JPH0815567A - Optical connector - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide a multi-fiber optical connector which is low in loss and low in reflection at the time of optically connecting optical fibers to each other or the optical fibers to an optical waveguide circuit. CONSTITUTION:The optical connector which connects the optical waveguides to each other and are attachable and detachable has the first and second optical fibers 4a, 4b as the optical waveguides and an aligning member 1 having aligning holes for aligning the first and second optical fibers 4a, 4b. Prescribed pressing force is applied on the first optical fibers 4a and second optical fibers 4b arranged to face each other in their axial direction and the fibers are inserted into the aligning holes 2 of the aligning members 1. The end faces of the first and second optical fibers 4a, 4b are brought into tight contact with each other in nearly the central part thereof.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an optical connector for optical connection between optical fibers and between optical fibers and optical waveguide circuits.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An example of a conventional multi-fiber optical connector is shown in FIG.
(A). Reference numerals 101a and 101b are precision ferrules connected to face each other, 102a and 102b are tape fibers, 103 is a guide pin, 104 is a clamp jig, and 10
5a and 105b are optical fibers exposed on the end face of the ferrule, 106 is a guide hole formed on the end face of the ferrule,
Reference numeral 07 is an optical fiber insertion hole formed on the end face of the ferrule. In this connector structure, precision ferrules 101a, 1a
01b accommodates and fixes the tape fibers 102a and 102b in which a large number of optical fibers are arrayed, and the precision ferrule 101 is formed by the guide pin 103 and the guide hole.
The positions of a and 101b are aligned, and the clamp jig 10
3, the precision ferrules 101a and 101b are kept connected.

In the conventional multi-fiber optical connector shown in FIG. 15 (a), the factors that increase the optical connection loss are, as shown in FIG. 15 (b), the outer diameter φf of the optical fiber to be inserted and the optical fiber insertion. The error Δφ f between the hole diameter φh of the hole 107, the error Δφ p between the outer diameter φ p of the inserted guide pin 103 and the hole diameter φ ph of the guide hole 106, between the center of the guide hole 106 and the center of the i-th optical fiber insertion hole 107. Default value Xsi of distance Xfi
Relative position error .DELTA.Xi = Xsi-Xfi. Regarding the first factor, the error Δφf can be reduced as much as possible by selecting a precision ferrule capable of inserting the optical fiber and having an optical fiber insertion hole 107 that minimizes Δφf with respect to the outer diameter of the optical fiber to be inserted. it can. Regarding the second factor, the guide hole 10 to be inserted is the same as the first factor.
For example, if a guide pin having an outer diameter that minimizes Δφph is prepared, the error can be reduced as much as possible. On the other hand, in this precision ferrule manufactured by plastic molding, the position error of the third factor is that the absolute error increases as the number of cores increases and the distance from the center of the guide hole increases, resulting in low loss. There was a drawback that the connection was difficult. Further, the conventional multi-fiber optical connector has a drawback that a separate member for the refractive index matching agent is required to prevent reflection at the connection portion.

FIG. 16 shows a fiber array described in the 1992 IEICE Spring Conference C-243 (Kurima, Akita, Murase, "Optical Waveguide Circuit Using V Groove-Fiber Connection Method"). An example of the connection with the waveguide is shown. 121 is a fiber array, 122 is an optical fiber, 123 is a guide pin, 124a and 124b are fiber array side and waveguide side clampers respectively, 125 is an optical fiber exposed on the array end face, and 126a and 126b are fiber array and waveguide, respectively. V groove for guide pin formed on the road, 12
7 is an optical fiber mounting V formed on the fiber array
A groove, 128 is a waveguide, 129 is a core portion exposed on the end face of the waveguide, 130 is a substrate, and 131 is a guide pin V groove formed on the substrate 130. In the present optical connection structure, the positional relationship between the guide groove 126b on the waveguide side and the core 129 is made to coincide with the prescribed positions of the guide pin V groove 126a of the fiber array 121 to be connected and the optical fiber mounting groove 127. Has been formed. Therefore, when the fiber array 121 is mechanically connected to the waveguide 128 using the guide pin 123 as a guide, the core 129 and the optical fiber 122 fixed to the fiber array 121 are optically connected.

[0005]

In the above-mentioned conventional structure, the core interval is determined by the same photolithography as in the process of the LSI and the like, so that it can be set with high accuracy of submicron or less. However, on the side of the fiber array 121, the number of cores increases from the V-groove for the guide pin, as described in the optical fiber mounting V groove of the present fiber array manufactured by machining and the connection of the optical fibers to each other. There is a drawback that the absolute error increases with the increase of the distance and the connection with low loss becomes difficult. Further, this optical connection has a drawback that a separate member of a refractive index matching agent is required to prevent reflection at the connection portion.

The optical connector of the present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and its purpose is to:
An object of the present invention is to provide a multi-fiber optical connector with low loss and low reflection when optically connecting between optical fibers or between an optical fiber and an optical waveguide circuit.

[0007]

In order to achieve the above object, the optical connector according to the first invention is an optical connector in which optical waveguides are mutually connectable and detachable, The first and second optical fibers, and an alignment member having an alignment hole for aligning the first and second optical fibers, the first members being opposed to each other.
A predetermined pressing force is applied to the optical fiber and the second optical fiber in the axial direction, and the optical fiber and the second optical fiber are inserted into the aligning hole of the aligning member. Stick the end faces together.

An optical connector according to a second aspect of the present invention is an optical connector in which the first and second optical waveguides are mutually connected and detachable, in which the first optical waveguide is an optical fiber and the second optical waveguide is a second optical waveguide. The optical waveguide is an optical waveguide circuit formed on a flat substrate, and has an alignment member having an alignment hole for aligning the optical fiber, the optical waveguide circuit and the optical fiber,
The alignment holes are at least three or more, and a uniform groove is formed adjacent to the end portion of the optical waveguide circuit to which the optical fiber on the substrate of the optical waveguide circuit is to be connected except for the left and right ends. Member, a cylindrical member having an outer diameter slightly larger than the outer diameter of the optical fiber fixed in the groove located at least on the left and right sides of the groove in which the optical fiber is fixed, and the upper end of the cylindrical member. And a plate-like lid fixed to the upper end of the cylindrical member so as to bridge over the groove as a line contact portion, and the optical fiber is provided in the gap surrounded by the groove and the lid with the waveguide circuit side. Is inserted from the opposite position, and in the connected state, a pressing force is applied and held from the axial direction of the optical fiber so that the end surface of the optical fiber comes into close contact with the end surface of the waveguide circuit.

[0009]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. First, the outline of the present embodiment will be described. In this embodiment, with reference to the outer shape of the optical fiber, the optical fibers to be connected to each other or the optical fiber and the optical waveguide should be connected via a precision sleeve in which a component having a slightly larger outer diameter than the optical fiber is incorporated as a height reference. The most important feature is that the circuits are connected by individual alignment grooves. Further, it is characterized in that the optical fibers are buckled at the time of connection and the optical fibers to be connected are brought into close contact with each other or the optical fiber and the optical waveguide circuit are brought into close contact with each other. Further, it is different from the prior art in that the optical fiber is not held as an integrated part by holding and fixing it as a precision ferrule or a fiber array member.

FIG. 1 is a connection diagram between optical fibers for explaining a first embodiment of the present invention, showing a state before a tape fiber is inserted into an alignment hole. Reference numeral 1 is an alignment member, 2 is an alignment hole, 2t is an alignment hole taper portion, and 4a and 4b are tape fibers. In this figure, an 8-fiber ribbon is shown as an example.

FIG. 2 shows the opposing tape fibers 4a and 4b.
Shows the state of being connected in each of the alignment holes 2. 4a 'and 4b' are buckling parts of each tape fiber. As shown in FIG. 1, the tape fibers 4a and 4b are inserted toward the alignment holes from the facing positions. At this time, the position of the alignment hole and the relative position of the member holding the tape fiber are generally aligned in the horizontal and vertical directions so that each tape fiber can be easily inserted into a predetermined alignment hole. . As shown in FIG. 1, the alignment holes 2
When the taper 2t is formed in the insertion part of the fiber, there is an advantage that the fiber can be easily inserted and the risk of damaging the fiber tip is eliminated. After inserting the tape fibers 4a and 4b, the tips of the fibers come into contact with each other substantially at the center in the longitudinal direction of the hole, and a predetermined pressing force is applied to form buckling portions 4a 'and 4b' on the tape fibers. , The tip of the fiber is firmly attached. This achieves an optical connection between the fibers. At this time, by performing convex spherical surface processing on the tip of the fiber in advance, physical contact can be easily achieved between the fibers, so that low splice loss and high return loss can be obtained.

FIG. 3 shows a second embodiment of the present invention. 4'is an optical fiber, 4c is a core, 4d is a clad,
4e is an end face of the optical fiber. FIG. 3A shows an end surface 4e.
The case where the whole is a convex spherical shape is shown, and FIG. 3B shows the case where only the core 4c portion has a convex shape. This convex spherical surface processing can be formed by means such as chemical selective etching, arc discharge, dipping or coating of glass or resin. Here, the convex spherical surface does not necessarily have to be spherical, and may be any shape as long as the core of the optical fiber projects from the clad.

FIG. 4 is a view for explaining an embodiment of the alignment holes formed in the alignment member 1. FIG. 4A shows the state shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 as seen from the fiber insertion direction, and 4'denotes an optical fiber which is inserted into the alignment hole 2 with a slight clearance. Shows. FIG.
(B) is a third embodiment, 2 is a rice ball-shaped aligning hole, 2a is a contact position of an optical fiber, 2b is a gap, 2
Reference numeral t'denotes an alignment hole taper portion. The contact position 2a is shown in FIG.
As shown in (b), the optical fibers are aligned at three positions on the outer periphery of the optical fiber with a strict clearance. The advantage of this shape is the stable alignment function of the optical fiber due to the three-point support shape and the function as an air hole due to the gap. The presence of the gap 2b is to prevent the air trapped inside from being reasonably discharged when the optical fiber is inserted into the alignment hole 2 from the opposite position so that the connection between the fibers is not hindered. . The alignment hole taper portion 2t 'facilitates the insertion as described above. In the present embodiment, the shape of the alignment hole is a rice ball shape, but it is not limited to this shape as long as the alignment of the optical fibers and the air vent gap can be secured.

In the aligning member 1, the position of the aligning hole 2 may be accurate to about several tens of microns with respect to a certain reference surface, for example, the bottom surface or the upper surface of the aligning member 1. This is because the fibers facing each other are connected in the alignment hole, and therefore the positional accuracy between the alignment holes 2 is not required to be submicron, as long as the tape fiber can be inserted without difficulty. The material of the aligning member having the aligning holes of the present embodiment is not limited in material as long as it can be precision processed such as ceramics, glass, and plastic.

FIG. 5 shows a fourth embodiment of the present invention. First
The alignment hole 2 formed in the alignment member 1 for the embodiment of FIG.
It is possible to connect a large number of optical fibers at a time by arranging the two-dimensionally and arranging the tape fibers two-dimensionally. In the present embodiment, the alignment holes 2 have two rows in the horizontal direction, but a multi-row configuration can be made if necessary.

FIG. 6 is a connection diagram between optical fibers for explaining a fifth embodiment of the present invention, showing a state before the tape fiber is inserted into the alignment groove. Reference numeral 11 is a substrate, 2'is a V groove for alignment, 3 is a lid, and 4a and 4b are tape fibers. In this figure, an 8-fiber ribbon is shown as an example. FIG. 7 shows a state in which the tape fibers 4a and 4b facing each other are connected on the respective alignment V-grooves 2 '. 4a 'and 4b' are buckling parts of each tape fiber.

An embodiment of the alignment V-groove 2'and the lid 3 used in FIGS. 6 and 7 is shown in FIGS. 8 (a) and 8 (b). 5a and 5b are precision cylindrical members, and 6a and 6b are fixing agents for fixing the lid 3 and the substrate 11.

The members for fiber alignment shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 are, as shown in FIG. 8A, on both sides of the substrate 11 on which the alignment V groove 2'is formed, into which the tape fiber is inserted. Precision cylindrical members 5a, 5b having an outer diameter slightly larger than the outer diameter of the tape fiber are set in the V groove located,
The lid 3 and the substrate 11 are fixed by the fixing agents 6a and 6b. FIG. 8B shows a second embodiment of the fiber alignment member, which is an example in which the same member as the substrate 11 having the V groove is used instead of the lid 3 of FIG. 8A. The optical connector shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 is configured by using these V groove members for alignment.

Each tape fiber 4a, 4b is inserted toward the V-groove for alignment from the opposing position as shown in FIG. At this time, in order to easily insert each tape fiber into a predetermined alignment V-groove, the relative position between the alignment V-groove substrate and the member holding the tape fiber is generally aligned with respect to the horizontal direction. deep. With respect to the vertical direction, it is easier to insert the tape fiber by setting the insertion direction of the tape fiber to be oblique to the horizontal direction or slightly above and set to enter the V groove protruding more than the lid 3 in FIG. Become. After inserting the tape fibers 4a and 4b, the tips of the fibers come into contact with each other substantially at the center in the longitudinal direction of the V groove, and a predetermined pressing force is further applied to the buckling portions 4a 'and 4b.
b'is formed and the tip of the fiber is brought into close contact. This achieves optical connection between the fibers. On this occasion,
As described above, by performing convex spherical surface processing on the tip of the fiber in advance, physical contact can be easily achieved between the fibers, so that low splice loss and high return loss can be obtained.

In the alignment V-groove member shown in FIG. 8 (a), the depth of the plurality of alignment V-grooves 2'on the substrate 11 requires submicron precision as relative precision. The surface, for example, the bottom surface or the top surface of the substrate 11 may have an accuracy of about several tens of microns. Furthermore, a precision cylindrical member 5 slightly larger than the outer diameter of the fiber to be inserted.
By arranging and fixing a and 5b, it is possible to set the clearance for inserting and removing the fiber.
Regarding the positional accuracy in the horizontal direction between the V grooves, it suffices that the tape fiber can be inserted without difficulty, and submicron accuracy is not required. The precision cylindrical members 5a and 5b can be manufactured at a low cost because they can be easily mass-produced by the current processing technology.
As an example, the optical fiber itself can be used as the precision cylindrical member. In FIGS. 8A and 8B, the lid 3 and the substrate 11 are fixed by the fixatives 6a and 6b.
The lid 3, the substrate 11, and the cylindrical members 5a and 5b may be integrally formed by mechanically sandwiching both sides of each precision cylindrical member with a clamp jig without using a fixing agent.

A hole is made in a part of the central portion in the longitudinal direction of the lid 3 portion where the precision cylindrical members 5a and 5b contact / fix, and the fixative 6 is injected through this hole to cover the lid 3, the substrate 11 and the precision cylindrical member. You may fix with 5a, 5b. In this configuration, the alignment groove shape is a V groove. This is because the air in the alignment groove can be removed from the gap of the V groove when the fiber is inserted.
It has the advantage of facilitating fiber insertion. Further, since the function of ensuring the clearance of the inserted fiber is performed by the precision cylindrical member 5 fixed to the V grooves on both sides by three-point support, the V shape is not strictly an accurate V shape. In both cases, fiber alignment and air bleeding are possible.

It is obvious that the material of the substrate 11 and the lid 3 is not limited to any material as long as precision processing such as ceramics, glass and plastic is possible. Also as the fixative 6, the substrate 11, the lid 3, the precision cylindrical members 5 a, 5
Various fixing agents such as solder, adhesive, and low melting point glass can be applied depending on the material and surface treatment of b.

Further, as shown in FIG. 8B, it is also possible to use the same substrates 11 and 11 having V-grooves facing each other as V-groove members. In this case, the V-groove has the same accuracy in the depth direction as in FIG. 3A, but micron-order accuracy is required also in the horizontal direction in order to align the fibers with the upper and lower V-grooves.

FIG. 9 shows a sixth embodiment of the present invention. Reference numeral 7 is a V-shaped taper portion for alignment, and 8 is a lid taper portion, which widens the opening of the insertion portion of the optical fiber and provides a structure that facilitates insertion. The taper shape may be properly designed / manufactured so that no excessive force is applied to the tip of the fiber when the fiber is inserted. Further, the positions of the end faces of the substrate 11 and the lid 3 in the fiber insertion direction are not on the same plane in FIG. 9 but have a shape in which the substrate side protrudes, but as shown in FIG. Fibers can be easily inserted even if the end faces are on the same plane. That is, FIGS.
As described above, the tape fiber can be easily inserted into the V groove for alignment without entering the tape fiber with the insertion direction slightly inclined from the horizontal direction. This taper can be easily formed by chemical etching when the substrate is glass.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a seventh embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 11A shows an example in which only two V-groove members for alignment, which are composed of a set of substrate 11 and lid 3, precision cylindrical members 5a and 5b, and fixatives 6a and 6b, are stacked in layers and fixed to each other. Is shown. FIG. 11B shows the first substrate 11a.
The structure is shown in which the second substrate 11b is laminated and the lid 3 is fixed. FIG. 12 shows an example of the configuration of the optical connector of this embodiment when the alignment V-groove member of FIG. 11 (b) is used. The tape fibers are also arranged in a laminated manner at opposite positions, and after the tape fibers are inserted into the V groove for alignment, the fibers are optically connected in the state shown in FIG. Although FIG. 11 shows a case where two layers are stacked, it is possible to extend to any number of layers in principle, and it is clear that the number of V grooves may be set and set as needed. . FIG. 13 is an eighth embodiment of the present invention and provides a structure for realizing an optical connection between an optical fiber and an optical waveguide circuit. A substrate 11 has a V-groove 2'for fiber alignment formed at one end thereof. Reference numeral 7 is an optical waveguide circuit, and 8 is an end surface of the optical waveguide circuit in which a core for optically connecting the optical waveguide circuit 7 to the tape fiber is exposed. The alignment V-groove 2 ′ and the lid 3 have the configuration shown in FIG. 8A and the like, and the method of inserting the tape fiber 4 is as follows.
By the same method as described in the first embodiment, the buckling portion 4'is formed and the optical connection is completed. A taper can be provided to facilitate insertion. By processing the tip end of the tape fiber into a convex spherical surface, the optical waveguide circuit end face 8 and the tape fiber 4 can be easily optically connected with low reflection and low loss.

FIGS. 14 (a) and 14 (b) are a ninth embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 14 (a) is a structural view at the time of fiber insertion / connection when viewed from the optical fiber insertion direction. 14
(B) is a cross-sectional composition when the optical fiber is cut at the optical axis center, and 9 is a spot facing portion. It is also useful for high-quality connection that the counterbore 9 is provided in order to prevent connection failure only by processing the corner portion of the optical waveguide circuit end face 8 and the alignment V-groove 2 '.

The alignment V-groove 2'in this embodiment can be formed in the manufacturing process of the optical waveguide circuit 7 and can be manufactured by photolithography, so that the V-groove and each core of the optical waveguide circuit end face 8 are formed. Horizontal positions meet with sub-micron accuracy. This V groove can be easily formed by anisotropic etching when the substrate 11 is a Si substrate, and the height direction can be controlled by the mask width of the V groove for alignment 2 '. It can also be formed by dry etching.

Alignment V in the above-described embodiments
The groove can be formed by various methods such as chemical processing, mechanical processing and molding depending on the material and structure of the substrate. This alignment V-groove substrate can be manufactured at a low cost because a large number of V-groove components can be manufactured in a single step and the precision cylindrical member can also utilize the optical fiber itself. The aligning V-groove member integrated with the lid can be manufactured at a low cost by individually fixing the lid and the precision cylindrical member using a long member and then cutting them out individually.

In the optical connectors of the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1 to 7, a bare fiber is inserted and removed, but in order to improve the mechanical strength of the optical fiber itself, a thin film of carbon or other reinforcing material is formed on the fiber surface. Of course, it does not matter if it is coated in a shape. The strength can be improved as a surface-reinforced glass fiber in which the glass surface of the fiber itself is doped with Ti or the like to generate compressive stress on the glass surface. The method for improving the mechanical strength of the fiber is not limited to this, and it is obvious that methods other than those mentioned here can be adopted as long as the outer diameter accuracy can be secured.

According to the above-described embodiment, the multi-core optical fiber is aligned by using the outer diameter accuracy itself and the V-groove using the precision cylindrical member, so that the horizontal positional accuracy of the multi-fiber optical fiber is greatly increased. Therefore, there is an advantage that the component parts can be provided at low cost, and an optical connection with low loss and low reflection can be easily provided due to the convex spherical shape of the fiber tip and the buckling of the fiber.

[0031]

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a multi-fiber optical connector having low loss and low reflection when optically connecting between optical fibers or between an optical fiber and an optical waveguide circuit.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the present invention before inserting a tape fiber through an alignment hole.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the first embodiment of the present invention when the tape fibers are optically connected to each other.

FIG. 3A is a second embodiment of a structure in which the entire tip of the optical fiber is processed into a convex spherical surface, and FIG. 3B is a second embodiment of a structure in which the core portion of the end of the optical fiber is processed into a convex spherical surface. Here is an example.

FIG. 4 (a) is a front view of an alignment hole of the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 4 (b) is a third embodiment of the present invention in which the alignment hole has a three-point supporting shape. It is a front view of a case.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of the present invention in which alignment holes are two-dimensionally arranged.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a tape fiber according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention before inserting the fibers.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the fifth embodiment of the present invention when the tape fibers are optically connected to each other.

FIG. 8A is a sectional view of a first embodiment of the V groove for alignment shown in the fifth embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 8B is shown in the fifth embodiment of the present invention. It is sectional drawing of the 2nd Example of the V groove for alignment.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a sixth embodiment of the present invention in which a tapered chamfer is added to the alignment V groove and the fiber insertion portion of the lid.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a sixth embodiment of the present invention in which a tape-shaped chamfer is added to the alignment V groove and the fiber insertion portion of the lid.

FIG. 11A is a seventh embodiment of the present invention, in which the alignment V
It is a sectional view of the 1st fiber alignment part at the time of accumulating a groove in a lamination form, (b) is a 7th example of the present invention, and is a 2nd at the time of accumulating V grooves for alignment in a lamination shape. It is sectional drawing of fiber alignment.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a multi-core optical connector adopting a second alignment V-groove when the alignment V-grooves are stacked in a laminated form in the seventh embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a configuration example of a multi-fiber optical connector for optically connecting a tape fiber and an optical waveguide circuit according to an eighth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14A is a front view of a ninth embodiment of the present invention when a spot facing portion of a multi-fiber optical connector for optically connecting a tape fiber and an optical waveguide circuit is formed, and FIG. FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of a ninth embodiment of the invention when forming a spot facing portion of a multi-fiber optical connector that optically connects a tape fiber and an optical waveguide circuit.

FIG. 15 (a) is a first example of a conventional multi-fiber optical connector for connecting optical fibers, and FIG. 15 (b) is a diagram for explaining position accuracy in the first example of a conventional multi-fiber optical connector. Is.

FIG. 16 is a second example of a conventional optical connector.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Alignment member, 2 ... Alignment hole, 2t, 2t '... Alignment hole taper portion, 2' ... Alignment V groove, 3 ... Lid, 4a, 4b ... Tape fiber, 4a ', 4b' ... Each tape fiber Buckling part, 4 '... optical fiber, 4c ... core, 4d ... clad,
4e, 4e '... End surface, 5a, 5b ... Precision cylindrical member, 6
a, 6b ... Fixing material, 7 ... Optical waveguide circuit, 8 ... Optical waveguide circuit end face, 11 ... Substrate.

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Ryo Nagase 1-6, Uchiyuki-cho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo Inside Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation (72) Inventor Masaru Kobayashi 1-6-1, Uchiyuki-cho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation (72) Inventor Yasufumi Yamada 1-1-6 Uchisaiwaicho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo Nihon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation (72) Inventor Kaoru Yoshino 1-1-6 Uchisaiwaicho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation

Claims (13)

[Claims] 1. An optical connector in which optical waveguides are mutually connected and detachable, wherein first and second optical fibers as optical waveguides and alignment for aligning the first and second optical fibers are provided. An aligning member having a hole for use in the aligning hole of the aligning member by applying a predetermined pressing force in the axial direction to the first optical fiber and the second optical fiber which are arranged to face each other. An optical connector characterized in that it is inserted and the end faces of the first and second optical fibers are brought into close contact with each other at a substantially central portion thereof. 2. The chamfers of the contact holes in contact with the first and second optical fibers are concentrically formed on the side of the opening where the first and second optical fibers enter. The optical connector according to claim 1, which is characterized in that. 3. The optical connector according to claim 1, wherein the cores at the ends of the first and second optical fibers have a convex shape protruding from the clad. 4. The alignment holes are in contact with each other at approximately three points on the outer circumferences of the cylinders of the first and second optical fibers, and between the contact points, the inner circumference of the alignment holes and the first hole are aligned with each other. The optical connector according to claim 1, wherein a gap is provided in the outer peripheral portion of the second optical fiber. 5. The aligning hole is two-dimensionally arranged on the end surface of the aligning member, and the first and second optical fibers are also two-dimensionally arranged correspondingly. 1
The optical connector described. 6. The alignment member is fixed to at least three members having uniform grooves formed therein, and to at least grooves on the left and right sides of the groove in which the first and second optical fibers are set. A cylindrical member having an outer diameter slightly larger than the outer diameters of the first and second optical fibers, and an upper end portion of the cylindrical member that bridges over the groove with the upper end of the cylindrical member serving as a line contact portion. A plate-shaped lid fixed to the first optical fiber and the second optical fiber, which are arranged to face each other, and apply a predetermined pressing force in the axial direction to the groove and the lid. 2. The aligning hole of the aligning member is inserted into a predetermined space surrounded by the aligning holes, and the end faces of the first and second optical fibers are brought into close contact with each other at a substantially central portion thereof. Optical connector. 7. An optical connector in which the first and second optical waveguides are mutually connected and detachable, wherein the first optical waveguide is an optical fiber and the second optical waveguide is formed on a flat substrate. A wave circuit, comprising an alignment member having alignment holes for aligning the optical fiber, the optical waveguide circuit, and the optical fiber, the alignment holes being at least three or more, and except for the left and right ends thereof. A member having an even groove formed adjacent to the end of the optical waveguide circuit to which the optical fiber on the substrate of the optical waveguide circuit is to be connected, and at least left and right sides of the groove to which the optical fiber is fixed A cylindrical member having an outer diameter slightly larger than the outer diameter of the optical fiber fixed to the groove located at, and an upper end of the cylindrical member bridging over the groove with the upper end of the cylindrical member serving as a line contact portion. Plate-shaped fixed to A lid, and the optical fiber is inserted into a space surrounded by the groove and the lid from a position opposite to the waveguide circuit side, and in the connected state, the end face of the optical fiber has an end face of the optical fiber. An optical connector, wherein a pressing force is applied and held in the axial direction of the optical fiber so as to be in close contact with each other. 8. The corner of the lid and the groove with which the optical fiber comes into contact is chamfered in a tapered shape on the side of the opening into which the optical fiber enters. Optical connector. 9. The optical connector according to claim 1, wherein a protective layer is formed on an outer peripheral portion of the optical fiber. 10. The optical connector according to claim 6, wherein the alignment groove has a V shape. 11. The optical connector according to claim 6, wherein a groove is formed on a surface of the lid which is in contact with the cylindrical member. 12. The optical connector according to claim 6, wherein the groove on the surface of the lid in contact with the cylindrical member has a V shape. 13. The optical connector according to claim 6, wherein at least two or more alignment grooves are stacked.