Ultrafine single optical fiber packaging method and device based on micro-fluidic precise glue injection

Abstract

The invention discloses a superfine single optical fiber packaging method and device based on micro-fluidic precise glue injection, an integrated universal fixing clamp with a self-adaptive adjustment function is adopted, precise clamping of an optical fiber with the diameter of 50-200 microns can be compatible, the flow rate of micro glue is precisely controlled through a micro-fluidic chip, a single-hole glue injection channel is designed, and the micro-fluidic chip is used for accurately controlling the flow rate of the micro glue. The glue injection precision is improved to + / -3 [mu] m, and the common problems of glue leakage, optical fiber microbend damage, air gap defects and the like in the traditional glue injection process are effectively avoided. The method is suitable for industrial packaging of precision sensors such as submillimeter fiber gratings, fiber-optic gyroscopes and the like, and has the characteristic of high repeated positioning precision.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention belongs to the field of optical fiber packaging technology, and specifically relates to a glue injection packaging method for the end face or connection area of an ultra-fine single optical fiber (diameter ≤ 20μm). The method is suitable for scenarios such as optical fiber sensors and laser coupling packaging, and solves the problems of uneven glue layer, easy damage to optical fiber and low packaging accuracy in traditional glue injection processes. Background Art

[0002] Ultra-fine single optical fibers are widely used in fields such as fiber-optic sensing and optical communications due to their unique optical properties and size advantages. However, due to their tiny diameter and fragile structure, ultra-fine single optical fibers are easily affected by external environmental factors (such as mechanical stress, humidity, and temperature), which can lead to optical performance degradation or even fiber damage. Therefore, they require encapsulation and protection.

[0003] Traditional fiber optic packaging methods, such as manual coating and mechanical extrusion packaging, have numerous drawbacks. Manual coating makes it difficult to precisely control the amount and distribution of the adhesive, which can easily result in uneven adhesive layer thickness, impacting the optical and mechanical properties of the fiber. Mechanical extrusion packaging also makes it difficult to precisely control the applied pressure, potentially damaging the ultrafine single fiber and reducing its service life. Furthermore, with the increasing demands for precision and efficiency in ultrafine single-fiber packaging, traditional methods are no longer able to meet the demands of modern industrial production.

[0004] Microfluidics, a technology for manipulating fluids at the micrometer scale, offers unique advantages in precise fluid control. However, the application of microfluidics in the field of ultra-thin single optical fiber packaging currently lacks mature, efficient, and quality-assured methods and devices, hindering the full potential of microfluidics in optical fiber packaging. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The purpose of the present invention is to provide an ultra-fine single optical fiber packaging method and device based on microfluidic precise glue injection, which realizes precise control of the glue liquid through microfluidic technology, solves the problems of uneven glue distribution and easy damage to optical fiber in traditional packaging methods, improves the accuracy and quality of ultra-fine single optical fiber packaging, and meets the application requirements of optical fiber sensing, optical communication and other fields.

[0006] Technical Solution A method for packaging ultra-fine single optical fibers based on microfluidic precision glue injection, the specific steps are as follows: 1. Preparation: Select the ultra-fine single optical fiber to be encapsulated, clean its surface with an alcohol cotton ball to remove surface impurities and contaminants; prepare an encapsulation glue liquid that is compatible with the ultra-fine single optical fiber, and the encapsulation glue liquid has good optical transparency, mechanical strength and environmental resistance; build a microfluidic glue injection device, including components such as a microfluidic control system (9), a glue storage container (4) and an optical fiber fixing clamp (5), and perform a sealing inspection and debugging on the device to ensure its normal operation.

[0007] 2. Fiber fixation: Place the cleaned ultra-fine single optical fiber on the optical fiber fixing fixture (5) so that the axis of the optical fiber is aligned with the axis of the glue injection channel of the microfluidic chip to ensure that the glue can be evenly wrapped on the surface of the optical fiber.

[0008] 3. Glue filling: Inject the encapsulated glue into the glue storage container (4), and adjust the pressure applied to the glue storage container through the microfluidic control system (9) so that the glue flows into the glue injection head (3) at a stable flow rate; control the pressure so that the glue forms a laminar flow state in the glue injection channel to avoid turbulence that may impact the optical fiber.

[0009] 4. Precise glue injection and packaging: When the glue liquid fills the glue injection channel, the pressure is further precisely adjusted through the microfluidic control system (9) so that the glue liquid is squeezed out from the glue injection port of the microfluidic chip evenly and stably and wrapped on the surface of the ultra-fine single optical fiber; the glue injection speed and injection time are controlled, and the glue layer thickness is precisely controlled according to the packaging requirements; during the glue injection process, the distribution of the glue liquid on the optical fiber surface is observed in real time. If problems such as uneven glue distribution occur, the control system parameters are adjusted in time for correction.

[0010] 5. Curing treatment: After the glue injection is completed, the packaged ultra-fine single optical fiber is transferred together with the optical fiber fixing fixture (5) to the curing equipment. According to the curing requirements of the packaging glue, the appropriate curing parameters such as temperature and time are set to cure the glue layer; after the curing is completed, the packaged ultra-fine single optical fiber is taken out to complete the packaging process.

[0011] An ultra-fine single optical fiber packaging device based on microfluidic precision glue injection for the above method comprises: Microfluidic glue injection system (9): The microfluidic precision glue injection device is provided with a microfluidic chip, a glue storage container (4) and a glue injection head (3). The shape and size of the glue injection channel are designed according to the diameter and packaging requirements of the ultrafine single optical fiber, and can guide the glue to flow evenly to the glue injection port; the size of the glue injection head (3) is adapted to the ultrafine single optical fiber to ensure that the glue can be smoothly wrapped on the surface of the optical fiber.

[0012] Glue storage container (4): used to store encapsulated glue, which is connected to the glue injection channel of the microfluidic chip through a pipeline, and a sealing device is provided at the connection to prevent glue leakage; a liquid level observation window is provided on the glue storage container to facilitate real-time observation of the remaining amount of glue.

[0013] Optical fiber fixing clamp (5): comprising a fixing base (7) and a clamp body, wherein the fixing base is used to support and fix the ultra-fine single optical fiber; the clamp body adopts an elastic clamp structure to ensure that the optical fiber is firmly fixed and does not cause damage to the optical fiber. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] Figure 1 : The overall structure of the microfluidic precision injection packaging device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0015] The present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to specific examples, but the embodiments of the present invention are not limited thereto.

[0016] Example 1 Preparation: Select an ultra-fine single optical fiber with a diameter of 9 microns and carefully wipe its surface with an alcohol cotton ball to clean it. Prepare an epoxy resin glue with good optical transparency and high mechanical strength as the encapsulation glue. Build a microfluidic precision glue injection device and conduct a comprehensive sealing inspection and debugging of the device to ensure that there are no leaks and it operates normally.

[0017] Fiber fixation: Place the cleaned ultra-fine single optical fiber on the fixed base of the optical fiber fixing fixture so that the axis of the optical fiber is completely aligned with the axis of the microfluidic chip injection channel.

[0018] Glue filling: Inject epoxy resin glue into the glue storage container, start the control switch, and use the microfluidic glue injection system to make the glue flow into the glue injection head at a stable flow rate. It is observed that the glue is in a laminar flow state in the glue injection channel.

[0019] Precise glue injection and packaging: The glue is further evenly squeezed out from the glue injection port and wrapped around the surface of the ultra-fine single optical fiber. The glue injection speed is controlled at 0.08 ml / min and the injection time is 2 minutes. The glue distribution is observed in real time to ensure a uniform glue layer. No uneven glue distribution problem occurred during the process, and no parameter adjustment was required.

[0020] Curing treatment: After the glue injection is completed, the packaged ultra-fine single optical fiber together with the optical fiber fixing fixture is transferred to a constant temperature curing box, the temperature is set to 80°C, and the curing time is 2 hours to complete the curing of the glue layer. After the curing is completed, the packaged ultra-fine single optical fiber is taken out and tested. The glue layer thickness is uniform, the optical fiber is not damaged, and the packaging quality is good.

[0021] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions and improvements made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included in the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A method and device for encapsulating ultra-fine single optical fiber by glue injection, characterized in that It includes an ultra-fine single optical fiber (1), a glue injection hole (2), a glue injection head (3), a glue storage container (4), an optical fiber fixing fixture (5), a base (7), a support rod (8), and a microfluidic glue injection system (9); The ultra-fine single optical fiber (1) is a target element to be packaged and is fixed in the metal tube; the glue injection hole (2) is a hole opened in the side wall of the metal tube for injecting glue; The glue injection head (3) is used to accurately deliver glue to key components in the glue injection area; Among them, the glue storage container (4) is connected to the glue injection head and the microfluidic glue supply system to ensure stable glue transmission; The optical fiber fixing fixture (5) fixes the ultra-fine single optical fiber to ensure its position accuracy during the packaging process; The base (7) serves as the basic supporting structure of the entire device and provides stability; Among them, the support rod (8) supports and fixes the related components of the glue injection head to ensure the accuracy of the glue injection position; Among them, the microfluidic injection system (9) is a system for controlling the injection of glue.

2. The optical fiber fixing seat according to claim 1, characterized in that It can be easily disassembled and is compatible with customized welding machines and cutting machines.

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