Light guide device, optical fiber assembly, and optical device

Abstract

To provide a lightguide device of a simple structure, an optical fiber assembly and an optical device with which it is possible to guide, and process, unnecessary light to other members.SOLUTION: A lightguide device 100 comprises: a base 41 that includes a core wire 21 having a core 21a and a clad 21b and a covering 21c that encloses the circumference of the core wire and is made from a material transparent to light transmitted through the core wire of an optical fiber 20 extending in a first direction X and extends along an exposure section 20a where the core wire of the optical fiber is exposed; a lightguide member 40 having a plurality of contact surfaces 42a that are in contact with the outer circumference of the core wire in the exposure section and are provided to the base by being spaced part in the first direction, and a pressure mechanism for pressing the lightguide member in a second direction Z that crosses the first direction so that each of the contact surfaces presses the outer circumference. The light bound to the base is guided from the core wire via the plurality of contact surfaces.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to light guide devices, optical fiber assemblies, and optical devices. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, in a laser device in which spatially multiplexed laser light is coupled to the end (input end) of the core wire of an optical fiber, a relaxation member is provided in front of the end so as to be in contact with the end, and an optical processing unit is provided behind the relaxation member (for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2017 / 134911 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In optical devices, the management of light, e.g., leakage light, is one of the important issues, and therefore it would be beneficial to have a new and improved light guide device, e.g., a simpler light guide device that can guide unwanted light to another component for management.

[0005] SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT EMBODIMENT It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide, for example, new and improved light guide devices, optical fiber assemblies, and optical devices. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A light-guiding device of the present invention, for example, includes a light-guiding member made of a material transparent to light transmitted through an optical fiber having a core wire having a core and a cladding and a coating surrounding the core wire and extending in a first direction, the light-guiding member having a base extending along an exposed section of the optical fiber in which the core wire is exposed, and a plurality of contact surfaces provided on the base at intervals in the first direction and in contact with the outer periphery of the core wire in the exposed section, and a pressing mechanism pressing the light-guiding member in a second direction intersecting the first direction so that each of the contact surfaces presses the outer periphery, and guides light coupled from the core wire to the base via the plurality of contact surfaces.

[0007] In the light guiding device, when the wavelength of light transmitted through the core wire is λ, the refractive index of the cladding is n1, and the refractive index of the light guiding member is n2, the plurality of contact surfaces are arranged along the first direction to satisfy the following formula (1): P = λ / |n1-n2| (1) The electrodes may be arranged with a period P indicated by:

[0008] In the light-guiding device, the pressing mechanism may include a support member that supports the optical fiber on the opposite side of the optical fiber from the light-guiding member, and a pressing member that is attached to the support member and presses the light-guiding member toward the support member.

[0009] In the light-guiding device, the support member may have a first surface facing the multiple contact surfaces with a gap therebetween, and a positioning structure provided on the first surface for suppressing positional deviation of the optical fiber in a third direction intersecting the first direction and the second direction.

[0010] In the light guide device, the wavelength of light transmitted through the core wire may be not less than 400 [nm] and not more than 600 [nm].

[0011] In the light guiding device, the power of the light transmitted through the core wire may be 100 W or more.

[0012] Moreover, the optical fiber assembly of the present invention includes, for example, the light guiding device and the optical fiber in which the light guiding device is provided adjacent to the exposed section.

[0013] The optical fiber assembly may include a buffer member connected to an end of the core wire and having a light receiving surface on the opposite side to the end for receiving light from space and having an area larger than the cross-sectional area of ​​the core wire, and the light-guiding device may be positioned on the opposite side of the buffer member relative to the end.

[0014] Moreover, an optical device of the present invention includes, for example, the optical fiber assembly and an optical system optically connected to the optical fiber.

[0015] The optical device may include a light source optically connected to the optical fiber via the optical system. Effect of the Invention

[0016] The present invention provides, for example, new and improved light guide devices, optical fiber assemblies, and optical devices. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0017] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is an exemplary schematic perspective view of an optical fiber assembly according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is an illustrative schematic perspective view of the light guide device of the first embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III of FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV of FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is an exemplary schematic cross-sectional view of a light guide device according to a modified example taken at a position equivalent to that of FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is an exemplary schematic configuration diagram of the optical device according to the second embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is an exemplary schematic configuration diagram of an optical device according to the third embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0018] Exemplary embodiments and modifications of the present invention are disclosed below. The configurations of the embodiments and modifications shown below, as well as the actions and results (effects) brought about by the configurations, are merely examples. The present invention can be realized by configurations other than those disclosed in the following embodiments and modifications. Furthermore, according to the present invention, it is possible to obtain at least one of the various effects (including derivative effects) obtained by the configurations.

[0019] The embodiments and modifications shown below have similar configurations. Therefore, according to the configurations of the embodiments and modifications, similar actions and effects based on the similar configurations can be obtained. In the following, the similar configurations are given the same reference numerals, and duplicated descriptions may be omitted.

[0020] In each drawing, the X direction is represented by an arrow X, the Y direction is represented by an arrow Y, and the Z direction is represented by an arrow Z. The X direction, the Y direction, and the Z direction intersect with each other and are perpendicular to each other. The X direction may also be referred to as the longitudinal direction or the extension direction.

[0021] In addition, in this specification, ordinal numbers are given for the sake of convenience to distinguish between parts, members, portions, etc., and do not indicate priority or order.

[0022] [First embodiment] [Optical fiber assembly] 1 is a perspective view of an optical fiber assembly 10 according to a first embodiment. The optical fiber assembly 10 is applied to support an end portion of an optical fiber 20 as an output optical fiber that outputs laser light in various optical devices. The optical fiber assembly 10 may also be referred to as an end portion structure, a support structure, or a support portion.

[0023] As shown in FIG. 1, the optical fiber assembly 10 includes an optical fiber 20, a support base 11, a cover 12, an end cap 13, a condenser lens 33g, and a light guide device 100. The optical fiber assembly 10 includes an optical fiber 20, a support base 11, a cover 12, an end cap 13, a condenser lens 33g, and a light guide device 100.

[0024] The support base 11 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape extending in the X direction, and supports the optical fiber 20 extending in the X direction. The support base 11 may also be called a base, a support member, or a body. The X direction is an example of a first direction.

[0025] The support base 11 has a surface 11a located at an end opposite to the Z direction, and a surface 11b located at an end in the Z direction.

[0026] The surface 11a faces the opposite direction to the Z direction, and intersects with and is perpendicular to the Z direction. The surface 11a is a quadrilateral flat surface, and is a rectangular flat surface that is long in the X direction.

[0027] The surface 11b faces the Z direction, intersects with the Z direction, and is perpendicular to the Z direction. The surface 11b has three surfaces 11b1, 11b2, and 11b3 that are shifted in the Z direction. The surfaces 11b1, 11b2, and 11b3 all face the Z direction, intersect with the Z direction, and are perpendicular to the Z direction. The surfaces 11b1, 11b2, and 11b3 are all rectangular flat surfaces. The surface 11b2 is shifted from the surface 11b1 in the opposite direction to the Z direction, and the surface 11b3 is shifted from the surface 11b2 in the opposite direction to the Z direction. The surfaces 11b1, 11b2, and 11b3 form a step. The surfaces 11a, 11b1, 11b2, and 11b3 are parallel to each other.

[0028] The cover 12 intersects and is perpendicular to the Z direction. The cover 12 has a rectangular plate shape that is long in the X direction.

[0029] Both the support base 11 and the cover 12 may be made of a material with high thermal conductivity, such as, for example, a copper-based material or an aluminum-based material.

[0030] Between the support base 11 and the cover 12, a storage chamber S extending in the X direction is provided, and a light-guiding member 40 is stored in the storage chamber S. The storage chamber S is a substantially rectangular cylindrical space formed by a surface 11b1 of the support base 11 and a recess 12b provided in a surface 12a of the cover 12. The optical fiber 20 extends in the X direction between the light-guiding member 40 and the support base 11. The configuration of the light-guiding member 40 will be described later.

[0031] The optical fiber 20 has a core 21 including a core and a cladding surrounding the core, and a coating 22 surrounding the core 21. The core 21 can be made of, for example, a silica-based glass material. The coating 22 can be made of, for example, a synthetic resin material.

[0032] The coating 22 of the optical fiber 20 is removed from the entire or most of the section along the light-guiding member 40 .

[0033] The cover 12 is fixed to the support base 11 by a fastener 16, such as a screw, attached to the support base 11. The support base 11 and the cover 12 may be integrated together by a fastener method other than the fastener 16.

[0034] The end cap 13 may be made of, for example, a material having a refractive index similar to that of the core of the optical fiber 20. As an example, the end cap 13 may be made of the same silica-based glass material as the core of the optical fiber 20.

[0035] The end cap 13 is adjacent in the X direction to the tip of the peeled end portion 20a, i.e., the tip in the X direction of the core wire 21, and is fusion-spliced ​​to the tip. The area of ​​the X-direction end face 13a1 of the end cap 13 is larger than the cross-sectional area of ​​the core wire 21. In this configuration, light from the condenser lens 33g enters the end cap 13 from the end face 13a1 and is optically coupled to the tip of the peeled end portion 20a via the end cap 13.

[0036] If the end cap 13 is not provided, and light focused by the focusing lens 33g or the like arrives toward the tip of the peeling end 20a, the power density becomes excessively large as the beam diameter becomes smaller at the tip, which is the interface, and this may cause an excessive temperature rise and damage to the tip. In this embodiment, the interface is enlarged by connecting the end cap 13 to the tip of the peeling end 20a. With this configuration, the light reaches the end face 13a1 of the end cap 13, which is wider than the tip, in a state where the beam diameter is larger and the power density is smaller, so that excessive temperature rise and damage can be suppressed both at the end face 13a1, which is the interface, and at the tip of the peeling end 20a, which is in the middle of the light-guiding member. The end cap 13 can also be called a mitigation member, and the end face 13a1 can also be called a light-receiving surface.

[0037] The end cap 13 is attached to the support base 11 while being placed on the surface 11b. The end cap 13 may be fixed to the support base 11 by, for example, adhesion, or may be fixed to or supported by the support base 11 and a cap cover (not shown) while being sandwiched between the support base 11 and the cap cover.

[0038] The optical fiber 20 and the end cap 13 are supported and positioned by a concave-convex structure provided on the support base 11. In the present embodiment, as an example, the optical fiber 20 and the end cap 13 are accommodated in a recess 11c provided on the surface 11b1 or the surface 11b2 of the support base 11, respectively, so that they are supported and positioned on the support base 11. The recess 11c is recessed from the surface 11b1 or the surface 11b2 in the opposite direction to the Z direction and extends in the X direction. The cross section of the recess 11c intersecting with the X direction is, for example, V-shaped or U-shaped. Note that the concave-convex structure is not limited to such a configuration, and may be, for example, a structure like two convex stripes each extending in the X direction and spaced apart from each other at a fixed interval in the Y direction.

[0039] Further, the light guide member 40 is positioned by a recess 12b provided in the cover 12, that is, by the accommodation chamber S.

[0040] Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the light-guiding device 100. As shown in Fig. 2, the light-guiding device 100 has a light-guiding member 40. The light-guiding member 40 covers the peeled end 20a of the optical fiber 20 and is in contact with the peeled end 20a. Note that in a part of the section covered by the light-guiding member 40, the core wire 21 may be covered with a coating 22.

[0041] The light guide member 40 has a base 41. The base 41 intersects with and is perpendicular to the Z direction. The base 41 extends in the X direction. That is, the base 41 extends along the peeled end portion 20a. The base 41 also extends in the Y direction.

[0042] The base 41 has a surface 41a located at an end opposite to the Z direction. On the surface 41a, ridges 42 extending in the Y direction and grooves 43 extending in the Y direction are alternately provided in the X direction. The ridges 42 may also be referred to as protrusions, and the grooves 43 may also be referred to as recesses.

[0043] The light-guiding member 40 is made of a material that is transparent to the light transmitted through the core 21 of the optical fiber 20. The light-guiding member 40 can be made of, for example, a silica-based glass material. The light-guiding member 40 is made of a material whose refractive index is lower than the refractive index of the cladding of the optical fiber 20. In addition, the light-guiding member 40 having the base 41 and the ridges 42 and having the grooves 43 as described above can be manufactured by forming the grooves 43 on the surface of a glass substrate using, for example, a microfabrication technique such as etching.

[0044] Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III in Fig. 2. As shown in Fig. 3, a recess 11c recessed in the opposite direction to the Z direction and extending in the X direction is provided on the surface 11b1 of the support base 11. As an example, the recess 11c is a groove having a V-shaped cross section.

[0045] The recess 11c accommodates the peeling end 20a. The side of the recess 11c, i.e., the support base 11, supports the peeling end 20a in the Z direction on the opposite side of the light guide member 40 with respect to the peeling end 20a. The side of the recess 11c suppresses the positional deviation of the peeling end 20a accommodated in the recess 11c in the Y direction, in other words, positions the peeling end 20a in the Y direction. The surface 11b1 is an example of a first surface, and (the side of) the recess 11c is an example of a positioning structure. The Y direction is an example of a third direction. Note that the positioning structure is not limited to such a structure, and may be another structure such as a protrusion or a ridge.

[0046] The peeled end 20a is partially housed in the recess 11c. In other words, a part of the peeled end 20a protrudes in the Z direction beyond the surface 11b1. At the peeled end 20a, the coating 22 is removed to expose an outer circumferential surface 21c of the core wire 21 having the core 21a and the clad 21b. The peeled end 20a is an example of an exposed section, and the outer circumferential surface 21c is an example of an outer periphery.

[0047] Here, the light guide member 40 is spaced apart from the support base 11 in the Z direction. That is, the top surface 42a of the ridge 42 of the light guide member 40 and the surface 11b1 of the support base 11 are spaced apart in the Z direction. The light guide member 40 is adjacent to the peeled end portion 20a in the Z direction. That is, the top surface 42a is in contact with the outer circumferential surface 21c. The peeled end portion 20a is in contact with the ridge 42 but not with the recessed groove 43. In this configuration, the peeled end portion 20a is sandwiched between the top surface 42a and the side surface of the recess 11c.

[0048] Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV in Fig. 2. As shown in Fig. 4, at the peeled end portion 20a, the outer circumferential surface 21c of the core wire 21 is in contact with the top surface 42a of the protruding strip 42. The top surface 42a is a plane that intersects with and is perpendicular to the Z direction. That is, the top surface 42a extends in the X direction and the Y direction.

[0049] When the fixing device 16 (see FIG. 1) presses the cover 12 against the support base 11 in the opposite direction in the Z direction, the cover 12 presses the light-guiding member 40 in the opposite direction in the Z direction. This maintains the multiple top faces 42a in contact with the outer circumferential surface 21c. The installation position and tightening torque of the fixing device 16 are appropriately set so as to obtain a required contact state between the multiple top faces 42a and the outer circumferential surface 21c. The top faces 42a are an example of a contact surface. The support base 11 is an example of a support member. The fixing device 16 and the cover 12 are an example of a pressing member. The support base 11, the fixing device 16, and the cover 12 are an example of a pressing mechanism. The opposite direction in the Z direction is an example of a second direction.

[0050] The multiple top faces 42a have a constant width along the X direction, and are arranged in the X direction at a constant spatial period P. Here, the period P is set so as to satisfy the following formula (1). P = λ / |n1-n2| (1) Here, λ is the wavelength of light transmitted through the core 21, n1 is the refractive index of the cladding 21b, and n2 is the refractive index of the light-guiding member 40. Equation (1) is called the phase matching condition or the wave number matching condition.

[0051] According to this configuration, the light having a wavelength λ transmitted in the clad 21b among the light transmitted in the core wire 21 can be optically coupled to a radiation mode leaking energy into the light-guiding member 40 by a diffraction grating structure formed by a plurality of top faces 42a in contact with the outer peripheral surface 21c at a period P. When the period P of the diffraction grating satisfies the phase matching condition of formula (1), the conversion from the clad-propagated light to the radiation mode is efficiently performed. The light leaked from the clad 21b to the light-guiding member 40 is quickly diffused in the light-guiding member 40 and guided toward the light processing mechanism (not shown) in a state where the energy density is reduced. The light processing mechanism can process the light from the light-guiding member 40 by scattering the light or converting the light energy into heat energy. The light processing mechanism and the light-guiding member 40 are optically connected via an optical member, so that the degree of freedom of the layout of the light processing mechanism can be increased. The light guided by the light-guiding member 40 may be coupled to the cover 12, and the cover 12 may absorb the light and dissipate heat. In this case, the cover 12 is an example of a light processing mechanism.

[0052] As described above, in this embodiment, the light guiding device 100 includes the base 41, the light guiding member 40 having a plurality of top faces 42a (contact faces) spaced apart in the X direction (first direction) and in contact with the outer circumferential surface 21c (outer periphery) of the core wire 21, and the fixture 16 (pressing mechanism) that presses the light guiding member 40 in the opposite direction to the Z direction (second direction) so that each of the top faces 42a presses the outer circumferential surface 21c. The light guiding device 100 guides light coupled from the core wire 21 to the base 41 via the plurality of top faces 42a.

[0053] According to such a configuration, for example, the light guide device 100 that guides unnecessary light from the core wire 21 can be realized by a relatively simple configuration that does not have an adhesive between the core wire 21 and other members. When the light guide device 100 has an adhesive, it is necessary to ensure the reliability of the adhesive, but in this embodiment, it is not necessary to ensure the reliability of the adhesive. In addition, in a structure in which an organic adhesive or a heat dissipating resin is applied around the core wire 21 to remove the clad propagation light, there is a risk that the organic adhesive or the heat dissipating resin will burn if the power of the clad propagation light is strong. In this embodiment, it is possible to avoid using an organic material that is easily combustible, and light processing can be performed in a state in which the energy density is reduced by diffusing the light in the light guide member 40, so that it can be applied even when the power of the clad propagation light is relatively large.

[0054] Furthermore, as in this embodiment, when the wavelength of light transmitted through the core wire 21 is λ, the refractive index of the cladding 21b is n1, and the refractive index of the light-guiding member 40 is n2, the multiple top faces 42a are arranged along the X direction in a relationship represented by the following formula (1): P = λ / |n1-n2| (1) The pixels may be arranged with a spatial period P denoted by

[0055] According to such a configuration, for example, light of wavelength λ can be optically coupled from the cladding 21b to the light-guiding member 40 via a diffraction grating structure formed of a plurality of top faces 42a in contact with the outer circumferential surface 21c at a period P. Also, by appropriately setting the refractive indices n1, n2 and the period P, light of a desired wavelength λ can be coupled to the light-guiding member 40. Also, by changing the depth of the grooves 43 and the area ratio between the ridges 42 and the grooves 43, the amount of cladding propagation light leaking to the light-guiding member 40 can be adjusted. This makes it possible to prevent excessive heat generation in the light-guiding member 40.

[0056] In the present embodiment, the light guiding device 100 may be configured so that the wavelength of the light coupled to the light guiding member 40 is not less than 400 [nm] and not more than 600 [nm].

[0057] Light having a wavelength of 400 nm or more and 600 nm or less has a higher absorption rate for metal materials such as copper than light having other wavelength bands. For this reason, for example, if the light deviates from a predetermined optical path and is irradiated onto a peripheral component made of a metal material with a high absorption rate, the peripheral component may be unintentionally heated. In this regard, when the light guide device 100 is configured so that light having a wavelength of 400 nm or more and 600 nm or less is coupled to the light guide member 40, unintentional heating of the peripheral component due to irradiation of the light having the wavelength deviated from the predetermined optical path can be suppressed.

[0058] In this embodiment, the power of the light transmitted by the optical fiber 20 may be 100 W or more.

[0059] According to such a configuration, for example, it is possible to suppress unintended heating of peripheral components caused by irradiation of light with a relatively high power that deviates from a predetermined optical path.

[0060] Furthermore, as in this embodiment, the light guide device 100 may be located on the opposite side of the end cap 13 (relief member) with respect to the end of the core wire 21.

[0061] According to such a configuration, for example, unnecessary light input to the cladding 21b via the end cap 13 can be coupled to the light-guiding member 40 from the cladding 21b.

[0062] [Modification of light guide member] Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the light guiding device 100A of this modification taken at the same position as in Fig. 3. The light guiding device 100A of this modification can be incorporated into the optical fiber assembly 10 in place of the light guiding device 100.

[0063] 5, in this modification, a surface 41a of a light guide member 40A is a plane spaced apart from a surface 11b1 of a support base 11 in the Z direction. A semi-cylindrical groove 41b recessed in the Z direction and extending in the X direction is provided on the surface 41a along the peeled end portion 20a. An arc-shaped protrusion 42 and a groove 43 are provided on the inner peripheral surface of the groove 41b. The protrusions 42 and the grooves 43 are alternately provided in the X direction, and the multiple protrusions 42 are arranged at a constant spatial period P. That is, in this modification as well, the top surfaces 42a (contact surfaces) of the multiple protrusions 42 are in contact with the outer peripheral surface 21c of the core wire 21 at the peeled end portion 20a at a constant spatial period P along the X direction.

[0064] Even with this configuration, as in the first embodiment described above, of the light transmitted through the core wire 21, the light of wavelength λ transmitted within the cladding 21b can be coupled to the light-guiding member 40A from the top surface 42a in contact with the outer circumferential surface 21c.

[0065] Furthermore, according to this modification, the contact area between the top surface 42a and the outer circumferential surface 21c can be increased, so that, for example, light can be more efficiently coupled from the cladding 21b to the light-guiding member 40A.

[0066] [Second embodiment] 6 is a schematic configuration diagram of a light emitting device 30A according to a second embodiment, and is a plan view of the inside of the light emitting device 30A viewed in the opposite direction to the Z direction with the cover removed. The light emitting device 30A is an example of an optical device, and may also be referred to as a semiconductor laser module.

[0067] As shown in FIG. 6, the light emitting device 30A has a base 31, an optical fiber 20 fixed to the base 31, a plurality of light emitting units 32, and a light combining section 33 that combines light from the plurality of light emitting units 32.

[0068] The optical fiber 20 is an output optical fiber, and is fixed to the base 31 via the optical fiber assembly 10 of the first embodiment.

[0069] The optical fiber assembly 10 may be configured integrally with the base 31 as part of the base 31, or the optical fiber assembly 10 may be configured as a separate part from the base 31 and attached to the base 31 via a fastener such as a screw.

[0070] The base 31 is made of a material having high thermal conductivity, such as a copper-based material or an aluminum-based material. The base 31 is covered with a cover (not shown). The optical fiber 20, the light-emitting unit 32, the light combining section 33, and the optical fiber assembly 10 are accommodated and sealed in an accommodation chamber formed between the base 31 and the cover.

[0071] The base 31 is provided with a stepped surface (not shown) for each of the arrays A1 and A2 in which a plurality of light-emitting units 32 are arranged at predetermined intervals (for example, constant intervals) in the X direction, such that the positions of the light-emitting units 32 are shifted in the Z direction as the light-emitting units move in the X direction. The stepped surface extends in the X direction and the Y direction. The light-emitting units 32 are placed on the stepped surface. The X1 direction is an example of a first direction. The stepped surface may also be referred to as a placement surface. With this configuration, the thickness of the base 31 in the Z direction increases toward the X direction in the area where the light-emitting units 32, the collimator lens 33b, and the mirror 33c are provided.

[0072] As an example, the light-emitting units 32 are chip-on-submounts. Each of the light-emitting units 32 has a submount 32a and a light-emitting element 32b mounted on the submount 32a. The light-emitting element 32b is, for example, a semiconductor laser chip. The multiple light-emitting elements 32b output light of the same wavelength (single wavelength), for example. The light-emitting element 32b (light-emitting unit 32) is an example of a light source.

[0073] The light output from the multiple light-emitting elements 32b is combined by the light combining unit 33. The light combining unit 33 has optical components such as collimator lenses 33a and 33b, mirrors 33c and 33d, a combiner 33e, and condenser lenses 33f and 33g. The optical components included in the light combining unit 33 are an example of an optical system that optically connects the multiple light-emitting elements 32b (light-emitting units 32) and the optical fiber 20.

[0074] The collimating lens 33a collimates the light in the Z direction (fast axis direction), and the collimating lens 33b collimates the light in the X2 direction (slow axis direction). The collimating lens 33a is attached to, for example, a submount 32a and is integrated with the light emitting unit 32. The collimating lens 33b is placed on a step surface on which the corresponding light emitting unit 32 is mounted.

[0075] The mirror 33c directs the light from the collimator lens 33b toward the combiner 33e. The mirror 33c is placed on the step surface on which the corresponding light-emitting unit 32 and collimator lens 33b are mounted. That is, the light-emitting unit 32, the collimator lens 33b through which the light from the light-emitting element 32b of the light-emitting unit 32 passes, and the mirror 33c that reflects the light from the collimator lens 33b are mounted on the same step surface. That is, the light-emitting units 32, the collimator lens 33b, and the mirror 33c arranged in the Y direction for each of the arrays A1 and A2 are mounted on the same step surface. The position of the step surface in the Z direction and the size of the mirror 33c in the Z direction are set so as not to interfere with the light from the other mirrors 33c. In the following, the light-emitting unit 32, the collimator lens 33b, and the mirror 33c mounted on the step surface may be simply referred to as mounted components. Furthermore, the light emitting unit 32, the collimator lens 33b, and the mirror 33c do not have to be mounted on the same step surface (plane).

[0076] The combiner 33e combines the light from the two arrays A1 and A2 and outputs the combined light toward the condenser lens 33f. The light from the array A1 is input to the combiner 33e via the mirror 33d and the half-wave plate 33e1, and the light from the array A2 is input directly to the combiner 33e. The half-wave plate 33e1 rotates the polarization plane of the light from the array A1. The combiner 33e may also be referred to as a polarization combining element.

[0077] The collecting lens 33f collects light in the Z direction (fast axis direction). The collecting lens 33g collects the light from the collecting lens 33f in the Y direction (slow axis direction) and optically couples it to an end of the optical fiber 20. The collecting lens 33g may be provided in the optical fiber assembly 10 or on the base 31. The collecting lens 33f may be provided on the optical fiber assembly 10.

[0078] The effects of the first embodiment and the modifications described above can also be obtained in the light emitting device 30A of this embodiment.

[0079] [Third embodiment] FIG. 7 is a plan view of the light emitting device 30B of the third embodiment. The light emitting device 30B is an example of an optical device and may also be called a semiconductor laser module. In this embodiment, the step surface 31c extends in the X direction and the Y direction, and is shifted in the Z direction, forming a step shape. The light from the mirror 33c passes through the condenser lens 33f, the low pass filter 33h, and the condenser lens 33g, and is coupled to the tip of the core 21 of the optical fiber 20 supported by the optical fiber assembly 10. In this embodiment, the thickness of the base 31 in the Z direction increases toward the X direction. The effects of the first embodiment and the modified example can also be obtained in the light emitting device 30B of this embodiment.

[0080] Although the embodiment and the modified examples of the present invention have been illustrated above, the above-mentioned embodiment and the modified examples are merely examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. The above-mentioned embodiment and the modified examples can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, combinations, and modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the invention. In addition, the specifications of each configuration, shape, and the like (structure, type, direction, model, size, length, width, thickness, height, number, arrangement, position, material, etc.) can be appropriately changed and implemented.

[0081] For example, the exposed section is not limited to the longitudinal end of the optical fiber, but may be located in a longitudinal intermediate portion away from the longitudinal end.

[0082] The optical fiber assembly can be applied to optical devices other than a semiconductor laser module. The optical device including the optical fiber assembly does not need to have a light source. [Explanation of symbols]

[0083] 10...Optical fiber assembly 11...Support base (support member, pressing mechanism) 11a…side 11b,11b2,11b3...plane 11b1…Side (first side) 11c...Concave portion (positioning structure) 12...Cover (pressing member, pressing mechanism) 12a…side 12b…Recess 13...End cap (relief member) 13a1...end face 16...Fixing device (pressing member, pressing mechanism) 20...Optical fiber 20a…Peeled end (exposed section) 21…Core wire 21a…Core 21b…Clad 21c...Outer surface (outer periphery) 22…Covering 30A, 30B...Light emitting device (optical device) 31...Bass 31c…Step surface 32...Light emitting unit (light source) 32a…Submount 32b...light emitting element (light source) 33...Photosynthesis division 33a…Collimating lens 33b…Collimating lens 33c…Mirror 33d…Mirror 33e…Combiner 33e1…1 / 2 wavelength plate 33f…Condenser lens 33g…Condenser lens 33h…Low pass filter 40, 40A...Light guide member 41...Bass 41a…side 41b…concave groove 42...Convex stripe 42a...Top surface (contact surface) 43…Groove 100,100A...Light guide device A1, A2…Array P…period n1, n2...Refractive index S…Containment room X…direction (first direction) Y…direction (third direction) Z...direction (opposite to the second direction) λ...Wavelength

Claims

1. a light-guiding member comprising: an optical fiber having a core wire with a core and a clad surrounding the core, and a coating surrounding the periphery of the core wire, the optical fiber being made of a material transparent to light transmitted through the core wire and extending in a first direction; a base extending along an exposed section of the optical fiber in which the clad is exposed; and a plurality of contact surfaces provided on the base at intervals in the first direction and in contact with an outer periphery of the clad in the exposed section; a pressing mechanism that presses the light guide member in a second direction intersecting the first direction such that each of the contact surfaces presses against the outer periphery; Equipped with When the wavelength of light transmitted through the core wire is λ, the refractive index of the cladding is n1, and the refractive index of the light-guiding member is n2, the plurality of contact surfaces are arranged along the first direction to satisfy the following formula (1): P=λ / (n1-n2)...(1) (where n1>n2) A light guide device that guides light coupled from the clad to the base via the plurality of contact surfaces.

2. The pressing mechanism includes: a support member for supporting the optical fiber on an opposite side of the optical fiber from the light guide member; a pressing member attached to the support member and configured to press the light guide member toward the support member; 2. The light guide device of claim 1, comprising:

3. The support member is a first surface facing the plurality of contact surfaces with a gap therebetween; a positioning structure provided on the first surface, the positioning structure suppressing a positional deviation of the optical fiber in a third direction intersecting the first direction and the second direction; 3. The light guide device of claim 2, comprising:

4. 4. The light guide device according to claim 1, wherein the wavelength of light transmitted through the core wire is 400 nm or more and 600 nm or less.

5. 5. The light guide device according to claim 1, wherein the power of the light transmitted through the core wire is 100 W or more.

6. A light guide device according to any one of claims 1 to 5; the optical fiber, the light guide device being disposed adjacent to the exposed section; An optical fiber assembly comprising:

7. a buffer member connected to an end of the core wire, the buffer member having a light receiving surface on an opposite side to the end of the core wire, the light receiving surface receiving light from the space and having an area larger than a cross-sectional area of ​​the core wire; The optical fiber assembly of claim 6 , wherein the light directing device is located on an opposite side of the end from the relief member.

8. The optical fiber assembly according to claim 6 or 7, an optical system optically connected to the optical fiber; An optical device comprising:

9. The optical device according to claim 8 , further comprising a light source optically connected to the optical fiber via the optical system.

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