることで参照ミラー７３を動かさなくても複数のコアの位置を特定することができる。
Note that if the interferometer 70 is an SS-OCT, the positions of the plurality of cores can be specified by changing the wavelength of the light source 71 without moving the reference mirror 73.
［実施形態２］
図８及び図９は、本実施形態の光ファイバ接続方法を説明する図である。本光ファイバ接続方法は、
実施形態１で説明したコア位置特定方法で、２つのマルチコア光ファイバ５０の端部５０ａにおける複数のコアの位置を特定すること（ステップＳ１１）、
それぞれのコアの位置が揃うように２つのマルチコア光ファイバ５０の端部５０ａを向かい合わせること（ステップＳ１２）、及び
２つの前記マルチコア光ファイバの端部５０ａを接続すること（ステップＳ１３）
を特徴とする。 [Embodiment 2]
8 and 9 are diagrams for explaining the optical fiber connection method of this embodiment. This optical fiber connection method is
Identifying the positions of the plurality of cores at theends 50a of the two multi-core optical fibers 50 using the core position identifying method described in Embodiment 1 (step S11);
The ends 50a of the two multi-coreoptical fibers 50 are faced to each other so that the positions of their respective cores are aligned (step S12), and the ends 50a of the two multi-core optical fibers are connected (step S13).
It is characterized by
図８及び図９は、本実施形態の光ファイバ接続方法を説明する図である。本光ファイバ接続方法は、
実施形態１で説明したコア位置特定方法で、２つのマルチコア光ファイバ５０の端部５０ａにおける複数のコアの位置を特定すること（ステップＳ１１）、
それぞれのコアの位置が揃うように２つのマルチコア光ファイバ５０の端部５０ａを向かい合わせること（ステップＳ１２）、及び
２つの前記マルチコア光ファイバの端部５０ａを接続すること（ステップＳ１３）
を特徴とする。 [Embodiment 2]
8 and 9 are diagrams for explaining the optical fiber connection method of this embodiment. This optical fiber connection method is
Identifying the positions of the plurality of cores at the
The ends 50a of the two multi-core
It is characterized by
ステップＳ１１では、接続しようとする２本のマルチコア光ファイバ５０について端部５０ａにおける複数のコア位置を、実施形態１で説明した方法で特定する。
ステップＳ１２では、２本のマルチコア光ファイバ５０を図９のように端部５０ａを向き合わせてＶ溝３０に配置する。ここで、両者とも端部５０ａにおける複数のコア位置が把握できているため、両者のそれぞれのコアが対向するように位置合わせする。
ステップＳ１３では、図３で説明したように２本のマルチコア光ファイバ５０の端部５０ａ同士を融着接続する。 In step S11, a plurality of core positions at theend portions 50a of the two multi-core optical fibers 50 to be connected are specified using the method described in the first embodiment.
In step S12, two multi-coreoptical fibers 50 are placed in the V-groove 30 with their ends 50a facing each other as shown in FIG. Here, since the positions of a plurality of cores at the end portion 50a are known in both cases, the positions of the two cores are aligned so that they face each other.
In step S13, theends 50a of the two multi-core optical fibers 50 are fusion-spliced as described in FIG. 3.
ステップＳ１２では、２本のマルチコア光ファイバ５０を図９のように端部５０ａを向き合わせてＶ溝３０に配置する。ここで、両者とも端部５０ａにおける複数のコア位置が把握できているため、両者のそれぞれのコアが対向するように位置合わせする。
ステップＳ１３では、図３で説明したように２本のマルチコア光ファイバ５０の端部５０ａ同士を融着接続する。 In step S11, a plurality of core positions at the
In step S12, two multi-core
In step S13, the
［実施形態３］
図１０及び図１１は、本実施形態の光ファイバ接続方法を説明する図である。本光ファイバ接続方法は、
実施形態１で説明したコア位置特定方法で、一方のマルチコア光ファイバ５０－１の端部５０ａにおける複数のコアの位置を特定すること（ステップＳ２１）、
他方のマルチコア光ファイバ５０－２の端部５０ａを、マルチコア光ファイバ５０－１の端部５０ａに向かい合わせること（ステップＳ２２）、
実施形態１で説明したコア位置特定方法で、マルチコア光ファイバ５０－２の端部５０ａにおける複数のコアの位置を特定すること（ステップＳ２３）、
いずれかのマルチコア光ファイバ（５０－１又は５０－２）を軸を中心に回転し、向かい合わせた端部５０ａにおいてそれぞれのコアの位置を揃えること（ステップＳ２４）、及び
２つのマルチコア光ファイバ（５０－１、５０－２）の端部５０ａを接続すること（ステップＳ２５）
を特徴とする。 [Embodiment 3]
10 and 11 are diagrams illustrating the optical fiber connection method of this embodiment. This optical fiber connection method is
Identifying the positions of the plurality of cores at theend 50a of one multi-core optical fiber 50-1 using the core position identifying method described in Embodiment 1 (step S21);
facing theend 50a of the other multi-core optical fiber 50-2 to the end 50a of the multi-core optical fiber 50-1 (step S22);
Identifying the positions of the plurality of cores at theend 50a of the multi-core optical fiber 50-2 using the core position identifying method described in Embodiment 1 (step S23);
Rotating one of the multi-core optical fibers (50-1 or 50-2) around the axis and aligning the positions of the respective cores at the opposing ends 50a (step S24), and rotating the two multi-core optical fibers ( 50-1, 50-2) (step S25)
It is characterized by
図１０及び図１１は、本実施形態の光ファイバ接続方法を説明する図である。本光ファイバ接続方法は、
実施形態１で説明したコア位置特定方法で、一方のマルチコア光ファイバ５０－１の端部５０ａにおける複数のコアの位置を特定すること（ステップＳ２１）、
他方のマルチコア光ファイバ５０－２の端部５０ａを、マルチコア光ファイバ５０－１の端部５０ａに向かい合わせること（ステップＳ２２）、
実施形態１で説明したコア位置特定方法で、マルチコア光ファイバ５０－２の端部５０ａにおける複数のコアの位置を特定すること（ステップＳ２３）、
いずれかのマルチコア光ファイバ（５０－１又は５０－２）を軸を中心に回転し、向かい合わせた端部５０ａにおいてそれぞれのコアの位置を揃えること（ステップＳ２４）、及び
２つのマルチコア光ファイバ（５０－１、５０－２）の端部５０ａを接続すること（ステップＳ２５）
を特徴とする。 [Embodiment 3]
10 and 11 are diagrams illustrating the optical fiber connection method of this embodiment. This optical fiber connection method is
Identifying the positions of the plurality of cores at the
facing the
Identifying the positions of the plurality of cores at the
Rotating one of the multi-core optical fibers (50-1 or 50-2) around the axis and aligning the positions of the respective cores at the opposing ends 50a (step S24), and rotating the two multi-core optical fibers ( 50-1, 50-2) (step S25)
It is characterized by
図１１は、本実施形態の光ファイバ接続装置を説明する図である。本光ファイバ接続装置は、
試験光ＬＴをマルチコア光ファイバ５０の側面に垂直に入射すること、マルチコア光ファイバ５０内で試験光ＬＴが反射した反射光ＬＲを捉えること、及び反射光ＬＲの強度変化から、マルチコア光ファイバ５０の断面における複数のコアの位置を特定することを行う干渉計７０と、
２つのマルチコア光ファイバ（５０－１、５０－２）をそれぞれの端部５０ａが向かい合わせとなるように保持するホルダ（Ｖ溝３０）と、
マルチコア光ファイバのいずれか（本実施形態ではマルチコア光ファイバ５０－２）を軸を中心に回転し、向かい合わせた端部５０ａにおいてそれぞれのコアの位置を揃える回転機構８０と、
２つのマルチコア光ファイバ（５０－１、５０－２）の端部５０ａ同士を融着接続する電極棒３２と、
を備える。 FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating the optical fiber connection device of this embodiment. This optical fiber connection device is
By making the test light L T perpendicularly incident on the side surface of the multi-coreoptical fiber 50, by capturing the reflected light L R reflected by the test light L T within the multi-core optical fiber 50, and by changing the intensity of the reflected light L R , the multi-core an interferometer 70 that specifies the positions of the plurality of cores in the cross section of the optical fiber 50;
a holder (V groove 30) that holds two multi-core optical fibers (50-1, 50-2) with theirrespective ends 50a facing each other;
arotation mechanism 80 that rotates one of the multi-core optical fibers (in this embodiment, the multi-core optical fiber 50-2) around an axis and aligns the positions of the respective cores at the opposing ends 50a;
anelectrode rod 32 that fusion-connects the ends 50a of two multi-core optical fibers (50-1, 50-2);
Equipped with
試験光ＬＴをマルチコア光ファイバ５０の側面に垂直に入射すること、マルチコア光ファイバ５０内で試験光ＬＴが反射した反射光ＬＲを捉えること、及び反射光ＬＲの強度変化から、マルチコア光ファイバ５０の断面における複数のコアの位置を特定することを行う干渉計７０と、
２つのマルチコア光ファイバ（５０－１、５０－２）をそれぞれの端部５０ａが向かい合わせとなるように保持するホルダ（Ｖ溝３０）と、
マルチコア光ファイバのいずれか（本実施形態ではマルチコア光ファイバ５０－２）を軸を中心に回転し、向かい合わせた端部５０ａにおいてそれぞれのコアの位置を揃える回転機構８０と、
２つのマルチコア光ファイバ（５０－１、５０－２）の端部５０ａ同士を融着接続する電極棒３２と、
を備える。 FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating the optical fiber connection device of this embodiment. This optical fiber connection device is
By making the test light L T perpendicularly incident on the side surface of the multi-core
a holder (V groove 30) that holds two multi-core optical fibers (50-1, 50-2) with their
a
an
Equipped with
実施形態１で説明したように２本のマルチコア光ファイバそれぞれのコアの位置を特定できる。しかし、多くの場合は、２本のマルチコア光ファイバの端部を突き合わせただけでは互いのコアの位置がずれているため、コア位置の合わせ込みが必要である。
As explained in Embodiment 1, the position of each core of two multi-core optical fibers can be specified. However, in many cases, simply butting the ends of two multicore optical fibers together will result in the cores being misaligned, so it is necessary to align the core positions.
例えば、一方のマルチコア光ファイバを軸中心に回転させることで、他方のマルチコア光ファイバのコアの位置と一致させることができる。この時、図１１のように、マルチコア光ファイバ５０－２を回転させながら、干渉計７０でマルチコア光ファイバ５０－２の表面に試験光ＬＴを入射することで、リアルタイムに複数のコアの位置を把握できる。マルチコア光ファイバ５０－２のコア位置が、予めコア位置を把握して配置してあるマルチコア光ファイバ５０－１のコア位置と一致したときに、融着接続を実施する。
For example, by rotating one multi-core optical fiber around its axis, it is possible to match the core position of the other multi-core optical fiber. At this time, as shown in FIG. 11, while rotating the multi-core optical fiber 50-2, the test light LT is incident on the surface of the multi-core optical fiber 50-2 using the interferometer 70, thereby positioning the multiple cores in real time. can be understood. Fusion splicing is performed when the core position of multi-core optical fiber 50-2 matches the core position of multi-core optical fiber 50-1, which has been arranged with the core position known in advance.
［得られる効果］
従来の技術ではできなかった光ファイバの内のコアを外部から観察でき、モータと連動させることで、光ファイバのコア位置を制御でき、対向する２本のコア位置を合わせることができるため、マルチコアファイバの融着接続ができるようになる。 [Effects obtained]
It is possible to observe the core of an optical fiber from the outside, which was not possible with conventional technology, and by linking it with a motor, the core position of the optical fiber can be controlled and the positions of two opposing cores can be aligned, making multi-core Enables fiber fusion splicing.
従来の技術ではできなかった光ファイバの内のコアを外部から観察でき、モータと連動させることで、光ファイバのコア位置を制御でき、対向する２本のコア位置を合わせることができるため、マルチコアファイバの融着接続ができるようになる。 [Effects obtained]
It is possible to observe the core of an optical fiber from the outside, which was not possible with conventional technology, and by linking it with a motor, the core position of the optical fiber can be controlled and the positions of two opposing cores can be aligned, making multi-core Enables fiber fusion splicing.
１１：コアガラス
１２：クラッドガラス
１３：被覆
３０：Ｖ溝
３１：光ファイバ
３２：電極棒
３３：アーク放電
５０、５０－１、５０－２：マルチコア光ファイバ
５０ａ：端部
７０：干渉計
７１：光源
７２：ビームスプリッタ
７３：参照ミラー
７４：検出器
８０：回転機構 11: Core glass 12: Clad glass 13: Coating 30: V groove 31: Optical fiber 32: Electrode rod 33:Arc discharge 50, 50-1, 50-2: Multi-core optical fiber 50a: End 70: Interferometer 71: Light source 72: Beam splitter 73: Reference mirror 74: Detector 80: Rotation mechanism
１２：クラッドガラス
１３：被覆
３０：Ｖ溝
３１：光ファイバ
３２：電極棒
３３：アーク放電
５０、５０－１、５０－２：マルチコア光ファイバ
５０ａ：端部
７０：干渉計
７１：光源
７２：ビームスプリッタ
７３：参照ミラー
７４：検出器
８０：回転機構 11: Core glass 12: Clad glass 13: Coating 30: V groove 31: Optical fiber 32: Electrode rod 33:
Claims (6)
- 干渉計からの試験光をマルチコア光ファイバの側面に垂直に入射すること、
前記マルチコア光ファイバ内で前記試験光が反射した反射光を前記干渉計で捉えること、及び
前記反射光の強度変化から、前記マルチコア光ファイバの断面におけるコアの位置を特定すること
を特徴とするコア位置特定方法。 Injecting the test light from the interferometer perpendicularly into the side of the multi-core optical fiber;
A core characterized in that the reflected light of the test light reflected within the multi-core optical fiber is captured by the interferometer, and the position of the core in the cross section of the multi-core optical fiber is specified from the change in the intensity of the reflected light. Location method. - 前記干渉計は、波長掃引型光干渉断層計（ＳＳ－ＯＣＴ：Ｓｗｅｐｔ Ｓｏｕｒｃｅ Ｏｐｔｉｃａｌ Ｃｏｈｅｒｅｎｃｅ Ｔｏｍｏｇｒａｐｈｙ）であることを特徴とする請求項１に記載のコア位置特定方法。 The core position specifying method according to claim 1, wherein the interferometer is a swept wavelength optical coherence tomography (SS-OCT).
- 請求項１又は２に記載のコア位置特定方法で、２つの前記マルチコア光ファイバの端部における前記コアの位置を特定すること、
前記コアの位置が揃うように２つの前記マルチコア光ファイバの前記端部を向かい合わせること、及び
２つの前記マルチコア光ファイバの前記端部を接続すること
を特徴とする光ファイバ接続方法。 The core position specifying method according to claim 1 or 2, specifying the position of the core at the end of the two multi-core optical fibers;
An optical fiber connecting method comprising: facing the ends of the two multi-core optical fibers so that the cores are aligned; and connecting the ends of the two multi-core optical fibers. - 請求項１又は２に記載のコア位置特定方法で、一方の前記マルチコア光ファイバの端部における前記コアの位置を特定すること、
他方の前記マルチコア光ファイバの端部を、前記マルチコア光ファイバの端部に向かい合わせること、
請求項１又は２に記載のコア位置特定方法で、他方の前記マルチコア光ファイバの端部における前記コアの位置を特定すること、
前記マルチコア光ファイバのいずれかを軸を中心に回転し、向かい合わせた前記端部において前記コアの位置を揃えること、及び
２つの前記マルチコア光ファイバの前記端部を接続すること
を特徴とする光ファイバ接続方法。 The core position specifying method according to claim 1 or 2, specifying the position of the core at an end of one of the multi-core optical fibers;
facing an end of the other multi-core optical fiber to an end of the multi-core optical fiber;
The core position specifying method according to claim 1 or 2, specifying the position of the core at the other end of the multi-core optical fiber;
An optical system characterized by rotating one of the multi-core optical fibers around an axis to align the cores at the opposing ends, and connecting the ends of the two multi-core optical fibers. Fiber connection method. - 試験光をマルチコア光ファイバの側面に垂直に入射すること、前記マルチコア光ファイバ内で前記試験光が反射した反射光を捉えること、及び前記反射光の強度変化から、前記マルチコア光ファイバの断面におけるコアの位置を特定することを行う干渉計と、
２つの前記マルチコア光ファイバをそれぞれの端部が向かい合わせとなるように保持するホルダと、
前記マルチコア光ファイバのいずれかを軸を中心に回転し、向かい合わせた前記端部において前記コアの位置を揃える回転機構と、
２つの前記マルチコア光ファイバの前記端部同士を融着接続する電極棒と、
を備える光ファイバ接続装置。 By injecting the test light perpendicularly into the side surface of the multi-core optical fiber, by capturing the reflected light reflected by the test light within the multi-core optical fiber, and from the change in the intensity of the reflected light, the core in the cross section of the multi-core optical fiber is detected. an interferometer for determining the position of the
a holder that holds the two multi-core optical fibers with their respective ends facing each other;
a rotation mechanism that rotates one of the multi-core optical fibers around an axis and aligns the cores at the opposing ends;
an electrode rod that fusion-connects the ends of the two multi-core optical fibers;
An optical fiber connection device comprising: - 前記干渉計は、波長掃引型光干渉断層計（ＳＳ－ＯＣＴ：Ｓｗｅｐｔ Ｓｏｕｒｃｅ Ｏｐｔｉｃａｌ Ｃｏｈｅｒｅｎｃｅ Ｔｏｍｏｇｒａｐｈｙ）であることを特徴とする請求項５に記載の光ファイバ接続装置。 The optical fiber connection device according to claim 5, wherein the interferometer is a swept wavelength optical coherence tomography (SS-OCT).
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| JP2009244082A (en) * | 2008-03-31 | 2009-10-22 | Fujifilm Corp | Light source and optical tomographic imaging apparatus |
| KR20110005022A (en) * | 2009-07-09 | 2011-01-17 | 한국과학기술연구원 | Apparatus and method for measuring ellipticity of optical fibers |
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