JPH04317012A - Method for reinforcing optical fiber coupler - Google Patents
Method for reinforcing optical fiber couplerInfo
- Publication number
- JPH04317012A JPH04317012A JP8415791A JP8415791A JPH04317012A JP H04317012 A JPH04317012 A JP H04317012A JP 8415791 A JP8415791 A JP 8415791A JP 8415791 A JP8415791 A JP 8415791A JP H04317012 A JPH04317012 A JP H04317012A
- Authority
- JP
- Japan
- Prior art keywords
- optical fiber
- fiber coupler
- hole
- adhesive
- reinforcing case
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Pending
Links
- 239000013307 optical fiber Substances 0.000 title claims abstract description 44
- 230000003014 reinforcing effect Effects 0.000 title claims abstract description 22
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 title description 5
- 238000010438 heat treatment Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 4
- 239000000835 fiber Substances 0.000 claims abstract 2
- 239000004831 Hot glue Substances 0.000 claims description 9
- 239000000853 adhesive Substances 0.000 abstract description 21
- 230000001070 adhesive effect Effects 0.000 abstract description 21
- 238000002844 melting Methods 0.000 abstract description 8
- 230000003287 optical effect Effects 0.000 abstract description 5
- 230000008018 melting Effects 0.000 abstract description 4
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 16
- VYPSYNLAJGMNEJ-UHFFFAOYSA-N silicon dioxide Inorganic materials O=[Si]=O VYPSYNLAJGMNEJ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 10
- 238000005253 cladding Methods 0.000 description 9
- 239000010453 quartz Substances 0.000 description 9
- 238000010586 diagram Methods 0.000 description 3
- 229920001187 thermosetting polymer Polymers 0.000 description 3
- DQXBYHZEEUGOBF-UHFFFAOYSA-N but-3-enoic acid;ethene Chemical compound C=C.OC(=O)CC=C DQXBYHZEEUGOBF-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 230000008878 coupling Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000010168 coupling process Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000005859 coupling reaction Methods 0.000 description 2
- 239000005038 ethylene vinyl acetate Substances 0.000 description 2
- 229920001200 poly(ethylene-vinyl acetate) Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 230000001681 protective effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 229920005989 resin Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 239000011347 resin Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000004593 Epoxy Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910001374 Invar Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000003795 chemical substances by application Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000000576 coating method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000007796 conventional method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000007423 decrease Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000003822 epoxy resin Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229920001038 ethylene copolymer Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 230000004927 fusion Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000000704 physical effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000004033 plastic Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229920003023 plastic Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 229920000647 polyepoxide Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 230000000644 propagated effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000001902 propagating effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000002787 reinforcement Effects 0.000 description 1
- 229910000679 solder Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 238000007711 solidification Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000008023 solidification Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000002269 spontaneous effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000011179 visual inspection Methods 0.000 description 1
Abstract
Description
【０００１】0001
【産業上の利用分野】本発明は複数本の光ファイバを加
熱、融着、延伸してなる光ファイバカプラの補強方法に
関するものである。BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method for reinforcing an optical fiber coupler by heating, fusing, and stretching a plurality of optical fibers.
【０００２】0002
【従来の技術】従来、光ファイバカプラは、融着延伸し
た光ファイバ本体を、石英光ファイバと同程度の線膨張
係数の板上の固定部材に固定するのが普通である。すな
わち、光ファイバを融着延伸後、板上の固定部材の両端
部に接着剤を塗布し、固定部材と光ファイバを一体化さ
せる方法を採るものである。固定部材としては、例えば
、実開昭６４−２４３０８号公報に記載されているよう
に、板状の石英部材などが用いられる。光ファイバカプ
ラ固定用の接着剤としては、エポキシ系熱硬化型接着剤
、又は、紫外線硬化型接着剤が用いられている。2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, optical fiber couplers typically fix a fused and drawn optical fiber body to a fixing member on a plate having a coefficient of linear expansion comparable to that of a quartz optical fiber. That is, after the optical fiber is fused and drawn, an adhesive is applied to both ends of the fixing member on the plate to integrate the fixing member and the optical fiber. As the fixing member, a plate-shaped quartz member or the like is used, for example, as described in Japanese Utility Model Application Publication No. 64-24308. As the adhesive for fixing the optical fiber coupler, an epoxy thermosetting adhesive or an ultraviolet curable adhesive is used.
【０００３】0003
【発明が解決しようとする課題】接着剤を用いて固定す
る従来の技術の問題点は、第一に、接着剤を塗布する作
業を必要とする点であり、第二に、接着剤を硬化させる
に要する時間は、速いものでも１５分程度であるから、
補強ケ−スへの接着固定工程に時間を要する点であり、
第三に、板状の固定部材に固定した後、湿気などの外気
に対する保護のための作業が必要となる点である。更に
紫外線線硬化型接着剤を用いる場合は、紫外線光源等の
高価な機材が必要となる問題もある。[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] The problems with the conventional technique of fixing using adhesives are, firstly, that it requires work to apply the adhesive, and secondly, the problem is that the adhesive has to be hardened. The time required to do this is about 15 minutes even if it is fast.
The problem is that the adhesive fixing process to the reinforced case takes time.
Thirdly, after fixing to the plate-shaped fixing member, work is required to protect it from outside air such as moisture. Furthermore, when using an ultraviolet curable adhesive, there is a problem in that expensive equipment such as an ultraviolet light source is required.
【０００４】0004
【課題を達成するための手段】本発明は、光ファイバカ
プラの補強方法において、平面と、該平面上の長手方向
の中央部領域に位置する貫通孔とを有する部材の該貫通
孔の両側に熱溶融型接着剤が配置された補強ケ−スに、
光ファイバカプラ本体部が前記貫通孔内に位置するよう
に該光ファイバカプラを挿通させた状態で、前記補強ケ
−スを加熱して、光ファイバカプラを前記補強ケ−スに
加熱接着固定することを特徴とするものである。[Means for Accomplishing the Objects] The present invention provides a method for reinforcing an optical fiber coupler, in which a member having a plane and a through hole located in a central region in the longitudinal direction on the plane is provided on both sides of the through hole. A reinforced case with hot-melt adhesive placed on it,
Heat the reinforcing case to heat and bond the optical fiber coupler to the reinforcing case while inserting the optical fiber coupler so that the main body of the optical fiber coupler is located in the through hole. It is characterized by this.
【０００５】該補強ケースは、例えば平面部を有する基
材１と貫通孔を形成するための半割円筒状の孔形成材２
より構成することが出来る。基材１としては、光ファイ
バカプラの材質である石英ガラスとの線膨張係数差が１
×１０−４以下であるものが光ファイバカプラの光学的
機能の温度特性を良好に保つために望ましい。孔形成材
２としては、ＳＵＳ、耐熱プラスチック、石英、インバ
−など熱溶融型接着剤の溶融温度に耐えられるものを使
用することが出来る。次に、熱溶融型接着剤３として、
エチレン系共重合型樹脂例えばエチレンビニルアセテ−
ト、低溶融点金属例えば半田、低溶融点樹脂例えばロウ
を用いることが出来る。The reinforcing case includes, for example, a base material 1 having a flat surface and a hole forming material 2 having a half-cylindrical shape for forming a through hole.
It is possible to configure more. The base material 1 has a linear expansion coefficient difference of 1 from that of quartz glass, which is the material of the optical fiber coupler.
x10-4 or less is desirable in order to maintain good temperature characteristics of the optical function of the optical fiber coupler. As the hole-forming material 2, materials that can withstand the melting temperature of the heat-melting adhesive, such as SUS, heat-resistant plastic, quartz, and Invar, can be used. Next, as the hot melt adhesive 3,
Ethylene copolymer resin such as ethylene vinyl acetate
Alternatively, a low melting point metal such as solder or a low melting point resin such as wax can be used.
【０００６】[0006]
【作用】本発明の光ファイバカプラ４の補強ケースに貫
通孔をもうけたのは、機械的に光ファイバカプラを補強
することを目的にするのみならず以下に述べるようにそ
の光学的機能を確保することをも目的とする。２本の光
ファイバを融着延伸して構成された光ファイバカプラは
、延伸によりテ−パ−状に中央部の径が細くなったバイ
コニカルの形状となっている。この場合、コア径もクラ
ッド径と同一比で細くなっている。このような光ファイ
バカプラを伝播する光は、コア部が細くなるとコアに閉
じ込められる能力が小さくなるため、光は、コアの外に
大きく広がるようになる。コアとクラッドの屈折率差が
０．３％、コア径８μｍ、クラッド径１２５μｍの通常
の１．３μｍ帯の単一モ−ドの光ファイバを用いて光フ
ァイバカプラを製造した場合、クラッド径が３０μｍ程
度になる部分では、クラッド全体に光が広がることにな
る。[Operation] The purpose of providing the through hole in the reinforcing case of the optical fiber coupler 4 of the present invention is not only to mechanically reinforce the optical fiber coupler, but also to ensure its optical function as described below. The purpose is also to An optical fiber coupler constructed by fusion-stretching two optical fibers has a biconical shape with a tapered central diameter due to the stretching. In this case, the core diameter is also thinner at the same ratio as the cladding diameter. When the core portion becomes thinner, the ability of light propagating through such an optical fiber coupler to be confined in the core decreases, so that the light spreads significantly outside the core. When an optical fiber coupler is manufactured using a normal 1.3 μm band single mode optical fiber with a refractive index difference of 0.3% between the core and cladding, a core diameter of 8 μm, and a cladding diameter of 125 μm, the cladding diameter is In the portion where the thickness is about 30 μm, light spreads over the entire cladding.
【０００７】このような光ファイバカプラの場合、融着
部分がダンベル状であると、最小径の部分では、その周
囲の媒質の屈折率を光ファイバクラッドより低くしなけ
ればならない。その周囲に空気層が存在する場合は、空
気の屈折率がクラッドの屈折率より低いから、クラッド
がコアとして、空気層をクラッドとして、光を伝播させ
ることが出来る。本発明においては、光ファイバカプラ
の補強ケ−スの貫通孔内の空間が、光ファイバカプラの
最小径の部分の周囲に空気層を維持して信号光のカップ
リングを十分確保する。また本発明の補強ケ−スの貫通
孔は、外部からの機械的物理的作用に対し防護壁として
作用し、また、光ファイバカプラを固定する際該貫通孔
の両端を接着剤で密封することにより外気から光ファイ
バカプラを化学的に保護する機能を有する。In the case of such an optical fiber coupler, if the fused portion is dumbbell-shaped, the refractive index of the surrounding medium must be lower than that of the optical fiber cladding at the minimum diameter portion. If there is an air layer around it, the refractive index of the air is lower than the refractive index of the cladding, so light can be propagated using the cladding as the core and the air layer as the cladding. In the present invention, the space within the through hole of the reinforcing case of the optical fiber coupler maintains an air layer around the smallest diameter portion of the optical fiber coupler to ensure sufficient coupling of signal light. Furthermore, the through hole of the reinforcing case of the present invention acts as a protective wall against mechanical and physical effects from the outside, and when fixing the optical fiber coupler, both ends of the through hole can be sealed with adhesive. It has the function of chemically protecting the optical fiber coupler from the outside air.
【０００８】次に、補強ケースへ光ファイバカプラを固
定する接着剤として、熱溶融型接着剤を予め保護部材に
配置しておくことにより、加熱という簡便な手段により
接着が可能で接着剤の塗布工程が不要になり、作業性が
格段に向上する。また、補強に要する所要時間は、２分
程度でも十分であり、塗布工程を必要とする熱硬化型エ
ポキシ樹脂系接着剤の１５分程度に比して、著しく短く
なる。また、光ファイバカプラの補強ケ−スは一般的に
溝を有しているが本発明の補強ケ−スでは平面に接着固
定するため、溝付きケ−スよりも低コストで製作するこ
とが出来る。Next, as an adhesive for fixing the optical fiber coupler to the reinforcing case, by placing a heat-melting adhesive on the protective member in advance, the adhesive can be bonded by a simple means of heating, and the application of the adhesive can be performed easily. This eliminates the need for a process and greatly improves work efficiency. Further, the time required for reinforcement is sufficient even at about 2 minutes, which is significantly shorter than about 15 minutes for thermosetting epoxy resin adhesives that require a coating process. In addition, the reinforcing case of an optical fiber coupler generally has grooves, but the reinforcing case of the present invention is adhesively fixed to a flat surface, so it can be manufactured at a lower cost than a case with grooves. I can do it.
【０００９】[0009]
【実施例】図１に示す長さ６０ｍｍ、幅４ｍｍ、厚さ１
ｍｍの板状の石英基材１と長さ４０ｍｍ、外径４ｍｍ、
肉厚０．５ｍｍの半割円筒状の石英の孔形成材２と、長
さ１０ｍｍ、外径４ｍｍ、肉厚０．５ｍｍで材質がＥＶ
Ａ（エチレンビニルアセテ−ト）の筒状の熱溶融型接着
剤３を用いて、該板状の石英基材上の長手方向の中央部
領域に該半割円筒状の石英孔形成材を接着剤で固定し、
その両側に該熱溶融型接着剤を他の接着剤で固定し、図
２に示す構造の補強ケ−スを作成した。[Example] Length 60mm, width 4mm, thickness 1 as shown in Figure 1
mm plate-shaped quartz base material 1, length 40 mm, outer diameter 4 mm,
A half-cylindrical quartz hole forming material 2 with a wall thickness of 0.5 mm, a length of 10 mm, an outer diameter of 4 mm, a wall thickness of 0.5 mm, and the material is EV.
Using a cylindrical hot-melt adhesive 3 made of A (ethylene vinyl acetate), adhere the halved cylindrical quartz hole forming material to the central region in the longitudinal direction of the plate-shaped quartz base material. Fix with agent,
The hot-melt adhesive was fixed on both sides with another adhesive to create a reinforced case having the structure shown in FIG. 2.
【０００１０】これに予めカップリングすべき２本の光
ファイバ５を挿通し別の場所で融着延伸して得た光ファ
イバカプラ４を挿通させ、２分間熱溶融型接着剤を加熱
し固定したところ、極めて迅速容易に、光ファイバカプ
ラを該補強ケ−スの板状石英基材に固定し補強すること
が出来た。これを図３に示す。目視により補強状態を検
査した結果筒状の熱溶融型接着剤が半割円筒状石英孔形
成材の両端部分の光ファイバの下部にも十分に浸透し、
中央部領域の光カプラ部分の空気層を保存して外気より
完全に密封できた。カップリング機能などの光学特性、
耐久性についても十分な機能を得ることが出来た。[00010] Two optical fibers 5 to be coupled in advance were inserted into this, and an optical fiber coupler 4 obtained by fusion and stretching at another location was inserted, and the hot-melt adhesive was heated for 2 minutes to fix it. However, it was possible to fix and reinforce the optical fiber coupler to the plate-shaped quartz base material of the reinforcing case very quickly and easily. This is shown in FIG. Visual inspection of the reinforcing condition revealed that the cylindrical hot-melt adhesive had sufficiently penetrated into the lower part of the optical fiber at both ends of the halved cylindrical quartz hole forming material.
We were able to preserve the air layer in the optical coupler area in the central area and completely seal it from the outside air. optical properties such as coupling function,
We were also able to obtain sufficient functionality in terms of durability.
【０００１１】00011
【発明の効果】以上の説明から明らかなように本発明に
よれば、予め一定の形状を付与した熱溶融型接着剤を部
材に加えておくことにより光ファイバカプラを部材へ固
定する作業を著しく簡便なものとしかつその所要時間を
短縮することが出来る。また熱硬化型接着剤を用いた場
合のように接着剤の保持その他取り扱い時において自然
に固化するという煩雑な問題がないから、光ファイバカ
プラの製造装置の簡略化を図ることが出来る。Effects of the Invention As is clear from the above description, according to the present invention, the work of fixing an optical fiber coupler to a member can be greatly simplified by adding a heat-melting adhesive that has been given a certain shape to the member in advance. It can be made simple and the required time can be shortened. Further, unlike when using a thermosetting adhesive, there is no problem of spontaneous solidification during holding or handling of the adhesive, so the manufacturing equipment for the optical fiber coupler can be simplified.
【図１】本発明の補強ケ−スの組み立て前の状態を示す
図である。FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the reinforcing case of the present invention in a state before assembly.
【図２】図１の各材料を組み立てて製作した補強ケ−ス
を示す図である。FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a reinforced case manufactured by assembling the materials shown in FIG. 1;
【図３】図２の補強ケ−スにより光ファイバカプラを補
強した状態を示す図である。3 is a diagram showing a state in which the optical fiber coupler is reinforced by the reinforcing case of FIG. 2; FIG.
１ 板状の基材 ２ 半割円筒状の孔形成材 ３ 熱溶融型接着剤 ３’熱溶融後固化した熱溶融型接着剤 ４ 光ファイバカプラ ５ 光ファイバ 1 Plate-shaped base material 2 Half-cylindrical hole forming material 3 Hot melt adhesive 3’ Hot-melt adhesive solidified after hot-melting 4 Optical fiber coupler 5 Optical fiber
Claims (1)
域に位置する貫通孔とを有する部材の該貫通孔の両側に
熱溶融型接着剤を配置してなる補強ケ−スに、光ファイ
バカプラ本体を該貫通孔内部に位置するように挿通させ
た状態で、該補強ケ−スを加熱して該光ファイバカプラ
を該補強ケ−スに加熱接着固定することを特徴とする光
ファイバカプラの補強方法。1. A reinforcing case comprising a member having a flat surface and a through hole located in the central region in the longitudinal direction of the flat surface, and a hot-melt adhesive placed on both sides of the through hole. An optical fiber characterized in that the optical fiber coupler is fixed to the reinforcing case by heating the reinforcing case with the fiber coupler main body inserted so as to be positioned inside the through-hole. How to reinforce couplers.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| JP8415791A JPH04317012A (en) | 1991-04-16 | 1991-04-16 | Method for reinforcing optical fiber coupler |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| JP8415791A JPH04317012A (en) | 1991-04-16 | 1991-04-16 | Method for reinforcing optical fiber coupler |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| JPH04317012A true JPH04317012A (en) | 1992-11-09 |
Family
ID=13822669
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| JP8415791A Pending JPH04317012A (en) | 1991-04-16 | 1991-04-16 | Method for reinforcing optical fiber coupler |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| JP (1) | JPH04317012A (en) |
-
1991
- 1991-04-16 JP JP8415791A patent/JPH04317012A/en active Pending
Similar Documents
| Publication | Publication Date | Title |
|---|---|---|
| US5367591A (en) | Reinforced optical fiber and method of manufacture | |
| EP0558227B1 (en) | Optical fiber to strip waveguide interconnect | |
| JP3129785B2 (en) | Reinforcing structure of optical fiber coupler | |
| US5261018A (en) | Optical-coupler reinforcing material and optical-coupler reinforcing method | |
| CA2074860C (en) | Method of reinforcing optical fiber coupler | |
| US5560760A (en) | Method for optical and mechanically coupling optical fibers | |
| US4533208A (en) | Evanescent-wave star coupler on a substrate | |
| JPH06509427A (en) | optical coupler housing | |
| JP2002040290A (en) | Fiber array part and its manufacturing method | |
| JPH04317012A (en) | Method for reinforcing optical fiber coupler | |
| JPH08146245A (en) | Optical fiber coupler | |
| JP3505376B2 (en) | Optical fiber fixing method and fixing jig used for the fixing method | |
| JPS59216112A (en) | Optical fiber connecting method | |
| EP0507243A1 (en) | Reinforced optical fiber coupler and method of manufacture | |
| JPH04331903A (en) | Method for reinforcing optical fiber coupler | |
| US5524158A (en) | Method of making fiber optic couplers | |
| JPH11218636A (en) | Structure and method for reinforcing optical fiber fusion-splicing connection part | |
| JPH0643334A (en) | Reinforcing method for optical fiber coupler | |
| JP3084933B2 (en) | Reinforcement structure of fiber fusion type optical coupler | |
| JPH03255412A (en) | Reinforcing method for optical fiber coupler | |
| JPH0735946A (en) | Optical fiber coupler | |
| JPH06324229A (en) | Production of optical fiber coupler | |
| JPH05224108A (en) | Method for reinforcing multiple optical fiber coupler | |
| JPS6273209A (en) | Waveguide device | |
| JPS6370808A (en) | Connecting method for waveguide and optical fiber |