Disclosed is an optical fiber coupling device which comprises an optical fiber, a coupling member to which the optical fiber is coupled, a coupling means for coupling the optical fiber to the coupling member, and an optical-fiber fixing section for fixing a part of the optical fiber. The optical fiber is coupled only at its forward end to the coupling member. A part of the optical fiber is fixed at a position separated from the forward end of the optical fiber by a specified distance. Thus, the stress applied to the fixed section of the optical fiber is absorbed into a portion of the optical fiber located between the forward end of the optical fiber and the fixed section of the optical fiber fixed by the optical fiber fixing section and which covers the specified distance, thereby to prevent the stress from being applied to the forward end of the optical fiber.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention relates to an optical-fiber coupling device for 
coupling to an optical operation device an optical fiber for permitting 
input or output of optical information. 
When it is desired to construct an optical transmission system, it becomes 
necessary to use various optical operation devices such as an optical 
coupler for causing an optical branching or merging, an optical switch for 
switching an optical transmission line, an optical multi/demultiplexer for 
effecting optical wavelength division multiplexing transmission, etc., as 
well as an optical transmitter and optical receiver. For permitting input 
or output of optical information, thereby permitting the transmission of 
this information, an optical fiber is used in these devices. The 
connecting or coupling of the optical fiber to the optical operation 
devices is effected by the use of various methods. For example, Japanese 
Patent Disclosure (Kokai) No. 53-55134 discloses a fiber coupling device 
having a rod lens and an optical fiber. In this case, a resilient member 
is used for coupling the optical fiber to the rod lens. Japanese Patent 
Disclosure (Kokai) No. 55-15184 discloses an optical-fiber coupler unit 
wherein a light incident end face of the optical fiber and a glass plate 
are fixed to each other by means of an epoxy resin having a refractive 
index substantially equal to that of the optical fiber and glass plate. 
Further, Japanese Patent Disclosure (Kokai) No. 56-147111 discloses an 
optical-fiber connector unit with a fiber-side connector element to which 
an optical fiber is fixed, and an element-side connector element to which 
an optical receiving element is fixed, both said connector elements being 
detachable. In this case, as seen, a pair of connectors are used for 
coupling the rod lens and the optical fiber. 
In the above-mentioned prior art optical-fiber coupling unit, respective 
axes of the optical fiber and the optical operation device are very likely 
to be misaligned due to mechanical or thermal displacements of the 
coupling members, used for coupling the optical fiber, and the members to 
be connected. This axial misalignment causes optical loss and, at the same 
time, deteriorates the fiber-insertion loss characteristic (optical loss 
due to insertion of the optical fiber) of the optical-operation device. 
Besides, this axial misalignment also raises the problem of decreasing the 
mechanical stability of the coupling unit. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
The object of the present invention is to provide an optical-fiber coupling 
device which prevents misalignment of the axis between an optical fiber 
and a member to be connected with this optical-fiber. 
To attain the above object, the optical-fiber coupling device according to 
the present invention comprises a block onto which light is incident or 
from which light emerges, an optical fiber, a coupling means for coupling 
the block and the optical fiber, and a fixing means for fixing the optical 
fiber. Only a forward end portion of the optical fiber is coupled by the 
coupling means to a portion of the block at which an optical coupling is 
to be achieved. This coupled section is defined as being a first fiber 
fixing section. A fiber fixing section which fixes a portion of the 
optical fiber, spaced by a specified distance from the forward end of this 
optical fiber, is defined as being a second fiber fixing section. The 
second fiber fixing section is fixed directly or indirectly to the block. 
Between the first and second fiber fixing sections, a fiber element 
portion of the optical fiber is allowed to exist so as to permit this 
optical fiber to maintain its flexibility. The temperature expansion 
coefficient of the optical fiber is selected, relative to the fixing 
means, such that the temperature expansion of the fixing means is 
substantially equal to that of the fiber, as a result of which thermal 
stresses can be accommodated by the flexibility of the fiber. The stress 
applied to the second fiber fixing section is absorbed into the fiber 
element portion between the first and second fiber fixing sections. As a 
result, the stress is prevented from further acting on the forward end of 
the optical fiber. Accordingly, it is possible to provide an optical-fiber 
coupling device capable of preventing positional displacements from 
occurring in the optical-fiber coupling portion due to the application of 
a mechanical force, and in which the optical loss in the coupling portion 
is very small. Moreover, this optical-fiber coupling device is also 
excellent in respect to its temperature characteristic.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
A first embodiment of the present invention will now be described with 
reference to FIG. 1. An optical fiber 10 is comprised of a fiber element 
12 and a nylon jacket 14 for covering the fiber element 12. Only a forward 
end of the fiber element portion 12, prepared by removing the nylon jacket 
14, is coupled to one end of a rod lens 18 by an adhesive agent consisting 
of, for example, UV curing resin or epoxy resin. Further, the optical 
fiber element 12 has its part fixed in an optical-fiber fixing section 20, 
spaced by a specified distance from its forward end, for the purpose of 
maintaining the flexibility of the optical fiber. In the optical-fiber 
fixing section 20, that part of the optical fiber element 12 and an 
immediately succeeding part of the optical fiber 10 covered by the jacket 
are inserted into a protective sleeve 24 and are adhered to this sleeve 24 
by an adhesive agent 22. One end of this protective sleeve 24 is inserted 
into one end of a connecting sleeve 26, which consists of a multi-compound 
glass, and is bonded thereto by an adhesive agent 28. The connecting 
sleeve 26 is fixed at its other end to a block 30 consisting of an optical 
glass capable of transmitting at least a light having a specified 
wavelength in a state wherein the rod lens 18 is inserted thereinto. The 
other end of the rod lens 18 is fixed to the block 30. Accordingly, for 
example, the optical information transmitted by way of the optical fiber 
10 is converted into collimated beams in the rod lens 18. The collimated 
beams are then transmitted through the block 30. The block 30 is formed 
of, for example, borosilicate glass. That part of the optical fiber 
element 12 which resides between the forward end thereof and the 
optical-fiber fixing section 20 constitutes an optical fiber element 
section 32 and is exposed to the air. This section 32 is not limited to 
being exposed to the air, but may be exposed to another gas or fluid. 
Further, it may be buried within a soft material such as, for example, 
urethane. The characterizing features of this first embodiment are first, 
that only the forward end of the optical fiber 10 is connected to the rod 
lens 18 by the adhesive agent 16, and second, that the stress applied to 
the optical-fiber fixing section 20 is absorbed into the optical-fiber 
element section 32 located between the forward end of the optical fiber 10 
and the fixing section 20 thereof, whereby this stress can be prevented 
from being exerted upon the forward end of the optical fiber 10. That is 
to say, the optical fiber element section 32 can be flexed in such a 
manner as to absorb the stress applied thereto. 
The optical fiber coupling device having the foregoing construction can be 
manufactured as follows. First, the adhesive agent 16 is fully coated or 
applied onto one end of the rod lens 18. Then, the optical fiber 10 fixed 
to the protective sleeve 24 is positioned with respect to the rod lens 18 
by use of a center alignment jig. Next, the protective sleeve 24 in which 
the optical fiber 10 is inserted is adhered or fixed to the block 30 by 
way of the connecting sleeve 26. When the optical-fiber coupling device is 
formed in that way, it is possible to couple the optical fiber 10 and the 
rod lens 18 at one small area without disposing any adhesive agent in the 
space created between said one end of the protective sleeve 24 and said 
one end of the rod lens 18. In the surrounding area of the optical fiber 
element section 32, therefore, no possibility exists of producing stress 
due to either the solidification or variation in temperature of the 
adhesive agent; therefore, it is possible to prevent the forward end of 
the optical fiber 10 from having its axis displaced from that of the rod 
lens 18. Moreover, the fiber element of the optical fiber element section 
32 is flexible. Therefore, the stress, which may result when the adhesive 
agent 22 in the protective sleeve 24 or the adhesive agent 28 between this 
protective sleeve 24 and the connecting sleeve 26 is solidified or has its 
temperature varied, is absorbed into this fiber element 12 because of its 
flexibility. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the forward end of the 
optical fiber 10 from being displaced from the rod lens 18. If the length 
of the optical fiber element section 32 is chosen to be about 3 mm or 
more, then it will be sufficient for preventing such displacement. The 
optimum requirement, which should be satisfied by the length l1 of the rod 
lens 18 and the length l2 of the optical fiber element section 32, in 
order to prevent said displacement is shown below. When it is now assumed 
that or represents the coefficient of linear expansion of the rod lens 18, 
.alpha.f represents the coefficient of linear expansion of the fiber 
element 12 of the optical-fiber element section 32, and .alpha.s 
represents the coefficient of linear expansion of the connecting sleeve 
26, the lengths l1 and l2 have only to satisfy the following requirement. 
That is to say: 
EQU l1 (.alpha.r -.alpha.s).apprxeq.l2(.alpha.s-.alpha.f) (1). 
If this requirement is satisfied, the stress applied to the optical fiber 
can be substantially zero, independent of temperature variation. For 
example, if the rod lens 18 has a linear expansion coefficient of 
.alpha.r=10.times..sup.-6 1/.degree.C., on the assumption that it is 
formed of glass, the fiber element 12 of the optical fiber 10 has a linear 
expansion coefficient of .alpha.f=0.4.times.10.sup.-6 1/.degree.C., on the 
assumption that it is formed of silica glass, the connecting sleeve 26 has 
a linear expansion coefficient of .alpha.s=5.times.10.sup.-6 1/.degree.C., 
on the assumption that it is formed of ceramic, and the rod lens 18 has a 
length of l1=6.5 mm, then the optical fiber element section 32 will have a 
length of l2 of 7.1 mm. Therefore, the optical-fiber element section 32 
needs to only be set to that length. In the optical fiber coupling device 
in which the above requirement is satisfied in this way, even when a 
thermal external force is applied to the protective sleeve 24, such force 
will not be extended directly to the forward end of the optical-fiber 
element section 32 and the rod lens 18. Accordingly, such force will not 
have any undesirable effect upon the quality of the coupling between the 
optical fiber 10 and the rod lens 18. It should be noted here that in 
order to make the obtical-fiber element section 32 flexible, this section 
32 may be slightly flexed or made spiral beforehand. 
It may be appreciated that if equation 1 is satisfied the temperature or 
thermal expansion of the connecting sleeve 26 will equal the temperature 
or thermal expansion of the rod lens 18 and optical fiber element section 
32. 
If the optical-fiber coupling device is constricted in the above-mentioned 
way, even when heat cycles are applied to this coupling device, separation 
or disconnection becomes less likely to occur in the optical coupling due 
to the solidification of the adhesive agent. For instance, even when 100 
heat cycles each defined between -20.degree. C. and +60.degree. C. were 
applied, no disconnection occurred in the optical coupling of the 
optical-fiber coupling device according to the present invention. In 
contrast, when heat cycles were also applied to the prior art 
optical-fiber coupling device having its optical-fiber element section 32 
wholly covered by adhesive agent, disconnection occurred in its optical 
couplings. 
An optical-fiber coupling device according to a second embodiment of the 
present invention will now be described with reference to FIG. 2. In this 
embodiment, the forward end of the fiber element 12 of the optical fiber 
10 is coupled to one end of the rod lens 18 by use of a soldering glass 
34. Where, in this way, the optical fiber 10 is coupled to the rod lens 18 
by use of soldering glass 34, the rod lens 18 is first erected vertically, 
and the soldering glass 34 is fully applied onto the end face of the rod 
lens 18 in such a manner that it rises therefrom. Then, the soldering 
glass 34 is heated by means of, for example, a CO.sub.2 laser. Upon 
heating, the soldering glass 34 is liquefied. Under this condition, the 
fiber element 12 is aligned with the rod lens 18, and then the resultant 
joined portion is cooled. It should be noted here that if, in this case, 
the soldering glass 34, fiber element 12 and rod lens 18 have 
substantially the same coefficient of linear expansion, it will 
sufficiently serve the purpose. The other construction is the same as in 
the first embodiment and, therefore, the same parts or portions and 
sections are denoted by the same reference numerals, respectively, and a 
description thereof is omitted. 
Next, an optical-fiber coupling device according to a third embodiment of 
the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 3. In this 
embodiment, the forward end of the fiber element 12 of the optical fiber 
10 is bonded to the rod lens 18 by thermal fusion. This thermally fused 
portion is denoted by a reference numeral 36. If the rod lens 18 and fiber 
element 12 have substantially the same coefficient of linear expansion, a 
good thermal fusion will become possible. Where thermal fusion is 
effected, for example, a CO.sub.2 laser may be used as the heat source. 
Generally speaking, the connection which has been achieved by thermal 
fusion has a merit in that it has higher stability and reliability than 
the connection which has been achieved by use of an adhesive agent. The 
other construction is the same as in the first embodiment. Therefore, the 
same parts and sections are denoted by the same reference numerals, and 
their description is omitted. 
Next, an optical-fiber coupling device according to a fourth embodiment of 
the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 4. In this 
embodiment, the forward end of this fiber element 12 is inserted into a 
minute sleeve 38 for fixing the fiber element 12. The minute sleeve 38 is 
formed of multi-compound glass or ceramic. The fixation of the minute 
sleeve 38 to the fiber element 12, as well as the fixation of the minute 
sleeve 38 to the rod lens 18, is achieved by use of an adhesive agent 
consisting of epoxy resin. For materializing this structure, after the 
fiber element 12 is inserted into the minute sleeve 38, the positioning of 
the fiber element 12 with respect to the rod lens 18 is performed by use 
of a center alignment jig. Thereafter, the fiber element 12 and the rod 
lens 18 are coupled together with the use of the adhesive agent and the 
minute sleeve 38. The inner diameter of the minute sleeve 38 may be of any 
dimension as long as it is slightly greater than the diameter of the fiber 
element 12 and yet permits this element 12 to be inclined within the 
sleeve 38. On the other hand, the outer diameter of the minute sleeve 38 
may be of any dimension as long as it is not greater than the diameter of 
the rod lens 18. Further, the length of the minute sleeve 38 may be in the 
range of 0.5 mm to 1.0 mm or so. 
When the minute sleeve 38 is used in the above-mentioned way, the resultant 
optical-fier coupling device advantageously increases in mechanical 
strength. Further, when the minute sleeve 38 is used, it will be 
sufficient if only the necessary portions are heated by use of, for 
example, a nichrome wire. Therefore, it is possible to shorten the time 
length required for the adhesive agent to harden. Further, the use of the 
minute sleeve 38 eliminates the necessity of keeping the entire assembling 
jig at high temperature, so that the working efficiency increases. The 
other construction is the same as in the preceding first embodiment. 
Therefore, the same parts and sections are denoted by the same reference 
numerals, and their description is omitted. 
Next, an optical-fiber coupling device according to a fifth embodiment of 
the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 5. In this 
embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, a small hole 40 is formed at the one end 
portion of the rod lens 18, and the forward end of the fiber element 12 of 
the optical fiber 10 is secured to this small hole 40 by use of the 
adhesive agent. Such a small hole 40 can be formed in a large number by 
using, for example, an etching technique. Further, the use of said small 
hole 40 makes it possible to easily align the optical fiber 10. Another 
construction other than that which has been mentioned above is the same as 
in the first embodiment. Therefore, the same portions and sections are 
denoted by the same reference numerals, and their description is omitted. 
Next, an optical-fiber coupling device according to a sixth embodiment of 
the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 6. In the 
first to fifth embodiments, the optical fiber 10 was coupled to the rod 
lens 18. In this embodiment, however, the optical fiber 10 is coupled to a 
plate-like block 50 by use of the adhesive agent 16. This plate-like block 
50 is formed of optical glass consisting of silica glass. The block 50 may 
be formed of sapphire. The block 50 may be formed of any other material if 
it permits the transmission therethrough of at least a light having a 
specified wavelength. The block 50, as shown, is optically coupled to an 
optical lens 52. The other construction is the same as in the first 
embodiment. Therefore, the same portions and sections are denoted by the 
same reference numerals, and their description is omitted. 
In the case of the sixth embodiment, the optimum requirement, which must be 
satisfied by the length l2 between the forward end of the fiber element 12 
and the illustrated rightward end of the protective sleeve 24, is shown 
below. When it is now assumed that the rod lens is not provided, the 
length thereof is zero (i.e., l1=0) in the above-mentioned formula (1). 
Therefore, the formula (1) is rewritten such that: 
EQU .alpha..alpha.s.apprxeq..alpha.f (2) . 
That is to say, the optimum requirement is merely that the respective 
coefficients of linear expansion of the connecting sleeve 26 and the fiber 
element 12 of the optical-fiber element section 32 be substantially equal 
to each other. 
As in the earlier embodiment, the connection will not be stressed so long 
as the degree of temperature or thermal expansion of the connecting sleeve 
26 is substantially equal to that of the optical fiber element section 32. 
This also applies to the later described embodiments. 
Note here that the means whereby the fiber element 12 is coupled to the 
block 50 is not limited to the adhesive agent 16. Both may be coupled 
together by using the coupling means shown in the second to fifth 
embodiments. That is, as shown in FIG. 7, both may be coupled together by 
use of the minute sleeve 38. Further, as shown in FIG. 8, a small hole 40 
may be formed in a thin, dielectric film 54 of SiO.sub.2 that has ben 
provided, for example, by deposition, on the surface of the block 50, 
thereby to mechanically and optically couple the fiber element 12 to the 
block 50. Further, as shown in FIG. 9, both may be coupled together by 
thermal fusion. It should be noted here that the optical lens 52 may be, 
for example, a rod lens. 
Next, an optical-fiber coupling device according to a seventh embodiment of 
the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 10. In this 
embodiment, an optical lens mechanism 62 is formed in the plate-like block 
60. The block 60 containing such an optical lens mechanism 62 can be 
manufactured by using an ion diffusion technique as in the case of 
manufacturing, for example, an ordinary rod lens. Further, the block 60 
can also be manufactured by burying a sphere lens or rod lens into a 
plastic body. When the fiber element 12 is coupled to the plate-like block 
60, it is possible to adopt the method of forming the small hole 40 shown 
in the fifth embodiment with respect to the end face of the block 60. When 
this method is adopted, it becomes easy to align the forward end of the 
fiber element 12 with respect to the small hole 40. 
Next, an optical-fiber coupling device according to an eighth embodiment of 
the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 11. In this 
embodiment, the fiber element 12 of the optical fiber 10 is coupled onto 
an optical semiconductor element 72 provided on a mounting base 70 
consisting of gold-plated kovar. The forward end of the fiber element 12 
is secured to the optical semiconductor element 72 by use of the adhesive 
agent 16. This forward end may also be secured thereto by use of the 
soldering glass. The mounting base 70 is secured to a block 74 consisting 
of gold-plated kovar. The optical semiconductor element 72 is connected to 
lead wires 76a and 76b each consisting of gold-plated kovar. The other 
construction is the same as in the first embodiment. Therefore, the same 
parts and sections are denoted by the same reference numerals, and their 
description is omitted. 
Note here that as shown in FIG. 12, the fiber element 12 of the optical 
fiber 10 may also be secured to the optical semiconductor element 72 via 
the minute sleeve 38 by the use of an adhesive agent, as shown in the 
fourth embodiment. The optical semiconductor element 72 may be one which 
functions as a light emitter or one which functions as a light receiver. 
Next, an optical-fiber coupling device according to a ninth embodiment of 
the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 13. In this 
embodiment, the fiber element 12 is coupled to an optical waveguide 82 
formed on the surface of a block 80 consisting of LiNbO.sub.3. The optical 
waveguide 82 is obtained by diffusing, for example, Ti on the surface of 
the block 80. The optical waveguide 82 is allowed to exist in such a 
manner that it is sandwiched between the block 80 and an auxiliary block 
84 for fixing the same. The optical waveguide 82 is not limited to that 
shown in this embodiment as long as it permits the transmission 
therethrough of at least a light having a specified wavelength. The 
connecting sleeve 26 is secured to the blocks 80 and 84. The fiber element 
12 and the optical waveguide 82 are coupled to each other by the adhesive 
agent 16, as shown. The means whereby both are coupled together is not 
limited to the adhesive agent but may be soldering glass. Further, as 
shown in FIG. 14, both may be coupled via the minute sleeve 38 by the use 
of the adhesive agent. Further, as shown in FIG. 15, both may be coupled 
together by thermal fusion. The other construction is the same as in the 
first embodiment. Therefore, the same parts and sections are denoted by 
the same reference numerals, and their description is omitted. 
Next, an optical-fiber coupling device according to a tenth embodiment of 
the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 16. In this 
embodiment, the connecting sleeve 26 of the optical-fiber coupling device 
shown in FIG. 1 is divided into two parts, i.e., a first portion 26a and a 
second portion 26b. Usually, when the aligning of the optical fiber 10 is 
performed, the connecting sleeve 26 is inserted beforehand over the 
protective sleeve 24, and this protective sleeve 24 is aligned after it is 
fixed to a center alignment jig. When, as in this embodiment, the 
connecting sleeve is divided into the first portion 26a and second portion 
26b, since only the first portion 26a has to be inserted over the 
protective sleeve 24, it is possible to shorten the length of this 
protective sleeve 24. This offers the advantage of enabling the 
optical-fiber coupling device to be miniaturized. Further, if the second 
portion 26b of the connecting sleeve 26 has a precisely made inner 
diameter and the rod lens 18 is mounted in this second portion 26b, the 
handling of the rod lens 18 becomes easy. 
Next and finally, an optical-fiber coupling device according to an eleventh 
embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to 
FIG. 17. In this embodiment, two optical fibers lOa and lOb are coupled to 
the single rod lens 18. The two optical fibers lOa and lOb are arranged in 
proper order within the protective sleeve 24 by the use of an arranging 
sleeve 90. The optical fibers employed are not limited to two in number, 
but three or more optical fibers may be employed. The other construction 
is the same as in the first embodiment and, therefore, the same parts and 
sections are denoted by the same reference numerals, respectively, and 
their description is omitted. 
As described above, various modifications of the present invention can be 
obtained without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.