JPH11119055A - Waveguide module - Google Patents

Abstract

An optical connector is detachably butt-connectable to one end of a waveguide chip, and changes in optical characteristics are caused at the other end of the waveguide chip when the optical connector is attached or detached. To provide a waveguide module without any. SOLUTION: A waveguide module 1 in which an optical connector 20 is detachably butt-connected to one end in a light transmission direction of a waveguide chip 2 having a plurality of waveguides formed on a substrate, and an optical fiber 5 is connected to the other end. . The other end of the waveguide chip connected to the optical fiber 5 is surrounded by a protective cover 6.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to the field of optical communications,
In the field of ATV (cable televison), the present invention relates to a waveguide module used for a system configuring a multiplexed / branched optical line or a test path.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In optical communications and optical CATV, a branch optical line is used in which one main optical fiber is connected to a plurality of branch optical fibers via an optical splitter to reduce service costs. Has been proposed and put into practical use. Usually, such an optical coupler splits one optical line into a plurality of optical lines or integrates a plurality of optical lines into one optical line. For this reason, since it is economical and compact for this purpose, a silica-based waveguide module containing silica glass as a main component has been put to practical use, and the optical axis has been adjusted by adjusting the optical axis to each end of the waveguide chip. A module in which a fiber array is bonded and fixed (for example, see JP-A-9-127365) or a module in which a multicore connector can be butt-connected to a waveguide chip (for example, JP-A-9-1058).
No. 38) is known.

[0003]

In the above waveguide module, when an optical fiber array or an optical connector is connected to one end of the waveguide chip, a work is performed on the other end connected to the optical fiber or the optical connector. When the hand or jig of the user touches, there is a problem that the connection state on the other end side changes subtly, and the optical characteristics of the waveguide module such as connection loss and polarization characteristics of the waveguide module change. .

The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an optical connector can be detachably butt-connected to one end of a waveguide chip, and an optical connector is provided at the other end of the waveguide chip when the optical connector is attached or detached. It is an object of the present invention to provide a waveguide module that does not cause a change in characteristics.

[0005]

According to the present invention, in order to achieve the above object, an optical connector is detachably butt-connected to one end in a light transmission direction of a waveguide chip having a plurality of waveguides formed on a substrate. In a waveguide module having an optical fiber connected to the other end, at least the other end of the waveguide chip connected to the optical fiber is surrounded by a protective cover.

Preferably, the waveguide chip has a structure in which a pin-fitting type intermediate member used for connection with the optical connector is arranged at one end in the light transmission direction. Also preferably, the waveguide chip has a buffer disposed between the waveguide chip and the protective cover.

[0007]

When the other end of the waveguide chip connected to the optical fiber is surrounded by the protective cover, the waveguide module is connected to the other end of the optical fiber even if an optical connector is attached to or detached from one end of the waveguide chip. There is no possibility that the hand or jig of the operator touches the optical connector, and the optical characteristics are not affected by the attachment / detachment of the optical connector.

[0008]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIG.
This will be described in detail based on (a) and (b). The waveguide module 1 includes a waveguide chip 2, intermediate members 3, 4, an optical fiber array 5, and a protective cover 6, as shown in the drawing.
A multicore connector 20 is detachably butt-connected to one end of the waveguide chip 2 in the longitudinal direction which is the light transmission direction.

In the waveguide chip 2, a plurality of waveguides having functions such as optical demultiplexing and multiplexing, for example, silica-based waveguides are formed on a substrate. Although not shown, the waveguide chip 2 forms a V-groove extending in the longitudinal direction on the waveguide surface 2a on which the waveguide is formed in order to position the intermediate members 3 and 4 with high accuracy. Positioning pins may be arranged between the V-grooves provided at the corresponding positions of the intermediate members 3 and 4 to position the intermediate members 3 and 4 with high accuracy.

The intermediate members 3 and 4 are members for easily connecting the optical fiber array 5 and the multi-core connector 20 to the waveguide chip 2 by pin fitting, and are made of synthetic resin or metal. The intermediate members 3 and 4 have recesses 3a and 4a formed in the center in the width direction, and guide holes 3b and 4b formed on both sides of the recesses 3a and 4a. The optical fiber array 5
Main body 5a and holding plate 5d configured similarly to intermediate member 3a
And a tape fiber 5e. The holding plate 5d is
It is a plate of approximately the same width as the recess 5b of the main body 5a, and has a fine V
A plurality of grooves (not shown) are formed. The optical fiber array 5 positions each optical fiber of the tape fiber 5e in the V-groove and adheres it to the holding plate 5d, and sandwiches the optical fiber between the holding plate 5d and the concave portion 5b. It is adhered to the main body 5a.

Here, the optical fiber array 5 abuts against the intermediate member 4 and guide pins (not shown) are inserted into the corresponding guide holes 4b and 5c to connect each waveguide of the waveguide chip 2 with the optical fiber. Are connected and held in a connected state by the clamp sling 10. In addition, the buffer member 11 is disposed between the intermediate member 4 and the optical fiber array 5 so that the connection between the waveguide chip 2 and the optical fiber array 5 does not directly contact. Cushioning material 11
Various materials such as sponge, silicone grease or rubber can be used as long as they meet the above purpose.

The protective cover 6 is a cover made of a synthetic resin, metal, or the like surrounding the waveguide chip 2, the intermediate members 3, 4, and the optical fiber array 5. The protective cover 6 is positioned by a projection and a concave portion and is combined with the upper cover 7.
The upper cover 7 is formed into a long cylindrical shape by the
Has a clip 9 attached thereto. The upper cover 7
The multi-core connector 20 is connected to the waveguide chip 2 via the intermediate member 3.
An opening 7a is provided at one end. As shown in FIG. 1B, the upper cover 7 is formed with an upper flange 7b protruding upward at the rear side.
Is provided with a mounting hole 7c. On the other hand, the lower cover 8
Is attached to the upper cover 7 from below, and the upper flange 7
lower flange 8b having a mounting hole 8c at a position corresponding to b
Are formed.

The clip 9 is, as shown in FIG.
A locking portion 9a rotatably locked to projections 7d formed on both sides of the upper cover 7, a multi-core connector 2 provided in the middle
0 has two spring pieces 9b locked to the rear side and an operation piece 9c for rotating the clip 9. The waveguide module 1 configured as described above is assembled as follows.

First, intermediate members 3 and 4 are attached to both ends of the waveguide chip 2. At this time, the intermediate members 3 and 4 are attached to the waveguide chip 2 such that the concave portions 3a and 4a face the waveguide surface 2a. Next, the intermediate member 4 and the main body 5a of the optical fiber array 5 are abutted, and guide pins (not shown) are inserted into the corresponding guide holes 4b and 5c, so that each waveguide of the waveguide chip 2 and the optical fiber And connect.

Next, as shown in FIG. 1 (b), a clamp sling 10 is attached between the intermediate member 4 and the main body 5a so as to span the intermediate member 4, and the intermediate member 4 and the optical fiber array 5 are maintained in a connected state. I do. Thereafter, the intermediate member 4 and the optical fiber array 5 held in the connected state are accommodated in the upper cover 7 with the waveguide surface 2a of the waveguide chip 2 facing downward, and the lower cover 8 is attached. As shown in b),
The waveguide module 1 is assembled.

As described above, the waveguide module 1 of the present invention
Can be assembled very easily between the waveguide chip 2 and the multicore connector 20 or the optical fiber array 5 without complicated optical axis alignment between the optical fiber and the waveguide. At this time, in the waveguide module 1, the waveguide chip 2, the intermediate members 3 and 4, and the optical fiber array 5 are surrounded by the protective cover 6. Therefore, even if the optical connector 20 is attached to and detached from the waveguide chip 2 through the opening 7a of the upper cover 7 as shown in FIG. The operator's hand or jig does not touch the other end to which
There is no influence on the optical characteristics due to the attachment / detachment of the multi-core connector 20.

Moreover, the waveguide module 1 has a cushioning material 11 around the intermediate member 4 and the main body 5a of the optical fiber array 5 so that the connection between the waveguide chip 2 and the optical fiber array 5 does not come into direct contact. Is arranged, the effect of suppressing a change in optical characteristics on the other end side of the waveguide chip 2 is further exhibited.

[0018]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the optical connector can be detachably butt-connected to one end of the waveguide chip, and when the optical connector is attached / detached, the other end of the waveguide chip has an optical characteristic. A waveguide module that does not cause a change can be provided.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the waveguide chip and the optical connector can be connected very easily. According to the third aspect of the present invention, the effect of suppressing a change in optical characteristics at the other end of the waveguide chip when the optical connector of the first aspect is attached or detached is further exhibited.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a plan view (a) of a waveguide module of the present invention with a part cut away, and a sectional front view (b).

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Waveguide module 2 Waveguide chip 2a Waveguide surface 3, 4 Intermediate member 5 Optical fiber array 6 Protective cover 7 Upper cover 8 Lower cover 9 Clip 10 Clamp sling 11 Buffer material 20 Multicore connector

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Manki Watanabe 2-6-1 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo Furukawa Electric Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Yoshitaka Enomoto 3-19 Nishishinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo No. 2 Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A waveguide module in which an optical connector is detachably butt-connected to one end in a light transmission direction of a waveguide chip having a plurality of waveguides formed on a substrate and an optical fiber is connected to the other end. A waveguide module, wherein the other end of the waveguide chip connected to the optical fiber is surrounded by a protective cover. 2. The waveguide module according to claim 1, wherein a pin-fitting type intermediate member used for connection with the optical connector is disposed at one end of the waveguide chip in the light transmission direction. 3. The waveguide module according to claim 2, wherein a buffer is disposed between the waveguide chip and the protective cover.