WO2022085534A1 - マルチコア光ファイバ - Google Patents
マルチコア光ファイバ Download PDFInfo
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- WO2022085534A1 WO2022085534A1 PCT/JP2021/037886 JP2021037886W WO2022085534A1 WO 2022085534 A1 WO2022085534 A1 WO 2022085534A1 JP 2021037886 W JP2021037886 W JP 2021037886W WO 2022085534 A1 WO2022085534 A1 WO 2022085534A1
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- core
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- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C03—GLASS; MINERAL OR SLAG WOOL
- C03C—CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF GLASSES, GLAZES OR VITREOUS ENAMELS; SURFACE TREATMENT OF GLASS; SURFACE TREATMENT OF FIBRES OR FILAMENTS MADE FROM GLASS, MINERALS OR SLAGS; JOINING GLASS TO GLASS OR OTHER MATERIALS
- C03C13/00—Fibre or filament compositions
- C03C13/04—Fibre optics, e.g. core and clad fibre compositions
- C03C13/045—Silica-containing oxide glass compositions
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C03—GLASS; MINERAL OR SLAG WOOL
- C03C—CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF GLASSES, GLAZES OR VITREOUS ENAMELS; SURFACE TREATMENT OF GLASS; SURFACE TREATMENT OF FIBRES OR FILAMENTS MADE FROM GLASS, MINERALS OR SLAGS; JOINING GLASS TO GLASS OR OTHER MATERIALS
- C03C25/00—Surface treatment of fibres or filaments made from glass, minerals or slags
- C03C25/10—Coating
- C03C25/104—Coating to obtain optical fibres
- C03C25/105—Organic claddings
-
- 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
- G02B6/02042—Multicore optical fibres
-
- 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
- G02B6/02295—Microstructured optical fibre
- G02B6/02314—Plurality of longitudinal structures extending along optical fibre axis, e.g. holes
- G02B6/02319—Plurality of longitudinal structures extending along optical fibre axis, e.g. holes characterised by core or core-cladding interface features
- G02B6/02333—Core having higher refractive index than cladding, e.g. solid core, effective index guiding
-
- 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
- G02B6/02395—Glass optical fibre with a protective coating, e.g. two layer polymer coating deposited directly on a silica cladding surface during fibre manufacture
-
- 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
- C03B2201/12—Doped silica-based glasses doped with boron or fluorine or other refractive index decreasing dopant doped with fluorine
-
- 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
- C03B2201/20—Doped silica-based glasses doped with non-metals other than boron or fluorine
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C03—GLASS; MINERAL OR SLAG WOOL
- C03B—MANUFACTURE, SHAPING, OR SUPPLEMENTARY PROCESSES
- C03B2203/00—Fibre product details, e.g. structure, shape
- C03B2203/10—Internal structure or shape details
- C03B2203/22—Radial profile of refractive index, composition or softening point
- C03B2203/26—Parabolic or graded index [GRIN] core profile
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C03—GLASS; MINERAL OR SLAG WOOL
- C03B—MANUFACTURE, SHAPING, OR SUPPLEMENTARY PROCESSES
- C03B2203/00—Fibre product details, e.g. structure, shape
- C03B2203/34—Plural core other than bundles, e.g. double core
-
- 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
- C03B37/014—Manufacture of preforms for drawing fibres or filaments made entirely or partially by chemical means, e.g. vapour phase deposition of bulk porous glass either by outside vapour deposition [OVD], or by outside vapour phase oxidation [OVPO] or by vapour axial deposition [VAD]
- C03B37/01446—Thermal after-treatment of preforms, e.g. dehydrating, consolidating, sintering
Definitions
- MCF multi-core optical fiber
- MCF having a structure in which a plurality of cores having a higher refractive index than the clad are included in a clad having a predetermined refractive index is designed so that each core is compatible with a conventional optical fiber. It has the advantage that the introduction cost is low because it can be used.
- MCF is a transmission medium that is particularly effective in a transmission line where there is a large demand for transmission capacity while there are space restrictions.
- One of the typical examples of such a transmission line is a submarine optical cable.
- the manufacturing cost and laying cost of the cable itself increase. Therefore, there is a limitation on the outer diameter of the cable, and it is disclosed in Non-Patent Document 1 that the number of optical fibers that can be accommodated is typically about 32.
- the demand for transmission capacity of submarine optical cables is increasing exponentially with the expansion of data usage, and Non-Patent Document 2 points out the need for cables that can accommodate more than 32 optical fibers. ing.
- Non-Patent Document 3 As an MCF suitable for an undersea optical cable, for example, there is a 2-core optical fiber disclosed in Non-Patent Document 3.
- This two-core optical fiber has two cores in a cladding having an outer diameter of 125 ⁇ m.
- Each of the two cores consists of a central core with a small amount of fluorine added, a ring core made of pure silica, and an inner clad with fluorine added. Further, the two cores are arranged so that the pitch between the centers is 50 ⁇ m while being surrounded by the common clad, and fluorine is also added to the common clad.
- the crosstalk between cores when a signal is propagated to two cores in opposite directions can be -40 dB / 100 km or less. This corresponds to -17 dB / 100 km or less in crosstalk between cores when propagating in the same direction when the repeater span length is assumed to be 50 km. Since the two cores have a cable cutoff wavelength of 1530 nm or less, the two-core optical fiber operates in a single mode at a wavelength of 1530 nm or more, and its transmission loss is suppressed to 0.162 dB / km at a wavelength of 1550 nm. ing.
- the MCF (multi-core optical fiber) of the present disclosure includes a plurality of cores, a common clad, and a resin coating.
- Each of the plurality of cores is made of silica glass.
- the common clad consists of silica glass and surrounds multiple cores.
- the common clad has a refractive index lower than the refractive index of each of the plurality of cores.
- the resin coating surrounds the common clad.
- each of the plurality of cores contains at least 10000 ppm or more of chlorine in at least a part thereof.
- FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram of an MCF according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
- FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram of the cross-sectional structure, Cl concentration, F concentration, and refractive index profile of the glass fiber contained in the MCF according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure.
- FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram of the cross-sectional structure, Cl concentration, F concentration, and refractive index profile of the glass fiber contained in the MCF according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure.
- Non-Patent Document 2 the reduction of the outer diameter of the coating resin of the optical fiber from the conventional 250 ⁇ m to 200 ⁇ m is disclosed as one of the means, but the improvement of the spatial density by this is at most 1.4. Mechanical reliability is reduced by doubling and reducing the coating thickness. Therefore, according to the means disclosed in Non-Patent Document 2, there is a possibility that an additional cost for ensuring sufficient reliability will be incurred.
- connection loss at the time of fusion splicing tends to be high. This is because the pitch between the centers of the two cores is 50 ⁇ m, which is larger than the outer diameter of the clad of 125 ⁇ m.
- the viscosity of the end of the cut optical fiber decreases due to heating, but at that time, the end of the outer peripheral portion of the clad is deformed so that the edge is rounded due to surface tension. As a result, the internal waveguide structure is easily deformed at the outer peripheral portion of the clad.
- the stress is not stable at the outer periphery of the clad (the stress applied along the outer periphery of the clad is not constant), and it is not relative to the central axis (fiber axis) of the optical fiber. Cracks may run vertically. Such non-flattening of the end face also causes fusion splicing loss.
- the rotation angle is such that the core arrangements of the two optical fibers are oriented in the same direction by rotating each of the two optical fibers to be connected around the fiber axis. Are aligned. At that time, there is also a problem that the larger the pitch between the centers of the two cores, the larger the misalignment of the cores due to the rotation angle error.
- Non-Patent Document 3 if the pitch between the centers of the two cores is reduced in order to reduce the fusion splicing loss, the crosstalk between the cores increases as disclosed in Non-Patent Document 3 above.
- pure silica glass or fluorine is as low as 3000 ppm or less in order to realize low transmission loss. It is necessary to utilize silica glass added at a concentration, but in this case, the refractive index of the core becomes low.
- the present disclosure has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and provides an MCF having a structure for simultaneously realizing low transmission loss, low fusion splicing loss, and low core-to-core crosstalk.
- the purpose is.
- the MCF (multi-core optical fiber) of the present disclosure includes a plurality of cores, a common clad, and a resin coating as one embodiment thereof.
- Each of the plurality of cores is made of silica glass.
- the common clad consists of silica glass and surrounds multiple cores.
- the common clad has a refractive index lower than the refractive index of each of the plurality of cores.
- the resin coating surrounds the common clad.
- each of the plurality of cores contains at least 10000 ppm or more of chlorine in at least a part thereof. With this configuration, it is possible to achieve both low transmission loss and low core-to-core crosstalk.
- the chlorine concentration is preferably 2000 ppm or less at the core-clad boundary between each of the plurality of cores and the common clad. Further, in the transition region including the core-clad boundary among each of the plurality of cores, it is preferable that the chlorine concentration continuously decreases in the direction away from the center of gravity of the refractive index of each of the plurality of cores. In this case, the generation of bubbles is suppressed, and the productivity of the base material and the fiber can be improved.
- the common clad contains fluorine. Further, in the connection region of the common clad, the concentration of fluorine is preferably 7500 ppm or less. Further, it is preferable that the concentration of fluorine continuously decreases toward the center of gravity of the refractive index of each of the plurality of cores. In this case, low core-to-core crosstalk can be achieved.
- the concentration of fluorine at the core-clad boundary is preferably 11000 ppm or less. In this case, the generation of bubbles is suppressed, and the productivity of the base material and the fiber can be improved.
- the common clad may include a first common clad that directly surrounds each of a plurality of cores, and a second common clad that surrounds the first common clad.
- the average concentration of fluorine in the first common clad is preferably 900 ppm or more higher than the average concentration of fluorine in the second common clad. In this case, the residual tensile tension in each core is suppressed, and a low transmission loss and a high specific refractive index difference can be realized.
- the MCF may include two cores as a plurality of cores.
- the core-to-core pitch in these two cores is 30 ⁇ m or more and 45 ⁇ m or less
- the outer diameter of the first common clad is 60 ⁇ m or more and 85 ⁇ m or less
- the outer diameter of the second common clad is 124 ⁇ m or more and 126 ⁇ m or less. Is preferable. In this case, the residual tensile tension in each core is suppressed, and a low transmission loss, a high specific refractive index difference, and a lower fusion splicing loss can be realized.
- the crosstalk between cores in the two cores is preferably -30 dB / 100 km or more and -18 dB / 100 km or less at a wavelength of 1550 nm. In this case, long-distance large-capacity transmission can be realized.
- ⁇ ⁇ 0 + ( ⁇ 1- ⁇ 0) ⁇ ((r ⁇ r0) / (r1-r0)) ⁇ 01 ...
- ⁇ value an exponent in the region.
- C The "concentration" of the substance added to the silica glass shall be expressed in terms of mass concentration unless otherwise specified.
- the concentration of the additive substance in the silica glass is expressed by the ratio of the weight of the substance added in the specific region to the weight of the silica glass in the specific region.
- D In MCF, "crosstalk between cores when propagating in the same direction” is incident on one core located at one end of the MCF, and other than the MCF with respect to the power of light emitted from the other end of the same core. Shows the ratio of the power of light emitted from one of the other cores located at the end.
- E In MCF, "crosstalk between cores when propagating in opposition” is incident on one core located at one end of the MCF and is located at the same end with respect to the power of light emitted from the other end of the same core.
- inter-core crosstalk Shows the ratio of the power of light emitted from one of the other cores.
- inter-core crosstalk when it is simply referred to as "inter-core crosstalk" in this specification, it means inter-core crosstalk when propagating in the same direction.
- core-to-core pitch The pitch between two cores (hereinafter referred to as "core-to-core pitch”) is defined as the distance between the centers of gravity of the refractive index of each core.
- the center of gravity (X, Y) of the refractive index in a certain region S is the position of the center of gravity weighted by the refractive index n (x, y) in the region: Means.
- the “non-circular state” of the cross section of the clad or the like (defined on the plane orthogonal to the fiber axis corresponding to the central axis of the optical fiber) is the following equation (3) :. 2 x (major diameter-minor diameter) / (major diameter + minor diameter) ... (3) Defined in.
- the “transition region” is a region defined on a cross section of an optical fiber, and is a region having a width of 1 ⁇ m or more and 5 ⁇ m or less including a core-clad boundary between each core and a clad in each of a plurality of cores. ..
- connection zone is a region defined on the cross section of the optical fiber, which constitutes a part of the clad surrounding each core and has a width of 0 in which the clad is in direct contact with each core. It is a region of 5.5 ⁇ m or more and 2.5 ⁇ m or less.
- FIG. 1 shows MCF1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
- the MCF 1 includes a glass fiber 100 extending along the central axis (fiber axis) AX, a first coating 30 surrounding the outer periphery of the glass fiber 100, and a second coating 40 surrounding the outer periphery of the first coating 30. ..
- the glass fiber 100 includes two cores 10a and 10b extending along the central axis AX, respectively, and a common clad 20 surrounding the two cores 10a and 10b.
- the common clad 20 is composed of a first common clad 20a (inner clad) that directly surrounds the two cores 10a and 10b, and a second common clad 20b (outer clad) that surrounds the first common clad 20a. Has been done.
- the two cores 10a and 10b and the common clad 20 are all made of silica glass and may contain halogen elements such as chlorine element (Cl), fluorine element (F) and bromine element (Br).
- Each of the two cores 10a and 10b contains Cl having a concentration of 10000 ppm or more, and thus has a specific refractive index difference of 0.10% or more with respect to pure silica glass. More preferably, each of the cores 10a and 10b contains Cl of 15,000 ppm or more and has a specific refractive index difference of 0.15% or more. More preferably, each of the cores 10a and 10b contains Cl of 20000 ppm or more and has a specific refractive index difference of 0.20% or more.
- each of the cores 10a and 10b is 30,000 ppm or less, whereby the generation of bubbles in the optical fiber manufacturing process is suppressed (as a result, highly productive optical fiber can be manufactured).
- each of the cores 10a and 10b may contain one or more elements from F and Br in addition to Cl, and it is preferable from the viewpoint of manufacturability to reduce the viscosity of each of the cores 10a and 10b. ..
- the common clad 20 has a refractive index lower than any of the refractive indexes of the cores 10a and 10b, and has a width of 10 ⁇ m with the core-clad boundary (the boundary between each of the cores 10a and 10b and the common clad 20) as the inner circumference.
- the region has a specific refractive index difference of ⁇ 0.50% or more and ⁇ 0.20% or less with respect to the refractive index of each of the cores 10a and 10b.
- the common clad 20 is made of pure or F-containing silica glass.
- the F concentration is 0 ppm or more and 11000 ppm or less, and thus has a specific refractive index difference of ⁇ 0.36% or more and 0% or less with respect to the refractive index of pure silica glass. More preferably, the F concentration is 0 ppm or more and 7500 ppm or less, thereby having a specific refractive index difference of ⁇ 0.25% or more and 0% or less. According to the above configuration, the F concentration in the cladding can be significantly reduced as compared with the two-core fiber of Non-Patent Document 3, and the transmission loss and the manufacturing cost of the optical fiber can be reduced.
- each of the cores 10a and 10b has a diameter of 6 ⁇ m or more and 16 ⁇ m or less, thereby having a cable cutoff wavelength of a wavelength of 1530 nm or less. More preferably, each of the cores 10a and 10b has a cable cutoff wavelength of 1480 nm or less.
- the outer diameter of the common clad 20 is preferably a standard outer diameter of 124 ⁇ m or more and 126 ⁇ m or less.
- the non-circular state of the cross section of the common clad 20 may be 0.1% or more and 2.0% or less, and the non-circular state where the cross section of the common clad 20 is not 0% causes rotation for fusion splicing. It is possible to improve the measurement accuracy of the rotation angle when aligning. More preferably, the non-circular state of the cross section of the common clad 20 is 0.2% or more and 1.0% or less.
- the first coating 30 and the second coating 40 are made of a urethane acrylate-based ultraviolet curable resin.
- the first coating preferably has a thickness of 15 ⁇ m or more and 40 ⁇ m or less and an elastic modulus of 0.05 MPa or more and 0.5 MPa or less.
- the second coating 40 preferably has a thickness of 15 ⁇ m or more and 40 ⁇ m or less, and has an elastic modulus of 500 MPa or more and 2000 MPa or less.
- FIG. 2 shows the cross-sectional structure, Cl concentration, F concentration, and refractive index profile of the glass fiber 100A (corresponding to the glass fiber 100 in FIG. 1) contained in the MCF according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure.
- the Cl concentration is indicated by [Cl]
- [Cl] 0 indicates the maximum Cl concentration of the cores 10a and 10b
- [Cl] 1 indicates the Cl concentration at the core-clad boundary.
- the F concentration is indicated by [F]
- [F] 1 is the maximum F concentration in the first common clad 20a of the common clad
- [F] 2 is the average F concentration in the second common clad 20b of the common clad 20.
- [F] 10 indicates the F concentration at the core-clad boundary.
- the refractive index profile is defined by the specific refractive index difference of each part on the line L1 passing through the central axis AX in the cross section of the glass fiber 100A, ⁇ 0 is the maximum specific refractive index difference of the cores 10a and 10b, and ⁇ 1 is the first.
- the minimum specific refractive index difference in the common clad 20a and ⁇ 2 are the average specific refractive index differences in the second common clad 20b.
- the two cores may be arranged on the axis of symmetry to maximize the distance to the outer edge of the clad to reduce transmission loss, but by arranging them offset from the axis of symmetry, the angle of rotation at the time of centering You may increase the accuracy of.
- the cross-sectional structure of the glass fiber 100A shown in FIG. 2 substantially matches the cross-sectional structure of the glass fiber 100 shown in FIG. 1, P1 is the pitch between cores, and P2 is the first common cladding.
- the outer diameter of 20a and P3 indicate the outer diameter of the second common clad 20b, respectively.
- the Cl concentration [Cl] forms a substantially flat concentration distribution at the concentration [Cl] 0 at the center of each of the cores 10a and 10b. It continuously decreases to a concentration of [Cl] 1 at the core-clad boundary.
- the upper limit of the concentration [Cl] 0 is 10,000 ppm, and ⁇ 0 is 0.10%.
- the upper limit of the concentration [Cl] 0 is 15000 ppm, and ⁇ 0 is 0.15%.
- the upper limit of the concentration [Cl] 0 is 20000 ppm, and ⁇ 0 is 0.20%.
- the upper limit of the concentration [Cl] 1 is 2000 ppm, and ⁇ 1 is 0.02%.
- the upper limit of the concentration [Cl] 1 is 1000 ppm, and ⁇ 1 is 0.01%. More preferably, the upper limit of the concentration [Cl] 1 is 0 ppm, and ⁇ 1 is 0%.
- the core having the Cl concentration distribution as described above is used when sintering a glass steam body manufactured by the VAD (Vapor-phase Axial Deposition) method or the OVD (Outside Vapor Deposition) method in a chlorine-based gas atmosphere such as Cl2 or SiCl4. It can be realized by increasing the specific surface area of the soot body and increasing the partial pressure of the chlorine-based gas at the time of sintering equal to or several times the atmospheric pressure. In particular, in a hollow soot body manufactured by the OVD method, it is preferable to form a Cl concentration distribution that decreases toward the outer periphery by increasing the chlorine-based gas concentration in the hollow portion from the outer peripheral portion.
- the ⁇ value when the distribution of the specific refractive index difference due to the addition of Cl is approximated by the above equation (2) for the entire core is preferably 50 or less, more preferably 20 or less.
- the ⁇ value when the refractive index distribution is approximated by the above equation (2) for the entire core is preferably 3 or more, and more preferably 5 or more.
- the core-to-core pitch is 45 ⁇ m, preferably 40 ⁇ m, more preferably 35 ⁇ m, and even more preferably 30 ⁇ m.
- the flatness of the end face at the time of fiber cutting is lowered due to the unstable stress in the vicinity of the outer periphery of the clad, but according to the present embodiment, the deterioration of the flatness of the core can be effectively suppressed. Further, the core position shift due to the adjustment error of the rotation angle is also reduced. As a result, the fusion splicing loss is suppressed to 0.10 dB or less, preferably 0.08 dB or less, more preferably 0.06 dB or less, still more preferably 0.04 dB or less.
- Pure silica glass or F having a concentration [F] 1 is added to the first common clad 20a, whereby the difference in the specific refractive index with respect to pure silica becomes ⁇ 1.
- F having a concentration of [F] 2 is added to the second common clad 20b, and the difference in the specific refractive index with respect to pure silica is ⁇ 2.
- the F concentration [F] in the first common clad 20a is continuous along the direction approaching the core in a region having a width of 0.5 ⁇ m or more and 2.5 ⁇ m or less (connection region of the common clad 20) in direct contact with each core.
- the concentration decreases to 10 and decreases to ⁇ 10 (not shown, but the difference in the specific refractive index at the core-clad boundary) with respect to pure silica.
- the upper limit of the concentration [F] 1 is 11000 ppm, and as a result, ⁇ 1 is ⁇ 0.36%.
- the upper limit of the concentration [F] 1 is 7500 ppm, and ⁇ 1 is ⁇ 0.25%. More preferably, the upper limit of the concentration [F] 1 is 0, and ⁇ 1 is also 0.
- the upper limit of the concentration [F] 10 is 7500 ppm, and preferably the upper limit of the concentration [F] 10 is 5000 ppm.
- the lower limit of [F] 1- [F] 10 is 1500 ppm, and as a result, ⁇ 1- ⁇ 10 is ⁇ 0.05%.
- the lower limit of [F] 1- [F] 10 is 3000 ppm, and as a result, ⁇ 1- ⁇ 10 is ⁇ 0.10%.
- the upper limit of the concentration [F] 10 is 0 ppm.
- the connection region (the region having a width of 0.5 ⁇ m or more and 2.5 ⁇ m or less and in contact with each core) is important because it has a large influence on the optical characteristics, but the average in this connection region is important.
- the lower limit of ⁇ 0 ⁇ ⁇ 1 avg is 0.36%, where the difference in the specific refractive index is ⁇ 1 avg. More preferably, the lower limit of ⁇ 0 ⁇ 1avg is 0.32%. More preferably, the lower limit of ⁇ 0 ⁇ 1avg is 0.28%.
- the outer diameter of each of the cores 10a and 10b is preferably 6 ⁇ m or more and 16 ⁇ m or less.
- each of the cores 10a and 10b makes it possible for each of the cores 10a and 10b to have a cable cutoff wavelength of 1530 nm or less and to maintain compatibility with existing submarine cable systems. More preferably, the outside of each of the cores 10a and 10b is 6 ⁇ m or more and 14 ⁇ m or less. As a result, each of the cores 10a and 10b has a cable cutoff wavelength of 1480 nm or less, and it becomes possible to support wavelength division multiplexing transmission in a wider wavelength band.
- the cable cutoff wavelength is preferably 1260 nm or more, whereby the core-to-core crosstalk during codirectional propagation is -18 dB / 100 km or less (corresponding to core-to-core crosstalk during counter-propagation: -42 dB / 100 km or less). It can be suitably used for long-distance transmission. More preferably, the cable cutoff wavelength is 1310 nm or more, which corresponds to core-to-core crosstalk of -20 dB / 100 km or less during codirectional propagation (core-to-core crosstalk during counterpropagation: -44 dB / 100 km or less). ), And can be suitably used for long-distance transmission.
- Concentration [F] 2 is 900 ppm or more lower than concentration [F] 1, and ⁇ 2 is 0.03% or more higher than ⁇ 1.
- the concentration [F] 2 is 1500 ppm or more lower than the concentration [F] 1, and ⁇ 2 is 0.05% or more higher than ⁇ 1. More preferably, the concentration [F] 2 is 3000 ppm or more lower than the concentration [F] 1, and ⁇ 2 is 0.10% or more higher than ⁇ 1.
- the viscosity of the second common clad 20b is increased, and the transmission loss caused by the tensile stress caused by the tension at the time of drawing remaining in each of the cores 10a and 10b is increased and the difference in the relative refractive index between the core and the clad is increased. Can be prevented from decreasing.
- the tensile stress remaining in all the cores is preferably 10 MPa or less, more preferably 0 MPa or less, that is, the compressive stress.
- the outer diameter of the first common clad 20a is 85 ⁇ m or less, preferably 60 ⁇ m or less.
- the area of the second common clad 20b can be sufficiently increased, and the residual stress due to the linear tensile force can be reliably suppressed in the cores 10a and 10b.
- the viscosity of the core is lowered, and by controlling the amount of F added to lower the refractive index of the clad, the tension caused by the tension at the time of drawing is controlled.
- the increase in transmission loss caused by the residual stress remaining in the core can be suppressed, but unlike the above-mentioned Patent Document 1, in the present disclosure, by using a plurality of cores, the number of cores is increased.
- the residual tensile stress can be suppressed more effectively.
- the amount of Cl added to the core required to obtain the same transmission loss can be reduced, whereby the yield due to the generation of bubbles by Cl in the base metal can be reduced.
- the concentration [F] 10 is preferably 70% or less with respect to the concentration [F] 1. More preferably, the concentration [F] 10 is 50% or less with respect to the concentration [F] 1. As a result, the generation of bubbles due to the vaporization of the F compound is suppressed at the core-clad interface, and the base material and the fiber can be manufactured with a high yield.
- FIG. 3 shows the cross-sectional structure, Cl concentration, F concentration, and refractive index profile of the glass fiber 100B (corresponding to the glass fiber 100 in FIG. 1) contained in the MCF according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure.
- the Cl concentration is indicated by [Cl]
- [Cl] 0a is the maximum Cl concentration of the core 10a
- [Cl] 0b is the maximum Cl concentration of the core 10b
- [Cl] 1 is the core-clad boundary.
- the F concentration is indicated by [F]] 1 is the maximum F concentration in the first common clad 20a of the common clad
- [F] 2 is the average F concentration in the second common clad 20b of the common clad 20.
- [F] 10 indicates the F concentration at the core-clad boundary.
- the refractive index profile is defined by the specific refractive index difference of each part on the line L2 passing through the central axis AX in the cross section of the glass fiber 100B, where ⁇ 0a is the maximum specific refractive index difference of the core 10a and ⁇ 0b is the maximum ratio of the core 10a.
- the refractive index difference ⁇ 1 is the minimum specific refractive index difference ⁇ 2 in the first common clad 20a
- the refractive index difference ⁇ 2 is the average specific refractive index difference in the second common clad 20b.
- the cross-sectional structure of the glass fiber 100B shown in FIG. 3 substantially coincides with the cross-sectional structure of the glass fiber 100A shown in FIG. 2, where P1 is the pitch between cores and P2 is the first common.
- the outer diameter of the clad 20a and P3 indicate the outer diameter of the second common clad 20b, respectively.
- the Cl concentration of the core 10a and the Cl concentration of the core 10b are different, and as a result, the difference in the specific refractive index of the core 10a and the difference in the specific refractive index of the core 10b are different.
- the structure of the glass fiber 100B (FIG. 3) and the structure of the glass fiber 100A (FIG. 2) are different.
- the Cl concentration of the core 10a is [Cl] 0a, and the difference in the specific refractive index is ⁇ 0a.
- the Cl concentration of the core 10b is [Cl] 0b, and the difference in the specific refractive index thereof is ⁇ 0b.
- absolute value display
- is 5000 ppm or more, and
- the intercore crosstalk during codirectional propagation is -21 dB / 100 km or less (intercore crosstalk during counterpropagation: -45 dB / 100 km).
- the inter-core crosstalk during co-propagation is -24 dB / 100 km or less (corresponding to inter-core crosstalk during counter-propagation: -48 dB / 100 km or less), which is a long distance and high. It is possible to realize signal-to-noise ratio transmission.
- MCF multi-core optical fiber
- 10a, 10b ... core 20 ... common clad
- 20b ... second common clad outer clad
- 40 ... Second coating (resin coating) 100, 100A, 100B ... Glass fiber.
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Abstract
Description
本願は、2020年10月23日に出願された日本特許出願第2020-177977号による優先権を主張するものであり、その内容に依拠すると共に、その全体を参照して本明細書に組み込む。
発明者らは、上述の従来技術について検討した結果、以下のような課題を発見した。すなわち、上記非特許文献2では、光ファイバの被覆樹脂の外径を従来の250μmから200μmに削減することが手段の一つとして開示されているが、それによる空間密度の改善は高々1.4倍に止まり、そのうえ被覆厚さが削減されることで機械的信頼性が低下する。そのため、非特許文献2に開示された手段によれば、十分な信頼性を担保するための追加コストが生じる可能性がある。
本開示のマルチコア光ファイバによれば、低い伝送損失、低い融着接続損失、および低いコア間クロストークが同時に実現し得る。
最初に本開示の実施形態の内容をそれぞれ個別に列挙して説明する。
以下、本開示の実施形態に係るMCF(マルチコア光ファイバ)の具体例の具体的な構造を、添付図面を参照しながら詳細に説明する。なお、本発明はこれらの例示に限定されるものではなく、請求の範囲によって示され、請求の範囲と均等の意味および範囲内での全ての変更が含まれることが意図される。また、図面の説明において同一の要素には同一符号を付して重複する説明を省略する。
(a)本明細書において、特記する箇所を除いて、ある媒質の屈折率をn、純粋シリカガラスの屈折率をn0とするとき、その媒質の比屈折率差Δは、以下の式(1):
Δ=(n/n0)-1 …(1)
で定義されるものとする。
(b)光ファイバの半径座標をrとし、内半径r0および外半径r1の領域における比屈折率差Δを以下の式(2):
Δ=Δ0+(Δ1-Δ0)×((r-r0)/(r1-r0))α01 …(2)
で近似したとき、α01を当該領域の指数α(以下、「α値」と記す)と言う。ただし、Δ0およびΔ1は、半径r=r0およびr1、すなわち領域の両端における比屈折率差であり、α01は最小二乗法に基づき決められる。
(c)シリカガラスに添加された物質の「濃度」は、特に断らない限り質量濃度で表すものとする。すなわち、シリカガラス内における添加物質の濃度は、特定領域内に添加された物質の重量の、該特定領域内のシリカガラスの重量に対する比で表される。
(d)MCFにおいて「同方向伝搬する際のコア間クロストーク」は、当該MCFの一端に位置する1つのコアに入射され、同じコアの他端から出射する光のパワーに対する、当該MCFの他端に位置する他のコアの1つから出射される光のパワーの比率を示す。
(e)MCFにおいて「対向伝搬する際のコア間クロストーク」は、当該MCFの一端に位置する1つのコアに入射され、同じコアの他端から出射する光のパワーに対する、同じ端に位置する他のコアの1つから出射される光のパワーの比率を示す。なお、本明細書において単に「コア間クロストーク」と記す場合には、同方向伝搬する際のコア間クロストークを意味する。
(f)2つのコア間のピッチ(以下、「コア間ピッチ」と記す)は、それぞれのコアの屈折率重心の間の距離として定義される。なお、ある領域Sの屈折率重心(X,Y)は、その領域内において屈折率n(x,y)で重みづけした重心位置:
(g)クラッド等の断面(光ファイバの中心軸に相当するファイバ軸に直交する面上で定義)の「非円状態」は、以下の式(3):
2×(長径―短径)/(長径+短径) …(3)
で定義される。
(h)「遷移領域」は、光ファイバの断面上で定義される領域であって、複数のコアそれぞれにおいて、各コアとクラッドとのコア-クラッド境界を含む幅1μm以上5μm以下の領域である。
(i)「接続領域」は、光ファイバの断面上で定義される領域であって、各コアと包囲するクラッドの一部を構成し、当該クラッドのうち各コアに直接接触している幅0.5μm以上2.5μm以下の領域である。
図1は、本開示の実施形態に係るMCF1を示す。MCF1は、中心軸(ファイバ軸)AXに沿って延びるガラスファイバ100と、該ガラスファイバ100の外周を取り囲む第1被覆30と、該第1被覆30の外周を取り囲む第2被覆40と、を備える。ガラスファイバ100は、中心軸AXに沿ってそれぞれ延びる2つのコア10a、10bと、2つのコア10a、10bを包囲する共通クラッド20と、を備える。また、共通クラッド20は、2つのコア10a、10bを直接包囲する第1共通クラッド20a(内側クラッド)と、該第1共通クラッド20aを包囲する第2共通クラッド20b(外側クラッド)と、により構成されている。
Claims (7)
- シリカガラスからなる複数のコアと、
シリカガラスからなるとともに前記複数のコアを包囲した共通クラッドであって、前記複数のコアそれぞれの屈折率より低い屈折率を有する共通クラッドと、
前記共通クラッドを包囲した樹脂被覆と、
を備え、
前記複数のコアそれぞれは、少なくともその一部において10000ppm以上の塩素を含有する、
マルチコア光ファイバ。 - 前記複数のコアそれぞれと前記共通クラッドとのコア-クラッド境界において、前記塩素の濃度は2000ppm以下であり、
前記複数のコアそれぞれのうち前記コア-クラッド境界を含む幅1μm以上5μm以下の遷移領域において、前記塩素の濃度は、前記複数のコアそれぞれの屈折率重心から遠ざかる方向に向かって連続的に減少している、
請求項1に記載のマルチコア光ファイバ。 - 前記共通クラッドはフッ素を含み、
前記共通クラッドのうち前記複数のコアそれぞれに直接接触している幅0.5μm以上2.5μm以下の接続領域において、前記フッ素の濃度は、前記複数のコアそれぞれの屈折率重心に近づく方向に向かって連続的に減少している、
請求項1に記載のマルチコア光ファイバ。 - 前記複数のコアそれぞれと前記共通クラッドとのコア-クラッド境界において、前記フッ素の濃度は11000ppm以下である、
請求項3に記載のマルチコア光ファイバ。 - 前記共通クラッドは、前記複数のコアそれぞれを直接包囲した第1共通クラッドと、前記第1共通クラッドを包囲する第2共通クラッドと、を備え、
前記第1共通クラッドにおける前記フッ素の平均濃度は、前記第2共通クラッドにおける前記フッ素の平均濃度よりも、900ppm以上大きい、
請求項3に記載のマルチコア光ファイバ。 - 前記複数のコアとして、2つのコアを含み、
前記2つのコアにおけるコア間ピッチは、30μm以上45μm以下であり、
前記第1共通クラッドの外径は、60μm以上85μm以下であり、
前記第2共通クラッドの外径は、124μm以上126μm以下である、
請求項5に記載のマルチコア光ファイバ。 - 前記2つのコアにおける同方向伝搬の際のコア間クロストークは、波長1550nmにおいて-30dB/100km以上-18dB/100km以下である、
請求項6に記載のマルチコア光ファイバ。
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| CN202180070800.9A CN116368105B (zh) | 2020-10-23 | 2021-10-13 | 多芯光纤 |
| EP21882675.8A EP4234507A4 (en) | 2020-10-23 | 2021-10-13 | MULTI-CORE OPTICAL FIBER |
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