Fiber ribbon and optical wiring

Abstract

This fiber ribbon comprises a plurality of optical fibers. The plurality of optical fibers are arranged in a second direction intersecting a first direction in which the central axis of the optical fibers extends. Each of the plurality of optical fibers has one or more cores, a cladding, a resin coating, and a marker. The one or more cores are separated from the central axis. The marker is provided continuously or intermittently along the first direction on the surface of the resin coating. In each optical fiber, the arrangement of the marker and the one or more cores is constant along the first direction. The arrangement direction of the markers viewed along the central axis of each optical fiber is the same for the plurality of optical fibers. In a cross section perpendicular to the first direction of each optical fiber, the one or more cores are separated from a line segment connecting the central axis and the marker.

Description

Fiber ribbon and optical cabling

[0001] This application claims priority to Japanese Patent Application No. 2024-088856, filed May 31, 2024, and incorporates by reference all of the contents of said Japanese application.

[0002] Patent Literature 1 discloses a method for manufacturing a multi-core optical fiber ribbon, which includes a light introduction step of introducing light into a core of an optical fiber, a light leakage step of leaking the light introduced into the core to the outside of the optical fiber, a light detection step of detecting light leakage in the light leakage step, a first optical fiber rotation step of rotating the optical fiber in a circumferential direction so that the amount of light leakage detected in the light detection step is approximately constant, a resin application step of applying a colored resin to a part of the circumferential direction of the outer surface of the optical fiber so that the positional relationship with the core is approximately constant along the longitudinal direction in a cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the optical fiber, a second optical fiber rotation step of detecting the position of the colored resin and rotating the optical fiber in the circumferential direction so that the position of the colored resin is constant, and a tape formation step of arranging a plurality of optical fibers side by side and intermittently bonding adjacent optical fibers together in the longitudinal direction of the optical fiber to form a tape.

[0003] JP 2017-173514 A

[0004] A tape fiber according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a plurality of optical fibers and a fixing portion. The plurality of optical fibers are aligned in a second direction intersecting a first direction in which their respective central axes extend. The fixing portion fixes adjacent optical fibers in the plurality of optical fibers together continuously or intermittently along the first direction. Each of the plurality of optical fibers has one or more cores, a cladding, a resin coating, and a marker. The one or more cores are spaced apart from the central axis. The cladding surrounds the one or more cores. The resin coating surrounds the cladding. The marker is provided on the surface of the resin coating continuously or intermittently along the first direction. In each of the plurality of optical fibers, the arrangement of the marker and the one or more cores is consistent along the first direction. The arrangement direction of the marker when viewed along the central axis of each of the plurality of optical fibers is the same for the plurality of optical fibers. In a cross section perpendicular to the first direction of each of the plurality of optical fibers, the one or more cores are spaced apart from a line segment connecting the central axis and the marker.

[0005] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a tape fiber according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically showing a cross section of the tape fiber taken along line II-II in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a diagram schematically showing an apparatus for manufacturing an optical fiber. FIG. 4 is a diagram schematically showing an apparatus for manufacturing a tape fiber from a plurality of optical fibers. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a method for identifying the circumferential core position of each optical fiber in a completed tape fiber. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a state in which light is irradiated onto the side surfaces of a plurality of optical fibers in a comparative example. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a state in which light is irradiated onto the side surfaces of a plurality of optical fibers in the first embodiment. FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing a cross section of a tape fiber according to a modified example. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an optical wiring according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an optical wiring according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an optical wiring according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an optical wiring according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0006] Optical fibers with cores spaced apart from the central axis, such as multi-core optical fibers or polarization-maintaining fibers, are used. When fabricating a ribbon fiber using multiple such optical fibers, it is desirable to align the circumferential core positions of the multiple optical fibers. To achieve this, it is necessary to identify the circumferential core positions of each optical fiber.

[0007] In the manufacturing method described in Patent Document 1, a colored portion for visually confirming the position of the core is provided on the surface of the resin coating. Then, when manufacturing the ribbon fiber, the side surface of the optical fiber is imaged with a camera to detect the position of the colored portion, and the positions of the colored portions in the circumferential direction of each optical fiber are aligned among the multiple optical fibers, thereby aligning the positions of the cores in the circumferential direction of each optical fiber among the multiple optical fibers.

[0008] In the manufacturing method described in Patent Document 1, in order to easily visually identify the position of a specific core, the colored portion is formed at a position closest to the outermost core, i.e., directly above the outermost core. In other words, the colored portion is formed on a straight line connecting the center of the optical fiber and the center of the outermost core. In a completed ribbon fiber, in order to accurately identify the circumferential core position of each optical fiber, light is irradiated onto the side of the optical fiber, and the intensity of the light propagated through the cladding is detected at the end face of the optical fiber. If the colored portion is formed above the outermost core, the colored portion will be affected by light absorption and refraction, reducing the accuracy of identifying the circumferential core position.

[0009] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a ribbon fiber that allows the circumferential position of the core of each optical fiber to be identified with high accuracy.

[0010] According to the present disclosure, a ribbon fiber can be provided that can accurately identify the circumferential position of the core of each optical fiber.

[0011] The contents of an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. [1] A tape fiber according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a plurality of optical fibers and a fixing portion. The plurality of optical fibers are aligned in a second direction intersecting a first direction in which the respective central axes extend. The fixing portion fixes adjacent optical fibers in the plurality of optical fibers together continuously or intermittently along the first direction. Each of the plurality of optical fibers has one or more cores, a cladding, a resin coating, and a marker. The one or more cores are spaced apart from the central axis. The cladding surrounds the one or more cores. The resin coating surrounds the cladding. The marker is provided on the surface of the resin coating continuously or intermittently along the first direction. In each of the plurality of optical fibers, the arrangement of the marker and the one or more cores is consistent along the first direction. The arrangement direction of the marker when viewed along the central axis of each of the plurality of optical fibers is the same for the plurality of optical fibers. In a cross section perpendicular to the first direction of each of the plurality of optical fibers, the one or more cores are spaced apart from a line segment connecting the central axis and the marker.

[0012] In the ribbon fiber of [1] above, a marker, the arrangement of which with respect to one or more cores is constant along the first direction, is provided on the surface of the resin coating. This makes it easy to visually recognize the position of the core in the circumferential direction of each optical fiber. In addition, in a cross section of each optical fiber perpendicular to the first direction, the one or more cores are spaced apart from the line segment connecting the central axis and the marker. This makes the position of the marker farther from the position of the core, so that when light is irradiated onto the side of each optical fiber and the intensity of light propagating through the cladding is detected at the end face of each optical fiber, the influence of light absorption and refraction at the marker is reduced. Therefore, the position of the core in the circumferential direction of each optical fiber can be accurately identified.

[0013] [2] In the ribbon fiber of the above [1], the marker may contain a color material of a color different from that of the surface of the resin coating. In this case, the marker can be easily formed and the visibility of the marker is improved.

[0014] [3] In the ribbon fiber of the above [1], the marker may include a deteriorated portion of the resin coating. In this case, the marker can be easily formed.

[0015] [4] In the ribbon fiber of [1] to [3] above, the arrangement direction of the markers as viewed along the central axis of each of the multiple optical fibers may coincide with the second direction. When irradiating the side surface of each optical fiber with light, it is desirable to irradiate the light from a direction intersecting the arrangement direction of the optical fibers, i.e., the second direction, in order to illuminate all of the optical fibers. By aligning the arrangement direction of the markers as viewed along the central axis of each optical fiber with the second direction, there are no markers between the irradiated light and the cladding. In this case, the markers can be less susceptible to the effects of light absorption and refraction.

[0016] [5] An optical wiring according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a first tape fiber and a second tape fiber, each of which is the tape fiber of any one of [1] to [3] above. The first tape fiber and the second tape fiber are fusion-spliced ​​together. This optical wiring allows the circumferential core positions of the optical fibers to be accurately determined, thereby providing an optical wiring with low connection loss.

[0017] [6] An optical wiring according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a first tape fiber and a second tape fiber, each of which is the tape fiber of any one of [1] to [3] above, and a mechanical splice unit that connects the first tape fiber and the second tape fiber to each other. This optical wiring can accurately identify the circumferential core positions of the optical fibers, thereby providing an optical wiring with low connection loss.

[0018] [7] An optical wiring according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a first tape fiber and a second tape fiber, which are the tape fibers of any one of [1] to [3] above, and a fiber array splicing unit that connects the first tape fiber and the second tape fiber to each other. This optical wiring can accurately identify the circumferential core positions of the optical fibers, thereby providing an optical wiring with low splice loss.

[0019] [8] An optical wiring according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a first tape fiber and a second tape fiber, which are any one of the tape fibers described above in [1] to [3], and an optical connector that connects the first tape fiber and the second tape fiber to each other. This optical wiring can accurately identify the circumferential core positions of the optical fibers, thereby providing an optical wiring with low connection loss.

[0020] [Details of the embodiments of the present disclosure] Specific examples of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. The present invention is not limited to these examples, but is defined by the claims, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims. In the following description, the same elements in the description of the drawings will be given the same reference numerals, and duplicate explanations will be omitted.

[0021] First Embodiment Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing a tape fiber 1 according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 2 is a diagram schematically showing a cross section of the tape fiber 1 taken along line II-II in Fig. 1. As shown in Fig. 2, the tape fiber 1 of this embodiment includes a plurality of optical fibers 3 and a plurality of fixing portions 4. The central axis 35 of each optical fiber 3 extends along a first direction D1. The plurality of optical fibers 3 are arranged along a second direction D2 intersecting the first direction D1. Each optical fiber 3 includes a glass fiber 30, a resin coating 33, and a marker 34.

[0022] The glass fiber 30 includes a plurality of cores 31 and a clad 32. The clad 32 surrounds the plurality of cores 31. In a cross section of the optical fiber 3 perpendicular to the central axis 35, the outer periphery of the clad 32 has a circular shape centered on the central axis 35. The plurality of cores 31 and the clad 32 are made of glass. The plurality of cores 31 have a refractive index greater than that of the surrounding clad 32. The plurality of cores 31 are spaced apart from the central axis 35. In the illustrated example, two cores 31 are arranged on a line passing through the central axis 35. The two cores 31 are arranged equidistant from the central axis 35, sandwiching the central axis 35 therebetween. Each optical fiber 3 is an optical fiber that requires rotational alignment, such as a multi-core optical fiber or a polarization-maintaining fiber.

[0023] The resin coating 33 surrounds the outer periphery of the glass fiber 30, i.e., the outer periphery of the cladding 32. The resin coating 33 is made of, for example, an ultraviolet curable resin. In a cross section of the optical fiber 3 perpendicular to the central axis 35, the outer periphery of the resin coating 33 has a circular shape centered on the central axis 35.

[0024] The markers 34 are provided on the surface of the resin coating 33. In order to identify the position of each core 31 in the circumferential direction of each optical fiber 3 using the markers 34, the relative position between the markers 34 and the multiple cores 31 is constant along the first direction D1. That is, the arrangement of the markers 34 and the multiple cores 31 is invariant along the first direction D1. This means that even if the positions of the markers 34 and the multiple cores 31 in a cross section of the optical fiber 3 perpendicular to the central axis 35 are different at different positions in the first direction D1 of the optical fiber 3, the arrangement of the markers 34 and the multiple cores 31 remains the same. To make the markers 34 distinguishable from the surface of the surrounding resin coating 33, in one example, the markers 34 contain a colorant of a different color from the surface of the resin coating 33. The colorant is, for example, ink. The markers 34 may include an altered portion of the resin coating 33. The altered portion is a portion formed by alteration of the resin material of the resin coating 33. For example, the altered portion may be an altered portion caused by heat, such as a marking made by a laser marker. However, the altered portion is not limited to these.

[0025] In each optical fiber 3, the markers 34 are provided continuously or intermittently along the first direction D1. As shown in Fig. 2, in each optical fiber 3, the arrangement direction D3 of the markers 34 when viewed along the central axis 35 of each optical fiber 3 is the same for multiple optical fibers 3. In the illustrated example, the arrangement direction D3 coincides with the second direction D2, which is the arrangement direction of the multiple optical fibers 3. The arrangement direction D3 is the direction from the central axis 35 of each optical fiber 3 toward the position where the marker 34 is arranged.

[0026] In a cross section perpendicular to the first direction D1 of each optical fiber 3, the multiple cores 31 are spaced apart from the line segment connecting the central axis 35 and the marker 34. In other words, the cores 31 are not present between the central axis 35 and the marker 34. In the illustrated example, the line segment connecting the two cores 31 and the line segment connecting the central axis 35 and the marker 34 are perpendicular to each other.

[0027] The fixing portions 4 are disposed between adjacent optical fibers 3 among the plurality of optical fibers 3. The fixing portions 4 fix the adjacent optical fibers 3 together continuously or intermittently along the first direction D1, thereby forming the plurality of optical fibers 3 into a tape. The fixing portions 4 are, for example, a resin that adheres to the surface of the resin coating 33. Fig. 1 shows an aspect in which the fixing portions 4 intermittently fix the adjacent optical fibers 3 together.

[0028] A method for manufacturing the ribbon fiber 1 will now be described. Fig. 3 is a diagram schematically illustrating an apparatus 10 for manufacturing the optical fiber 3. First, a glass fiber 30 is formed by drawing a glass preform 11. The glass preform 11 includes a plurality of core regions that will become a plurality of cores 31, and a cladding region that will become a cladding 32. As a result, the glass fiber 30 includes a plurality of cores 31 and a cladding 32.

[0029] The light source 12 and the camera 13 are provided downstream of the glass preform 11. The light source 12 irradiates the side surface of the glass fiber 30 with light 121. The camera 13 is provided at a position where the glass fiber 30 is sandwiched between the light source 12 and the camera 13. The camera 13 captures an image of the light 121 that has passed through the glass fiber 30.

[0030] The resin applicator 14 is provided downstream of the light source 12 and the camera 13. The resin applicator 14 applies a resin coating 33 to the outer periphery of the glass fiber 30. In this way, an optical fiber having the glass fiber 30 and the resin coating 33 is produced.

[0031] The marker engraving unit 15 is provided downstream of the resin coating unit 14. The marker engraving unit 15 forms markers 34 on the surface of the resin coating 33. The marker engraving unit 15 identifies the positions of the multiple cores 31 in the circumferential direction of the optical fiber based on the imaging data 131 output from the camera 13. The marker engraving unit 15 forms the markers 34 at positions where the relative positions of the markers 34 and the multiple cores 31 are constant along the first direction D1. In other words, the marker engraving unit 15 forms the markers 34 at positions where the arrangement of the markers 34 and the multiple cores 31 is invariable along the first direction D1. This produces an optical fiber 3 having the markers 34. The produced optical fiber 3 is wound around a bobbin 21 shown in FIG. 4.

[0032] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating an apparatus 20 for manufacturing a tape fiber 1 from a plurality of optical fibers 3. The optical fibers 3 are unwound from a plurality of bobbins 21 around which the optical fibers 3 are wound. A plurality of cameras 22 are provided downstream of each of the bobbins 21. Each camera 22 captures an image of the side of each optical fiber 3 to observe the position of a marker 34 in the circumferential direction of the optical fiber 3. A rotational alignment unit 23 is provided downstream of each of the cameras 22. Each of the rotational alignment units 23 adjusts the rotation angle of the corresponding optical fiber 3 to a predetermined rotation angle. In other words, each rotational alignment unit 23 adjusts the position of the marker 34 in the circumferential direction to a predetermined position. At this time, each rotational alignment unit 23 checks the position of the marker 34 before adjustment based on the imaging data 211 output from the corresponding camera 22, and rotates the optical fiber 3 by an angle corresponding to the difference between the position of the marker 34 before adjustment and the predetermined position. FIG. 4 shows the imaging data 211 output from one camera 22, and the imaging data 211 output from the other three cameras 22 is omitted from the illustration.

[0033] The tape-forming resin applicator 24 is provided downstream of the plurality of rotation alignment units 23. The tape-forming resin applicator 24 applies resin to form the fixing units 4 between adjacent optical fibers 3. In this way, the plurality of optical fibers 3 become one tape fiber 1. The produced tape fiber 1 is wound around a bobbin (not shown).

[0034] The effects obtained by the tape fiber 1 of this embodiment having the above configuration will be described. In the tape fiber 1 of this embodiment, markers 34 whose arrangement with the multiple cores 31 is constant along the first direction D1 are provided on the surface of the resin coating 33. This makes it easy to visually confirm the positions of the cores 31 in the circumferential direction of each optical fiber 3. Therefore, the positions of the cores 31 in the circumferential direction of each optical fiber 3 can be easily identified by a simple method using, for example, a camera 22.

[0035] In addition, another effect of the tape fiber 1 of this embodiment will be described below. Fig. 5 is a diagram showing a method for identifying the circumferential core position of each optical fiber 3 in the completed tape fiber 1. In this method, light 81 is irradiated onto the side surface of the optical fiber 3, and the intensity of the light 81 that propagates through the cladding 32 and is emitted from the end face of the optical fiber 3 is detected using a detector 8. According to this method, the circumferential core position of each optical fiber 3 can be accurately identified based on the intensity of the light 81 detected by the detector 8.

[0036] For example, as in the comparative example shown in FIG. 6 , when multiple cores 31 are located on a line segment 36 connecting the central axis 35 and the marker 34, the position of the marker 34 is close to the position of the core 31. Therefore, the accuracy of identifying the position of the core 31 in the circumferential direction is reduced due to the influence of absorption and refraction of light 81 at the marker 34. In contrast, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7 , in a cross section of each optical fiber 3 perpendicular to the first direction, the multiple cores 31 are spaced apart from the line segment 36 connecting the central axis 35 and the marker 34. As a result, the position of the marker 34 is spaced apart from the position of the core 31. Therefore, when irradiating the side surface of each optical fiber 3 with light 81 and detecting the intensity of the light 81 propagating through the cladding 32 at the end face of each optical fiber 3, the position of the core 31 in the circumferential direction is less affected by the absorption and refraction of light 81 at the marker 34. Therefore, according to the tape fiber 1 of this embodiment, the position of the core 31 in the circumferential direction of each optical fiber 3 can be identified with high accuracy in the completed tape fiber 1. This enables precise control of the rotation angle, accurate determination of whether rotational alignment is necessary, and improved accuracy during rotational alignment. In addition, since the circumferential positions of the cores 31 in the optical fibers 3 are already aligned, the stroke of the rotation mechanism during rotational alignment can be reduced, simplifying the rotational alignment equipment and improving its accuracy.

[0037] As described above, the marker 34 may contain a color material of a different color from the surface of the resin coating 33. In this case, the marker 34 can be easily formed and the visibility of the marker 34 is improved. Alternatively, the marker 34 may contain an altered portion of the resin coating 33. In this case, the marker 34 can be easily formed.

[0038] As in this embodiment, the fixing portion 4 may intermittently fix adjacent optical fibers 3 to each other along the first direction D1. This facilitates the task of separating the tape fiber 1 into individual optical fibers 3, even when rotational alignment of each optical fiber 3 is required. In addition, each optical fiber 3 can move flexibly even in the tape portion, so the rotation of other optical fibers 3 is not hindered. This facilitates the rotational alignment task.

[0039] 8 is a schematic diagram showing a cross section of a tape fiber 2 according to a modification of the first embodiment. The tape fiber 2 of this modification differs from the tape fiber 1 of the first embodiment in the formation positions of the markers 34, but is the same as the tape fiber 1 of the first embodiment in other respects.

[0040] In this modification, the arrangement direction D3 of the markers 34 as viewed along the central axis 35 of each optical fiber 3 does not coincide with the second direction D2 but intersects with the second direction D2. In the illustrated example, the arrangement direction D3 is perpendicular to the second direction D2. Even with this configuration, the same effect as in the first embodiment can be obtained.

[0041] As shown in Fig. 2, the arrangement direction D3 of the markers 34 as viewed along the central axis 35 of each of the multiple optical fibers 3 may coincide with the second direction D2. When irradiating the side surface of each optical fiber 3 with light 81, in order to illuminate all of the optical fibers 3 with light 81, the light 81 is irradiated from a direction intersecting the arrangement direction of the optical fibers 3, i.e., the second direction D2, as shown in Fig. 7. As shown in Fig. 2, when the arrangement direction D3 of the markers 34 as viewed along the central axis 35 of each optical fiber 3 coincides with the second direction D2, the markers 34 are not present before the irradiated light 81 enters the cladding 32. In this case, it is possible to make the optical fiber less susceptible to the effects of absorption and refraction of the light 81 at the markers 34.

[0042] 9, 10, 11, and 12 are diagrams showing optical wirings 40, 50, 60, and 70, respectively, according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure. Each of the optical wirings 40, 50, 60, and 70 includes a first tape fiber 1A and a second tape fiber 1B. The first tape fiber 1A and the second tape fiber 1B have the same configuration as the tape fiber 1 of the first embodiment. The number of optical fibers 3 and the number and arrangement of cores 31 of the first tape fiber 1A are the same as the number of optical fibers 3 and the number and arrangement of cores 31 of the second tape fiber 1B.

[0043] In the optical wiring 40 shown in Fig. 9, the optical fibers 3 of the first tape fiber 1A and the optical fibers 3 of the second tape fiber 1B are fusion-spliced ​​to each other with the positions of their cores 31 aligned in the circumferential direction. Fig. 9 also shows discharge electrodes 41 and 42 for fusion splicing. The optical fibers 3 of the first tape fiber 1A and the optical fibers 3 of the second tape fiber 1B are butted against each other between the discharge electrodes 41 and 42, and an arc discharge is generated between the discharge electrodes 41 and 42, thereby fusion-splicing the optical fibers 3 of the first tape fiber 1A and the optical fibers 3 of the second tape fiber 1B to each other. The optical wiring 40 allows the positions of the cores 31 of the optical fibers 3 in the circumferential direction to be accurately determined, allowing for accurate rotational alignment, thereby providing an optical wiring with low splicing loss.

[0044] 10 further includes a mechanical splice unit 51 in addition to the first tape fiber 1A and the second tape fiber 1B. The mechanical splice unit 51 optically connects the end face of the first tape fiber 1A and the end face of the second tape fiber 1B in a butt-to-face relationship. The tip end portions of the first tape fiber 1A and the second tape fiber 1B are housed in a mechanical splice element 52. The mechanical splice element 52 includes a lower member 53 having a plurality of grooves 531 formed therein and an upper member 54 having a plurality of grooves 541 formed therein. When the lower member 53 and the upper member 54 are closed, the grooves 531 and the grooves 541 hold the optical fibers 3 of the first tape fiber 1A and the optical fibers 3 of the second tape fiber 1B in a butt-to-face relationship. At this time, a refractive index matching material 55 is disposed between each optical fiber 3 of the first tape fiber 1A and each optical fiber 3 of the second tape fiber 1B. According to the optical wiring 50, the position of the core 31 in the circumferential direction of each optical fiber 3 can be accurately determined, and an optical wiring with small connection loss can be provided.

[0045] 11 further includes a fiber array splicing unit 61 in addition to the first tape fiber 1A and the second tape fiber 1B. The fiber array splicing unit 61 has a guide member 62, an upper member 63, and an adhesive 64. The tip ends of the multiple optical fibers 3 of the first tape fiber 1A and the tip ends of the multiple optical fibers 3 of the second tape fiber 1B are placed in V-grooves formed in the guide member 62 and are positioned by the V-grooves. The tip ends of the multiple optical fibers 3 of the first tape fiber 1A are butt-joined and optically coupled to the tip ends of the multiple optical fibers 3 of the second tape fiber 1B. The upper member 63 presses the tip ends of the multiple optical fibers 3 of the first tape fiber 1A and the tip ends of the multiple optical fibers 3 of the second tape fiber 1B against the V-grooves of the guide member 62. The tips of the optical fibers 3 of the first tape fiber 1A and the tips of the optical fibers 3 of the second tape fiber 1B are fixed to the guide member 62 and the upper member 63 with an adhesive 64. The adhesive 64 is, for example, an ultraviolet curing resin. The optical wiring 60 can accurately identify the position of the core 31 in the circumferential direction of each optical fiber 3, thereby providing an optical wiring with low connection loss.

[0046] 12 further includes an optical connector 71 in addition to the first tape fiber 1A and the second tape fiber 1B. In the optical connector 71, a ferrule 72 holds the tip ends of the optical fibers 3 of the first tape fiber 1A, and a ferrule 73 holds the tip ends of the optical fibers 3 of the second tape fiber 1B. The ferrules 72 and 73 are housed in a cylindrical sleeve 74 and face each other within the sleeve 74 in a contacting state or with a predetermined distance between them. The optical wiring 70 can accurately identify the circumferential position of the core 31 of each optical fiber 3, thereby providing an optical wiring with low connection loss.

[0047] The ribbon fiber and optical wiring according to the present disclosure are not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications are possible. For example, although the above-described embodiment illustrates a case in which each optical fiber 3 has multiple cores 31, each optical fiber 3 may have only one core 31. The marker 34 may have a configuration other than a color material or an altered portion, as long as it is visible.

[0048] DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1, 2...Tape fiber 1A...First tape fiber 1B...Second tape fiber 3...Optical fiber 4...Fixing portion 8...Detector 10, 20...Apparatus 11...Glass base material 12...Light source 13, 22...Camera 14...Resin application portion 15...Marker engraved portion 21...Bobbin 23...Rotational alignment portion 24...Tape resin application portion 30...Glass fiber 31...Core 32...Cladding 33...Resin coating 34...Marker 35...Central axis 36...Line segment 40, 50, 60, 70...Optical wiring 41, 42...Discharge electrode 51...Mechanical splice portion 52...Mechanical splice element 53...Lower member 54...Upper member 55...Refractive index matching material 61...Fiber array connection portion 62...Guide member 63...Upper member 64...Adhesive 71...Optical connector 72, 73... Ferrule 74... Sleeve 81, 121... Light 131, 211... Image data 531, 541... Groove D1... First direction D2... Second direction D3... Arrangement direction

Claims

1. A tape fiber comprising: a plurality of optical fibers aligned in a second direction intersecting a first direction in which the central axes of the optical fibers extend; and a fixing portion that fixes adjacent optical fibers of the plurality of optical fibers continuously or intermittently along the first direction, wherein each of the plurality of optical fibers has: one or more cores spaced apart from the central axis; a cladding that surrounds the one or more cores; a resin coating that surrounds the cladding; and a marker that is provided on the surface of the resin coating continuously or intermittently along the first direction, wherein the arrangement of the marker and the one or more cores in each of the plurality of optical fibers is invariable along the first direction, the direction of the arrangement of the marker when viewed along the central axis of each of the plurality of optical fibers is the same for the plurality of optical fibers, and in a cross section perpendicular to the first direction of each of the plurality of optical fibers, the one or more cores are spaced apart from a line segment connecting the central axis and the marker.

2. The tape fiber according to claim 1, wherein the marker includes a coloring material of a different color from the surface of the resin coating.

3. The tape fiber according to claim 1, wherein the marker comprises an altered portion of the resin coating.

4. A tape fiber according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the arrangement direction of the markers when viewed along the central axis of each of the plurality of optical fibers coincides with the second direction.

5. An optical wiring comprising a first tape fiber and a second tape fiber, each of which is a tape fiber according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the first tape fiber and the second tape fiber are fusion-spliced ​​to each other.

6. An optical wiring comprising: a first tape fiber and a second tape fiber, each of which is a tape fiber according to any one of claims 1 to 3; and a mechanical splice section that connects the first tape fiber and the second tape fiber to each other.

7. An optical wiring comprising: a first tape fiber and a second tape fiber, each of which is a tape fiber according to any one of claims 1 to 3; and a fiber array connection part that connects the first tape fiber and the second tape fiber to each other.

8. An optical wiring comprising: a first tape fiber and a second tape fiber, each of which is a tape fiber according to any one of claims 1 to 3; and an optical connector that connects the first tape fiber and the second tape fiber to each other.

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