Optical splicer, optical module, and method of producing optical splicer

Abstract

An optical splicer 2 according to an embodiment of the present invention has a plurality of optical fibers 6 , and an optical splice member 8 having a plurality of fiber holes 14 in each of which a portion including one end 6 a of each fiber 6 is inserted, and a mode field diameter W 1 in one end 6 a of optical fiber 6 is enlarged relative to a mode field diameter W 2 in the other portion of optical fiber 6.

1 . An optical splicer comprising: 
 a plurality of optical fibers; and    an optical splice member having a plurality of fiber holes in each of which a portion including one end of each optical fiber is inserted;    wherein a mode field diameter in the one ends of the optical fibers is enlarged relative to a mode field diameter in the other portions of the optical fibers.    
   
   
       2 . The optical splicer according to  claim 1 , wherein the portions including the one ends of two optical fibers are inserted in each of the fiber holes so as to face each other from both sides of the optical splice member and wherein a space between end faces of the two optical fibers facing each other in the fiber holes is filled with an adhesive having a refractive index matched with a refractive index of cores of the optical fibers.  
   
   
       3 . The optical splicer according to  claim 2 , wherein the adhesive is an ultraviolet-curable adhesive and wherein the optical splice member is made of a material that transmits ultraviolet light.  
   
   
       4 . The optical splicer according to  claim 1 , wherein the portions including the one ends of the optical fibers are inserted in the fiber holes from only one side of the optical splice member and wherein end faces of the optical fibers are covered by an adhesive in the fiber holes.  
   
   
       5 . The optical splicer according to  claim 4 , wherein the adhesive is an ultraviolet-curable adhesive and wherein the optical splice member is made of a material that transmits ultraviolet light.  
   
   
       6 . The optical splicer according to  claim 1 , wherein the optical splice member comprises a substrate having guide grooves for guiding the one ends of the optical fibers, and a retainer mounted on the substrate, for retaining the portions including the one ends of the optical fibers, against the substrate, and 
 wherein the fiber holes are formed by the guide grooves and the retainer.    
   
   
       7 . The optical splicer according to  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of optical fibers is comprised of an optical fiber ribbon of multiple fibers, and 
 wherein the portions including the one ends of the optical fibers are a part exposed by removing a coating of the optical fiber ribbon.    
   
   
       8 . An optical module comprising: 
 the optical splicer as set forth in  claim 1;  and    at least one optical device having an optical waveguide optically connected to the other end of each optical fiber.    
   
   
       9 . A method of producing an optical splicer, the method comprising: 
 a step of removing a part of a coating of an optical fiber ribbon of multiple fibers to expose a plurality of optical fibers;    a step of enlarging a mode field diameter of the optical fibers;    a step of cutting portions with the enlarged mode field diameter in the optical fibers; and    a step of inserting the optical fibers into fiber holes of an optical splice member, after the step of cutting the optical fibers.