Jig for producing optical parts

A jig for producing optical parts comprises a base stand for stacking ten individuals of fiber coil reels around which optical fibers are wound in a predetermined number of turns respectively, and array-holding mechanisms provided on a circumferential surface of the base stand, for downwardly exposing respective end surfaces of arrays secured to ends of the plurality of optical fibers led from the respective stacked fiber coil reels. Accordingly, it is possible to highly accurately polish the end surfaces of the array members secured to the ends of the optical fibers led from the plurality of reels respectively. It is possible to eliminate almost all dispersion in polishing accuracy among the array members, and it is possible to produce the optical parts highly accurately with a good yield.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
 1. Field of the Invention
 The present invention relates to a jig for producing optical parts. In
 particular, the present invention relates to a jig for producing parts,
 which is preferably used, for example, to polish each of end surfaces of
 array members secured to optical coupling ends of optical fibers led from
 reels around which the fibers are wound in a predetermined number of turns
 respectively.
 2. Description of the Related Art
 Recently, an optical fiber gyroscope has been suggested, which is extremely
 advantageous in operability, convenient handling performance, and
 realization of a compact and light weight system, and which is also
 advantageous in improvement in durability because there is no mechanically
 movable component. Development is being rapidly advanced at present in
 order to practically use such an optical fiber gyroscope.
 The system of the optical fiber gyroscope will now be briefly explained.
 The optical fiber gyroscope is a sensor for detecting the angular velocity
 based on the phase difference (Sagnac phase difference) between two light
 beams transmitted clockwise and counter clockwise in a fiber coil obtained
 by winding an optical fiber having a length of several tens meters in a
 predetermined number of turns. The optical fiber gyroscope is classified
 into those belonging to the open loop system and those belonging to the
 closed loop system depending on the method for detecting the phase
 difference.
 When it is intended to produce an optical part such as an optical fiber
 gyroscope which is excellent in, for example, compact and light weight
 properties and durability as described above, the process for assembling
 the optical part especially comprises the steps of winding a lengthy
 optical fiber around a cylindrical object to produce a fiber coil,
 optically coupling an optical IC chip (optical waveguide)incorporated with
 a phase modulator to two ends of the optical fiber led from the fiber
 coil, optically coupling an optical fiber led from a light source to an
 optical fiber to be led to a photodetector by using a coupler, optically
 coupling an optical fiber led from the coupler to the optical IC chip, and
 packaging the optical IC chip.
 In the step of optically coupling the optical IC chip to the optical fiber
 as described above, the following procedure is assumed. That is, an array
 member is secured to an optical coupling end of the optical fiber to make
 optical coupling to the optical IC chip. Thus, for example, a start end
 and a terminal end of the optical fiber are optically coupled to the
 optical IC chip.
 According to such a procedure, the use of the array member makes it
 possible to previously define the spacing distance between the both ends
 in conformity with the coupling portion of the optical IC chip. Further,
 the direction of the polarization plane of the light transmitted through
 the optical fiber can be adjusted beforehand to the direction of the
 polarization plane of the light transmitted through the optical waveguide.
 Therefore, when the optical fiber is actually optically coupled to the
 optical IC chip, it is unnecessary to consider the spacing distance and
 the direction of the polarization plane one by one. Accordingly, it is
 possible to contemplate an efficient operation of the optical coupling.
 Before the array member, which is secured to the end of the optical fiber
 led from the reel, is attached to the optical IC chip, the surface of the
 array member, on which the array member is attached to the optical IC
 chip, is previously polished. By doing so, it is possible to make highly
 accurate optical coupling between the optical fiber and the optical IC
 chip.
 In order to polish the array member, the following method is assumed. That
 is, for example, a reel-placing stand is installed outside a rotary
 polishing surface plate. A reel is placed on the reel-placing stand, and
 the optical fiber is drawn from the reel so that the array member secured
 to is end is positioned on the polishing surface plate. Further, the array
 member is polished while allowing the end surface of the array member to
 contact with the polishing surface plate. In this method, the array member
 is pressed against the polishing surface plate manually or by using a
 mechanical chucking mechanism.
 When the performance for mass production is taken into consideration, the
 following method is assumed. That is, for example, ten individuals of
 reel-placing stands are installed around the polishing surface plate.
 Reels are placed on the respective reel-placing stands. The array members,
 which are secured to ends of optical fibers drawn from the respective
 reels, are positioned on the polishing surface plate to polish the ten
 array members in the same manner as described above.
 However, in the case of the polishing methods as described above, a skilful
 technique is required to correctly position, on the polishing surface
 plate, the end surface of the array member secured to the end of the
 optical fiber drawn from the reel. Further, it is impossible to perform
 the polishing operation while allowing the array member itself to make
 rotation on its axis. Therefore, a problem newly arises in that the
 dispersion in polishing accuracy tends to increase among the array
 members.
 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
 The present invention has been made taking the foregoing problems into
 consideration, an object of which is to provide a jig for producing
 optical parts, which makes it possible to highly accurately polish
 respective end surfaces of array members secured to ends of optical fibers
 drawn from a plurality of reels respectively, eliminate almost all
 dispersion in polishing accuracy among the array members, and produce the
 optical parts highly accurately with a good yield.
 Another object of the present invention is to provide a jig for producing
 optical parts, which makes it possible to produce the optical parts
 inexpensively and stably with good operability and with good
 reproducibility.
 According to the present invention, there is provided a jig for producing
 optical parts, comprising a base stand for stacking a plurality of reels
 around which lengthy fibers are wound in a predetermined number of turns
 respectively, and array-holding sections disposed on a circumferential
 surface of the base stand, for downwardly exposing respective end surfaces
 of array members secured respectively to optical coupling ends of the
 plurality of fibers led from the respective reels stacked on the base
 stand.
 Accordingly, the plurality of reels are firstly stacked on the base stand.
 The lengthy fibers are wound around the respective reels. The array
 members are secured to the ends of the respective optical fibers. The
 optical fibers are drawn from the respective reels, and the array members,
 which are secured to the respective ends thereof, are held by the
 array-holding sections provided on the circumferential surface of the base
 stand. When the array members are held as described above, the end
 surfaces of the respective array members are exposed downwardly from the
 base stand.
 In this state, when the producing jig is placed on a polishing surface
 plate of a polishing apparatus, the exposed end surfaces of the array
 members contact with the polishing surface plate. The end surfaces of the
 plurality of array members are simultaneously polished by rotating the
 polishing surface plate.
 Since the plurality of reels are stacked, the plurality of array members
 are uniformly pressed against the polishing surface plate by the aid of
 their own weights. Accordingly, the end surfaces of the respective array
 members are polished highly accurately. As a result, it is possible to
 eliminate almost all dispersion in polishing accuracy among the respective
 array members, and it is possible to produce the optical parts highly
 accurately with a good yield. That is, the present invention makes it
 possible to produce the optical parts inexpensively and stably with good
 operability and with good reproducibility.
 It is preferable for the jig constructed as described above to further
 comprise guide members attached detachably to the array-holding sections,
 for making regulation so that the end surfaces of the array members
 exposed downwardly from the base stand are horizontal. In this
 arrangement, a variety of array members can be highly accurately polished
 by appropriately attaching, to the array-holding sections, the guide
 members which are adapted to the array members to be polished.
 It is preferable for the jig constructed as described above to further
 comprise array-placing sections provided on the base stand, for placing
 the plurality of array members, the array-placing sections having meshed
 bottoms. When the polishing step is completed, the array members are
 ordinarily introduced into the washing step to wash their polished
 surfaces. In the present invention, the respective array members are
 removed from the array-holding sections at the stage of completion of the
 polishing process for the end surfaces of the plurality of array members,
 and they are placed on the array-placing sections. The array members can
 be introduced into the washing step as they are (in a state in which the
 plurality of reels are stacked on the base stand, and the array members
 are placed on the array-placing sections). In this arrangement, the
 bottoms of the array-placing sections are formed to have the meshed
 structure. Therefore, it is possible to efficiently wash the polished
 array members with a washing liquid.
 The above and other objects, features, and advantages of the present
 invention will become more apparent from the following description when
 taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which a preferred
 embodiment of the present invention is shown by way of illustrative
 example.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
 Explanation will be made below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 8 for an
 illustrative embodiment of the jig for producing optical parts according
 to the present invention (hereinafter simply referred to as "jig according
 to the embodiment") and for an illustrative embodiment of the polishing
 apparatus according to the present invention (hereinafter simply referred
 to as "polishing apparatus according to the embodiment"). Before that,
 explanation will be made with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4 for an arrangement
 of an optical part to which the jig and the polishing apparatus according
 to the embodiment of the present invention are applied.
 The optical part is, for example, an optical fiber gyroscope. As shown in
 FIG. 1, the optical fiber gyroscope comprises a fiber coil 12 composed of
 a lengthy optical fiber 10 wound in a predetermined number of turns, a
 coupler 22 for optically coupling an optical fiber 16 led from a light
 source 14 to an optical fiber 20 led to a photodetector 18, and an optical
 IC chip 24 arranged between the fiber coil 12 and the coupler 22. The
 optical IC chip 24 comprises, for example, an optical waveguide 28 (for
 example, a Y-shaped optical waveguide) having a predetermined
 configuration formed on an LiNbO.sub.3 substrate 26. A phase modulator 30
 and a polarizer 32 are mounted on the optical waveguide 28. For example, a
 super luminescent diode (SLD) can be used as the light source 14.
 In this embodiment, two ends (an end 10a and an end 10b, see FIG. 2A) of
 the optical fiber 10 led from the fiber coil 12 are secured to a first
 array 34 for regulating the attaching direction with respect to the
 optical IC chip 24. One end (an end 16a of the optical fiber 16 led from
 the light source 14, see FIG. 3A) of the optical fiber led from the
 coupler 22 is secured to a second array 36 for regulating the attaching
 direction with respect to the optical IC chip 24. The respective ends 10a,
 10b, 16a of the respective optical fibers 10, 16 are optically coupled to
 the optical IC chip 24 via the first and second arrays 34, 36.
 Specifically, as shown in FIG. 2A, the first array 34 comprises, on one
 principal surface, a substrate 34A which is formed with, in a continuous
 manner, two V-shaped grooves 38a, 38b extending toward one end surface and
 a groove 40 extending toward the other end surface, and a cover substrate
 34B for closing the respective grooves 38a, 38b, on the substrate 34A.
 When the first array 34 is assembled, the two ends 10a, 10b of the optical
 fiber 10, which are led from the fiber coil 12, are firstly embedded in
 the V-shaped grooves 38a, 38b of the substrate 34A as shown in FIG. 2A.
 After that, the polarization-conserving plane of the optical fiber 10 is
 adjusted to the direction of the polarization plane of light transmitted
 through the optical waveguide 28 (for example, the major axis direction of
 the core cross section is adjusted, for example, to the horizontal
 direction). Subsequently, the cover substrate 34B is placed thereon to
 glue the both by using an adhesive. As shown in FIG. 2B, the end surface
 34a disposed on the free end of the optical fiber 10, of the end surfaces
 of the first array 34 is polished to complete the operation for securing
 the first array 34 to the optical fiber 10.
 As shown in FIG. 3A, the second array 36 comprises, on one principal
 surface, a substrate 36A which is formed with, in a continuous manner, one
 V-shaped groove 42 extending toward one end surface and a groove 44
 extending toward the other end surface, and a cover substrate 36B for
 closing the respective grooves 42, 44 on the substrate 36A.
 When the second array 36 is assembled, the one end 16a of the optical fiber
 16, which is led from the coupler 22, is firstly embedded in the V-shaped
 groove 42 of the substrate 36A as shown in FIG. 3A. After that, the
 polarization-conserving plane of the optical fiber 16 is adjusted to the
 direction of the polarization plane of light transmitted through the
 optical waveguide 28 (for example, the major axis direction of the core
 cross section is adjusted, for example, to the horizontal direction).
 Subsequently, the cover substrate 36B is placed thereon to glue the
 components by using an adhesive. As shown in FIG. 3B, the end surface 36a
 disposed on the free end of the optical fiber 16, of the end surfaces of
 the second array 36 is polished to complete the operation for securing the
 second array 36 to the optical fiber 16.
 As shown in FIG. 4A, the first and second arrays 34, 36, to which the
 optical fibers 10, 16 have been already secured, are attached to one
 optical IC chip 24 respectively. The both end surfaces a and b of the
 optical IC chip 24 are attached to the arrays 34, 36 as follows. That is,
 the second array 36 is attached to the end surface a in the vicinity of
 the polarizer 32, and the first array 34 is attached to the end surface b
 in the vicinity of the phase modulator 30, while adjusting their optical
 axes respectively.
 The respective arrays 34, 36 are attached (glued by using an adhesive in
 this embodiment) while adjusting their optical axes so that the optical
 output is maximized. As shown in FIG. 4B, the optical axis is adjusted for
 the first array 34 for the three axial directions of X, Y, Z and for the
 two core rotational directions. The optical axis is adjusted for the
 second array 36 for the three axial directions of X, Y, Z.
 As shown in FIG. 5, a jig 300 according to the embodiment of the present
 invention comprises a base stand 302 for stacking a plurality of fiber
 coil reels 100 or a plurality of coupler reels (not shown). The fiber coil
 reel 100 is a reel for winding therearound the optical fiber 10 for
 constructing the fiber coil 12, and it has a central through-hole 102 (see
 FIG. 5). The coupler reel (not shown) is a reel for winding therearound
 the optical fiber 16 led from the coupler 22.
 Explanation will now be made with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6 for the jig
 according to the embodiment of the present invention as represented by the
 jig 300 for polishing the array 34 secured to the optical fiber 10 drawn
 from the fiber coil reel 100. The base stand 302 of the jig 300 according
 to the embodiment of the present invention comprises a pedestal 304
 disposed at its bottom and a first base plate 306. The pedestal 304 has
 its diameter which is slightly smaller than the diameter of the fiber coil
 reel 100 or the coupler reel. The first base plate 306 is attached on the
 pedestal 304, it has its diameter which is larger than the diameter of the
 pedestal 304, and it has its thickness which is about 1/2 of that of the
 pedestal 304.
 A recess 308, which has its diameter larger than that of the through-hole
 102 of the fiber coil reel 100, is formed at an upper central portion of
 the pedestal 304. A disk 310, which has its diameter slightly smaller than
 the diameter of the recess 308 and which has its thickness approximately
 the same as the height of the recess 308, is accommodated in the recess
 308. A support shaft 312, which extends in the vertical direction, is
 secured to the center of the disk 310, for example, by being fastened by a
 screw. Recesses 314, each of which has, for example, a circular
 configuration, are formed, for example, at four positions located on a
 concentric circle on the pedestal 304.
 A part of the support shaft 312, which extends over a predetermined length
 from the end on the side to be secured to the disk 310 (hereinafter
 conveniently referred to as "attachment section 312a"), has its diameter
 which is smaller than the diameter of the through-hole 102 of the fiber
 coil reel 100. Another part of the support shaft 312, which corresponds to
 a portion for stacking the fiber coil reels 100 (hereinafter conveniently
 referred to as "stacking section 312b"), has its diameter which is
 approximately the same as the diameter of the through-hole 102. A bolt
 member 316 is screwed into the support shaft 312 at its upper end.
 A through-hole 318, which has its diameter slightly larger than the
 diameter of the attachment section 312a of the support shaft 312, is
 formed at the center of the first base plate 306. The attachment section
 312a of the support shaft 312 is inserted through the through-hole 318.
 Through-holes 320, each of which has an identical diameter, are formed at
 positions of the first base plate 306 corresponding to the four recesses
 314 provided on the pedestal 304.
 The base stand 302 further comprises a second base plate 322 which is fixed
 at a position corresponding to an approximately central portion in the
 lengthwise direction of the attachment section 312a of the support shaft
 312. The second base plate 322 has, at its center, a through-hole (not
 shown) which is formed with its diameter slightly larger than the diameter
 of the attachment section 312a of the support shaft 312. The attachment
 section 312a of the support shaft 312 is inserted through the
 through-hole. Columnar members 324, which extend downwardly at positions
 corresponding to the four recesses 314 provided on the pedestal 304, are
 secured to the lower surface of the second base plate 322, for example, by
 being secured by screws. Each of the columnar members 324 has its diameter
 which is smaller than the diameter of the recess 314, and its height which
 is approximately the same as the length ranging from the lower surface of
 the second base plate 322 to the bottom of the recess 314 on the pedestal
 304.
 A ring member 326, which has its inner diameter slightly larger than the
 diameter of the attachment section 312a of the support shaft 312, is
 secured to a central portion of the upper surface of the second base plate
 322, for example, by being fastened by a screw. The height of the ring
 member 326 is approximately the same as the length ranging from the upper
 surface of the second base plate 324 to the deepest end of the attachment
 section 312a of the support shaft 312. Therefore, the support shaft 312 is
 fixed at its end to the disk 310 which is accommodated in the recess 308
 of the pedestal 304, giving a conformation in which a step section 328 of
 the support shaft 312 contacts with the upper surface of the ring member
 326. Thus, the support shaft 312 is stably supported in the vertical
 direction.
 The stacking section 312b of the support shaft 312 has its length which is
 approximately the same as the height obtained by stacking the ten fiber
 coil reels 100. Therefore, the ten fiber coil reels 100 are stacked by
 successively inserting the fiber coil reels 100 into the support shaft
 312.
 A cap-shaped pressing member 330 is inserted into the bolt member 316 which
 is screwed into the support shaft 312 at its upper end. A nut member 332
 disposed thereon is further screwed thereinto. When the nut member 332 is
 screwed downwardly, the ten fiber coil reels 100 can be pressed by the
 lower end surface of the pressing member 330 disposed thereon. In order to
 avoid any excessive pressing action of the pressing member 330, it is
 preferable to previously insert collar members 334 into the bolt member
 316 before inserting the pressing member 330. In the embodiment shown in
 FIG. 5, three collar members (334a, 334b, 334c) are inserted. Thus, the
 pressing member 330 can be prevented from movement downwardly beyond the
 upper end of the uppermost collar member 334a.
 As shown in FIG. 6, ten individual guide members 340 are arranged and fixed
 by being fastened by screws respectively on the circumferential surface of
 the pedestal 304. Each of the guide members 340 is formed with a guide
 groove 342 which has approximately the same width as the lateral width of
 the array 34.
 The guide groove 342 is inclined in conformity with the angle of the end
 surface of the array 34. The angle of inclination of the guide groove 342
 with respect to the vertical direction is approximately the same as the
 angle of inclination of the end surface of the array 34. An array-holding
 mechanism 346 for closing a part of the guide groove 342 is provided at a
 lower portion of the guide member 340. The array-holding mechanism 346
 comprises a support shaft 348 provided at the lower portion of the guide
 member 340, a holding tab 350 rotatably attached to the support shaft 348,
 and a stopper 352 for regulating rotation of the holding tab 350.
 The holding tab 350 is formed with a U-shaped cutout 354 which is open on
 the side of the lower surface. When the holding tab 350 is rotated in a
 certain direction so that the part of the guide groove 342 is closed to
 arrive at a stage in which the lower surface of the holding tab 350 is
 approximately coincident with the lower surface of the pedestal 304, then
 the stopper 352 abuts against the inner end of the cutout 354 to inhibit
 further downward rotation.
 On the other hand, keyhole-shaped cutouts 360 are formed through the first
 base plate 306 at positions corresponding to the upper ends of the guide
 grooves 342. As shown in FIG. 6, U-shaped cutouts 362 are formed through
 the second base plate 322 at positions corresponding to the upper ends of
 the guide grooves 342 (i.e., at positions corresponding to the
 keyhole-shaped cutouts 360 formed through the first base plate).
 Wire-shaped guide poles 364, which rise upwardly, are provided in the
 vicinity of the openings of the U-shaped cutouts 362.
 Each of the guide poles 364 has its forward end which is bent to have a
 U-shaped configuration so that the optical fiber 10 may be supported. The
 respective guide poles 364 have different heights respectively. They have,
 for example, ten levels of heights in conformity with the number of the
 fiber coil reels 100 to be stacked. The respective guide poles 364 are
 provided on the second base plate 322 such that their heights are
 successively increased, for example, in the clockwise direction starting
 from the guide pole 364 having the lowest height.
 Recesses 366 for placing the arrays 34 thereon are provided between the
 U-shaped cutouts 362 on the second base plate 322. The recesses 366 are
 formed to have meshed bottoms 366a.
 Accordingly, the array 34, which is secured to the end of each of the
 optical fibers 10 drawn from the ten fiber coil reels 100 stacked on the
 base stand 302, is allowed to slide along the guide groove 342 so that its
 end surface is exposed downwardly from the pedestal 304. In this state,
 the holding tab 350 is rotated so that the part of the guide groove 342 is
 closed by the holding tab 350, and the holding tab 350 is fastened by the
 stopper 352. Thus, a situation is given, in which the holding tab 350
 presses the array 34 against the bottom of the guide groove 342.
 Therefore, the array 34 is tightly fixed in the guide groove 342 in a
 state in which its end surface is exposed downwardly from the pedestal
 304. The foregoing operation is carried out for all of the arrays 34
 secured to the optical fibers 10 led from the plurality of (for example,
 ten of) stacked fiber coil reels 100.
 During this process, the optical fibers 10, which are led from the
 plurality of fiber coil reels 100, may be bound into one bundle.
 Otherwise, the individual optical fibers 10 are hung respectively on the
 plurality of guide poles 364 provided on the second base plate 322. The
 individual optical fibers 10 are respectively allowed to pass through the
 plurality of U-shaped cutouts 362 provided through the second base plate
 322 and through the plurality of keyhole-shaped cutouts 360 provided
 through the first base plate 306. Thus, it is possible to ensure pathways
 for the optical fibers 10 corresponding to the plurality of fiber coil
 reels 100 respectively. Further, the optical fibers 10 can be prevented
 from being tangled.
 Next, a polishing apparatus 400 according to the embodiment of the present
 invention will be explained with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8. As shown in
 FIG. 7, the polishing apparatus 400 comprises a surface plate 402 for
 being driven and rotated by a driving control unit (not shown)
 incorporated in the polishing apparatus 400, driven motion-regulating
 members 404 for regulating so-called driven motion of revolution
 associated with rotation of the surface plate 402 so that relative
 revolving motion around the center is realized, and a pump 406 for
 supplying pure water and polishing liquid. The pure water and the
 polishing liquid from the pump 406 are led onto the surface plate 402 via
 a hose 408 and a nozzle 410.
 As shown in FIG. 7 in a representative manner, each of the driven
 motion-regulating members 404 comprises a main regulating member body 420
 formed to have an arc-shaped configuration, and a support section 424
 formed integrally with the main regulating member body 420 and having a
 long hole 422 at its end. Unillustrated disks are rotatably attached to
 both ends of the arc of the main regulating member body 420 respectively.
 A shaft 432, which is attached to a housing 430 of the polishing apparatus
 400, is inserted through the long hole 422 of the support section 424. The
 main regulating member body 420 makes swinging movement in accordance with
 movement of the shaft 432 in the long hole 422. The inner arc of the main
 regulating member body 420 has the same curvature as the curvature of the
 jig 300 (exactly speaking, as the curvature of the second base plate 322).
 Accordingly, when the jig 300 according to the embodiment of the present
 invention is placed on the rotating polishing surface plate 402, the jig
 300 makes a rotation on its axis in conformity with the direction of
 rotation of the polishing surface plate, because the speed of rotation of
 the polishing surface plate 402 is faster at its outer circumference than
 its inner circumference. During this process, the jig 300 tends to make a
 revolving movement in accordance with the rotation of the polishing
 surface plate 402. However, the revolving movement (driven motion) of the
 jig 300 is regulated by the driven motion-regulating member 404. As a
 result, the jig 300 makes a relative revolving motion around a certain
 center with respect to the polishing surface plate 402. That is, the jig
 300 make the rotation on its axis in conformity with The direction of
 rotation of the polishing surface plate 402, and it simultaneously makes
 the relative revolving motion around the certain center as well.
 The portion of the jig 300, which is located on the outer circumferential
 side of the polishing surface plate 402, presses the driven
 motion-regulating member 404 in the rightward direction as shown in FIG. 7
 in accordance with the rotation of the polishing surface plate 402.
 However, the pressing force causes the driven motion-regulating member 404
 to make movement so that the shaft 432 inserted into the long hole 422 is
 relatively moved toward one end of the long hole 422 (one end disposed on
 a side opposite to the main regulating member body 420) while
 substantially drawing a circular arc. Therefore, the pressing force is
 escaped away owing to the rotation of the disks (not shown) provided at
 the both ends of the circular arc of the main regulating member body 420.
 Accordingly, the jig 300 is substantially subjected to the rotation on its
 axis and the revolution around the center.
 The jig 300 and the polishing apparatus 400 according to the embodiment of
 the present invention are basically constructed as described above. Next,
 their function and effect will be explained below.
 At first, as shown in FIG. 5, the plurality of (for example, ten of) fiber
 coil reels 100 are stacked on the base stand 302. The lengthy optical
 fibers 10 are wound around the respective fiber coil reels 100, and the
 arrays 34 are secured to the ends of the respective optical fibers 10. The
 optical fibers 10 are drawn from the respective fiber coil reels 100, and
 the arrays 34, which are secured to the respective ends, are inserted into
 the guide grooves 342 of the guide members 340 shown in FIG. 6
 respectively. Further, the arrays 34 are fixed in the guide grooves 342 by
 rotating the holding tabs 350. At this time, the arrays 34 are fixed in
 the state in which the end surfaces thereof are exposed outwardly from the
 pedestal 304. The amount of exposure (amount of protrusion) of each of the
 arrays 34 is adjusted to be uniform by using a clearance gauge. The
 optical fibers 10, which are drawn from the respective fiber coil reels
 100, are hung on the corresponding guide poles 364 provided on the second
 base plate 322. Further, the optical fibers 10 are guided through the
 U-shaped cutouts 362 which are provided through the second base plate 322
 and through the keyhole-shaped cutouts 360 which are provided through the
 first base plate 306.
 When the jig 300 according to the embodiment of the present invention is
 placed on the polishing surface plate 402 of the polishing apparatus 400,
 the respective end surfaces of the plurality of (for example, ten of)
 arrays 34, which are exposed downwardly from the pedestal 304, contact
 with the polishing surface plate 402. When the polishing surface plate 402
 is rotated, the respective end surfaces of the plurality of arrays 34 are
 simultaneously polished.
 In this embodiment, the plurality of (for example, ten of) fiber coil reels
 100 are stacked on the base stand 302. Therefore, the plurality of arrays
 34 are uniformly pressed against the polishing surface plate 402 due to
 their own weights. Thus, the end surfaces of the respective arrays 34 are
 polished highly accurately. As a result, it is possible to eliminate
 almost all dispersion in polishing accuracy among the arrays 34.
 In the embodiment of the present invention, the jig 300 is introduced into
 the washing step at the stage after completion of the polishing process or
 during the polishing process.
 As shown in FIG. 8, the washing step is carried out by introducing the jig
 300 according to the embodiment of the present invention into a washing
 tank 500. Specifically, a plurality of (for example, three of) jigs 300
 are placed on the bottom of a washing jig 502. The washing jig 502 is used
 to insert the plurality of jigs 300 into the washing tank 500. The washing
 jig 502 is made of, for example, a synthetic resin or a metal, comprising,
 in an integrated manner, a grip section 504 which is formed to have its
 length larger than the length of the washing tank 500, and a placing
 section 506 which is fixed to the lower surface of the grip section 504
 and which is capable of placing the plurality of jigs 300 thereon. A large
 number of through-holes 510 are formed through the bottom of the placing
 section 506 so that a washing liquid 508 is distributed to the plurality
 of jigs 300.
 When the plurality of jigs 300 are washed by using the washing tank 500 and
 the washing jig 502, the jigs 300 are firstly removed from the polishing
 apparatus 400. After that, the arrays 34, which are fixed in the guide
 grooves 342 of the guide members 340, are taken out, and they are placed
 on the recesses 366 provided on the second base plate 322 respectively.
 On the other hand, the washing liquid 508 is poured beforehand into the
 washing tank 500 up to a height of about 1/3. The plurality of jigs 300
 are placed on the bottom of the placing section 506 of the washing jig
 502. After that, the washing jig 502 is transported to the position of the
 washing tank 500 by gripping the grip section 504 manually or by using a
 chucking mechanism for automatic transport. Subsequently, the washing jig
 502 is moved downwardly to introduce the plurality of jigs 300 into the
 washing tank 500.
 In this procedure, the washing jig 502 is moved downwardly until the lower
 end surface of the grip section 504 abuts against the upper surface of the
 washing tank 500. At this stage, the upper surface (liquid level) of the
 washing liquid 508 is positioned higher than the recesses 366 provided on
 the second base plate 322 of the jig 300. Thus, the arrays 34, which are
 placed on the recesses 366, are immersed in the washing liquid.
 The bottom 366a of each of the recesses 366 is formed to have the meshed
 form. Therefore, the washing liquid 508 flows through upper and lower
 portions of the recesses 366. Thus, the respective arrays 34 are
 efficiently washed (for example, polishing abrasive grains and dust
 adhered to the arrays 34 during the polishing process are efficiently
 removed).
 The embodiment described above is illustrative of the case in which the
 arrays 34, which are secured to the optical fibers 10 drawn from the fiber
 coil reels 100, are polished and washed. Besides, the present invention is
 also applicable to the case in which the arrays 36 (see FIGS. 3A and 3B),
 which are secured to the optical fibers 16 (see FIGS. 3A and 3B) drawn
 from the coupler reels (not shown), are polished and washed. In this case,
 the jig 300 and the washing jig 502 may be produced in conformity with the
 diameter of the coupler reel (not shown). Specifically, the coupler reel
 (not shown) has an inner diameter larger than that of the fiber coil reel
 100, and a height which is lower than that of the fiber coil reel 100.
 Therefore, the diameter of the support shaft 312 may be increased in
 conformity with the inner diameter of the coupler reel (not shown), and
 the height of the support shaft 312 may be lowered in conformity with the
 height of the coupler reel (not shown).
 As described above, when the jig 300 according to the embodiment of the
 present invention is used, for example, the plurality of fiber coil reels
 100 are stacked thereon, and the arrays 34, which are secured to the
 optical fibers drawn from the respective reels 100, are inserted into the
 guide grooves 342 of the guide members 340. Further, the arrays 34 are
 fixed by using the holding tabs 350. Thus, the end surfaces of the
 respective arrays 34 are exposed downwardly from the pedestal 304, and the
 end surfaces of the respective arrays 34 are horizontal.
 In this state, when the jig 300 is placed on the polishing surface plate
 402 of the polishing apparatus 400, the exposed end surfaces of the arrays
 34 contact with the polishing surface plate 402. In accordance with the
 rotation of the polishing surface plate 402, the end surfaces of the
 plurality of arrays 34 are simultaneously polished.
 In this procedure, the plurality of fiber coil reels 100 are stacked.
 Therefore, the plurality of arrays 34 are uniformly pressed against the
 polishing surface plate 402 owing to their own weights. Thus, the end
 surfaces of the respective arrays 34 are polished highly accurately. As a
 result, it is possible to eliminate almost all dispersion in polishing
 accuracy among the arrays 34, making it possible to produce the optical
 parts such as the optical fiber gyroscope highly accurately with a good
 yield.
 Especially, when the jig 300 according to the embodiment of the present
 invention is used, the end surfaces of the respective arrays 34 become
 horizontal owing to the guide members 340. Therefore, when the guide
 members 340 suitable for the arrays 34 to be polished are appropriately
 attached to the circumferential surface of the pedestal 304, it is
 possible to polish a variety of arrays 34 highly accurately.
 The jig 300 according to the embodiment of the present invention comprises
 the plurality of recesses 366 (array-placing sections) provided on the
 second base plate 322. Usually, when the polishing step is completed, the
 arrays 34 are introduced into the washing step to wash the polished
 surfaces thereof. However, in the embodiment of the present invention, at
 the stage at which the polishing process is completed for the end surfaces
 of the plurality of arrays 34, the respective arrays 34 are taken out of
 the guide grooves 342 of the guide members 240, and they are placed on the
 recesses 366 so that they may be introduced into the washing step as they
 are (in the state in which the plurality of reels 100 are stacked, and the
 arrays 34 are placed on the recesses 366). Such a procedure results in
 reduction of the number of steps, and it is advantageous in reduction of
 the production cost of the optical parts such as the optical fiber
 gyroscope.
 The bottom 366a of each of the recesses 366 provided on the second base
 plate 322 is formed to have the meshed configuration. Therefore, the
 polished arrays 34 can be efficiently washed with the washing liquid,
 making it possible to improve the attaching accuracy with respect to the
 optical IC chip 24.
 The embodiment described above is illustrative of the case of application
 to the polishing process for the arrays 34 secured to the ends of the
 optical fibers 10 drawn from the fiber coil reels 100 and for the arrays
 36 secured to the ends of the optical fibers 16 drawn from the coupler
 reels (not shown). However, the present invention is not limited thereto.
 The present invention is applicable to all cases to polish a member
 secured to an end of a wired object wound around a certain reel.
 The polishing apparatus 400 according to the embodiment of the present
 invention is operated as follows. That is, when the jig 300 according to
 the embodiment of the present invention is placed on the polishing surface
 plate 402, the driven motion of the jig 300 is regulated on the polishing
 surface plate 402 by the aid of the driven motion-regulating member 404.
 Therefore, the jig 300 is subjected to the rotating motion on its axis aid
 the revolving motion around the center (in a relative manner). As a
 result, it is possible to highly accurately polish the end surfaces of a
 variety of arrays 34. As shown in FIG. 7, when the plurality of (for
 example, three of) jigs 300 are placed on the polishing surface plate 402
 to perform the polishing process, it is possible to avoid any unexpected
 inversion of each of the jigs 300. Further, the respective jigs 300 can be
 prevented from colliding with each other. Thus, it is possible to smoothly
 execute the polishing step.
 It is a matter of course that the jig for producing optical parts according
 to the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described
 above, which may be embodied in other various forms without deviating from
 the gist or essential characteristic of the present invention.