Optical waveguides – With disengagable mechanical connector – Optical fiber/optical fiber cable termination structure
Patent
1994-11-08
1996-08-20
Ullah, Akm E.
Optical waveguides
With disengagable mechanical connector
Optical fiber/optical fiber cable termination structure
G02B 600, G02B 636
Patent
active
055486754
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to an optical fiber end portion, a method for manufacturing the same, and construction for connecting the end portion to an optical device.
BACKGROUND ART
The optical connection between an optical device such as an optical waveguide component, an optical semiconductor device (LD array, LED array), etc. and optical fiber has so far been made by the following procedure. An optical fiber end portion, in which a plurality of optical fibers are arranged at predetermined intervals, is butted against an optical device, or the optical fiber end portion and the optical device are disposed in opposition to each other. Then, alignment is performed to align optical axes between the optical fiber and the optical device. After that, both elements are bonded by an adhesive such as a heat curing type or a light (ultraviolet rays) curing type. Alternatively, an optical fiber end portion and an optical device are opposed to each other with a predetermined gap between them, optical axes are aligned between the optical fiber and the optical device, and then the optical fiber end portion and the optical device are welded to a metal base.
As a first example of such a connection between an optical fiber end portion and an optical device, for example, the connection between an optical fiber end portion and an optical waveguide component is known.
The optical fiber end portion has a tape fiber, in which a plurality of optical fibers are arranged at predetermined intervals in a coating, and a ferrule. The ferrule has a butting end face, which is disposed in opposition to or butted against an optical waveguide component, and a plurality of fiber holes formed in parallel at predetermined intervals. One end of the optical fiber is inserted into each of the fiber holes and bonded, and the optical fiber is exposed to the butting end face. The most inexpensive and general method for manufacturing the ferrule is plastic molding performed by using a mold.
The optical waveguide component consists of a waveguide substrate and a waveguide layer, and sometimes a cover is bonded onto the waveguide layer. In the waveguide layer, single or plural waveguides are formed, and the waveguides are exposed to the butting end face at both ends. The cover serves to ensure an effective area for bonding to the optical fiber end portion by making the area and shape of the butting end face of the optical waveguide component substantially equal to those of the butting end face of the optical fiber end portion.
The aforementioned optical fiber end portion is butted against the optical waveguide component through their butting end faces, and is bonded to the optical waveguide component after alignment is performed between each optical fiber and the corresponding waveguide.
When the optical fiber end portion is bonded to the optical waveguide component, it is necessary to align the optical fiber and the corresponding waveguide on the order of submicrons, and to bond and fix the optical fiber end portion to the optical waveguide component in a short period of time while maintaining the aligned condition in order to minimize the connection loss at the optical fiber end, particularly for optical fiber of single mode.
As the bonding means, a heat curing type adhesive such as epoxy resin, which cures at a high speed, is used. The optical fiber end portion is bonded to the optical waveguide component at portions excluding the portion where the optical fibers and waveguides are exposed to the butting end face to prevent the interruption of the optical path between each optical fiber and the corresponding waveguide.
As a second example, the connection of another construction between the optical fiber end portion and the optical waveguide component is also known.
This optical fiber end portion has a tape fiber, a V-grooved base plate, and a press cover, and a butting end face is formed at each end thereof. The tape fiber has a plurality of optical fibers arranged at predetermined intervals in a coating. The end portion of
REFERENCES:
patent: 4647147 (1987-03-01), Pikulski et al.
patent: 4722584 (1988-02-01), Kakii et al.
patent: 4743084 (1988-05-01), Manning
patent: 4812002 (1989-03-01), Kato et al.
patent: 5231685 (1993-07-01), Hanzawa et al.
Patent Abstract of Japan, vol. 10, No. 154 (P-463) (2210) Jun. 4, 1986 & JP-A-61 007 811 (SUMITOMO).
Fukasawa Kazuya
Nakamura Shiro
Shigematsu Takashi
Shimizu Takeo
Watanabe Tomohiro
The Furukawa Electric Co. Ltd.
Ullah Akm E.
LandOfFree
Multifiber connector, a method of manufacturing the same, and a does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Multifiber connector, a method of manufacturing the same, and a , we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Multifiber connector, a method of manufacturing the same, and a will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2336689