A multi-core fiber array and a method for aligning the same

Abstract

This invention provides a multi-core fiber array and its alignment method. The method includes the following steps: placing each multi-core fiber in a slot on a substrate; adjusting the relative positions of the substrate, collimating lens array, and position-sensitive photodetector so that when light passes through the multi-core fiber, it passes through the collimating lens array and the position-sensitive photodetector acquires a corresponding light spot pattern; and rotating the multi-core fiber based on the light spot pattern to ensure that all multi-core fibers are arranged uniformly. This invention uses a position-sensitive photodetector to sequentially detect and calibrate the core position of each light-passing multi-core fiber, presents the corresponding light spot pattern on a computer imaging end, and then rotates each multi-core fiber until the core arrangement is uniform. This achieves a simple, high-precision, and low-cost arrangement of multi-core fiber arrays with a wide range of applications.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of optical communication technology, specifically to a multi-core fiber array and its alignment method. Background Technology

[0002] An optical fiber array is an optical device formed by arranging and fixing optical fibers at a certain spacing, serving as a channel for light to enter and exit the optical device. Multi-core optical fibers consist of multiple fiber cores covered by a common cladding, which increases the signal transmission capacity compared to single-core optical fibers with only one core.

[0003] When fabricating a multi-core fiber array using multi-core optical fibers, it is necessary to ensure that the cores of different multi-core optical fibers are aligned in the desired direction.

[0004] One existing approach involves designing the cladding in a barrel shape, which rotates under the action of a pressing component to precisely match a specially designed trapezoidal groove, achieving accurate alignment of the multi-core fiber array. However, this method places stringent requirements on the processing precision of the fiber and the groove, and is incompatible with standard round fibers, thus limiting its application scenarios. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The primary objective of this invention is to provide a method for aligning and arranging multi-core fiber arrays, thereby addressing the issues of stringent processing precision requirements and limited application scenarios.

[0006] A second objective of this invention is to provide a multi-core fiber array based on the above-described alignment method for multi-core fiber arrays.

[0007] To achieve the aforementioned first objective, the present invention provides an alignment method for a multi-core fiber array, comprising the following steps: placing each multi-core fiber in a slot on a substrate; adjusting the relative positions of the substrate, collimating lens array, and position-sensitive photodetector so that when light passes through the multi-core fiber, it passes through the collimating lens array and acquires a corresponding light spot pattern on the position-sensitive photodetector; in the light spot pattern, one light spot corresponds to one core of the multi-core fiber; rotating the multi-core fiber in conjunction with the corresponding light spot pattern to ensure that all multi-core fibers are arranged uniformly; wherein, the multi-core fiber... When rotating a multi-core fiber in conjunction with its corresponding spot pattern, a reference multi-core fiber is determined from among the multiple multi-core fibers. This reference multi-core fiber is then rotated so that the auxiliary line passing through at least two spot centers in the spot pattern corresponding to the reference multi-core fiber forms a preset angle with the horizontal direction. The reference multi-core fiber is then fixed with adhesive. Using the reference multi-core fiber as a reference, the remaining multi-core fibers are rotated sequentially until the auxiliary lines corresponding to the remaining multi-core fibers are parallel to the auxiliary lines of the reference multi-core fiber. This ensures that each multi-core fiber is aligned with the set spot core line, resulting in a consistent arrangement of all multi-core fibers.

[0008] As can be seen from the above scheme, this invention uses a position-sensitive photodetector to sequentially detect and calibrate the core position of each light-transmitting multi-core optical fiber, presenting the corresponding light spot pattern on a computer. On the light spot pattern, the cores of the remaining multi-core optical fibers are adjusted using auxiliary straight lines from defined reference multi-core optical fibers, ensuring that the cores of all reference multi-core optical fibers are consistent. This invention enables the arrangement of multi-core optical fiber arrays with simple processes, high precision, and low cost. Furthermore, compared to existing solutions, this invention does not require the fabrication of specially made cladding and trapezoidal grooves; it can be implemented directly using common circular optical fibers and V-groove substrates, thus having a wide range of applications.

[0009] A further approach involves adjusting the relative positions of the substrate, collimating lens array, and position-sensitive photodetector, including a coarse adjustment process and a fine adjustment process. The coarse adjustment process includes aligning the light-transmitting surfaces of the fiber bundles on the substrate, the collimating lens array, and the light-receiving surfaces of the position-sensitive photodetector to be parallel with adjacent spacing not exceeding a preset distance. The fine adjustment process includes activating the light source output so that the light spot corresponding to each multi-core fiber is observed on the light-receiving surface of the position-sensitive photodetector, and the position of the light spot observed on the light-receiving surface of the position-sensitive photodetector remains unchanged when the light-receiving surface of the position-sensitive photodetector is moved along the light transmission direction.

[0010] Therefore, by coarse adjustment followed by fine adjustment, the accurate acquisition of the spot pattern of the multi-core optical core can be ensured, thereby improving the efficiency of overall alignment and arrangement.

[0011] A further approach involves further fine-tuning the process by sequentially transmitting light through each multi-core fiber and adjusting the light-receiving surfaces of the collimating lens array and the position-sensitive photodetector, so that the light spot pattern corresponding to each multi-core fiber acquired by the position-sensitive photodetector presents a preset shape.

[0012] This demonstrates that it is possible to ensure that the light-transmitting surfaces of each multi-core optical fiber, the collimating lens array, and the light-receiving surfaces of the position-sensitive photodetector are parallel.

[0013] A further proposed solution is to make the core line of the light spot a straight line parallel to the horizontal direction.

[0014] A further approach is to determine the core line of the light spot by connecting the first preset light spot center in the light spot diagram corresponding to the multi-core fiber with the second preset light spot center of another multi-core fiber.

[0015] Therefore, it is convenient and intuitive to determine whether the core of different multi-core optical fibers has shifted in the vertical direction.

[0016] A further approach is to use a multi-core fiber as the reference multi-core fiber, specifically the multi-core fiber at the edge of a multi-core fiber.

[0017] Therefore, it is possible to conveniently set up the spot core line starting from the reference multi-core fiber.

[0018] A further approach is to use a four-core fiber as the multi-core fiber. A reference multi-core fiber is determined from the multiple multi-core fibers, and the reference multi-core fiber is rotated such that, in the light spot pattern corresponding to the reference multi-core fiber, the auxiliary line passing through at least two light spot centers and the center of the light spot pattern forms a preset angle with the horizontal direction. This includes: in the light spot pattern corresponding to the reference multi-core fiber, connecting the upper left light spot center with the lower right light spot center to obtain the auxiliary line corresponding to the reference multi-core fiber. The auxiliary line corresponding to the reference multi-core fiber passes through the center of the light spot pattern corresponding to the reference multi-core fiber and forms a 45° or 135° angle with the horizontal direction.

[0019] A further approach is to use a seven-core fiber. A reference multi-core fiber is determined from the multiple multi-core fibers, and the reference multi-core fiber is rotated so that, in the light spot diagram corresponding to the reference multi-core fiber, the auxiliary line passing through at least two light spot centers and having a preset angle with the horizontal direction, is used. This includes connecting the light spot centers in the upper right, center of the light spot diagram, and lower left of the light spot center in the light spot diagram corresponding to the reference multi-core fiber to obtain the auxiliary line corresponding to the reference multi-core fiber. The auxiliary line corresponding to the reference multi-core fiber has an angle of 60° or 120° with the horizontal direction.

[0020] A further option is to use a V-shaped card slot.

[0021] To achieve the second objective mentioned above, the present invention provides a multi-core fiber array, wherein: it includes multiple multi-core fibers, and the cores of different multi-core fibers are aligned according to the alignment arrangement method of the multi-core fiber array described above.

[0022] As can be seen from the above scheme, the multi-core fiber array of the present invention is realized through a simple process and has the advantages of high precision and low cost. Attached Figure Description

[0023] Figure 1 This is a flowchart of the first embodiment of the alignment and arrangement method of the multi-core fiber array of the present invention.

[0024] Figure 2 This is a front view of multiple four-core optical fibers and a V-groove substrate in the first embodiment of the multi-core optical fiber array alignment method of the present invention.

[0025] Figure 3 This is a side view of the fiber bundle, V-groove substrate, collimating lens array, and position-sensitive photodetector in the first embodiment of the multi-core fiber array alignment method of the present invention.

[0026] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the optical spot core line, the optical spot pattern corresponding to each four-core optical fiber, and the auxiliary straight line corresponding to each four-core optical fiber in the first embodiment of the multi-core optical fiber array alignment method of the present invention.

[0027] Figure 5 The first embodiment of the multi-core fiber array alignment method of the present invention shows the front view of each of the four-core fibers and the V-groove substrate after adjustment.

[0028] Figure 6 This is a flowchart of the second embodiment of the alignment and arrangement method of the multi-core fiber array of the present invention.

[0029] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the light spot core line, the light spot pattern corresponding to each seven-core fiber, and the auxiliary straight line corresponding to each seven-core fiber in the second embodiment of the multi-core fiber array alignment method of the present invention.

[0030] Figure 8 The second embodiment of the alignment method for multi-core fiber arrays of the present invention shows the front view of each of the adjusted seven-core fibers and the V-groove substrate.

[0031] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. Detailed Implementation

[0032] The multi-core fiber array and its alignment method of the present invention first place each multi-core fiber in a slot of a substrate, then adjust the relative positions of the substrate, collimating lens array, and position-sensitive photodetector so that when light passes through the multi-core fiber, the collimating lens array obtains the corresponding light spot pattern in the position-sensitive photodetector, and finally, the multi-core fiber is rotated by passing light through it and combining the corresponding light spot pattern to make all the multi-core fibers arranged in a consistent manner.

[0033] The technical solutions of the present invention will now be clearly and completely described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, what is described is only a part of the embodiments of the present invention, and not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0034] First embodiment of the alignment arrangement method for multi-core fiber arrays:

[0035] The substrate in this embodiment has a V-groove substrate with multiple V-grooves. The multi-core optical fiber in this embodiment is a four-core optical fiber with a total length of 30cm including the portion located within the V-grooves. It contains four fiber cores, and if the four fiber cores are connected sequentially at the end face of the fiber output towards the collimating lens array, they can form a square. The optical fiber light source in this embodiment uses a 980nm wavelength light source. The position-sensitive photodetector in this embodiment includes a PSD detector and a computer connected to the PSD detector.

[0036] In other embodiments, the PSD detector can also be replaced by other detectors that acquire the light spot of the multi-core fiber hitting the light-receiving surface and the light spot pattern obtained at the computer imaging end, such as a CCD detector.

[0037] The following will combine Figure 1 This document details the steps involved in implementing this embodiment.

[0038] First, perform step S11, placing multiple four-core optical fibers on a V-groove substrate, and then fixing the V-groove substrate, collimating lens array, and position-sensitive photodetector.

[0039] See Figure 2 Twelve identical four-core optical fibers 11 without marker points are horizontally placed in the V-shaped slots 21 on the V-groove substrate 2. It can be seen that the cores of each four-core fiber are arranged in different directions, requiring alignment to ensure consistent core arrangement. The combination of these twelve four-core optical fibers 11 is referred to as an optical fiber bundle.

[0040] See Figure 3 A V-groove substrate 2 containing 12 four-core optical fibers is horizontally placed and fixed on a high-level six-dimensional adjustment frame. A collimating lens array 3 and a PSD detector 41 are then fixed on the six-dimensional adjustment frame. The collimating lens array 3 is located between the fiber bundle 1, the V-groove substrate 2, and the PSD detector 41 to ensure that the light propagation direction of each fiber core is consistent. The light-receiving surface 411 of the PSD detector can display the light spot when each of the four-core optical fibers is transmitting light. The PSD detector 41 is connected to a computer 42, which can display the corresponding light spot pattern when each of the four-core optical fibers is transmitting light based on the PSD detector 41.

[0041] Then, step S12 is executed to coarsely adjust the relative positions of the V-groove substrate, the collimating lens array, and the position-sensitive photodetector.

[0042] See also Figure 3 By coarsely adjusting the relative positions of the V-groove substrate 2, the collimating lens array 3, and the PSD detector, it can be observed with the naked eye that the light-transmitting surface 10 of the fiber bundle, the light-transmitting surface 31 of the collimating lens array, and the light-receiving surface 411 of the PSD detector are approximately parallel to each other, the light-receiving surface 411 of the PSD detector is perpendicular to the horizontal plane, there is no obvious misalignment between the light-transmitting surface 10 of the fiber bundle, the light-transmitting surface 31 of the collimating lens array, and the light-receiving surface 411 of the PSD detector, the spacing between the fiber bundle 1 and the V-groove substrate 2, the collimating lens array 3, and the PSD detector 41 is no more than one centimeter, and the emitted light spot of the fiber bundle 1 can be entirely located within the light-receiving surface 411 of the PSD detector and is approximately centered.

[0043] Then, step S13 is executed to start the light source output, observe the light spot on the light-receiving surface of the PSD detector, and adjust the positions of the collimating lens array and the position-sensitive photodetector.

[0044] See also Figure 3 The light source is activated by the fiber bundle 1, and the PSD detector 41 is not powered. The light spot is observed on the light-receiving surface 411 of the PSD detector, and the positions of the aligned lens array 3 and the PSD detector 41 are finely adjusted.

[0045] In this setup, the fiber bundle 1 and the V-groove substrate 2 are placed horizontally. The light-receiving surface 411 of the PSD detector is positioned within a vertical plane. The collimating lens array 3 is also placed horizontally. Movement of the collimating lens array 3 is limited to the orthogonal X, Y, and Z dimensions, resulting in a complete light spot of 12 four-core optical fibers appearing at the center of the light-receiving surface 411 of the PSD detector. Each complete light spot comprises four individual light spots, with each spot corresponding to one fiber core. The setup ensures that when the light-receiving surface 411 of the PSD detector is moved along the light transmission direction of the fiber bundle 1 on the V-groove substrate 2, the position of the light spot displayed on the light-receiving surface 411 of each four-core optical fiber remains unchanged.

[0046] Then, step S14 is executed to turn off the light source output and power on the position-sensitive photodetector.

[0047] Therefore, the corresponding light spot pattern can be observed on the computer when each of the four-core optical fibers is transmitting light.

[0048] Then, step S15 is executed to sequentially transmit light to each of the four-core optical fibers, and further adjust the positions of the collimating lens array and the position-sensitive photodetector so that the light spot pattern of each four-core optical fiber presented on the computer is a square.

[0049] See also Figure 3The light source is connected to each of the four optical fibers in sequence. The light spot pattern is observed on the computer so that, with each of the four optical fibers individually illuminated, the corresponding light spot pattern obtained on the computer can show four light spots and measure the position coordinates of each light spot, and the four light spots are arranged in a square. If the arrangement of the four light spots is not square, the positions of the light-transmitting surface 31 of the collimating lens array and the light-receiving surface 411 of the PSD detector need to be further adjusted to keep the light-receiving surface 411 of the PSD detector in a vertical position and parallel to the light-transmitting surface 31 of the collimating lens array. This ensures that the light-receiving surface 411 of the PSD detector is parallel to the light-transmitting surface 10 of the fiber bundle and the light-transmitting surface 31 of the collimating lens array. When the light-receiving surface 411 of the PSD detector, the light-transmitting surface 10 of the fiber bundle, and the light-transmitting surface 31 of the collimating lens array are parallel, the light spot pattern obtained by a four-core fiber based on the PSD detector 41 is consistent with the fiber core arrangement, both being square. If they are not parallel, the light spot pattern obtained based on the PSD detector 41 will be inconsistent with the fiber core arrangement, causing the center distance of the light spot on the light spot pattern to mismatch with the actual fiber core distance, resulting in the shape of the light spot pattern possibly being rectangular, rhomboid, etc. Then, the light source is turned off.

[0050] Then, perform step S16, rotate the reference four-core fiber so that the reference four-core fiber passes through the auxiliary straight line between the centers of the two diagonally opposite light spots in the light spot diagram of the computer at a preset angle to the horizontal direction, and then fix the reference four-core fiber with glue.

[0051] In this embodiment, the leftmost four-core fiber among the multiple multi-core optical fibers is selected as the reference four-core fiber.

[0052] See Figure 3 When the power is turned on, light is transmitted to the reference four-core optical fiber. The PSD detector 41 transmits the detected data to the computer 42, and the computer 42 displays the light spot pattern of the four cores of the reference four-core optical fiber on the light-receiving surface of the PSD detector.

[0053] Next, draw auxiliary straight lines through the two cores of the reference four-core fiber in the beam pattern on the computer. See [link / reference]. Figure 4 ,for Figure 4 The leftmost four-core fiber (i.e., the reference four-core fiber) corresponds to four light spots. Connecting the center of the upper-left light spot with the center of the lower-right light spot creates an auxiliary straight line that passes through the center of the light spot pattern corresponding to the reference four-core fiber. The center of each light spot corresponds to the center of the fiber core, and the center of the light spot pattern corresponds to the center of the reference four-core fiber. See [reference]. Figure 2 , Figure 2 The leftmost four-core fiber 11 is a reference four-core fiber. The center of each core of the reference four-core fiber corresponds to the center of a light spot, and the center of the reference four-core fiber corresponds to the center of the light spot pattern.

[0054] Then, the angle between the measured auxiliary line and the horizontal direction is defined as the positive x-axis direction, and the four core fibers of the reference four-core fiber are rotated so that the auxiliary line of the light spot pattern detected by the reference four-core fiber forms an angle of 45° or 135° with the positive x-axis direction.

[0055] Finally, glue is applied to fix the reference four-core fiber, preserving the light spot pattern and corresponding auxiliary straight line detected by the computer on the reference four-core fiber.

[0056] Then, proceed to step S17, sequentially rotating the other four optical fibers so that the auxiliary straight lines of the other four optical fibers are parallel to the auxiliary straight lines of the reference four optical fibers, and ensuring that each four optical fiber is on the set spot core line.

[0057] From left to right, perform the following operations on each four-core fiber except the reference four-core fiber: Power on the current four-core fiber to allow light to pass through, and obtain its corresponding light spot pattern on the computer. Adjust the current four-core fiber using the light spot pattern until its auxiliary straight line is parallel to the auxiliary straight line of the reference four-core fiber, and save the corresponding light spot pattern. The method for determining the auxiliary straight line of each multi-core fiber is the same as that of the reference four-core fiber. This ensures that the auxiliary straight line of each four-core fiber except the reference four-core fiber is parallel to the auxiliary straight line of the reference four-core fiber.

[0058] See Figure 4 The light spot patterns of the 12 four-core optical fibers are placed in the same image. The center of the light spot corresponding to the first four-core optical fiber (i.e., the reference four-core optical fiber) from left to right is taken as its first preset light spot center, and the center of the light spot corresponding to the last four-core optical fiber from left to right is taken as its second preset light spot center. Connecting the first preset light spot center and the second preset light spot center yields the first light spot core line. The first light spot core line is parallel to the horizontal direction (X-axis direction).

[0059] The center of the spot in the lower left corner of the spot pattern corresponding to the first four-core fiber (i.e., the reference four-core fiber) from left to right is taken as its other first preset spot center, and the center of the spot in the lower right corner of the spot pattern corresponding to the last four-core fiber from left to right is taken as its other second preset spot center. Connecting the first preset spot center and the second preset spot center yields the second spot core line. The second spot core line is parallel to the horizontal direction (X-axis direction).

[0060] The parallelism of the 12 four-core optical fibers is detected by observing the distribution of their light spot patterns along the first and second light spot core lines. This ensures that each four-core optical fiber is aligned with its designated light spot core line, preventing vertical deviation. In this embodiment, the positions of the other four-core optical fibers besides the reference four-core fiber are adjusted to ensure that the centers of the upper left and upper right light spots in the light spot pattern corresponding to each four-core optical fiber are aligned with the first light spot core line, while the centers of the lower left and lower right light spots in each four-core optical fiber are aligned with the second light spot core line.

[0061] See Figure 5 As can be seen, after alignment, the cores of each four-core optical fiber are arranged in a consistent manner.

[0062] Finally, perform step S18 to apply adhesive to fix the other four optical fibers.

[0063] Other four-core optical fibers refer to the positions of the four optical fibers other than the reference four-core optical fiber.

[0064] Second embodiment of the alignment method for multi-core fiber arrays:

[0065] The difference between this embodiment and the first embodiment of the alignment arrangement method of the multi-core fiber array is that the multi-core fiber in this embodiment is a seven-core fiber. The length of a seven-core fiber, including the part located in the V-shaped slot, is 30cm. It contains 7 fiber cores, of which 6 fiber cores are arranged around 1 fiber core. At the end face of the fiber output, the 6 outer fiber cores can form a regular hexagon if they are connected in sequence.

[0066] See Figure 6 The specific steps to implement this embodiment are as follows:

[0067] S21: Place multiple seven-core optical fibers on a V-groove substrate to fix the V-groove substrate, collimating lens array, and position-sensitive photodetector.

[0068] S22: Coarsely adjust the relative positions of the V-groove substrate, collimating lens array, and position-sensitive photodetector.

[0069] S23: Start the light source output, observe the light spot on the light-receiving surface of the PSD detector, and adjust the position of the collimating lens array and the position-sensitive photodetector.

[0070] S24: Turn off the light source output and power on the position-sensitive photodetector.

[0071] S25: Sequentially transmit light to each of the seven-core optical fibers, and further adjust the positions of the collimating lens array and the position-sensitive photodetector so that the light spot pattern of each seven-core optical fiber presented on the computer is a regular hexagon.

[0072] S26: Rotate the reference seven-core fiber so that the reference seven-core fiber passes through the auxiliary straight line of the three diagonally opposite centers of the light spot in the light spot diagram of the computer at a preset angle with the horizontal direction, and then fix the reference seven-core fiber with glue.

[0073] S27: Rotate the other seven-core optical fibers in sequence so that the auxiliary straight lines of the other seven-core optical fibers are parallel to the auxiliary straight lines of the reference seven-core optical fiber, and ensure that the core of each seven-core optical fiber is on the set spot line.

[0074] S28: Apply adhesive to fix the other seven optical fibers.

[0075] In step S25 above, it is necessary to adjust the position of the light-transmitting surface of the collimating lens array and the light-receiving surface of the PSD detector, and keep the light-receiving surface of the PSD detector in the plumb plane, so as to ensure that the light spot pattern obtained on the computer corresponding to each seven-core fiber is a regular hexagon, that is, if the six light spots on the outer edge of the light spot pattern are connected in sequence, a regular hexagon can be formed.

[0076] In step S26 above, see Figure 7 , Figure 7 This includes a spot pattern corresponding to each seven-core fiber (i.e., a reference seven-core fiber). A spot pattern consists of seven spots, one for each core of the seven-core fiber, with the center of each core corresponding to the center of one spot. The dashed ring represents the reference seven-core fiber (which is not actually visible in the spot pattern). The arrangement of the seven spots corresponds to the positions of the actual cores within the seven-core fiber, and the center of the spot pattern corresponds to the center of the seven-core fiber (i.e., the center of the reference seven-core fiber). Figure 7 The center of the dashed ring corresponds to the center of the ring. After determining the reference seven-core fiber among multiple seven-core fibers, the light spot pattern corresponding to the reference seven-core fiber (i.e., Figure 7 Connecting the center of the spot in the upper right of the leftmost spot pattern, the center of the spot in the center of the spot pattern, and the center of the spot in the lower left of the center of the spot pattern, we obtain the auxiliary straight line corresponding to the reference multi-core fiber. Ensure that the auxiliary straight line forms a 60° or 120° angle with the positive x-axis.

[0077] In step S27, the auxiliary lines for the other seven-core fibers are determined using the same auxiliary line determination method as the reference seven-core fiber, and the adjustment is rotated to ensure that the auxiliary lines for the other seven-core fibers (excluding the reference seven-core fiber) are parallel to the auxiliary line for the reference seven-core fiber. Then, see... Figure 7 The light spot patterns of 12 seven-core optical fibers (110) are placed in the same image. The center of the light spot corresponding to the first seven-core optical fiber (i.e., the reference seven-core optical fiber) from left to right is taken as its first preset light spot center, and the center of the light spot corresponding to the last seven-core optical fiber from left to right is taken as its second preset light spot center. Connecting the first preset light spot center and the second preset light spot center yields the light spot core line (i.e., Figure 7 The dotted line represents the light spot pattern passing through multiple seven-core optical fibers. The parallelism of the 12 seven-core optical fibers is detected by observing the distribution of their light spot patterns along the core lines, ensuring that the center of the light spot corresponding to each seven-core optical fiber is on the designated core line. In this embodiment, it is necessary to adjust the centers of the two uppermost light spots in the light spot pattern corresponding to each seven-core optical fiber to be on the core line, i.e., as shown... Figure 7 The situation is shown.

[0078] Depend on Figure 8 As can be seen, the V-groove substrate 20 is provided with 12 V-groove slots 210, and each V-groove slot 210 is provided with one seven-core optical fiber 110. The cores of each seven-core optical fiber 110 are arranged in a consistent manner through the above steps.

[0079] Multi-core fiber optic array example:

[0080] This embodiment includes multiple four-core optical fibers and a V-groove substrate, with each multi-core optical fiber disposed in a V-groove slot on the V-groove substrate. The cores of the different multi-core optical fibers are aligned according to the first embodiment of the multi-core optical fiber array alignment method described above.

[0081] In summary, this invention uses a position-sensitive photodetector to sequentially detect and calibrate the core position of each light-transmitting multi-core optical fiber, presenting the corresponding light spot pattern on a computer imaging end. Then, each multi-core optical fiber is adjusted until the core arrangement is consistent, achieving a simple, high-precision, and low-cost arrangement of multi-core optical fiber arrays. Compared to existing solutions, this invention eliminates the need for processing specific cladding and trapezoidal slots, allowing for the direct use of common circular optical fibers and V-shaped slots, thus broadening its application range.

[0082] Finally, it should be emphasized that the above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention. For those skilled in the art, the present invention can have various changes and modifications. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of the present invention, such as the angle between the auxiliary straight line of the seven-core optical fiber and the horizontal direction being 0°, should be included within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A method for aligning and arranging a multi-core fiber optic array, characterized in that, Includes the following steps: Each multi-core optical fiber is placed in a slot on the substrate; The relative positions of the substrate, collimating lens array, and position-sensitive photodetector are adjusted so that when the multi-core optical fiber transmits light, the collimating lens array obtains a corresponding light spot pattern on the position-sensitive photodetector; in the light spot pattern, one light spot corresponds to one core of the multi-core optical fiber. The multi-core optical fiber is transmitted through light and rotated in conjunction with the corresponding light spot pattern to make all the multi-core optical fibers have the same arrangement. When the multi-core optical fiber is rotated in conjunction with the corresponding light spot pattern, a reference multi-core optical fiber is determined from the multiple multi-core optical fibers, and the reference multi-core optical fiber is rotated so that the auxiliary straight line passing through at least two light spot centers in the light spot pattern corresponding to the reference multi-core optical fiber and the auxiliary straight line passing through the center of the light spot pattern forms a preset angle with the horizontal direction, and then the reference multi-core optical fiber is fixed with glue. Using the reference multi-core fiber as a reference, the remaining multi-core fibers are sequentially rotated so that the auxiliary straight line corresponding to the remaining multi-core fibers is parallel to the auxiliary straight line of the reference multi-core fiber, and each multi-core fiber is aligned with the set spot core line so that all multi-core fibers are arranged in a consistent manner. Adjusting the relative positions of the substrate, the collimating lens array, and the position-sensitive photodetector includes a coarse adjustment process and a fine adjustment process. The coarse adjustment process includes: adjusting the light-transmitting surface of the fiber bundle of the substrate, the light-transmitting surface of the collimating lens array, and the light-receiving surface of the position-sensitive photodetector to be parallel and the adjacent spacing not greater than a preset distance. The fine adjustment process includes: activating the light source output so that when the light-receiving surface of the position-sensitive photodetector observes the light spot corresponding to each of the multi-core optical fibers and moves the light-receiving surface of the position-sensitive photodetector along the light transmission direction, the position of the light spot observed by the light-receiving surface of the position-sensitive photodetector remains unchanged. The fine adjustment process also includes: Each of the multi-core optical fibers is sequentially exposed to light, and the light-transmitting surface of the collimating lens array and the light-receiving surface of the position-sensitive photodetector are adjusted so that the light spot pattern corresponding to each of the multi-core optical fibers acquired by the position-sensitive photodetector is in a preset shape.

2. The alignment method for a multi-core fiber array as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The core line of the light spot is a straight line parallel to the horizontal direction.

3. The alignment method for a multi-core fiber array as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The core wire of the light spot is determined by connecting the first preset light spot center in the light spot diagram corresponding to the reference multi-core optical fiber with the second preset light spot center of the other multi-core optical fiber.

4. The alignment method for a multi-core fiber array as described in any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The reference multi-core fiber is the multi-core fiber at the edge of the multi-core fiber.

5. The alignment method for a multi-core fiber array as described in any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The multi-core optical fiber is a four-core optical fiber; Determining the reference multi-core fiber from among the multiple multi-core optical fibers and rotating the reference multi-core fiber such that when the auxiliary straight line passing through at least two of the light spot centers in the light spot pattern corresponding to the reference multi-core fiber forms a preset angle with the horizontal direction, the method includes: connecting the upper left light spot center and the lower right light spot center in the light spot pattern corresponding to the reference multi-core fiber to obtain the auxiliary straight line corresponding to the reference multi-core fiber, wherein the auxiliary straight line corresponding to the reference multi-core fiber passes through the center of the light spot pattern corresponding to the reference multi-core fiber and forms a 45° or 135° angle with the horizontal direction.

6. The alignment method for a multi-core fiber array as described in any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The multi-core optical fiber is a seven-core optical fiber; Determining the reference multi-core fiber from among the multiple multi-core optical fibers and rotating the reference multi-core fiber such that the auxiliary straight line passing through at least two of the light spot centers in the light spot pattern corresponding to the reference multi-core fiber forms a preset angle with the horizontal direction includes: connecting the light spot center in the upper right of the center of the light spot pattern, the light spot center in the center of the light spot pattern, and the light spot center in the lower left of the center of the light spot pattern in the light spot pattern corresponding to the reference multi-core fiber to obtain the auxiliary straight line corresponding to the reference multi-core fiber, wherein the auxiliary straight line corresponding to the reference multi-core fiber forms an angle of 60° or 120° with the horizontal direction.

7. The method for aligning and arranging a multi-core fiber array as described in any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The slot is a V-shaped slot.

8. A multi-core fiber optic array, characterized in that: It includes multiple multi-core optical fibers, and the cores of the different multi-core optical fibers are aligned according to the alignment arrangement method of the multi-core optical fiber array according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

Images