JP4255731B2 - Manufacturing method of optical fiber array component - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing an optical fiber array unit products for fixing the polarization maintaining optical fiber.
[0002]
[Prior art]
FIG. 6 is a schematic perspective view showing the configuration of an optical fiber array component using a conventional polarization maintaining optical fiber.
In this optical fiber array component, the bare optical fiber portions 3, 3,..., From which the coating layers 2, 2,... Of the four polarization maintaining optical fibers 1, 1,. 4a, 4a,..., A part of the coating layer 2 and the bare optical fiber portion 3 are fixed to the substrate 4 with an adhesive (not shown) or the like, and in order to protect the bare optical fiber portion 3, V It has the structure where the cover 5 was made | formed by groove | channel 4a, 4a, ... (for example, refer patent document 1).
[0003]
[Patent Document 1]
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-264845
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In the invention described in Patent Document 1, the front portion of an optical fiber array in which a plurality of polarization maintaining optical fibers are arranged is displayed as a visible image using a CCD camera, and two stress applying portions of the polarization maintaining optical fiber are displayed. In this assembling method, the polarization maintaining optical fiber is rotated to an angular position whose center coincides with a reference line, and the rotational angular position is adjusted, thereby improving the efficiency of the entire assembly operation of the optical fiber array.
[0005]
Usually, on the end face 1a of the polarization maintaining optical fiber 1, the positions of the stress applying portions 1b and 1b constituting the polarization maintaining optical fiber 1 with respect to the core 1c are slightly shifted. The stress applying portions 1b and 1b are not accurately point-symmetrically arranged with respect to the core 1c. Therefore, the actual stress applying direction with respect to the core 1c is about ± 3 ° with respect to the arrangement direction of the stress applying portions 1b and 1b. It's off. Therefore, when the polarization maintaining optical fiber 1 is rotated while observing the directions of the stress applying portions 1b and 1b from the end face 1a side, and the stress applying directions of the plurality of polarization maintaining optical fibers 1 are matched, the polarization maintaining light In the end face 1a of the fiber 1, the polarization plane angle (the angle of the polarization main axis) is shifted, which causes the polarization extinction ratio to deteriorate.
Here, the polarization extinction ratio means a ratio Imax / Imin between the maximum value Imax and the minimum value Imin when the transmitted light intensity is changed in the optical modulator.
[0006]
In addition, in order to meet the demand for optical communication that has been increasing in density in recent years, it is desired that the optical fiber array parts also have higher density and higher integration.
For example, when the optical fiber array component using the polarization maintaining optical fiber as shown in FIG. 6 is made highly dense and highly integrated, the spacing between the polarization maintaining optical fibers 1, 1,. As a result, the coating layers 2, 2,... Of adjacent polarization-maintaining optical fibers 1, 1,... Rub against each other, the polarization-maintaining optical fibers 1, 1,. In some cases, the polarization plane angle is shifted and the polarization extinction ratio is deteriorated.
[0007]
In particular, when the width of the V-groove 4a of the substrate 4 and the distance from the central axis to the central axis of the polarization-maintaining optical fibers 1, 1,... Are about the outer diameter of the bare optical fiber portion 3, the polarization-maintaining optical fiber 1 The coating layers 2, 1,... Of 1,... Interfere with each other and the polarization maintaining optical fibers 1, 1,... Cannot be rotated, and their polarization plane angles cannot be matched. . Therefore, it is difficult to achieve high density and high integration with a structure such as a conventional optical fiber array component.
Further, simultaneously storing the bare optical fiber portion 3 in the V-groove 4a and adjusting the polarization plane angle of the plurality of polarization maintaining optical fibers 1 is not only burdensome for the operator, but also the two operations. As a result, the yield of optical fiber array component products is reduced.
[0008]
The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and includes a plurality of polarization-maintaining optical fiber strands, and the polarization plane angles of the polarization-maintaining optical fiber strands coincide with each other to facilitate manufacture. and to provide a manufacturing method of the fiber array unit products.
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The problem is that a part of the coating layer of the plurality of polarization maintaining optical fiber strands is removed to expose the bare optical fiber portion, the plurality of polarization maintaining optical fiber strands are arranged in parallel, In a method for manufacturing an optical fiber array component in which a plurality of bare optical fiber portions are housed and fixed in an optical fiber housing portion, a part of the covering layer of the plurality of polarization maintaining optical fiber strands is removed and bare. An optical fiber array part for exposing and fixing an optical fiber portion, arranging the plurality of polarization maintaining optical fiber strands in parallel, and storing and fixing the bare optical fiber portions in a plurality of optical fiber storage portions formed on a substrate. In the manufacturing method, the plurality of polarization maintaining optical fiber strands are fitted into grooves formed in parallel to the surface of the optical fiber support, and the plurality of polarization maintaining optical fiber strands are inserted. Align the bare optical fiber parts of the The light having the polarization component is incident from one end face of the plurality of polarization-maintaining optical fiber strands, and the plurality of polarization-maintaining optical fiber strands are rotated and held on the polarization main axis. The linearly polarized light to be matched with the main axis of the analyzer set to a desired angle, and the outgoing light after passing through the analyzer is monitored with an optical power meter, and the plurality of polarization maintaining optical fiber strands to a point where the polarization principal axis and the main axis of the analyzer are perpendicular, the plurality of polarization-maintaining optical fiber is rotated, and the angle setting of the polarization principal axis by observing the line of Utodojini, polarization extinction ratio, A coating layer of the plurality of polarization-maintaining optical fiber strands is partially or entirely fixed by a fixing member, and formed into a tape shape so that n (n is an integer of 2 or more) optical fiber aggregates are formed. And a plurality of biases constituting each of the n optical fiber assemblies. The bare optical fiber portion of the maintaining optical fiber can be solved by a manufacturing method of an optical fiber array components housed in the optical fiber storage section every least one.
[0011]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail.
FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an example of an optical fiber array component of the present invention.
The optical fiber array component in this example is roughly constituted by a substrate 14 and two optical fiber assemblies 21 and 22.
[0012]
The substrate 14 is formed with a plurality of optical fiber storage portions 14a for storing a plurality of polarization maintaining optical fiber strands 11 constituting the two optical fiber assemblies 21 and 22, respectively. .
The optical fiber storage portion 14a of the substrate 14 has a plurality of V-shaped grooves, U-shaped grooves, trapezoidal grooves, rectangular grooves, or the like formed on the surface of the substrate 14 in parallel. A plurality of pores that penetrate and are formed in parallel. The shape of the pores may also be circular, rectangular, trapezoidal, or the like.
Further, the size (width) of the opening of the optical fiber storage portion 14a is about 50 to 500 μm, and the length is about 2 to 30 mm.
Thus, by providing a plurality of optical fiber storage portions 14a on the substrate 14, a plurality of polarization-maintaining optical fiber strands 11 are efficiently and regularly arranged, and the optical fiber arrangement parts are increased in density and height. It can be integrated.
[0013]
For example, as shown in FIG. 2, the optical fiber assemblies 21 and 22 include a plurality of polarization-maintaining optical fiber strands 11 arranged in parallel, and a part or all of the coating layer 12 is an adhesive that is a fixing member. 15 is fixed in close contact with each other and formed in a tape shape.
Here, as the adhesive 15, an ultraviolet curable resin such as urethane acrylate or epoxy acrylate is used.
[0014]
Examples of the optical fiber aggregates 21 and 22 include structures as shown below.
FIG. 3 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a second example of an optical fiber assembly constituting the optical fiber array component of the present invention.
In the optical fiber assemblies 21 and 22 of this example, a plurality of polarization maintaining optical fiber strands 11 are arranged in parallel, and a part or all of the coating layer 12 is stored in a storage groove 16 a provided in the holder 16. Further, it is fixed to be in close contact with the adhesive 15 and formed into a tape shape. The size of the storage groove 16a provided in the holder 16 is determined according to the number of polarization-maintaining optical fiber strands stored therein.
In this example, the adhesive 15 and the holder 16 are used together in order to fix the plurality of polarization maintaining optical fibers 11, but the plurality of polarization maintaining optical fibers 11 are fixed only by the holder 16. May be.
[0015]
FIG. 4 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a third example of an optical fiber assembly constituting the optical fiber array component of the present invention.
In the optical fiber assemblies 21 and 22 of this example, a plurality of polarization maintaining optical fiber strands 11 are arranged in parallel, and a part or all of the coating layer 12 is fixed by an adhesive 15 so as to be in close contact. These are sandwiched between a pair of holders 16 and 16 and stored in a storage groove 16 a provided in the holder 16 to be formed in a tape shape.
The optical fiber assembly of this example is effective when the number of polarization maintaining optical fiber strands 11 is large.
[0016]
In such optical fiber assemblies 21 and 22, the position where the plurality of polarization-maintaining optical fiber strands 11 are fixed by the fixing member is set near the tip of the plurality of polarization-maintaining optical fiber strands 11. Is preferred. In this way, when the plurality of polarization maintaining optical fiber strands 11 are stored in the plurality of optical fiber storage portions 14a of the substrate 14, the work can be efficiently performed.
Further, in this optical fiber assembly, a plurality of polarization-maintaining optical fiber strands 11 are arrayed so that their polarization plane angles (polarization principal axis angles) coincide with each other by a manufacturing method described later.
[0017]
If such optical fiber assemblies 21 and 22 are formed in advance and applied to an optical fiber array component, the bare optical fiber portions 13 of the plurality of polarization maintaining optical fiber strands 11 are connected to the plurality of optical fibers on the substrate 14. It is not necessary to adjust the polarization plane angles of the plurality of polarization maintaining optical fiber strands 11 again when stored in the storage portion 14a. In addition, since the plurality of polarization maintaining optical fiber strands 11 are regularly arranged and fixed, these coating layers interfere with each other and the plurality of polarization maintaining optical fiber strands 11 rotate. The polarization plane angle does not shift. Furthermore, if an optical fiber array component is formed using this optical fiber assembly, a plurality of polarization maintaining optical fiber strands 11 can be stored in a plurality of optical fiber storage portions 14a of the substrate 14 at a time. Therefore, work efficiency can be improved and costs can be reduced.
[0018]
In the plurality of optical fiber storage portions 14 a formed on the substrate 14, a plurality of polarization maintaining optical fiber strands 11 constituting the two optical fiber assemblies 21 and 22 are alternately stored. . Specifically, the first polarization maintaining optical fiber 11 of the optical fiber assembly 21 is stored in the first optical fiber storage portion 14a, and the optical fiber is stored in the second optical fiber storage portion 14a. The first polarization maintaining optical fiber 11 of the assembly 22 is stored, and the second polarization maintaining optical fiber 11 of the optical fiber assembly 21 is stored in the third optical fiber storage portion 14a. Similarly, the polarization maintaining optical fiber 11 is housed in the plurality of optical fiber housing portions 14a.
Furthermore, the polarization plane angles of the plurality of polarization-maintaining optical fiber strands 11 accommodated in the optical fiber accommodation portion 14a all coincide.
[0019]
The bare optical fiber portion 13 of the polarization maintaining optical fiber 11 is provided with a core 13a having a high refractive index, a concentric circle around the core 13a, and a lower refractive index than the core 13a. The clad 13b and two stress-applying portions 13c and 13c having a circular cross section, which is disposed approximately symmetrically around the core 13a and generally has a lower refractive index than the clad 13b. ing.
[0020]
Further, the distance between the central axes of the plurality of polarization maintaining optical fiber strands 11 constituting the optical fiber assembly 21 and the distance between the plurality of polarization maintaining optical fiber strands 11 constituting the optical fiber assembly 22 are also shown. The distance between the central axes is preferably at least twice the size (width) of the opening of the optical fiber housing 14a. In this way, when the respective bare optical fiber portions 13 of the optical fiber assemblies 21 and 22 are housed in the optical fiber housing portion 14a, the bare optical fiber portions 13 are rubbed with each other, and the polarization maintaining optical fiber The strand 11 does not rotate and the polarization plane angle does not shift. Furthermore, it is more preferable that the distance between the central axes is at least twice the outer diameter of the polarization maintaining optical fiber 11. If it does in this way, the coating layers 12 of the polarization maintaining optical fiber 11 will interfere with each other, the polarization maintaining optical fiber 11 will not rotate, and the polarization plane angle will not shift.
[0021]
The optical fiber array component of the present invention is not limited to one using two optical fiber assemblies as in the above example, and uses three or more optical fiber assemblies. Also good. In addition, if the size of the substrate and the number of optical fiber storage portions provided on the substrate are set according to the number of polarization-maintaining optical fiber strands to be used, the optical fiber array component can be further densified and highly integrated. Can be produced.
[0022]
As described above, the optical fiber array component of the present invention can prevent the polarization-maintaining optical fiber strands from interfering with each other even if the polarization-maintaining optical fiber strands are densified and highly integrated. A consistent state can be maintained without deviation. Therefore, the optical fiber array component of the present invention is suitably used for high-density optical communication without deteriorating the polarization extinction ratio. In addition, the optical fiber array component of the present invention has a structure that is easy to manufacture and hardly causes manufacturing defects by using an optical fiber assembly in which a plurality of polarization maintaining optical fiber strands are bundled in a tape shape. ing.
[0023]
Next, the manufacturing method of the optical fiber array component of this invention is demonstrated using FIGS.
The coating layer 12 at the tip of the plurality of polarization-maintaining optical fiber strands 11 cut to a predetermined length is removed to expose the bare optical fiber portion 13, and the end surface of the bare optical fiber portion 13 is mirror-like. Disconnect.
Next, as shown in FIG. 5, the tip portions of the plurality of polarization-maintaining optical fiber wires 11 are fitted into the surface of the optical fiber support 30 in a plurality of V-shaped grooves 30 a formed in parallel. The tip portions of the plurality of polarization-maintaining optical fiber strands 11 are aligned and positioned. At this time, not only the bare optical fiber portion 13 but also the coating layer 12 portion may be fitted into the groove 30a. The shape of the groove 30a is not limited to the V shape, and may be a U shape, a trapezoidal shape, a rectangular shape, or the like. Here, the optical fiber support 30 is shown with a plurality of V-shaped grooves 30a formed, but the optical fiber support used in the method for manufacturing an optical fiber array component of the present invention is a groove. It may be a single plate material in which is not formed.
[0024]
Next, the polarization-maintaining optical fiber 11 is rotated around the optical axis while linearly polarized light is incident from one end face 11a of the polarization-maintaining optical fiber 11 and the polarization plane angle is observed from the end face 11a. Thus, the polarization plane angle is set to a predetermined angle. Specifically, light having a polarization component (the degree of polarization is not 0%) is incident from one end face 11a of the polarization-maintaining optical fiber strand 11, and the polarization-maintaining optical fiber strand 11 is rotated to cause polarization. The linearly polarized light held by the wave main axis is collated with the main axis of the analyzer set at a desired angle, and the emitted light after passing through the analyzer is monitored by an optical power meter (OPM). Then, the polarization-maintaining optical fiber 11 is rotated to a point where the polarization main axis of the polarization-maintaining optical fiber 11 and the main axis of the analyzer are orthogonal to each other, that is, the point where the power of the emitted light becomes a minimum value, Set the angle of the polarization main axis.
At this time, not only the polarization plane angle but also the polarization plane angle may be adjusted while simultaneously observing the polarization extinction ratio. Here, the linearly polarized light is one type of polarized light, which has one direction of vibration of the electric field and magnetic field of the light wave, and is suitable light for adjusting the polarization plane angle.
Such adjustment of the polarization plane angle is performed for all the polarization maintaining optical fiber strands 11 fitted in the grooves 30a of the optical fiber support 30, and the polarization plane angles of all the polarization maintaining optical fiber strands 11 are adjusted. Match.
[0025]
Next, the coating layers 12 of the plurality of polarization maintaining optical fiber strands 11 are fixed with an adhesive 15 as shown in FIG. 2, or fixed with an adhesive 15 and a holder 16 as shown in FIG. Or a plurality of polarization-maintaining optical fiber strands 11 are fixed with only the holder 16 or fixed with an adhesive 15 and sandwiched between a pair of holders 16 and 16 as shown in FIG. An optical fiber assembly bundled in a tape shape is formed. This step may be performed one by one each time the polarization plane angle of the polarization maintaining optical fiber 11 is adjusted.
Next, the optical fiber assembly is removed from the optical fiber support 30.
Through the series of steps, two optical fiber assemblies 21 and 22 as shown in FIG. 1 are formed.
[0026]
Next, the bare optical fiber portions 13 of the plurality of polarization-maintaining optical fiber strands 11 constituting each of the optical fiber assemblies 21 and 22 are accommodated in optical fiber accommodating portions 14 a formed alternately on the substrate 14. . At this time, the optical fiber assemblies 21 and 22 are arranged so that the portions where the coating layers 12 of the plurality of polarization maintaining optical fiber wires 11 constituting each of them are formed overlap.
Next, the bare optical fiber portion 13 and the optical fiber housing portion 14a are fixed by applying an adhesive to the contact portion between them, and curing and fixing the adhesive. Furthermore, an adhesive is applied to the contact portion between the coating layers 12 and the contact portion between the coating layer 12 and the substrate 14, and this is cured and fixed.
Thereafter, the fixing member constituting the optical fiber assembly may be removed or left as it is.
Next, the substrate 14 and the end faces of the polarization-maintaining optical fiber strands 11 fixed to the substrate 14 are ground or polished together so that they can be mounted and connected to an optical waveguide component or an optical element. Obtain an optical fiber array component.
[0027]
The optical fiber pigtail of the present invention is generally composed of a single-core polarization-maintaining optical fiber and an optical fiber holding member that holds the single-core polarization-maintaining optical fiber, and the polarization plane angle of the polarization-maintaining optical fiber ( In the same way as in the manufacturing method of the optical fiber array component of the present invention described above, light having a polarization component (polarization degree is not 0%) from one end face of the polarization maintaining optical fiber Incident light is set by observing the polarization plane angle from the end face side.
Therefore, the optical fiber pigtail of the present invention can accurately position and fix the position reference (plane, groove, protrusion, etc.) and the specific polarization main axis of the polarization maintaining optical fiber.
[0028]
Further, the optical component of the present invention is generally composed of the above-described optical fiber array component of the present invention and an optical fiber pigtail. For example, the polarization maintaining optical fiber element provided in the optical fiber array component, and the optical fiber The polarization-maintaining optical fiber element provided in the pigtail is arranged so as to face each other.
In the optical component of the present invention, the inherent polarization main axes of the polarization maintaining optical fiber strands provided in the optical fiber array component and the optical fiber pigtail are accurately positioned. The butt connection can prevent the polarization maintaining function of the optical component from deteriorating.
[0029]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the optical fiber array component of the present invention, the polarization plane angle of the polarization maintaining optical fiber without interfering with the coating layers of the plurality of polarization maintaining optical fibers constituting the optical fiber array component. Since the other polarization maintaining optical fiber is not rotated, the polarization plane angle is not shifted.
Further, the optical fiber pigtail of the present invention can accurately position and fix the position reference and the specific polarization main axis of the polarization maintaining optical fiber.
According to the method for manufacturing an optical fiber array component of the present invention, the end face of the polarization maintaining optical fiber is observed, and the polarization maintaining optical fiber is directly observed while observing the polarization plane angle and the polarization extinction ratio. Since the rotation is adjusted, the polarization plane angles of all the polarization maintaining optical fibers constituting the optical fiber array component can be easily matched, and the deterioration of the polarization extinction ratio at the end face of the optical fiber array component is kept low. be able to. In addition, after the polarization plane angles are matched, a plurality of polarization-maintaining optical fiber strands are bundled in a tape shape, and the polarization-maintaining optical fiber strands are fitted into the optical fiber storage portion of the substrate. Even if the width of the opening of the storage portion is substantially the same as the outer diameter of the bare optical fiber portion, it is possible to manufacture an optical fiber array component in which the polarization plane angles are aligned in a predetermined direction. Furthermore, the rotation adjustment of the polarization maintaining optical fiber, the storage in the optical fiber storage section, and the adhesion to the substrate can be performed as independent operations. This reduces the burden on the operator, reduces the poor storage of the polarization-maintaining optical fiber in the optical fiber storage section, and poor rotation adjustment, and improves the yield of optical fiber array component products. can do.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an example of an optical fiber array component of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a first example of an optical fiber assembly constituting the optical fiber array component of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a second example of an optical fiber assembly constituting the optical fiber array component of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a third example of an optical fiber assembly constituting the optical fiber array component of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a step of adjusting a polarization plane angle of a polarization-maintaining optical fiber using an optical fiber support in the method for manufacturing an optical fiber array component of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a schematic perspective view showing the configuration of an optical fiber array component using a conventional polarization maintaining optical fiber.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 ... Polarization-maintaining optical fiber strand, 11a ... End face, 12 ... Cover layer, 13 ... Bare optical fiber part, 13a ... Core, 13b ... Cladding, 13c ... Stress applying part, 14 ... substrate, 14a ... optical fiber storage part, 15 ... adhesive, 16 ... holder, 16a ... storage groove, 21, 22 ... optical fiber assembly, 30 ... Optical fiber support, 30a ... Groove.

Claims (1)

A portion of the coating layer of the plurality of polarization maintaining optical fiber strands is removed to expose the bare optical fiber portion, and the plurality of polarization maintaining optical fiber strands are arranged in parallel, the bare optical fiber portion In a method for manufacturing an optical fiber array component for storing and fixing in a plurality of optical fiber storage portions formed on a substrate,
The bare optical fibers of the plurality of polarization maintaining optical fibers are fitted into grooves formed in parallel to the surface of the optical fiber support, and the bare optical fibers of the polarization maintaining optical fibers are Align and position the parts,
Light that has a polarization component is incident from one end face of the plurality of polarization maintaining optical fiber strands, and the plurality of polarization maintaining optical fiber strands are rotated to be held by the polarization main axis. The polarization main axis of the plurality of polarization-maintaining optical fiber strands is checked by collating the polarization with the main axis of the analyzer set at a desired angle and monitoring the emitted light after passing through the analyzer with an optical power meter. and to a point where the main axis of the analyzer is perpendicular to rotate the polarization maintaining optical fiber of the plurality of the angular setting of the polarization principal axis by observing the line of Utodojini, polarization extinction ratio,
A coating layer of the plurality of polarization-maintaining optical fiber strands is partially or entirely fixed by a fixing member, and formed into a tape shape so that n (n is an integer of 2 or more) optical fiber aggregates are formed. Configure
An optical fiber comprising: a plurality of polarization-maintaining optical fiber strands constituting each of the n optical fiber assemblies are housed in the optical fiber housing portion every other one or more. Manufacturing method of array parts.

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