WO2016103675A1 - 光ファイバ用ロッド、光ファイバ、イメージファイバ及び光ファイバ用ロッドの製造方法 - Google Patents
光ファイバ用ロッド、光ファイバ、イメージファイバ及び光ファイバ用ロッドの製造方法 Download PDFInfo
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- WO2016103675A1 WO2016103675A1 PCT/JP2015/006372 JP2015006372W WO2016103675A1 WO 2016103675 A1 WO2016103675 A1 WO 2016103675A1 JP 2015006372 W JP2015006372 W JP 2015006372W WO 2016103675 A1 WO2016103675 A1 WO 2016103675A1
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- outer peripheral
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- G—PHYSICS
- G02—OPTICS
- G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
- G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
- G02B6/02—Optical fibres with cladding with or without a coating
- G02B6/028—Optical fibres with cladding with or without a coating with core or cladding having graded refractive index
- G02B6/0288—Multimode fibre, e.g. graded index core for compensating modal dispersion
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
- B29D—PRODUCING PARTICULAR ARTICLES FROM PLASTICS OR FROM SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE
- B29D11/00—Producing optical elements, e.g. lenses or prisms
- B29D11/00663—Production of light guides
- B29D11/00682—Production of light guides with a refractive index gradient
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- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C03—GLASS; MINERAL OR SLAG WOOL
- C03B—MANUFACTURE, SHAPING, OR SUPPLEMENTARY PROCESSES
- C03B37/00—Manufacture or treatment of flakes, fibres, or filaments from softened glass, minerals, or slags
- C03B37/01—Manufacture of glass fibres or filaments
- C03B37/012—Manufacture of preforms for drawing fibres or filaments
- C03B37/01205—Manufacture of preforms for drawing fibres or filaments starting from tubes, rods, fibres or filaments
- C03B37/01211—Manufacture of preforms for drawing fibres or filaments starting from tubes, rods, fibres or filaments by inserting one or more rods or tubes into a tube
- C03B37/01214—Manufacture of preforms for drawing fibres or filaments starting from tubes, rods, fibres or filaments by inserting one or more rods or tubes into a tube for making preforms of multifibres, fibre bundles other than multiple core preforms
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- G—PHYSICS
- G02—OPTICS
- G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
- G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
- G02B6/02—Optical fibres with cladding with or without a coating
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G02—OPTICS
- G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
- G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
- G02B6/02—Optical fibres with cladding with or without a coating
- G02B6/02033—Core or cladding made from organic material, e.g. polymeric material
- G02B6/02038—Core or cladding made from organic material, e.g. polymeric material with core or cladding having graded refractive index
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- G—PHYSICS
- G02—OPTICS
- G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
- G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
- G02B6/02—Optical fibres with cladding with or without a coating
- G02B6/028—Optical fibres with cladding with or without a coating with core or cladding having graded refractive index
- G02B6/0283—Graded index region external to the central core segment, e.g. sloping layer or triangular or trapezoidal layer
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- G—PHYSICS
- G02—OPTICS
- G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
- G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
- G02B6/02—Optical fibres with cladding with or without a coating
- G02B6/036—Optical fibres with cladding with or without a coating core or cladding comprising multiple layers
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- G—PHYSICS
- G02—OPTICS
- G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
- G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
- G02B6/02—Optical fibres with cladding with or without a coating
- G02B6/036—Optical fibres with cladding with or without a coating core or cladding comprising multiple layers
- G02B6/03616—Optical fibres characterised both by the number of different refractive index layers around the central core segment, i.e. around the innermost high index core layer, and their relative refractive index difference
- G02B6/03622—Optical fibres characterised both by the number of different refractive index layers around the central core segment, i.e. around the innermost high index core layer, and their relative refractive index difference having 2 layers only
- G02B6/03633—Optical fibres characterised both by the number of different refractive index layers around the central core segment, i.e. around the innermost high index core layer, and their relative refractive index difference having 2 layers only arranged - -
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G02—OPTICS
- G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
- G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
- G02B6/04—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings formed by bundles of fibres
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- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C03—GLASS; MINERAL OR SLAG WOOL
- C03B—MANUFACTURE, SHAPING, OR SUPPLEMENTARY PROCESSES
- C03B2201/00—Type of glass produced
- C03B2201/06—Doped silica-based glasses
- C03B2201/08—Doped silica-based glasses doped with boron or fluorine or other refractive index decreasing dopant
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C08—ORGANIC MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS; THEIR PREPARATION OR CHEMICAL WORKING-UP; COMPOSITIONS BASED THEREON
- C08F—MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS OBTAINED BY REACTIONS ONLY INVOLVING CARBON-TO-CARBON UNSATURATED BONDS
- C08F2/00—Processes of polymerisation
- C08F2/44—Polymerisation in the presence of compounding ingredients, e.g. plasticisers, dyestuffs, fillers
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- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C08—ORGANIC MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS; THEIR PREPARATION OR CHEMICAL WORKING-UP; COMPOSITIONS BASED THEREON
- C08F—MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS OBTAINED BY REACTIONS ONLY INVOLVING CARBON-TO-CARBON UNSATURATED BONDS
- C08F265/00—Macromolecular compounds obtained by polymerising monomers on to polymers of unsaturated monocarboxylic acids or derivatives thereof as defined in group C08F20/00
- C08F265/04—Macromolecular compounds obtained by polymerising monomers on to polymers of unsaturated monocarboxylic acids or derivatives thereof as defined in group C08F20/00 on to polymers of esters
Definitions
- the present invention relates to an optical fiber rod, an optical fiber, an image fiber, and a method for manufacturing an optical fiber rod.
- Image fibers are widely used in the industrial and medical fields.
- An image fiber has a structure in which a plurality of optical fibers are bundled, and generally has a structure in which clads of optical fibers are fused to each other and a plurality of cores are provided in the clad (Patent Document 4).
- the number of pixels (number of cores) of the image fiber is, for example, 1000 or more, and there are many image fibers having 2000 to tens of thousands of cores.
- the outer diameter of the image fiber is often several mm or less. For this reason, the diameter of the core in the image fiber is on the order of ⁇ m.
- Patent Document 1 Glass (Patent Document 1) or plastic (Patent Document 2) is used as a material for forming the image fiber.
- Plastic image fibers are more flexible than glass image fibers.
- materials for plastic optical fibers there are known an example in which the core is polystyrene and the clad is acrylic (Patent Document 2), and an example in which the core is acrylic and the clad is fluorinated acrylic (Patent Document 3).
- the optical transmission loss of plastic optical fiber is not a big problem when the core diameter is about 1 mm. However, when the core diameter is several ⁇ m or less, there is a problem in that the optical transmission loss in the plastic optical fiber increases. As a cause of worsening the transmission loss in this way, there are a decrease in adhesion between the core and the clad and a structural mismatch at the interface between the core and the clad. As one of methods for solving such adhesion and interface mismatch, a graded index optical fiber (GI optical fiber) is known (Patent Documents 5 and 6).
- the refractive index difference between the core and the clad is relatively large at about 0.15.
- the adhesion between polystyrene and fluorinated acrylic is not always good.
- the refractive index difference between the core and the clad increases, the adhesion between the core and the clad decreases, and the structural mismatch at the interface between the core and the clad increases, so the transmission loss of the optical fiber increases. There was a problem of becoming.
- the present invention has been made to solve such a problem, and can provide an optical fiber rod, an optical fiber, and an image fiber that can increase the refractive index difference between the core and the clad and can reduce the transmission loss of light. And it aims at providing the manufacturing method of the rod for optical fibers.
- the rod for optical fiber comprising a central region, an outer peripheral region formed so as to surround the central region, and an intermediate region formed between the central region and the outer peripheral region,
- the refractive index of the material A polymerized with the monomer ma is nA
- the refractive index of the material B polymerized with the monomer mb is nB
- the refractive index of the material C polymerized with the monomer mc is nC>nA> satisfy the relationship of nB> nC
- the central region is composed of a material obtained by polymerizing a monomer mixture containing the monomer ma and not containing the monomer mc
- the outer peripheral region is made of a material obtained by polymerizing a monomer mixture containing the monomer mc and not containing the monomer ma
- the intermediate region is composed of a material obtained by polymerizing a monomer mixture containing the monomer mb and not containing the monomer ma and the monomer mc
- region comprised with the material which copolymerized the monomer mixture which contains the said monomer ma and the said monomer mb, and does not contain the said monomer mc.
- the refractive index of the first copolymer region continuously decreases from the central region side toward the intermediate region side.
- region comprised with the material which copolymerized the monomer mixture which contains the said monomer mb and the said monomer mc, and does not contain the said monomer ma.
- the refractive index of the second copolymer region continuously decreases from the intermediate region side toward the outer peripheral region side.
- the optical fiber according to the present invention is It is manufactured by stretching the above-mentioned optical fiber rod.
- Image fiber according to the present invention It is manufactured by stretching an assembly in which a plurality of the above optical fibers are bundled.
- the manufacturing method of the optical fiber rod according to the present invention is as follows.
- a central region, an outer peripheral region formed so as to surround the central region, and an intermediate region formed between the central region and the outer peripheral region, the central region, the intermediate region, the outer peripheral region A method of manufacturing a rod for optical fiber in which the refractive index decreases in the order of: Material A obtained by polymerizing only the monomer ma is nA, Material B obtained by polymerizing only the monomer mb is nB, Material obtained by polymerizing only the monomer mc When the refractive index of C is nC, the relationship of nA>nB> nC is satisfied, Forming the outer peripheral region by polymerizing a monomer mixture containing the monomer mc and not containing the monomer ma; Forming the intermediate region by polymerizing a monomer mixture containing the monomer mb and not containing the monomer ma and the monomer mc inside the outer peripheral region; Forming the central region by polymerizing a monomer mixture
- an optical fiber rod an optical fiber, an image fiber, and a method for manufacturing an optical fiber rod that can increase a refractive index difference between a core and a clad and can reduce light transmission loss. Can do.
- FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a method of manufacturing an optical fiber from the optical fiber rod according to the first embodiment. It is a figure which shows the method to bundle the optical fiber which concerns on Embodiment 1, and manufacture an aggregate
- FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a method of manufacturing an image fiber from the optical fiber assembly according to the first embodiment.
- FIG. 1 shows an example of the configuration of each region and the refractive index of each region of the optical fiber rod 30 according to the present embodiment.
- Each dimension in FIG. 1 does not necessarily match the scale of the rod 30 according to the present embodiment.
- the optical fiber rod 30 according to the present embodiment includes a center region 35, a first copolymer region 34, an intermediate region 33, a second copolymer region 32, and an outer peripheral region 31. Have.
- the refractive index decreases in the order of the central region 35, the first copolymer region 34, the intermediate region 33, the second copolymer region 32, and the outer peripheral region 31.
- the central region 35, the intermediate region 33, and the outer peripheral region 31 have a uniform refractive index.
- the first copolymer region 34 and the second copolymer region 32 have a refractive index change in the region.
- the optical fiber rod 30 is made of a material obtained by polymerizing one or a plurality of monomer mixtures selected from the monomer ma, the monomer mb, and the monomer mc.
- the refractive index of the material A obtained by polymerizing only the monomer ma is nA
- the refractive index of the material B obtained by polymerizing only the monomer mb is nB
- the refractive index of the material C obtained by polymerizing only the monomer mc is nC.
- the central region 35 is formed in the vicinity of the center of the cross section when the optical fiber rod 30 is viewed in a cross section perpendicular to the length direction (longitudinal direction).
- the central region 35 is made of a material obtained by polymerizing a monomer mixture containing the monomer ma and not containing the monomer mc.
- the absence of a certain monomer means that it is not included so much that the refractive index of the region changes due to the presence of the monomer. This does not exclude the inclusion of a trace amount.
- the central region 35 corresponds to the core of the optical fiber.
- the central region 35 may be a polymer of a monomer mixture containing a monomer other than the monomer mc, for example, the monomer mb. Since the refractive index increases and the refractive index difference between the core and the clad can be increased, the material of the central region 35 is preferably a polymer made only of the monomer ma.
- the outer peripheral region 31 is formed so as to surround the central region 35 on the outer peripheral portion of the optical fiber rod 30 when the optical fiber rod 30 is viewed in a cross section perpendicular to the length direction (longitudinal direction).
- the outer peripheral region 31 is made of a material obtained by polymerizing a monomer mixture containing the monomer mc and not containing the monomer ma.
- the outer peripheral region 31 corresponds to an optical fiber cladding.
- the outer peripheral region 31 may be a polymer of a monomer mixture containing a monomer other than the monomer ma, for example, the monomer mb. Since the refractive index is lowered and the refractive index difference between the core and the clad can be increased, the material of the outer peripheral region 31 is preferably a polymer made of only the monomer mc.
- the intermediate region 33 is formed between the central region 35 and the outer peripheral region 31.
- the intermediate region 33 is made of a material obtained by polymerizing a monomer mixture containing the monomer mb and not containing the monomer ma and the monomer mc.
- the intermediate region 33 may include a monomer other than the monomer ma and the monomer mc. Further, the intermediate region 33 may be a polymer composed only of the monomer mb.
- the first copolymerization region 34 is formed between the central region 35 and the intermediate region 33.
- region 34 is comprised with the material which copolymerized the monomer mixture which contains the monomer ma and the monomer mb, and does not contain the monomer mc.
- the second copolymerization region 32 is formed between the intermediate region 33 and the outer peripheral region 31.
- the second copolymerization region 32 is made of a material obtained by copolymerizing a monomer mixture containing the monomer mb and the monomer mc and not containing the monomer ma.
- the monomer ma it is preferable to use a radical polymerizable monomer having a benzene ring because the material A obtained by polymerizing the monomer ma has a high refractive index and high transparency.
- benzyl methacrylate, styrene, and phenyl methacrylate are preferably used from the viewpoint of high transparency, and benzyl methacrylate and phenyl methacrylate are preferably used from the viewpoint of relatively short polymerization time.
- an alkyl methacrylate monomer is preferably used because of its high transparency, and methyl methacrylate (hereinafter sometimes referred to as MMA), ethyl methacrylate (hereinafter sometimes referred to as EMA), and the like are used. .
- MMA methyl methacrylate
- EMA ethyl methacrylate
- Methyl methacrylate or methyl acrylate may be referred to as methyl (meth) acrylate. Since the material B obtained by polymerizing only the monomer mb is highly transparent, it is preferable to use methyl methacrylate.
- the monomer mc since the refractive index of the material C obtained by polymerizing the monomer mc is low and the transparency is high, 2,2,2 trifluoroethyl methacrylate (hereinafter sometimes referred to as 3FMA), It is preferable to use 2,2,3,3 tetrafluoropropyl methacrylate (hereinafter sometimes referred to as 4FMA).
- 3FMA 2,2,2 trifluoroethyl methacrylate
- 4FMA 2,2,3,3 tetrafluoropropyl methacrylate
- the refractive index of the material A is preferably 1.45 or more and 1.70 or less. If the refractive index of the material A is less than 1.45, the difference in refractive index between the material A and the material C may not be sufficiently large. If the refractive index of the material A is greater than 1.70, the transparency of the material A tends to be insufficient, and the degree of freedom in material selection tends to be small.
- the refractive index of the material A is more preferably 1.50 or more and 1.65 or less.
- the refractive index of the material C is preferably 1.35 or more and 1.55 or less. If the refractive index of the material C is less than 1.35, the transparency of the material C tends to be insufficient, and the degree of freedom in material selection tends to be small. If the refractive index of the material C is larger than 1.55, the refractive index difference between the material A and the material C may not be sufficiently large.
- the refractive index of the material C is more preferably 1.40 or more and 1.50 or less.
- the refractive index of the material B is preferably a difference of 0.05 or more than the refractive index of the material A, more preferably a difference of 0.06 or more, and 0.05 or more than the refractive index of the material C.
- the difference is preferably 0.06, more preferably 0.06 or more. Within this range, the degree of freedom in material selection is relatively large.
- the monomer ma is benzyl methacrylate
- the monomer mb is methyl (meth) acrylate
- the monomer mc is 2,2,3,3 tetrafluoropropyl methacrylate. This is because the copolymer of the monomer ma and the monomer mb has high transparency, and the copolymer of the monomer mb and monomer mc has high transparency.
- the optical fiber rod 30 by forming the intermediate region 33 between the central region 35 and the outer peripheral region 31, while taking a large refractive index difference between the central region 35 and the outer peripheral region 31, The refractive index difference between the central region 35 and the intermediate region 33 and the refractive index difference between the outer peripheral region 31 and the intermediate region 33 can be kept small. Thereby, the freedom degree of the material which can be selected as the monomer ma, the monomer mb, and the monomer mc increases.
- An optical fiber rod having a structure in which the central region 35 is made of the material A and the outer peripheral region 31 is made of the material C and the intermediate region 33 is not provided can be manufactured.
- an optical fiber having a large refractive index difference between the core and the clad can be manufactured.
- the adhesion between the core and the clad tends to deteriorate.
- the interface between the core and the clad peels, there is a problem that the optical performance of the optical fiber is deteriorated.
- the copolymer of the monomer ma and the monomer mc is used as the intermediate region 33, there is a possibility that the problem of deterioration in optical performance may be improved.
- the refractive index difference between the monomer ma and the monomer mc increases, the transparency of the copolymer tends to deteriorate.
- the optical fiber rod 30 of the present embodiment includes an intermediate region 33 that includes the monomer mb and does not include the monomer ma and the monomer mc.
- the optical fiber rod 30 of the present embodiment it is preferable to have the first copolymerization region 34 between the central region 35 and the intermediate region 33.
- the interface between the central region 35 and the first copolymer region 34 and the interface between the first copolymer region 34 and the intermediate region 33 are difficult to peel off.
- it can avoid using the combination of the monomer which the transparency of a copolymer deteriorates.
- the second copolymerization region 32 between the intermediate region 33 and the outer peripheral region 31. This makes it difficult for the interface between the intermediate region 33 and the second copolymer region 32 and the interface between the second copolymer region 32 and the outer peripheral region 31 to peel off. Moreover, it can avoid using the combination of the monomer which the transparency of a copolymer deteriorates.
- the refractive index value from the central region 35 to the intermediate region 33 is continuously changing.
- the refractive index of the first copolymerization region 34 is equal to the refractive index nA of the central region 35 on the central region 35 side, and continuously decreases from the central region 35 side toward the intermediate region 33 side. Then, it is equal to the refractive index nB of the intermediate region 33.
- the refractive index value from the intermediate region 33 to the outer peripheral region 31 is preferably continuously changing.
- the refractive index of the second copolymerization region 32 is equal to the refractive index nB of the intermediate region 33 on the intermediate region 33 side, and continuously decreases from the intermediate region 33 side toward the outer peripheral region 31 side. Is equal to the refractive index nC of the outer peripheral region 31.
- the value of the refractive index “continuously changes” means that X is a distance in a direction perpendicular to the length direction (longitudinal direction) of the optical fiber rod 30.
- F (X) is the value of the refractive index at the distance X, it means that ⁇ df (X) / dX ⁇ is a continuous function.
- the refractive index is the same”. It is regarded.
- the central region 35 is the core
- the outer peripheral region 31 is the cladding
- the intermediate region 33, the first copolymerization region 34, and the second copolymerization region 32 are the transition region between the core and the cladding. I can think about it. However, when the refractive index value changes continuously, the boundary between the regions may be unclear. The definition of the dimensions of the core and clad when the refractive index continuously changes and the boundary is unclear will be described.
- nMAX nA.
- nMIN nC.
- the value of the refractive index in the intermediate region 33 is nB.
- the central region 35, the first copolymer region 34, the intermediate region 33, the second copolymer region 32, and the outer peripheral region 31 are at least one type. There may be one or more regions containing the monomer, for example, the monomer md.
- the polymer having only the respective monomers having the highest refractive index is referred to as monomer ma
- the monomer having the lowest refractive index is referred to as monomer mc. That is, the refractive index nD of the monomer md is smaller than nA and larger than nC.
- the monomer having the largest weight ratio in terms of monomer in the rod 30 is defined as the monomer mb. That is, the weight ratio of the monomer md is the smallest.
- the diameter of the central region 35 is preferably 40 to 80, and more preferably 50 to 70.
- the diameter of the central region 35 is smaller than 40, the area ratio of the central region 35 to the area of the optical fiber rod 30 is small, so that the area ratio of the core of the optical fiber may be small.
- the diameter of the central region 35 is larger than 80, the area ratio of the central region 35 to the area of the optical fiber rod 30 increases, so that there is a possibility that the intermediate region 33 and the outer peripheral region 31 cannot secure a sufficient width.
- the width of the outer peripheral region 31 is preferably 5 to 55, more preferably 5 to 20, and preferably 7 to 15. Further preferred. If the width of the outer peripheral region 31 is smaller than 5, the clad becomes too small when the image fiber is manufactured, which may cause a problem in the crosstalk performance. If the width of the outer peripheral region 31 is larger than 55, the central region 35 and the intermediate region 33 may not be able to ensure a sufficient width.
- the width of the intermediate region 33 is preferably 0.5 to 5, more preferably 0.7 to 3, and 0.7 More preferably, it is ⁇ 2.5. If the width of the intermediate region 33 is smaller than 0.5, there may be a region in which both the monomer ma and the monomer mc are mixed and become opaque due to variations in the manufacturing process. There is. If the width of the intermediate region 33 is larger than 3, the central region 35 and the outer peripheral region 31 may not be able to secure a sufficient width.
- the intermediate region 33 may be between the central region 35 and the outer peripheral region 31, but is preferably separated from the two regions by the same amount. In other words, the intermediate region 33 is preferably present at an intermediate point between the outermost peripheral side of the central region 35 and the innermost peripheral side of the outer peripheral region 31. When it is close to either one of the two regions, it may be difficult to form the first copolymer region 34 or the second copolymer region 32.
- this straight line passes through the central axis of the optical fiber rod 30 in a cross section perpendicular to the length direction of the rod 30 is considered, this straight line is one outer peripheral region 31 and an outer peripheral region 31 located on the opposite side to the central axis. Intersect with the two outer peripheral regions 31.
- the above-described width of the outer peripheral region 31 means not the total width of the two outer peripheral regions 31 but the width of one outer peripheral region 31.
- the width of the intermediate region 33 is the same as the width of the outer peripheral region 31.
- a plastic optical fiber having a large refractive index difference between the core and the clad can be manufactured by stretching the optical fiber rod 30 according to the present embodiment while heating.
- a plastic image fiber can be produced by bundling a plurality of plastic optical fibers to produce a bundle (aggregate) and stretching the bundle. Since the image fiber made of plastic has a large refractive index difference between the core and the clad, the crosstalk can be reduced.
- a coating layer made of a thermoplastic resin may be formed on the outer side of the outer peripheral region 31.
- the outer peripheral region 31 is located on the outermost peripheral side of the optical fiber rod 30.
- the pipe B made of the material B is arranged inside the pipe C made of the material C, and the pipe A made of the material A is further arranged inside the pipe B. You may arrange.
- the rotational centrifugal force of a cylindrical reaction vessel is used to change the monomer composition continuously or intermittently.
- a method of continuously changing the composition of the monomer it is possible to further prevent the separation of the interface between the central region 35, the intermediate region 33 and the outer peripheral region 31.
- transmission loss due to structural mismatch at the interface can be suppressed.
- a roller is heated while heating a pipe 10 composed of an optical fiber rod 30 produced by a method in which a monomer is supplied to the inner periphery of a cylindrical body, polymerized, and laminated. By stretching at 13, the optical fiber 14 can be manufactured.
- an assembly 17 (bundle) is produced by bundling a plurality of optical fibers 14 of the present embodiment into a polymethyl methacrylate pipe 16.
- the image fiber 1 of the present embodiment can be manufactured by stretching the assembly 17 with a roller 19 while heating the assembly 17 with a heating furnace 18.
- the inside of the polymethyl methacrylate pipe 16 is evacuated and heated. While stretching. Thereby, the polymethylmethacrylate pipe 16 and the optical fiber 14 are in close contact with each other, and the image fiber 1 can be manufactured.
- the image fiber 1 of the present embodiment manufactured by the above-described method has a sea-island structure, and a plurality of cores 3 are spaced apart from each other in a continuous clad 2.
- each stretched optical fiber 14 becomes one pixel.
- the size of the pixel is indicated by a diameter d.
- the size of the core 3 in one pixel is indicated by a diameter a.
- the size of the clad 2 in one pixel is indicated by a width t, and the distance between adjacent cores 3 is a value twice as large as t.
- the number of cores 3 is 2 or more.
- the number of cores 3 is preferably 1000 or more, and more preferably 2000 or more.
- the diameter a of the core 3 is preferably 1 ⁇ m or more, more preferably 1.5 ⁇ m or more.
- the diameter a of the core 3 is practically 2 ⁇ m or more.
- the diameter “a” of the core 3 is smaller than 1 ⁇ m, there is a high possibility that a pixel defect is caused by fine foreign matters mixed during manufacture.
- the diameter a of the core 3 is preferably 20 ⁇ m or less.
- the diameter a of the core 3 is more preferably 15 ⁇ m or less, and further preferably 10 ⁇ m or less. If the diameter “a” of the core 3 is larger than 20 ⁇ m, the fineness of the image may be insufficient.
- the width t of the cladding 2 is preferably 0.2 ⁇ m or more. More preferably, it is 0.3 ⁇ m or more. Even more preferably, it is 0.4 ⁇ m or more. If it is smaller than this range, there is a high possibility that a pixel defect will be caused by fine foreign matters mixed at the time of manufacture. Moreover, there is a possibility that the crosstalk becomes large.
- the width t of the clad 2 is preferably 2 ⁇ m or less. More preferably, it is 1.5 ⁇ m or less. Even more preferably, it is 1 ⁇ m or less. If it is larger than this range, the ratio of the area of the core 3 to the cross section of the image fiber 1 is small, and the brightness of the image may be insufficient.
- the outer diameter of the image fiber 1 of the present embodiment is preferably 4 mm or less.
- the outer diameter of the image fiber 1 is more preferably 3 mm or less, and further preferably 2 mm or less.
- the outer diameter of the image fiber 1 is particularly preferably 1.5 mm or less. When the outer diameter of the image fiber 1 is larger than 4 mm, the image fiber 1 lacks flexibility and may be difficult to handle.
- the outer diameter of the image fiber 1 of the present embodiment is preferably 0.2 mm or more, and more preferably 0.3 mm or more. If the outer diameter of the image fiber 1 is smaller than 0.2 mm, one or more of the number of pixels, the diameter a of the core 3 and the width t of the cladding 2 will be too small, so that the image definition, brightness, etc. will be unsatisfactory. May be sufficient.
- Example 1 ⁇ Manufacturing method of optical fiber rod> A glass cylindrical container (inner diameter 100 mm) was placed horizontally in an air constant temperature bath at 70 ° C. The cylindrical container is rotating (500 revolutions / minute). The rotation axis and the central axis of the cylindrical container coincide with each other. Under this condition, the mixture was injected from an injection port provided at one end in the longitudinal direction of the cylindrical container. The mixture was a mixture of a polymerization initiator, a chain transfer agent for adjusting the molecular weight, and a low refractive index monomer (2,2,3,3 tetrafluoropropyl methacrylate: the refractive index of the polymer was 1.422). .
- the injection rate of the mixture was adjusted so that the polymer deposition rate was 1 mm / hour. Even after the injection, the cylindrical container was rotated for 3 hours. This was followed by heating (120 ° C., 3 hours). As a result, an outer peripheral region 31 composed of a polymer composed only of a low refractive index monomer was formed on the inner periphery of the cylindrical container with a thickness of 10 mm.
- This mixture comprises a polymerization initiator, a chain transfer agent for adjusting the molecular weight, a low refractive index monomer (2,2,3,3 tetrafluoropropyl methacrylate: the refractive index of the polymer is 1.422), and a medium refractive index. It was a mixture with a monomer (methyl methacrylate: the refractive index of the polymer was 1.492).
- a second copolymer region 32 made of a polymer composed of a low refractive index monomer and a medium refractive index monomer was formed on the inner periphery of the outer peripheral region 31 with a thickness of 4 mm.
- the mixing ratio of the low refractive index monomer and the medium refractive index monomer in the second copolymerization region 32 was larger in the low refractive index monomer on the outer peripheral side and more in the middle refractive index monomer on the inner peripheral side.
- the portion in contact with the outer peripheral region 31 does not include a medium refractive index monomer, the innermost peripheral side of the second copolymerization region 32 does not include a low refractive index monomer, and the monomer mixing ratio in the second copolymerization region 32 is continuously increased. It was changing.
- This mixture was a mixture of a polymerization initiator, a chain transfer agent for adjusting the molecular weight, and a medium refractive index monomer (methyl methacrylate: the refractive index of the polymer was 1.492).
- a medium refractive index monomer methyl methacrylate: the refractive index of the polymer was 1.492.
- This mixture is composed of a polymerization initiator, a chain transfer agent for adjusting the molecular weight, a medium refractive index monomer (methyl methacrylate: the refractive index of the polymer is 1.492), and a high refractive index monomer (benzyl methacrylate: the refractive index of the polymer.
- the rate was a mixture with 1.566).
- a first copolymer region 34 composed of a polymer composed of a medium low refractive index monomer and a high refractive index monomer was formed with a thickness of 4 mm.
- the mixing ratio of the medium refractive index monomer and the high refractive index monomer in the first copolymerization region 34 was larger in the middle refractive index monomer on the outer peripheral side and more in the higher refractive index monomer on the inner peripheral side.
- the portion having contact with the intermediate region 33 does not include a high refractive index monomer, and the innermost peripheral side of the first copolymerization region 34 does not include a medium refractive index monomer, and the monomer mixing ratio is continuously changed.
- This mixture was a mixture of a polymerization initiator, a chain transfer agent for adjusting the molecular weight, and a high refractive index monomer (benzyl methacrylate: refractive index of polymer: 1.566).
- a central region 35 made of a polymer composed only of a high refractive index monomer was formed on the inner circumference of the first copolymer region 34 with a thickness of 28 mm.
- the pipe 10 has a cylindrical shape with an outer diameter of 100 mm and an inner diameter of 4 mm, and is made of a polymer material.
- the pipe 10 which is the rod 30 for plastic optical fibers provided with this was manufactured. Pipe 10 was totally transparent.
- FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a method for manufacturing the optical fiber 14 and the image fiber 1 from the pipe 10 including the optical fiber rod 30 according to the present embodiment.
- the plastic optical fiber 14 according to this example was manufactured by stretching the pipe 10 composed of the optical fiber rod 30 while heating.
- the tip of the pipe 10 was heated by the heating furnace 12. At this time, the hollow portion 11 of the pipe 10 was decompressed. Drawing was performed while the pipe 10 was sandwiched between the rollers 13 and 13 and pressed. The outer diameter of the obtained optical fiber 14 was 1 mm. This optical fiber 14 was cut into a length of 300 mm by a cutter 15.
- the hollow portion 11 has disappeared from the optical fiber 14.
- the core diameter of the optical fiber 14 was 600 ⁇ m.
- the clad thickness of the optical fiber 14 was 100 ⁇ m. That is, the total thickness of the first copolymer region 34, the second copolymer region 32, and the intermediate region 33 on one side with respect to the central axis was 100 ⁇ m.
- a plastic image fiber according to this embodiment is obtained by stretching an assembly 17 (bundle) produced by bundling a plurality of optical fibers 14 according to this embodiment while heating. 1 was produced.
- an assembly 17 was obtained by inserting 7900 optical fibers 14 into a transparent polymethylmethacrylate pipe 16 (outer diameter 100 mm, wall thickness 2 mm).
- the tip of the assembly 17 was heated by a heating furnace 18 while reducing the pressure inside the polymethylmethacrylate pipe 16.
- the assembly 17 was drawn while the assembly 17 was sandwiched between the rollers 19 and 19 and pressed. Thereby, a plastic image fiber 1 was obtained.
- the outer diameter of the image fiber 1 was 500 ⁇ m
- the pixel diameter was 5 ⁇ m
- the core diameter was 3 ⁇ m
- the cladding thickness was 0.5 ⁇ m. That is, the total thickness of the first copolymer region 34, the second copolymer region 32, and the intermediate region 33 on one side with respect to the central axis was 0.5 ⁇ m.
- the injection rate of the mixture was adjusted so that the polymer deposition rate was 1 mm / hour. Even after the injection, the cylindrical container was rotated for 3 hours. This was followed by heating (120 ° C., 3 hours). As a result, an outer peripheral region 31 made of a polymer composed only of a medium refractive index monomer was formed on the inner periphery of the cylindrical container with a thickness of 10 mm.
- the mixture was injected from the injection port in the same manner as the step of forming the outer peripheral region 31.
- This mixture is composed of a polymerization initiator, a chain transfer agent for adjusting the molecular weight, a medium refractive index monomer (methyl methacrylate: the refractive index of the polymer is 1.492), and a high refractive index monomer (benzyl methacrylate: the refractive index of the polymer.
- the rate was a mixture with 1.566).
- a copolymer region X composed of a polymer composed of a medium refractive index monomer and a high refractive index monomer was formed on the inner periphery of the outer peripheral region 31 with a thickness of 10 mm.
- the mixing ratio of the medium refractive index monomer and the high refractive index monomer in the copolymerization region X was larger in the middle refractive index monomer on the outer peripheral side and more in the higher refractive index monomer on the inner peripheral side.
- the portion in contact with the outer peripheral region 31 does not include a high refractive index monomer, and the innermost peripheral side of the copolymerization region X does not include a medium refractive index monomer, and the mixing ratio continuously changes.
- This mixture was a mixture of a polymerization initiator, a chain transfer agent for adjusting the molecular weight, and a high refractive index monomer (benzyl methacrylate: the refractive index of the polymer was 1.566).
- a central region 35 made of a polymer composed only of a high refractive index monomer was formed on the inner periphery of the copolymerized region X with a thickness of 28 mm.
- the pipe 10 is made of a cylindrical polymer having an outer diameter of 100 mm and an inner diameter of 4 mm.
- the outer peripheral region 31 made of a polymer having only a medium refractive index monomer (methyl methacrylate) and having a refractive index of 1.492, a medium refractive index monomer (methyl methacrylate), and a high refractive index monomer.
- Copolymerized region X composed of a polymer consisting of (benzyl methacrylate: refractive index of polymer: 1.566) and a polymer consisting only of a high refractive index monomer (benzyl methacrylate) and having a refractive index of 1.566.
- a pipe 10 having a central region 35 was manufactured. Pipe 10 was totally transparent.
- a method for manufacturing the optical fiber 14 of Comparative Example 1 will be described.
- a plastic optical fiber 14 of Comparative Example 1 was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the pipe 10 of Example 1 was changed to the pipe 10 of Comparative Example 1.
- the core diameter of the optical fiber 14 of Comparative Example 1 was 600 ⁇ m, and the thickness of the clad was 100 ⁇ m.
- a method for manufacturing the image fiber 1 of Comparative Example 1 will be described.
- a plastic image fiber 1 of Comparative Example 1 was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the plastic optical fiber 14 of Example 1 was changed to the plastic optical fiber 14 of Comparative Example 1.
- the outer diameter of the fiber 1 was 500 ⁇ m
- the pixel diameter was 5 ⁇ m
- the core diameter was 3 ⁇ m
- the cladding thickness was 0.5 ⁇ m.
- the injection rate of the mixture was adjusted so that the polymer deposition rate was 1 mm / hour. Even after injection, rotation was carried out for 3 hours. This was followed by heating (120 ° C., 3 hours). As a result, an outer peripheral region 31 composed of a polymer composed only of a low refractive index monomer was formed on the inner periphery of the cylindrical container with a thickness of 10 mm.
- This mixture comprises a polymerization initiator, a chain transfer agent for adjusting the molecular weight, a low refractive index monomer (2,2,3,3 tetrafluoropropyl methacrylate: the refractive index of the polymer is 1.422), and a high refractive index. It was a mixture with a monomer (benzyl methacrylate: the refractive index of the polymer was 1.566).
- a copolymer region Y composed of a polymer composed of a low refractive index monomer and a high refractive index monomer was formed on the inner periphery of the outer peripheral region 31 with a thickness of 10 mm.
- the mixing ratio of the low refractive index monomer and the high refractive index monomer in the copolymerization region Y was more low refractive index monomer on the outer peripheral side and more high refractive index monomer on the inner peripheral side.
- the portion that contacts the outer peripheral region 31 does not include a high refractive index monomer, and the innermost periphery of the copolymerized region Y does not include a low refractive index monomer, and the mixing ratio continuously changes.
- the mixture was injected from the injection port in the same manner as described above.
- the mixture was a mixture of a polymerization initiator, a chain transfer agent for adjusting the molecular weight, and a high refractive index monomer (benzyl methacrylate: refractive index of polymer: 1.566).
- a central region 35 made of a polymer consisting only of a high refractive index monomer was formed on the inner periphery of the copolymerized region Y with a thickness of 28 mm.
- the pipe 10 is made of a cylindrical polymer having an outer diameter of 100 mm and an inner diameter of 4 mm.
- the outer peripheral region 31 made of a polymer of only a low refractive index monomer (2,2,3,3 tetrafluoropropyl methacrylate) having a refractive index of 1.492, and a low refractive index monomer From a copolymerized region Y composed of a polymer composed of (2,2,3,3 tetrafluoropropyl methacrylate) and a high refractive index monomer (benzyl methacrylate), and a polymer composed only of a high refractive index monomer (benzyl methacrylate). And a central region 35 having a refractive index of 1.566.
- a circular, cloudy and opaque region having a width of about 8 mm in the vicinity of a region having a radius of about 30 mm to about 40 mm from the center.
- This cloudy region is a 2,2,3,3 tetrafluoropropyl methacrylate as a result of the monomer mixture dissolving the surface of the second copolymerization region 32 when a monomer mixture containing benzyl methacrylate and methyl methacrylate begins to be injected.
- a monomer mixture containing methyl methacrylate and benzyl methacrylate is produced and is presumed to be the copolymerized region.
- Table 1 shows the monomer composition of the plastic optical fiber rod 30 according to Example 1 and Comparative Examples 1 to 3.
- 4FMA represents 2,2,3,3 tetrafluoropropyl methacrylate
- MMA represents methyl methacrylate
- BZMA represents benzyl methacrylate.
- Table 2 shows the refractive indexes of the respective regions of the plastic optical fiber rod 30 according to Example 1 and Comparative Examples 1 to 3.
- the refractive index in Table 2 is a refractive index for light having a wavelength of 587.6 nm, and the same applies to Tables 4 and 5.
- Table 3 shows the dimensions of each region of the plastic optical fiber rod 30 according to Example 1 and Comparative Examples 1 to 3.
- the unit of the dimension in Table 3 is mm.
- the thickness of each region indicates the thickness of one side with respect to the central axis.
- Table 4 shows the specifications of the plastic optical fibers according to Example 1 and Comparative Example 1.
- the unit of dimension is ⁇ m
- ⁇ n indicates a difference in refractive index between the central region 35 and the outer peripheral region 31.
- the core diameter is indicated by the diameter.
- the core ratio indicates the ratio of the core area to the optical fiber.
- Table 5 shows the specifications and evaluation results of the plastic image fiber 1 according to Example 1 and Comparative Example 1.
- the unit of dimension is ⁇ m
- ⁇ n indicates the refractive index difference between the central region 35 and the outer peripheral region 31
- the core ratio indicates the ratio of the core area to the pixel.
- the plastic image fibers 1 of Example 1 and Comparative Example 1 were each cut to a length of 1 m, both end surfaces were polished, and two fiberscopes were produced by attaching eyepieces to one end surface. The resolution of these fiberscopes was evaluated. The resolution was evaluated by observing a chart of various dimensions in which a plurality of black lines were arranged in parallel at a ratio of interval 2 to width 1 with a fiberscope.
- the fiberscope using the image fiber 1 of Example 1 was able to observe a chart with a minimum interval of 10 ⁇ m with good resolution, but the fiberscope using the image fiber 1 of Comparative Example 1 had good resolution only up to a chart with a minimum interval of 20 ⁇ m. I could not observe.
- the optical fiber rod is not limited to a cylindrical shape or a columnar shape, and may have an elliptical shape or a polygonal cross section.
- optical fiber rod an optical fiber, an image fiber, and an optical fiber rod manufacturing method capable of increasing the refractive index difference between the core and the clad and reducing the light transmission loss.
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Abstract
Description
中心領域と、前記中心領域を囲むように形成された外周領域と、前記中心領域と前記外周領域との間に形成された中間領域と、を備える光ファイバ用ロッドであって、
単量体maを重合した材料Aの屈折率をnA、単量体mbを重合した材料Bの屈折率をnB、単量体mcを重合した材料Cの屈折率をnCとしたとき、nA>nB>nCの関係を満たし、
前記中心領域は、前記単量体maを含み、かつ、前記単量体mcを含まない単量体混合物を重合した材料により構成されており、
前記外周領域は、前記単量体mcを含み、かつ、前記単量体maを含まない単量体混合物を重合した材料により構成されており、
前記中間領域は、前記単量体mbを含み、かつ、前記単量体ma及び前記単量体mcを含まない単量体混合物を重合した材料により構成されており、
前記中心領域、前記中間領域、前記外周領域の順に屈折率が低下する。
前記中心領域と前記中間領域との間に形成されており、
前記単量体ma及び前記単量体mbを含み、かつ、前記単量体mcを含まない単量体混合物を共重合した材料により構成される、第1共重合領域を有することが好ましい。
前記第1共重合領域の屈折率は、前記中心領域側から前記中間領域側に向かって連続的に低下していることが好ましい。
前記中間領域と前記外周領域との間に形成されており、
前記単量体mb及び前記単量体mcを含み、かつ、前記単量体maを含まない単量体混合物を共重合した材料により構成される、第2共重合領域を有することが好ましい。
前記第2共重合領域の屈折率は、前記中間領域側から前記外周領域側に向かって連続的に低下していることが好ましい。
上述の光ファイバ用ロッドを延伸することにより製造される。
上述の光ファイバを複数束ねた集合体を延伸することにより製造される。
中心領域と、前記中心領域を囲むように形成された外周領域と、前記中心領域と前記外周領域との間に形成された中間領域と、を備え、前記中心領域、前記中間領域、前記外周領域の順に屈折率が低下する光ファイバ用ロッドの製造方法であって、
単量体maのみを重合して得られる材料Aの屈折率をnA、単量体mbのみを重合して得られる材料Bの屈折率をnB、単量体mcのみを重合して得られる材料Cの屈折率をnCとしたとき、nA>nB>nCの関係を満たし、
前記単量体mcを含み、かつ、前記単量体maを含まない単量体混合物を重合することにより、前記外周領域を形成する工程と、
前記外周領域の内側に、前記単量体mbを含み、かつ、前記単量体ma及び前記単量体mcを含まない単量体混合物を重合することにより前記中間領域を形成する工程と、
前記中間領域の内側に、前記単量体maを含み、かつ、前記単量体mcを含まない単量体混合物を重合することにより前記中心領域を形成する工程と、
を備える。
以下、図面を参照しながら本発明の実施の形態について説明する。
本実施の形態の光ファイバ用ロッド30の製造方法としては、例えば、材料CからなるパイプCの内側に材料BからなるパイプBを配置し、さらにパイプBの内側に材料AからなるパイプAを配置してもよい。
パイプを組み合わせる方法で作製した光ファイバ用ロッド30は、例えば、パイプCの内側を排気して、加熱しながら延伸することにより、パイプC、パイプB、パイプA又はロッドAは互いに密着し、光ファイバを製造する事ができる。
図4に示すように、本実施の形態の光ファイバ14を複数本束ねてポリメチルメタクリレート製パイプ16に入れることにより、集合体17(バンドル)を作製する。本実施の形態のイメージファイバ1は、図5に示すように、集合体17を加熱炉18で加熱しながらローラ19で延伸することにより、イメージファイバ1を製造することができる。
〈光ファイバ用ロッドの製造方法〉
ガラス円筒容器(内径100mm)が、70℃の空気恒温槽中に水平に設置された。円筒容器は回転(500回転/分)している。円筒容器の回転軸と中心軸とは一致している。この条件下で、円筒容器の長さ方向の一方の端部に設けられた注入口から、混合物が注入された。混合物は、重合開始剤と、分子量調節用の連鎖移動剤と、低屈折率モノマ(2,2,3,3テトラフルオロプロピルメタクリレート:重合体の屈折率は1.422)との混合物であった。
図3は、本実施の形態に係る光ファイバ用ロッド30からなるパイプ10から、光ファイバ14及びイメージファイバ1を製造する方法を示す図である。図3に示すように、光ファイバ用ロッド30からなるパイプ10を加熱しながら延伸することにより、本実施例に係るプラスチック製光ファイバ14を製造した。
図4及び図5に示すように、本実施例に係る光ファイバ14を複数本束ねて作製した集合体17(バンドル)を、加熱しながら延伸することにより、本実施例に係るプラスチック製イメージファイバ1を製造した。
〈光ファイバ用ロッドの製造方法〉
比較例1の光ファイバ用ロッドの製造方法について説明する。ガラス円筒容器(内径100mm)が、70℃の空気恒温槽中に水平に設置された。円筒容器は回転(500回転/分)している。この条件下で、円筒容器の長さ方向の一方の端部に設けられた注入口から、混合物が注入された。この混合物は、重合開始剤と、分子量調節用の連鎖移動剤と、中屈折率モノマ(メチルメタクリレート:重合体の屈折率は1.492)との混合物であった。
比較例1の光ファイバ14の製造方法について説明する。実施例1のパイプ10を比較例1のパイプ10に変えたこと以外は実施例1と同様にして、比較例1のプラスチック製光ファイバ14が得られた。比較例1の光ファイバ14のコアの径は600μm、クラッドの厚さは100μmであった。
比較例1のイメージファイバ1の製造方法について説明する。実施例1のプラスチック製光ファイバ14を比較例1のプラスチック製光ファイバ14に変えたこと以外は実施例1と同様にして、比較例1のプラスチック製イメージファイバ1が得られた。ファイバ1の外径は500μm、画素径は5μm、コア径は3μm、クラッド厚さは0.5μmであった。
〈光ファイバ用ロッドの製造方法〉
比較例2の光ファイバ用ロッドの製造方法について説明する。ガラス円筒容器(内径100mm)が、70℃の空気恒温槽中に、水平に設置された。円筒容器は回転(500回転/分)している。この条件下で、円筒容器の長さ方向の一方の端部に設けられた注入口から、混合物が注入された。この混合物は、重合開始剤と、分子量調節用の連鎖移動剤と、低屈折率モノマ(2,2,3,3テトラフルオロプロピルメタクリレート:重合体の屈折率は1.422)との混合物であった。
比較例3の光ファイバ用ロッドの製造方法について説明する。中間領域33を形成せず、第2共重合領域32及び第1共重合領域34がそれぞれ厚さ5mmであること以外は実施例1と同様にして、プラスチック製光ファイバ用ロッド30であるパイプ10を製造した。上述の比較例3のパイプ10の断面には、中心から半径約35mm付近に、幅が約1mmの円状の白濁した不透明な領域が存在した。この白濁領域は、ベンジルメタクリレートとメチルメタクリレートとを含むモノマ混合物が注入され始めた時に、このモノマ混合物が第2共重合領域32の表面を溶解した結果、2,2,3,3テトラフルオロプロピルメタクリレート、メチルメタクリレート、及びベンジルメタクリレートが含有されたモノマ混合物が生成され、それが共重合した領域であると推定される。
表1に、実施例1及び比較例1~3に係るプラスチック製光ファイバ用ロッド30のモノマ組成を示した。表1において、4FMAは2,2,3,3テトラフルオロプロピルメタクリレート、MMAはメチルメタクリレート、BZMAはベンジルメタクリレートを表している。
2 クラッド
3 コア
10 パイプ
12,18 加熱炉
13,19 ローラ
14 光ファイバ
15 カッタ
16 ポリメチルメタクリレート製パイプ
17 集合体
30 光ファイバ用ロッド
31 外周領域
32 第2共重合領域
33 中間領域
34 第1共重合領域
35 中心領域
Claims (8)
- 中心領域と、前記中心領域を囲むように形成された外周領域と、前記中心領域と前記外周領域との間に形成された中間領域と、を備える光ファイバ用ロッドであって、
単量体maを重合した材料Aの屈折率をnA、単量体mbを重合した材料Bの屈折率をnB、単量体mcを重合した材料Cの屈折率をnCとしたとき、nA>nB>nCの関係を満たし、
前記中心領域は、前記単量体maを含み、かつ、前記単量体mcを含まない単量体混合物を重合した材料により構成されており、
前記外周領域は、前記単量体mcを含み、かつ、前記単量体maを含まない単量体混合物を重合した材料により構成されており、
前記中間領域は、前記単量体mbを含み、かつ、前記単量体ma及び前記単量体mcを含まない単量体混合物を重合した材料により構成されており、
前記中心領域、前記中間領域、前記外周領域の順に屈折率が低下する光ファイバ用ロッド。 - 前記中心領域と前記中間領域との間に形成されており、
前記単量体ma及び前記単量体mbを含み、かつ、前記単量体mcを含まない単量体混合物を共重合した材料により構成される、第1共重合領域を有する
ことを特徴とする請求項1に記載の光ファイバ用ロッド。 - 前記第1共重合領域の屈折率は、前記中心領域側から前記中間領域側に向かって連続的に低下している
ことを特徴とする請求項2に記載の光ファイバ用ロッド。 - 前記中間領域と前記外周領域との間に形成されており、
前記単量体mb及び前記単量体mcを含み、かつ、前記単量体maを含まない単量体混合物を共重合した材料により構成される、第2共重合領域を有する
ことを特徴とする請求項1~3のいずれか1項に記載の光ファイバ用ロッド。 - 前記第2共重合領域の屈折率は、前記中間領域側から前記外周領域側に向かって連続的に低下している
ことを特徴とする請求項4に記載の光ファイバ用ロッド。 - 請求項1~5のいずれか1項に記載の光ファイバ用ロッドを延伸することにより製造される光ファイバ。
- 請求項6に記載の光ファイバを複数束ねた集合体を延伸することにより製造されるイメージファイバ。
- 中心領域と、前記中心領域を囲むように形成された外周領域と、前記中心領域と前記外周領域との間に形成された中間領域と、を備え、前記中心領域、前記中間領域、前記外周領域の順に屈折率が低下する光ファイバ用ロッドの製造方法であって、
単量体maのみを重合して得られる材料Aの屈折率をnA、単量体mbのみを重合して得られる材料Bの屈折率をnB、単量体mcのみを重合して得られる材料Cの屈折率をnCとしたとき、nA>nB>nCの関係を満たし、
前記単量体mcを含み、かつ、前記単量体maを含まない単量体混合物を重合することにより、前記外周領域を形成するする工程と、
前記外周領域の内側に、前記単量体mbを含み、かつ、前記単量体ma及び前記単量体mcを含まない単量体混合物を重合することにより前記中間領域を形成する工程と、
前記中間領域の内側に、前記単量体maを含み、かつ、前記単量体mcを含まない単量体混合物を重合することにより前記中心領域を形成する工程と、
を備える光ファイバ用ロッドの製造方法。
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