JP5446492B2 - Optical array conversion device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an optical array conversion device for enabling good optical coupling between a multi-core fiber having a plurality of cores each functioning as an optically independent optical waveguide and other network resources.

  Conventionally, in order to provide an FTTH (Fiber To The Home) service that enables optical communication between one transmitting station and a plurality of subscribers, for example, as shown in FIG. Thus, a so-called PON (Passive Optical Network) system is realized in which each subscriber shares one optical fiber.

  That is, the PON system shown in FIG. 11 is between the terminal station 1 (transmitting station), which is the final relay station of an existing communication system such as the Internet, and between the terminal station 1 and the subscriber home 2 (subscriber). And an installed optical fiber network. This optical fiber network includes a closure (including an optical splitter 30) provided as a branch point, an optical communication line 12 from the terminal station 1 to the closure, and an optical communication line 31 from the closure to each subscriber home 2. Has been.

  The terminal station 1 includes a station-side terminal device 10 (OLT: Optical Line Terminal) and an optical splitter 11 that branches a multiplexed signal from the OLT 10. On the other hand, the subscriber's home 2 is provided with a subscriber-side terminal device 20 (ONU: Optical Network Unit). In addition, the closure as a branching point of the optical fiber network laid between the terminal station 1 and the subscriber's home 2 includes at least an optical splitter 30 for further branching the multiplexed signal that has arrived, and service contents A wavelength selection filter or the like for limiting the frequency is arranged.

  As described above, in the PON system shown in FIG. 11, the optical splitter 11 is provided in the terminal station 1, and the optical splitter 30 is also provided in the closure arranged on the optical fiber network. One station-side terminal device 10 can provide FTTH service to a plurality of subscribers.

  However, in a PON system in which a plurality of subscribers share a single optical fiber through multistage optical splitters as described above, future transmission capacity such as congestion control (Congestion Control) and securing of a receiving dynamic range, etc. It is true that there is a technical challenge against this increase. As a means for solving this technical problem (congestion control, securing a dynamic range, etc.), a transition to an SS (Single Star) system can be considered. When migrating to the SS system, the number of fiber cores on the inner side of the station increases with respect to the PON system. Therefore, it is essential to make the diameter and the ultra-high density of the optical cable inside the station. A multi-core fiber is suitable as the optical fiber for ultra-fine diameter and ultra-high density.

  For example, as a multi-core fiber, the optical fiber disclosed in Patent Document 1 has seven or more cores arranged two-dimensionally in its cross section. Patent Document 2 discloses an optical fiber in which a plurality of cores are aligned in a straight line, and it is described that connection with an optical waveguide / semiconductor optical integrated device is facilitated.

JP 05-341147 A JP-A-10-104443

  The inventors have found the following problems as a result of examining the above-described conventional technology.

  That is, the multicore fiber described in Patent Document 1 is difficult to connect to an optical device or the like at the transmission end or the reception end. As described in Patent Document 2, an optical device such as an optical waveguide or a semiconductor optical integrated device that is normally manufactured has a plurality of optical transmission / reception elements (light emitting area or light receiving area) arranged in one dimension. In general, such an optical device is optically coupled to a multi-core fiber in which a plurality of cores are two-dimensionally arranged in the cross section (hereinafter, this arrangement state is referred to as a two-dimensional core array). It was difficult.

  On the other hand, in FTTH, the number of fiber cores increases as the number of subscribers increases, so it is also true that the fiber storage space in the station is being pressed, and any multi-core fiber having a two-dimensional core arrangement is requested to be used. It can be easily imagined that it will increase. In addition, since the multi-core fiber described in Patent Document 2 is intended for optical connection with a one-dimensionally arranged optical transmission / reception element, the cores are arranged one-dimensionally. In this case, since it is difficult to significantly increase the number of cores per multi-core fiber, it cannot be used as an optical transmission line.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and with the application of a multi-core fiber to an optical fiber network, realizes optical coupling for each signal channel between the multi-core fiber and other network resources. Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an optical array conversion device having a structure for arbitrarily converting a core array.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, the optical array conversion device according to the present invention is applied to an optical fiber network including a multi-core fiber having a plurality of cores each serving as a signal channel regardless of a one-dimensional core array or a two-dimensional core array. As an optical coupling device, the arrangement state of a plurality of cores each functioning as an optically independent optical waveguide (signal channel) is arbitrarily changed. In the array conversion in the optical array conversion device according to the present invention, either a two-dimensional core array to a one-dimensional core array or a one-dimensional core array to a two-dimensional core array is possible. In addition, the array conversion in the optical array conversion device according to the present invention includes a case where the core interval is changed even when the two-dimensional core arrays are optically coupled to each other or the one-dimensional core arrays are optically coupled.

  An optical arrangement conversion device according to the present invention includes a light incident surface on which a plurality of light beams (each corresponding to a signal channel) reach different positions, and a light output surface that outputs the light beams incident on the light incident surfaces, respectively. . In the optical arrangement conversion device, a plurality of first lens surfaces are provided on the light incident surface, each of which is arranged corresponding to one of the plurality of light beams. Each of the plurality of first lens surfaces collimates a corresponding one of the plurality of light beams. On the other hand, a plurality of light emitting areas each corresponding to one of the plurality of first lens surfaces are disposed on the light emitting surface, and the plurality of light emitting areas are arranged on the light emitting surface. Is different from the arrangement of the plurality of first lens surfaces on the light incident surface. In particular, the optical array conversion device according to the present invention includes a plurality of optical path changing units each corresponding to one of a corresponding set of a plurality of first lens surfaces and a plurality of light emission regions. Each of the plurality of optical path changing units includes one or more reflections for changing the optical path of the collimated light directed from the corresponding one of the plurality of first lens surfaces to the corresponding one of the plurality of light emitting areas. Including faces.

  The light arrangement conversion device according to the present invention may include a plurality of second lens surfaces respectively disposed in a plurality of light emission regions on the light emission surface. In this case, each of the plurality of second lens surfaces functions as a lens surface that collects collimated light that has reached a corresponding one of the plurality of light emission regions.

  In the optical array conversion device according to the present invention, the focal lengths of the plurality of first lens surfaces and the focal lengths of the plurality of lens surfaces may be different.

  According to the present invention, optical coupling between components of an optical fiber network, for example, a multi-core fiber having a two-dimensional core array and a network resource (a conventional multi-channel optical component) having a one-dimensional core array, Simultaneous coupling of a fiber and a plurality of single channel optical devices can be easily realized.

1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an optical communication system to which an optical array conversion device according to the present invention is applicable. It is a perspective view which shows schematic structure of a multi-core fiber. It is a figure for demonstrating the structure of the optical sequence conversion device which concerns on this invention, and the typical connection configuration of the said optical sequence conversion device and a multi-core fiber. It is a top view for demonstrating the two-dimensional core arrangement | sequence in the end surface of the multi-core fiber shown by FIG. It is an expanded view for demonstrating the structure of 1st Embodiment of the optical array conversion device which concerns on this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the optical path change operation | movement of the light beam which arrives from the core C2 as an arrangement | sequence conversion function of the optical arrangement conversion device which concerns on 1st Embodiment with respect to the multi-core fiber which has the core arrangement | sequence shown by FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating the optical path change operation | movement of the light beam which arrives from the core C6 as an arrangement | sequence conversion function of the optical arrangement conversion device which concerns on 1st Embodiment with respect to the multi-core fiber which has a core arrangement | sequence shown by FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating the optical path change operation | movement of the light beam which arrives from the core C1 as an array conversion function of the optical array conversion device which concerns on 1st Embodiment with respect to the multi-core fiber which has a core array shown by FIG. It is a top view which shows the structure seen from the light-projection end surface of the optical arrangement conversion device concerning 1st Embodiment. It is an expanded view for demonstrating the structure of 2nd Embodiment of the optical arrangement conversion device which concerns on this invention. It is a figure which shows the structure of the conventional optical communication system (PON system).

  Hereinafter, each embodiment of the optical array conversion device according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. In the description of the drawings, the same elements are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description is omitted.

  In the array conversion in the optical array conversion device according to the present invention, in addition to changing the arrangement of each core between the two-dimensional core array and the one-dimensional core array, the core interval is changed even in the same core array In the following description, as a typical example, a configuration that enables optical coupling for each signal channel between a multi-core fiber having a two-dimensional core array and another network resource having a one-dimensional core array is provided. Reference will be made to an optical array conversion device. Further, in this specification, in addition to the arrangement of the optical waveguide (core) itself at the light incident / exit end face of each optical device, the arrangement of each signal channel, that is, the incident / exit position of the light beam is also simply referred to as “core arrangement”.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of an optical communication system to which an optical array conversion device according to the present invention can be applied. The optical communication system shown in FIG. 1 provides an FTTH (Fiber To The Home) service that enables optical communication between one transmission station and a plurality of subscribers, as in FIG. However, the optical communication system shown in FIG. 1 is an SS (Single Star) system that outputs a plurality of signal channels from a transmitting station via a multi-core fiber.

  That is, this SS system includes a terminal station 100 (transmitting station), a subscriber home 200 (subscriber), and a terminal station 100 and a subscriber home 200 (subscriber) which are final relay stations of an existing communication system such as the Internet. And a multi-core fiber 400 having a plurality of cores (optical waveguide regions) arranged two-dimensionally at both end faces.

  The terminal station 100 has a plurality of light-emitting areas that are independently driven and controlled one-dimensionally, and outputs a signal light from the plurality of light-emitting areas. One-chip multi-channel OLT 110 (station-side termination device) And an optical array conversion device 120 that optically couples the light exit surface of the one-chip multi-channel OLT 110 (the surface on which a plurality of light emitting areas are arrayed) and the light incident surface of the multi-core fiber 400. The multi-core fiber 400 is housed in an ultra-fine diameter / ultra-high density optical cable employed on the terminal station 100 side. On the other hand, the subscriber's home 200 is provided with an ONU 210. In order to optically couple the light emitting surface of the multi-core fiber 400 and the ONU 210 of each subscriber home 200, the array conversion device 300 is also provided between the light emitting surface of the multi-core fiber 400 and the subscriber home 200. . The array conversion device 300 and each subscriber home 200 are optically connected by optical fibers constituting the tape fiber 500.

  In the terminal station 100, the one-chip multi-channel OLT 110 is, for example, a light-emitting element in which 16 light-emitting areas are arranged one-dimensionally. An array conversion device 120 is provided between the one-chip multi-channel OLT 110 and the multi-core fiber 400 in which 16 cores are two-dimensionally arrayed. The array conversion device 120 optically couples each light emitting area in the one-chip multi-channel OLT 110 and each core in the multi-core fiber 400 in a one-to-one relationship. That is, the array conversion device 120 has a plurality of optical paths, and one end of these optical paths is arranged one-dimensionally on the light incident surface, while the other end of these optical paths is on the light exit surface. Are arranged in two dimensions. Conversely, the array conversion device 300 also has a plurality of optical paths, but one end of these optical paths is two-dimensionally arranged on the light incident surface, while the other end of these optical paths emits light. It is arranged in one dimension on the surface.

  FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the structure of the multi-core fiber 400. As shown in FIG. 2, the multi-core fiber 400 includes a plurality of cores 401, a cladding 402 that integrally covers the plurality of cores 401 in a two-dimensional array state, and an outer periphery of the cladding 402. A provided resin coating 403 is provided. Each of the plurality of cores 401 functions as an optical waveguide (signal channel) that extends along a predetermined axis AX that coincides with the longitudinal direction of the multi-core fiber 400 and that is optically independent from each other. The clad 402 integrally covers the plurality of cores 401, and the two-dimensional core of the multicore fiber 400 configured by the plurality of cores 401 in the light incident / exit section 410 of the multicore fiber 400 orthogonal to the predetermined axis AX. Holds an array. In the connection work, the resin coating 403 at the tip portion including the light incident / exit end face 410 of the multi-core fiber 400 is removed.

  Next, a typical connection configuration between the multi-core fiber 400 having the above-described structure and the optical array conversion device 300 will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

  That is, the ferrule 450 is bonded and fixed to the tip portion including the light incident / exit end face 410 of the multicore fiber 400 to be connected. On the other hand, the optical array conversion device 300 is housed in a sleeve 350, and the multi-core fiber 400 is positioned in the longitudinal direction by inserting the ferrule 450 into the through hole of the sleeve 350. On the other hand, the alignment of the core array on the light incident / exit end face 410 of the multicore fiber 400 and the core array on the light incident end face of the optical array conversion device 300 is performed by rotating the multicore fiber 400 about the axis AX.

  Specifically, the optical arrangement conversion device 300 includes a light incident surface 301 where a plurality of light beams (each corresponding to a signal channel) reach different positions, and a light emission that outputs the light beams incident on the light incident surface 301, respectively. A surface 302 is provided. In the optical arrangement conversion device 300, a plurality of first lens surfaces L are provided on the light incident surface 301, each of which is arranged corresponding to one of the plurality of light beams. Each first lens surface L collimates a corresponding one of the plurality of light beams. On the other hand, a plurality of light emitting regions R each corresponding to one of the plurality of first lens surfaces L are disposed on the light emitting surface 302, and the light emitting surfaces of the plurality of light emitting regions R are arranged. The arrangement on 302 is different from the arrangement of the plurality of first lens surfaces L on the light incident surface 301. In particular, the optical array conversion device 300 includes a plurality of optical path changing units each corresponding to one of a corresponding set of a plurality of first lens surfaces L and a plurality of light emitting regions R, and the plurality of optical paths. The change unit is configured by reflecting surfaces M1 to M4 disposed between the light incident surface 301 and the light emitting surface 302. By adjusting the arrangement of the reflecting surfaces M1 to M4, the optical path of the collimated light traveling from the corresponding one of the plurality of first lens surfaces L to the corresponding one of the plurality of light emission regions R can be changed. The array conversion by the optical array conversion device 300 can be performed.

  3 shows a typical connection configuration between the multi-core fiber 400 and the optical arrangement conversion device 300, the connection configuration between the multi-core fiber 400 and the optical arrangement conversion device 120 can be similarly realized. In this case, in FIG. 3, the light incident end face 301 of the light arrangement conversion device 300 corresponds to the light emission end face of the light arrangement conversion device 120, and the light emission end face 302 of the light arrangement conversion device 300 is light incident on the light arrangement conversion device 120. It corresponds to the end face. In addition, a lens surface is provided in each region R on the light incident end face of the light arrangement conversion device 120 (corresponding to the light emission end face 301 of the light arrangement conversion device 300).

(First embodiment)
Next, the configuration of the optical array conversion device 300 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 4 shows the core arrangement of the light incident / exit end face 410 of the multi-core fiber 400 to be connected. That is, the multi-core fiber 400 has seven cores 401, and the cores C0 to C6 are arranged on the light incident / exit end face 410 so as to surround the core C0 and the core C0.

  The optical array conversion device 300 according to the first embodiment is housed in a sleeve 350 for optical connection with the multi-core fiber 400 as shown in FIG. The structure is provided. FIG. 5 is a developed view for explaining the configuration of the first embodiment of the optical array conversion device according to the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the optical array conversion device 300 according to the first embodiment is a surface A (corresponding to the light incident surface 301 in FIG. 3) arranged to face the light incident / exit end surface 410 of the multicore fiber 400. On the top, as the first lens surface L, the lens surfaces L0 to L6 are arranged so as to coincide with the core arrangement on the light incident / exit end surface 410 of the multi-core fiber 400.

  The cross-sectional shape parallel to the xy plane of the main body of the optical array conversion device 300 is increased along the z-axis direction. In addition, a cavity is provided in the main body from the plane 1 defined by z = z1 (coincided with the plane D) to the plane 2 defined by z = z2 (coincided with the plane E) (note that Surface D and surface E are parallel to surface A). On the inner surface C of the cavity, mirror surfaces M1-1 to M1-6 are formed as reflecting surfaces. The light beams output from the cores C0 to C6 disposed on the light incident / exit end surface 410 of the multi-core fiber 400 are collimated by the corresponding lens surfaces L0 to L6. For example, the light beams output from the core C0 are the surface A Then, the collimated light is output from the surface D in parallel to the z-axis direction. The light beams output from the cores C1 to C6 respectively travel in parallel to the z-axis direction from the corresponding lens surfaces L1 to L6 to the surface C (each light beam is collimated by the corresponding lens surface), and mirrors Reflected by the corresponding one of the surfaces M1-1 to M1-6. Thereby, each collimated light propagating inside the main body changes its optical path from the center of the main body toward the outside in the xy plane. Further, on the outer peripheral surface B, mirror surfaces M2-1 to M2-6 are formed at positions facing the mirror surfaces M1-1 to M1-6, and each collimated light is reflected on the mirror surface M2-1. The optical path is changed again parallel to the z-axis direction by one of the corresponding ones of M2-6.

  Each light beam output from the core C1 is collimated on the lens surface L1, then reflected in the order of the mirror surface M1-1 and the mirror surface M2-1, and output as collimated light from the surface E in parallel in the z-axis direction. (Proceeds parallel to the collimated light corresponding to the core C0 on the same plane). Similarly, each light beam output from the core C4 is collimated on the lens surface L4, then reflected in the order of the mirror surface M1-4 and the mirror surface M2-4, and collimated light from the surface E in parallel in the z-axis direction. (In this case also, the light advances in parallel on the same plane with respect to the collimated light corresponding to the core C0).

  On the other hand, four prism bodies are arranged on the surface E. These prism bodies have a parallelogram cross-sectional shape on the yz plane, and mirror surfaces M3-2, M3-3, M3-5, M3-6, and mirror surfaces M4-2, M4-3 are used as reflecting surfaces. , M4-5, and M4-6 are formed. The cross-sectional shape of each mirror surface on the yz plane is inclined 45 ° with respect to the z-axis direction. With this configuration, the light beams output from the cores C2, C3, C5, and C6 (see FIG. 4) are collimated by the corresponding lens surfaces L2, L3, L5, and L6. Each of the collimated lights from the lens surfaces L2, L3, L5, and L6 corresponds to one of the mirror surfaces M3-2, M3-3, M3-5, and M3-6, the mirror surfaces M4-2 and M4-. 3, M4-5, and M4-6 are reflected in the corresponding order, and are parallel to the z-axis direction. Further, each collimated light is reflected by one of the mirror surfaces M3-2, M3-3, M3-5, and M3-6, so that the traveling direction is changed to be parallel to the y-axis direction. Is done. Thereafter, each collimated light is reflected by one of the mirror surfaces M4-2, M4-3, M4-5, and M4-6, so that the traveling direction is changed to be parallel to the z-axis direction. . Each of the collimated lights whose optical paths have been changed as described above is output from the surfaces F-2, F-3, F-5, and F-6 (each corresponding to the light exit surface 302) of the prism bodies. Each of these collimated lights travels in parallel on the same plane parallel to the collimated lights corresponding to the above-described cores C0, C1, and C4.

  As described above, the light beams output from the cores C0 to C6 arranged on the light incident / exit end face 410 of the multicore fiber 400 are collimated by the corresponding lens surfaces L0 to L6, and the main body of the optical array conversion device 300 Propagate inside. Then, by arranging each mirror surface as shown in FIG. 5, the light fluxes reaching the lens surfaces L0 to L6 arranged two-dimensionally on the surface A are as shown in FIG. 9. The light is output from the light output regions R0 to R6 arranged one-dimensionally on the light output surface 302 (array conversion). Hereinafter, as an example, an optical path in the optical array conversion device 300 of each of the light beams output from the cores C2, C6, and C1 on the light incident / exit end face 410 of the multicore fiber 400 will be described.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining an optical path changing operation of a light beam reaching from the core C2 (see FIG. 4) as an array conversion function of the optical array conversion device 300 (FIG. 5) having the above-described structure. . That is, as shown in FIG. 6, the light beam output from the core C2 on the light incident / exit end face 410 of the multi-core fiber 400 is collimated by the corresponding lens surface L2, and then the collimated light is reflected on the mirror surface M1-2. To reach. The mirror surface M1-2 reflects the reached collimated light in the outer peripheral direction of the device main body substantially along the y-axis direction. The collimated light from the mirror surface M1-2 is reflected in the z-axis direction by the mirror surface M2-2. Further, the collimated light from the mirror surface M2-2 is reflected by the mirror surface M3-2 in the center direction of the device body along the y-axis direction. The collimated light from the mirror surface 3-2 is finally reflected in parallel with the z-axis direction by the mirror surface M4-2, and passes through the light emitting region R2 on the light emitting surface 302 as shown in FIG. Will do. The mirror surfaces M1-2, M2-2, M3-2, and M4-2 constitute an optical path changing unit corresponding to a pair of the corresponding lens surface L2 and the light emission region R2.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining an optical path changing operation of a light beam reaching from the core C6 (see FIG. 4) as an array conversion function of the optical array conversion device 300 (FIG. 5) having the above-described structure. It is. That is, as shown in FIG. 7, the light beam output from the core C6 on the light incident / exit end face 410 of the multi-core fiber 400 is collimated by the corresponding lens surface L6, and then the collimated light is reflected on the mirror surface M1-6. To reach. The mirror surface M1-6 reflects the collimated light that has reached the outer peripheral direction of the device body substantially along the y-axis direction. Collimated light from the mirror surface M1-6 is reflected in the z-axis direction by the mirror surface M2-6. Further, the collimated light from the mirror surface M2-6 is reflected by the mirror surface M3-6 in the central direction of the device body along the y-axis direction. The collimated light from the mirror surface 3-6 is finally reflected in parallel with the z-axis direction by the mirror surface M4-6 and passes through the light output region R6 on the light output surface 302 as shown in FIG. Will do. The mirror surfaces M1-6, M2-6, M3-6, and M4-6 constitute an optical path changing unit corresponding to a set of the corresponding lens surface L6 and the light emission region R6.

  Further, FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining an optical path changing operation of a light beam reaching from the core C1 (see FIG. 4) as an array conversion function of the optical array conversion device 300 (FIG. 5) having the above-described structure. It is. That is, as shown in FIG. 8, the light beam output from the core C1 on the light incident / exit end face 410 of the multi-core fiber 400 is collimated by the corresponding lens surface L1, and then the collimated light is reflected on the mirror surface M1-1. To reach. The mirror surface M1-1 reflects the reached collimated light in the outer peripheral direction of the device body along the y-axis direction. The collimated light from the mirror surface M1-1 is reflected in the z-axis direction by the mirror surface M2-1. Then, the collimated light reflected by the mirror surface 2-1 passes through the light emitting region R1 on the light emitting surface 302 as shown in FIG. The mirror surfaces M1-1 and M2-1 constitute an optical path changing unit corresponding to the set of the corresponding lens surface L1 and the light emission region R1.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, the configuration of the optical array conversion device according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 10 is a development view showing the configuration of the optical array conversion device according to the second embodiment. The optical array conversion device 300 in FIG.

  In the light arrangement conversion device according to the second embodiment, the light emitting regions R0 to R6 arranged one-dimensionally on the light emitting surface 302 have lens surfaces L2-0 to L2-6 as second lens surfaces. Is arranged. Further, in the optical array conversion device according to the second embodiment, the shapes of the surfaces A, B, and C are the same as those in the first embodiment (FIG. 5). In the space from the surface D in contact with the cavity inside the device main body in the first embodiment to the plane defined by Z = Z3 (coincidence with the light emitting surface 302), the member P0 extending along the z-axis direction ( (Center protrusion) is provided. Further, collimated light output from the core C0 (see FIG. 4) and collimated by the corresponding lens surface L0 propagates in the central projection P0 and is collected by the corresponding lens surface L2-0. The focused beam is imaged on a plane (not shown) defined by z = z4. A protrusion P1 (left protrusion) and a protrusion P2 (right protrusion) extending along the z-axis direction both at both ends of the surface E and in a space up to a plane defined by z = z3 (coincident with the light emitting surface 302). Is provided. Furthermore, in the optical array conversion device according to the second embodiment, the lens surfaces L2-0 to L2-6 are used as the second lens surfaces in the light emitting regions R0 to R6 arranged one-dimensionally on the light emitting surface 302. Is arranged.

  For example, the light beam output from the core C1 is collimated by the lens surface L1, and then reflected in the order of the mirror surfaces M1-1 and M2-1. The collimated light from the mirror surface M2-1 further propagates in the left projection P1, and is finally collected by the lens surface L2-1. The condensed beam from the lens surface L2-1 is imaged on a plane (not shown) defined by z = z4. On the other hand, the light beam output from the core C4 is collimated by the lens surface L4 and then reflected in the order of the mirror surfaces M1-4 and M2-4. The collimated light from the mirror surface M2-4 further propagates in the right protrusion P2, and is finally collected by the lens surface L2-4. The condensed beam from the lens surface L2-4 is imaged on a plane (not shown) defined by z = z4.

  Further, the light beams output from the cores C2, C3, C5, and C6 are collimated by the corresponding lens surfaces L2, L3, L5, and L6, as in the first embodiment. Each of the collimated lights from the lens surfaces L2, L3, L5, and L6 propagates through the same optical path as that in the first embodiment, and then the surfaces F-2, F-3, F-5, and F-6 on the prism body. Are condensed by the corresponding lens surfaces L2-2, L2-3, L2-5, and L2-6. The focused beams output from the lens surfaces L2-2, L2-3, L2-5, and L2-6 are also imaged on a plane (not shown) defined by z = z4.

  In the second embodiment, the focal lengths of the lens surfaces L1-1 to L1-6 are f1, and the focal lengths of the lens surfaces L2-1 to L2-6 are f2. If the spot diameter of the light beam output from each core in 410 is w1, the spot diameter w2 at the imaging position on the plane defined by z = z4 can be expressed as w2 = w1 × f2 / f1. Accordingly, by changing the focal length f1 of each of the lens surfaces L1-1 to L1-6 that is the first lens surface and the focal length f2 of each of the lens surfaces L2-1 to L2-6 that are the second lens surfaces, imaging is performed. The spot diameter at the position can be set to a desired size.

  Further, according to the first and second embodiments described above, the light beams output from the two-dimensionally arranged cores C0 to C6 of the multicore fiber 400 are changed to a one-dimensional array in a horizontal row, so that an existing multichannel input Can be easily combined with other parts. Moreover, even if it is the same core arrangement | sequence, it also becomes possible to change each core space | interval arbitrarily.

  In the first and second embodiments described above, the device main body applied to the optical array conversion devices 300 and 120 is obtained by resin molding or glass molding. Thereafter, the mirror surface can be formed by coating a metal or a dielectric multilayer film on the portion to be the mirror surface. In addition, the device may be separated with a plane defined by z = z2 as a boundary, and in this case, the device body has a shape that is easier to mold.

  In the multi-core fiber 400 as shown in FIG. 2, the interval between the cores 401 becomes narrow (several tens of μm) in order to increase the arrangement density of the cores 401. On the other hand, conventional optical components are generally premised on multi-channel coupling with a single core fiber having a fiber diameter of 125 μm or 250 μm. For this reason, the interval between the channels when converted from a two-dimensional array to a one-dimensional array by the optical array conversion device according to the present invention is as wide as 125 μm or 250 μm.

  Furthermore, according to the optical arrangement conversion device according to the present invention, the structure in which the intervals between the collimated light beams that have passed through the lens surfaces L0 to L6 are once expanded in the outer peripheral direction of the device body by the mirror surfaces M1-1 to M1-6. Therefore, the interval between the light beams finally output from the optical array conversion device can be changed to be wider than the core interval of the multicore fiber 400 to be connected.

  The optical array conversion device according to the present invention can be applied to an optical communication system as a connection element between various network resources.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 300 ... Optical arrangement conversion device, 301 ... Light incident end surface (A), 302 ... Light emitting end surface, R ... Light emitting area, L0-L7 ... Lens surface (first lens surface L), L2-0-0 L2-6 ... Lens surface (second lens surface), M1 to M3, M2-1 to M2-6, M3-2, M3-5, M3-6, M4-2, M4-3, M4-5, M4-6. Surface (reflective surface).

Claims (8)

A light incident surface on which a plurality of light beams reach different positions;
A plurality of first lens surfaces each two-dimensionally arranged on the light incident surface corresponding to any of the plurality of light beams, each of which collimates a corresponding one of the plurality of light beams. A first lens surface of
A plurality of light exit areas, each of which corresponds to one of the plurality of first lens faces, are the plurality of first lenses on the light entrance face. A light exit surface arranged differently from the arrangement of the surfaces;
A plurality of optical path changing units each corresponding to one of the corresponding sets of the plurality of first lens surfaces and the plurality of light emitting regions, each corresponding to one of the plurality of first lens surfaces. A plurality of optical path changing units including one or more reflecting surfaces for changing the optical path of the collimated light directed from one to the corresponding one of the plurality of light emitting areas ,
At least one of the plurality of optical path changing units has a structure in which the interval between the collimated light beams collimating in the outer circumferential direction from the center of the optical array conversion device to the outside is increased, and the corresponding first in the outer circumferential direction A first reflecting surface for reflecting the light beam collimated by the lens surface; and a second reflection for reflecting the light beam reflected by the first reflecting surface in a direction parallel to the light beam collimated by the corresponding first lens surface. An optical array conversion device having a surface .   A plurality of second lens surfaces respectively disposed in the plurality of light exit regions on the light exit surface, each of which collects collimated light that has reached a corresponding one of the plurality of light exit regions. The optical array conversion device according to claim 1, further comprising a plurality of second lens surfaces.   The optical array conversion device according to claim 2, wherein a focal length of each of the plurality of first lens surfaces is different from a focal length of each of the plurality of lens surfaces. At least one of the plurality of optical path changing units has the first and second reflecting surfaces, and reflects the light beam reflected by the second reflecting surface in a direction toward the center of the optical array conversion device. 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a third reflecting surface and a fourth reflecting surface that reflects the light beam reflected by the third reflecting surface in a direction parallel to the light beam reflected by the second reflecting surface. The optical array conversion device described. On the light incident surface, at least three first lens surfaces of the plurality of first lens surfaces are arranged on the same circumference of a circle whose center coincides with the center of the optical array conversion device. The optical array conversion device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: 6. The arrangement of the plurality of lens surfaces on the light incident surface and the arrangement of the plurality of light emission regions on the light emission surface are not similar. The optical array conversion device described. The light array conversion device according to claim 6, wherein the plurality of light emitting regions on the light emitting surface are arranged one-dimensionally. The multi-core fiber is disposed so that the light incident surface faces the end surface of the multi-core fiber in a state in which each of the cores on the end surface of the multi-core fiber and the plurality of first lens surfaces correspond one-to-one. Item 8. The optical array conversion device according to any one of Items 1 to 7.

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