JP2002148467A - Optical fiber array and its manufacturing method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an optical fiber array and its manufacturing method suitable for fixing optical fibers by aligning tip ends of the optical fibers or finely adjusting rotation angles of individual optical fibers utilizing attracting force exerting between magnetic bodies when plural optical fibers are fixed to a substrate or the like. SOLUTION: The optical fiber array is composed of a V grooved substrate 6 having plural V grooves 6a and magnetic attracting parts, plural optical fibers 1 the coating of one end part of which is removed and on which a magnetic body metallic layer 2a is coated except for the tip end part of a bare optical fiber, and a means for fixing the optical fiber to the V groove 6a.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an optical fiber array in which a plurality of optical fibers are fixed to a substrate or the like by aligning the ends of the optical fibers or adjusting the rotation axis of each optical fiber and fixing the optical fibers. The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing such an optical fiber array.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In the case of a single-core optical fiber, an optical fiber whose end face is formed into a spherical lens is fixed to the tip of a ferrule by protruding a fixed length, or an optical fiber having a different performance in a rotating direction, for example, an optical fiber end face. There is known an optical fiber in which a wedge-shaped optical fiber or a polarization-maintaining optical fiber is fixed to a ferrule in such a manner that the directions of rotation are adjusted. A method for manufacturing such an optical fiber ferrule is also known. 2. Description of the Related Art An optical fiber array in which a plurality of optical fibers are arranged on a V-groove array substrate or the like at an equal angle or position is known.
However, in the case of an optical fiber array using a large number of optical fibers, it is necessary to align a desired number of optical fibers to a fixed length, adjust the rotation angle, and align the optical fibers in the V-groove of the substrate. This is an extremely difficult task, largely dependent on the artistic skill of the craftsman, and mass production with a certain degree of accuracy has been extremely difficult.

[0003]

For example, in order to align eight optical fibers, each of which has a processed end face in a single-core state, into a fixed length of eight V-grooves, one core at a time: It is necessary to temporarily fix one core at a time by some method. As a method for temporarily fixing a 0.125 mm optical fiber in a 0.25 mm pitch V-groove, a method using a special jig, a method using a special minute bump, and the like are considered, but they have not been embodied. Similarly, no specific method has been proposed for adjusting the angle of the optical fiber.

[0004] An object of the present invention is to fix the plurality of optical fibers to a substrate or the like by using the attractive force acting between magnetic materials to align the tips of the optical fibers or to rotate the individual optical fibers. An object of the present invention is to provide an optical fiber array suitable for adjusting and fixing an angle. It is still another object of the present invention to provide a method for manufacturing the optical fiber array.

[0005]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an optical fiber array according to the present invention.
A V-groove substrate having a plurality of V-grooves and a magnetic attraction portion, a plurality of optical fibers having one end removed, and coated with a magnetic metal layer except for a tip of the bare optical fiber; Means for fixing the fiber in the V-groove. An optical fiber array according to claim 2 according to the present invention,
A V-groove substrate having a plurality of V-grooves, a magnetic metal layer is formed on a portion of the bare optical fiber except for a portion to be bonded to the V-groove and a distal end of the bare optical fiber by removing the coating of the tip. It comprises a plurality of coated optical fibers and means for fixing the bare optical fiber portion to the V-groove. The optical fiber array according to claim 3 according to the present invention comprises:
A nonmagnetic V-groove substrate having a plurality of V-grooves and a coating at one end are removed, and a magnetic metal layer subjected to a magnetic force through the V-groove substrate is coated except for the tip of the bare optical fiber. And a means for fixing the optical fiber to the V-groove. An optical fiber array according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is the optical fiber array according to the first, second or third aspect, wherein the tip of the optical fiber is polished into a lens shape or a flat surface. The optical fiber according to claim 5 according to the present invention is the optical fiber according to claim 1, 2, or 3.
An optical fiber of the described optical fiber array is a polarization maintaining optical fiber.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of manufacturing an optical fiber array, comprising the steps of: forming one end of each of a plurality of optical fibers into a bare optical fiber, and forming a magnetic metal layer on the surface except for the ends; A magnetic V-groove substrate preparing step of preparing a V-groove substrate having a magnetic attraction portion, and an adjusting temporary fixing step of temporarily adjusting the relative position of the optical fiber along the V-groove by adjusting the relative position thereof with a magnetic force. And fixing the optical fibers to the V-groove substrate after the adjustment temporary fixing of all the optical fibers is completed. This method is suitable for manufacturing an optical fiber array according to the first aspect.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for preparing an optical fiber array, comprising the steps of: forming one end of each of a plurality of optical fibers into a bare optical fiber, and forming a magnetic metal layer on the surface except for a tip and a coupling portion. A V-groove substrate preparing step for preparing a V-groove substrate; an auxiliary magnetic V-groove substrate preparing step for preparing an auxiliary magnetic V-groove substrate having a cross section common to the V-groove substrate; A jig arranging step of arranging the grooved substrates so that the V-grooves are aligned, and adjusting the tip of the optical fiber in a state in which the V-groove substrate and the magnetic metal layer correspond to the auxiliary magnetic V-groove substrate by magnetic force. A temporary fixing step of temporarily fixing the optical fiber; and a fixing step of fixing the optical fiber to the V-groove substrate after the temporary adjustment of all the optical fibers is completed. This method is suitable for manufacturing an optical fiber array according to the second aspect.

[0010] According to a eighth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for preparing an optical fiber array, comprising the steps of: forming one end of a plurality of optical fibers into a bare optical fiber and forming a magnetic metal layer on the surface except for a tip and a coupling portion. A V-groove substrate preparing step of preparing a V-groove substrate made of a material that transmits magnetic force;
An auxiliary magnet preparing step of preparing an auxiliary magnet disposed on the opposite surface of the V-groove of the V-groove substrate; and an adjusting temporary provision for temporarily fixing the tip of the optical fiber along the V-groove by the magnetic force of the auxiliary magnet. A fixing step of fixing the optical fibers to the V-groove substrate after the provisional fixing of all the optical fibers is completed. This method is suitable for manufacturing an optical fiber array according to the third aspect.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the optical fiber array according to any one of the first to third aspects, wherein the V-groove fixing portion of the V-groove substrate of the optical fiber and the optical fiber coating portion. When the optical fiber array is disposed in a sealed container, a metal coating is provided therebetween, and the sealed portion of the container is formed using the coated portion.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the optical fiber array, the metal coating is a magnetic metal layer.

According to the present invention, basically, prior to fixing a plurality of optical fibers to a substrate or the like, an optical fiber and a V-groove substrate are temporarily fixed by utilizing a suction force acting between magnetic materials. It was made. A magnetic metal coating is applied to the bare optical fiber surface of the optical fiber to be adjusted and aligned.
The V-groove substrate may be made of a metal having magnetism, or a metal having magnetism may be additionally provided in the vicinity of the V-groove substrate, and a temporary fixing method using each magnetism may be used. A magnetic metal coating is applied to the surface of the bare optical fiber. For example, nickel (Ni) or iron (Fe) is applied by sputtering or wet plating. If the V-groove substrate is made of a magnetic metal, leaving only the tip of the bare optical fiber,
The whole is coated with metal. In this case, considering the high-precision fixing to the V-groove, the thickness of the metal coating is restricted, and the coating of about several thousand degrees by sputtering is effective.

On the other hand, when the V-groove substrate itself is a non-magnetic material, and a magnetic material is auxiliary disposed behind the substrate, a metal portion is provided in a terminal portion of the optical fiber corresponding to the auxiliary magnetic material. Apply coating. Since the metal coating here does not affect the accuracy of fixing the V-groove, a relatively thick metal coating is applied and strong temporary fixing by magnetism becomes possible. In this case, the portion of the optical fiber fixed to the V-groove substrate is not coated with a metal coating, so that the optical fiber can be fixed with high accuracy.

[0013]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the apparatus according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. 1A to 1C,
This relates to the assembling process of the first embodiment of the optical fiber array according to the present invention. The first embodiment of the apparatus according to the present invention uses a V-groove substrate 6 having a plurality of V-grooves 6a... 6a and a magnetic attraction portion, and does not use a jig. A plurality of optical fibers 1 fixed to the V-groove substrate 6
1 is covered with the magnetic metal layer 2a except for the end 2c of the bare optical fiber, with the coating at one end removed. The plurality of optical fibers 1...
.. It is fixed by a holding plate 7 which is a means for fixing to 6a.

2A to 2D relate to an assembling process of a second embodiment of the optical fiber array according to the present invention. A second embodiment of the device according to the present invention uses a V-groove substrate 10 having a plurality of V-grooves 10a. Since a jig is used, the V-groove substrate 10 does not require a magnetic suction part. The plurality of optical fibers 3 fixed to the V-groove substrate 10 include the tip of the bare optical fiber 4b from which the coating of the tip has been removed and the bare optical fiber excluding the portion coupled to the V-groove 10a. The portion is covered with the magnetic metal layer 4a. The plurality of optical fibers 3 are fixed to the V-groove substrate 10 by means 12 for fixing the bare optical fiber portion to the V-groove.

FIG. 3 is a side view showing an adjustment state of the third embodiment. The V-groove substrate 10 is a quartz or ceramic substrate having a plurality of V-grooves. One of the plurality of optical fibers 1 is coated with a magnetic metal layer 2a subjected to a magnetic force via the V-groove substrate except for the end of the bare optical fiber except for the end of the bare optical fiber. The optical fiber 1
.. the magnetic metal layer 2a of the
Under the action of the magnetic force lines 15 of FIG.
After adjusting the position and posture of the optical fiber, the optical fiber is fixed by bonding with fixing means (not shown).

FIG. 4 is a schematic view showing the use state of the optical fiber array according to the present invention. V-groove substrate 10 for optical fiber
A metal coating (magnetic metal layer 2a) is provided between the fixing portion and the optical fiber coating portion, and when the optical fiber array is disposed in the sealed container 14, the coating is formed between the coating portion and the through hole of the container 14. The sealing layer of the container 14 is formed by applying the solder layer 13 between them. In this way, the tip of the optical fiber of the optical fiber array forming the optical fiber array can be shielded from the atmosphere.

The distal end of the optical fiber used in each of the above embodiments may be polished into a lens shape or a flat surface. The position of the tip of such an optical fiber (the amount of protrusion from the substrate)
This is useful for fixing to a V-groove substrate in a state where they are aligned. Alternatively, it may be polished after fixing. However, the present invention is useful for an optical fiber array using a polarization-maintaining optical fiber or an apparatus using an optical fiber whose tip is a wedge-shaped lens, in which a fixed angle becomes a problem. In the first to third embodiments, magnetism remains in the magnetic metal layers 2a, 4a and the like.
In order to prevent the residual magnetism from attracting magnetic particles or the like and impairing the characteristics, demagnetization is performed.

[0018]

(Example 1) This example is an example of the first embodiment described above. Prepare a required number of 1.3 μm single mode optical fibers (0.25 mm UV coated wires). FIG. 3 shows the processed optical fiber. A 16 mm distal end of the optical fiber 1 is a bare optical fiber. The tip of the optical fiber is processed into a spherical lens 2c having a radius of curvature of 5 μm. After masking the tip of about 1 mm of the optical fiber processed with the spherical lens 2c, nickel (Ni) is sputtered to a thickness of 5000 mm on the remaining 15 mm portion.
The magnetic metal layer 2a is formed by vapor deposition to a thickness of about Å. A Kovar V-groove substrate 6 (250 μm pitch, 8 grooves) is prepared. (A magnetic force is applied in advance by a magnet).
The magnetic coating portion, which is the vapor-deposited film portion (15 mm portion) at the tip of the optical fiber 1, is placed on the Kovar V-groove 6 a, and the microscope-processed optical fiber protrudes 1 mm from the end of the V-groove under a microscope. Temporarily fix with. 8 optical fibers 1
Is aligned, a thermosetting resin adhesive is added, and heat curing is performed while pressing the upper lid 7 to complete the fixing.

(Embodiment 2) This embodiment is an embodiment of the second embodiment described above. A required number of 1.5 μm PANDA type optical fibers (0.25 mm UV-coated wires) 3 are prepared. FIG. 6 shows the tip of this optical fiber, and FIG.
2 shows an enlarged end face of the PANDA type optical fiber 3. In each figure, 4c indicates an optical fiber core. In FIG. 7, reference numeral 4d denotes a stress applying portion for forming a polarization plane.
First, a 20 mm distal end of the optical fiber 3 is a bare optical fiber. 10 mm (4 in FIG. 6)
After masking part b), electroless nickel plating is applied to the remaining portion to a thickness of 0.5 μm, and further electrolytic nickel plating is applied to 4 μm. Remove the resin used for masking.

A glass V-groove substrate 10 (250 μm pitch, 4 grooves) and a Kovar V-groove substrate 11 for auxiliary temporary fixing having the same cross-sectional shape as the glass V-groove substrate are prepared. The V-groove substrates 10 and 11 are arranged such that the corresponding V-grooves are arranged on the same straight line as shown in FIG. 2A. The direction (angle) and position of each optical fiber 3 are sequentially aligned along the V-groove 11a of the auxiliary magnetic V-groove substrate made of Kovar and the V-groove 10a made of glass while observing the stress applying portion on the end face with a microscope. adjust.

Stress applying part 4d of PANDA type optical fiber
Can be observed as shown in FIG. 7 and the polarization plane can be known. It is also possible to adjust while measuring the plane of polarization using an optical device. After the alignment with the direction, the magnetic metal part 4a, which is a nickel-plated part of the optical fiber, and a V-groove made of Kovar (a magnetic force is applied in advance by a magnet) 1
It is temporarily stopped by the action of the magnetic force of 1a. After the four optical fibers 3 are sequentially aligned, the UV is inserted into the glass V-groove 10a.
The curable resin is added, and UV light is irradiated while the upper part is pressed by the fixing means 12 made of a glass plate to be cured and fixed. The end face of the glass V-groove substrate 10 on which the optical fiber is mounted is polished to obtain a product. 2C and 2D show the assembled state of this embodiment.

(Embodiment 3) This embodiment is an embodiment of the third embodiment described above. 5 is a schematic view showing a use state of the optical fiber array according to the present invention. Prepare a required number of 1.3 μm single mode optical fibers (0.25 mm UV coated wires). FIG. 3 shows the processed optical fiber. A 16 mm distal end of the optical fiber 1 is a bare optical fiber. The tip of the optical fiber is processed into a spherical lens 2c having a radius of curvature of 5 μm. After masking the tip of about 1 mm of the optical fiber processed with the spherical lens 2c, nickel (Ni) is vapor-deposited on the remaining 15 mm by sputtering to a thickness of about 5000 ° to form the magnetic metal layer 2a. Glass V-groove substrate 10 (250 μm pitch, 8
Prepare the groove). The glass V-groove substrate 10 transmits magnetic force. An auxiliary magnet 16 is prepared which is arranged on the surface of the V-groove substrate 10 opposite to the V-groove 10a. The magnetic metal layer 2a, which is the vapor-deposited film portion (15 mm portion) at the tip of the optical fiber 1, is placed along the groove 10a, and under a microscope, the spherical processed optical fiber projects 1 mm from the end of the V-groove. Temporarily fix. When the distal ends of the eight optical fibers 1 are aligned, a thermosetting resin adhesive is added, and heat curing is performed while pressing the upper lid 7 to complete the fixing.

[0023]

As described above in detail, according to the present invention, an optical fiber array which requires a plurality of optical fibers to be fixed to a substrate by adjusting their posture and position can be easily and highly adjusted. It can be manufactured with precision.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1A is a plan view for explaining an assembling process of a first embodiment of the optical fiber array according to the present invention.

FIG. 1B is a side cross-sectional view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1A.

FIG. 1C is a front view showing a completed state of the first embodiment.

FIG. 2A is a plan view for explaining an assembling process of a second embodiment of the optical fiber array according to the present invention, and shows an arrangement of a jig and a V-groove substrate.

FIG. 2B is a plan view showing an adjustment state of the second embodiment.

FIG. 2C is a plan view showing a completed state of assembly of the second embodiment.

FIG. 2D is a side view showing the assembly completed state of the second embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a side view showing an adjustment state of the third embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a schematic view showing a use state of an optical fiber array according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an optical fiber used in the first and third embodiments.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an optical fiber used in a second embodiment.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged end view of an optical fiber bare optical fiber used in a second embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 1 optical fiber 2a magnetic metal layer 2b optical fiber core 2c lens 3 optical fiber 4a magnetic metal layer 4b bare optical fiber portion 4c optical fiber core 4d stress applying portion 6 V-groove substrate 6a V-groove 7 holding plate (fixing means) 10 V-groove substrate 10a V-groove 11 Auxiliary magnetic V-groove substrate 11a V-groove of auxiliary magnetic V-groove substrate 12 Fixing means 13 Solder layer 14 Sealed container 15 Magnetic field lines 16 Auxiliary magnet

Claims (10)

[Claims] A plurality of V-groove substrates each having a plurality of V-grooves and a magnetic attraction portion; and a plurality of light beams each having a coating removed at one end and covered with a magnetic metal layer except for a tip portion of a bare optical fiber. An optical fiber array comprising: a fiber; and means for fixing the optical fiber in the V-groove. 2. A V-groove substrate having a plurality of V-grooves, a tip of a bare optical fiber having a coating on a tip removed, and a V-shaped substrate.
A light comprising: a plurality of optical fibers in which a portion of the bare optical fiber except for a portion to be coupled to the groove is coated with a magnetic metal layer; and means for fixing the bare optical fiber portion to the V-groove. Fiber array. 3. A non-magnetic V-groove substrate having a plurality of V-grooves, and a magnetic body which is subjected to a magnetic force through the V-groove substrate except for a coating at one end and excluding the end of a bare optical fiber. An optical fiber array comprising: a plurality of optical fibers coated with a metal layer; and means for fixing the optical fibers to the V-grooves. 4. The optical fiber array according to claim 1, wherein a tip of said optical fiber is polished into a lens shape or a flat surface. 5. The optical fiber array according to claim 1, wherein said optical fiber is a polarization maintaining optical fiber. 6. An optical fiber preparing step of forming one end of a plurality of optical fibers into a bare optical fiber and forming a magnetic metal layer on the surface except for the ends, and a magnetic V-groove for preparing a V-groove substrate provided with a magnetic attraction part. A substrate preparing step, an adjusting temporary fixing step of adjusting the relative position of the magnetic metal layer of the optical fiber along the V-groove and temporarily fixing the optical fiber with a magnetic force, Fixing an optical fiber to the V-groove substrate. 7. An optical fiber preparing step of forming one end of a plurality of optical fibers into a bare optical fiber and forming a magnetic metal layer on a surface except for a tip and a coupling portion, and a V-groove substrate preparing step of preparing a V-groove substrate An auxiliary magnetic V-groove substrate preparing step of preparing an auxiliary magnetic V-groove substrate having a cross section common to the V-groove substrate; and a jig arrangement for aligning the V-groove substrate and the auxiliary magnetic V-groove substrate with the V-grooves aligned. An adjusting temporary fixing step of adjusting the tip of the optical fiber to correspond to the V-groove substrate and the magnetic metal layer to the auxiliary magnetic V-groove substrate and temporarily fixing by magnetic force; Fixing the optical fiber to the V-groove substrate after the completion of the temporary adjustment of the fiber. 8. An optical fiber preparing step of forming one end of each of a plurality of optical fibers into a bare optical fiber, forming a magnetic metal layer on the surface except for a tip and a coupling portion, and a V-groove substrate made of a material that transmits magnetic force. A V-groove substrate preparing step for preparing; an auxiliary magnet preparing step for preparing an auxiliary magnet disposed on a surface opposite to the V-groove of the V-groove substrate; and the auxiliary by aligning the tip of the optical fiber along the V-groove. A method for manufacturing an optical fiber array, comprising: an adjustment temporary fixing step of temporarily fixing by a magnetic force of a magnet; and a fixing step of fixing the optical fibers to the V-groove substrate after the adjustment temporary fixing of all the optical fibers is completed. 9. The optical fiber array according to claim 1, wherein a metal coating is provided between the V-groove fixing portion of the V-groove substrate of the optical fiber and the optical fiber coating portion. An optical fiber array configured to form a sealed portion of the container by using the coating portion when placed in a sealed container. 10. The optical fiber array according to claim 9, wherein said metal coating is a magnetic metal layer.