EVALUATION METHOD AND EVALUATION DEVICE FOR MULTI-CORE FIBER

Abstract

An object of the present invention is to provide an evaluation method and an evaluation device for easily determining whether or not a structural parameter of a multi-core fiber satisfies a desired connection loss value (a specification). The evaluation method according to the present invention includes a step of measuring center coordinates of each core with the center coordinates when a clad is approximated by a circle as an origin in an observed cross-sectional structure of the multi-core fiber to be objected, obtaining a length of a line segment connecting the origin and the center of each core and an angle formed by two line segments connecting the origin and two adjacent cores, and judging whether or not a desired connection loss characteristic is satisfied on the basis of whether or not the values satisfy a predetermined determination formula.

Claims

1. An evaluation method of a multi-core fiber in which N-pieces of cores (N is an integer of 3 or more) are arranged in an N-angular shape at a space A in a cross section, comprising: performing a cross-sectional observation of the multi-core fiber with a camera; approximating a clad of the multi-core fiber with a circle when the cross-section observation is performed; measuring center coordinates of each of the cores in the clad with center coordinate of the circle as an origin; and judging that a desired connection loss characteristic is obtained, when a length R.sub.i of each line segment connecting the origin and the center coordinate of the core (i is a number of the core and is a natural number equal to or less than N) satisfies a range of r.sub.s?r.sub.d?Ri?r.sub.s+r.sub.d and an angle ?.sub.i-j formed by line segments of the adjacent cores (j is the number of the core adjacent to the core of number i, and is a natural number equal to or less than N) satisfies a range of ?.sub.s??.sub.d??.sub.i-j??.sub.s+?.sub.d. where $\begin{array}{cc}\left[\mathrm{Math}.1\right]& ?\\ ?s\left[\mathrm{deg}\right]=\frac{360}{N},& \left(1\right)\end{array}$ $\begin{array}{cc}\left[\mathrm{Math}.2\right]& ?\\ r_s=\frac{?}{2\cos \left(90-\frac{?s}{2}\right)},& \left(2\right)\end{array}$ $\begin{array}{cc}\left[\mathrm{Math}.3\right]& ?\\ ?={\left\{\frac{2W_1{W}_2}{W_1^2+W_2^2}\right\}}^2\exp \left[-\frac{2d^2}{W_1^2+W_2^2}\right],& \left(3\right)\end{array}$ $\begin{array}{cc}\left[\mathrm{Math}.4\right]& ?\\ r_d=\sqrt{-\frac{w_i^2+w_j^2}{2}\ln \left[\frac{?}{{\left\{\frac{2w_i{w}_j}{w_i^2+w_j^2}\right\}}^2}\right]},& \left(4\right)\end{array}$ $\begin{array}{cc}\left[\mathrm{Math}.5\right]& ?\\ {?}_d=2*{\tan }^{-1}\left(\frac{r_d}{r_s}\right),& \left(5\right)\end{array}$ W.sub.i is a mode field diameter (MFD) of the core of number i at a desired wavelength.

2. An evaluation method of a multi-core fiber in which N-pieces of cores (N is an integer of 3 or more) are arranged in an N-angular shape at a space A in a cross section, comprising: performing a cross-sectional observation of the multi-core fiber with a camera; approximating a clad of the multi-core fiber with a circle when the cross-section observation is performed; measuring center coordinates of each of the cores in the clad with center coordinate of the circle as an origin; and judging that a desired connection loss characteristic is obtained, when a deviation amount ??.sub.x between a design center coordinate which is a design center coordinate of the core calculated by Math. 6 and the measured center coordinate satisfies ??.sub.x?r.sub.d.
[Math. 6]
??.sub.x=?{square root over (2r.sub.s{r.sub.s+r?(r.sub.s+r)cos ?}+r.sup.2)}(6) where, r=R.sub.i?r.sub.s, ?=?.sub.i-j??.sub.s R.sub.i represents a length of each line segment connecting the origin and the center coordinate of the core (i is a number of the core, and is a natural number equal to or less than N), ?.sub.i-j represents an angle formed by the line segments of the adjacent cores (j is the number of the core adjacent to the core of number i, and is a natural number equal to or less than N).

3. An evaluation device that evaluates whether or not the multi-core fiber has a desired connection loss characteristic, comprising: a camera configured to perform a cross-sectional observation of the multi-core fiber; and a processor configured to perform the evaluation method of the multi-core fiber according to claim 1.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0040] FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining a cross section of an optical fiber. (a) denotes a single core fiber, and (b) denotes a multi-core fiber.

[0041] FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining a cross section of an optical fiber. (a) explains a core arrangement of a 4-core fiber, and (b) explains a core position deviation ??x.

[0042] FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining a distribution of a connection loss (a connection loss characteristic) of the 4-core fiber.

[0043] FIG. 4 is a result for calculating an average loss and probability of an occurrence of 0.2 dB or less for a maximum loss to a deviation of the core in the 4-core fiber.

[0044] FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining an evaluation method of the multi-core fiber according to the present invention.

[0045] FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining a cross section of an optical fiber. (a) explains a positional deviation of the core in a circumferential direction, and (b) explains the positional deviation of the core in a radial direction.

[0046] FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining a distribution of a connection loss (a connection loss characteristic) of the 4-core fiber.

[0047] FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining an evaluation method of the multi-core fiber according to the present invention.

[0048] FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining a deviation of the core position ??x in the cross section of the optical fiber.

[0049] FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining an evaluation device of the multi-core fiber according to the present invention.

[0050] FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining an optical fiber holding part of the evaluation device of the multi-core fiber according to the present invention. (a) denotes a top view, and (b) denotes a side view.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0051] Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The embodiments described below are examples of the present invention and the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments. Note that constituent elements with the same reference signs in the present description and the drawings are identical to each other.

[0052] Before describing each embodiment, a structure of a MCF will be described. In the MCF having N pieces of cores at the core space ?, an angle ?s [degree], which is made by the two cores adjacent to a center of a clad, is determined by the equation (1).

[00002]$\begin{array}{cc}\left[\mathrm{Math}.1\right]& ?\\ ?s\left[\mathrm{deg}\right]=\frac{360}{N},& \left(1\right)\end{array}$

[0053] In addition, a distance rs from the center of the clad to the center of the core of the outer peripheral core is determined by the equation (2).

[00003]$\begin{array}{cc}\left[\mathrm{Math}.2\right]& ?\\ r_s=\frac{?}{2\cos \left(90-\frac{?s}{2}\right)},& \left(2\right)\end{array}$

[0054] FIG. 1 (a) is a cross-sectional view of a single-core fiber (SCF) currently used. As shown in FIG. 1 (a), the SCF has a structure in which only one core 12 exists in the clad 11 and the core 12 is arranged at the center C of the clad 11. On the other hand, in an MCF, as shown in FIG. 1 (b), a plurality of cores 12 are arranged in the clad 11. Although the core 12 may be arranged at the center C of the clad 11, the MCF in which the core 12 is not arranged at the center C will be described in the present embodiment. In addition, it is assumed that optical characteristics of the core in the MCF conform to G. 652. D described in NPL 1.

[0055] FIG. 2 (a) is a diagram for explaining a 4CF (a 4 Core Fiber) in which four cores (12-1 to 12-4) are arranged at a space A in the clad 11. In order to connect the 4CFs with a low connection loss, it is necessary that the four cores (12-1 to 12-4) are arranged at roughly matching positions between 4CFs. However, as shown in FIG. 2 (b), the position of each core (12-1 to 12-4) will have a positional deviation amount ??x (x is any one of 1 to 4) for a design position (13-1 to 13-4) due to a production variation or the like.

[0056] Here, connection loss generated from the positional deviation amount of the core in 4CF designed with the core space A as 40 ?m is calculated. In the calculation of the connection loss, the coupling efficiency ? with respect to an axial deviation amount d (?m) is calculated by using the equation (3) and loss is calculated. In addition, a positional deviation amount is defined as ??x (?m) in each core, a maximum positional deviation amount ?max from the design core position is set, and a value within ?max is given at random.

[00004]$\begin{array}{cc}\left[\mathrm{Math}.3\right]& ?\\ ?={\left\{\frac{2W_1{W}_2}{W_1^2+W_2^2}\right\}}^2\exp \left[-\frac{2d^2}{W_1^2+W_2^2}\right],& \left(3\right)\end{array}$

[0057] Where, W.sub.1 and W.sub.2 are the mode field radii of the respective 4CF to be connected. That is, when the 4CF to be connected is an optical fiber 1 and an optical fiber 2, the mode field diameter of each of the cores (12-1 to 12-4) of the optical fiber 1 is W.sub.1, and the mode field diameter of each of the cores (12-1 to 12-4) of the optical fiber 2 is W.sub.2.

[0058] FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the calculated connection loss distribution (the connection loss characteristic). The parameters used in the calculations are as follows. In the case where both the clad diameters of the optical fibers are 125 ?m (the case where there is no tolerance) and the case where the clad diameter of one optical fiber is 125 ?m and the other optical fiber is 125 ?m?1.0 ?m (the case where the clad diameter is different), the calculation was performed with a random positional deviation of 10,000 times on the assumption that ?max is 1.0 ?m. The connection loss characteristic is shown by the probability (%) of occurrence of the connection loss (the maximum loss) (dB) by the magnitude shown in the horizontal axis.

[0059] In the case where there is no tolerance, the connection loss characteristic is a loss characteristic corresponding to the difference of the positional deviation ??.sub.x of each core. In the case where the clad diameters are different, the connection loss characteristic is a loss characteristic that includes a random deviation of the clad diameter in addition to the difference of the positional deviation ??.sub.x of each core.

[0060] Here, in a fusion connection of the standard SMF conforming to NPL 1, the standards in which the probability of the occurrence in which an average loss is equal to less than 0.1 dB and the maximum loss is equal to or less than 0.2 dB or less is 97% are described in NPL 6. As shown in FIG. 3, in both cases where there is no tolerance and where the clad diameters are different, neither the average loss nor the maximum loss does not satisfy the above-mentioned standards.

[0061] FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the calculation result of the probability of the occurrence of the average loss and the maximum loss of 0.2 dB or less for ?max. The horizontal axis represents ?max (?m), the first vertical axis represents the probability of the occurrence of the average loss (dB), and the second vertical axis represents the probability (%) of the occurrence of the maximum loss of 0.2 dB or less. The solid line indicates the result of the case where there is no tolerance, and the broken line indicates the result of the case where the clad diameters are different. As shown in FIG. 4, it is confirmed that in the case where there is no tolerance, ?max is equal to or less than 0.7 ?m, therefore, the standards of both the average loss and the maximum loss are satisfied, and in the case where the clad diameters are different (the difference amount is 1.0 ?m), ?max is equal to or less than 0.65 ?m, therefore, the standards of both the average loss and the maximum loss are satisfied.

[0062] From the above, it can be seen that it is effective to evaluate the deviation from the center coordinates of each core in order to connect the MCFs to each other in accordance with the loss standard as shown in NPL 6.

Embodiment 1

[0063] FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining the evaluation method of the MCF of the present embodiment. The present evaluation method is an evaluation method of the multi-core fiber in which N pieces of cores (N is an integer of 3 or more) are arranged in an N-angular shape at a space A in a cross section, [0064] the evaluation method is characterized in that a cross-sectional observation of the multi-core fiber with a camera is performed (step S01 to S03), [0065] a clad of the multi-core fiber is approximated with a circle when the cross-sectional observation is performed (step S04), center coordinates of each of the cores in the clad with the center coordinates of the circle as an origin are measured (step S05), and [0066] when a length R.sub.i of each line segment connecting the origin and the center coordinate of the core (i is a number of the core and is a natural number equal to or less than N) [0067] satisfies a range of r.sub.s?r.sub.d?R.sub.i?r.sub.s+r.sub.d [0068] and [0069] an angle ?.sub.i-j formed by line segments of the adjacent cores (j is the number of the core adjacent to the core of number i, [0070] and is a natural number equal to or less than N) [0071] satisfies a range of ?.sub.s??.sub.d??.sub.i-j??.sub.s+?.sub.d, [0072] it is judged that a desired connection loss characteristic is obtained (step S06 to S11).

[0073] The method of the present embodiment is a method for judging whether or not the core space is a core space capable of realizing a reference connection loss characteristic regardless of a change in the clad diameter.

[0074] The method first performs a step of measuring structural parameters of the MCF. The MCF is cut by a fiber cutter or the like, and the cross section is polished to form a horizontal surface (a vertical surface to a longitudinal direction) (step S01). Subsequently, an image of the entire horizontal surface (an image of the clad) is acquired by a camera (step S02), and the image in the clad is acquired (step S03). Next, the outer periphery of the clad is approximated by a circle from the image of the clad, and the center coordinate and the clad diameter are calculated (step S04).

[0075] Also, each core is approximated by a circle, and each center coordinate is calculated (step S05). Note that the center of the clad and the center position of each core can be obtained by a measuring method as shown in, for example, NPLs 3 and 4. The measurement steps are terminated in a step S05.

[0076] The present method subsequently performs a step of judging whether or not the measured structural parameter of the MCF is within a reference. First, it is judged whether or not the clad diameter is within a reference (step S06). When the clad diameter is a reference outside (step S06; No), it is judged to be a defect (step S11). When the clad diameter is within a reference (step S06; Yes), the center coordinate of the clad is set to an origin (0, 0), and the center coordinates of each measured core on the end surface are converted to the coordinated in which the center of the clad is origin (step S07). The reason for performing this step is as follows.

[0077] Since the end surface image of the MCF acquired in the step S02 may have either the center of the entire image or the four corners of the image as an origin, the coordinate position of each core is shifted so as to have the center of the clad as the origin for the judgement step.

[0078] Next, with respect to the length r.sub.s(?m) of the line segment from the design center of the clad to the center of each core, it is judged whether or not the length R.sub.i (?m) of the line segment from the acquired center of the clad from the image to the center of each core is within a predetermined range r.sub.d (?m) (step s08, refer to FIG. 6 (b) for r.sub.s and r.sub.d). When the length R.sub.i is the outside of the range (step S08; No), it is judged to be the defect (step S11).

[0079] When the length R.sub.i is within the range (step S08; Yes), the next judgement is performed (step S09). A line segment connecting the core i and the origin is defined as a first line segment, and a line segment connecting the core j adjacent to the core i and the origin is defined as a second line segment. An angle formed by the first line segment and the second line segment acquired from the image is defined as ?.sub.i-j [degree]. With respect to a design angle ?.sub.s [degree] formed by the first line segment and the second line segment, it is judged whether or not the angle ?.sub.i-j satisfies within a predetermined ?.sub.d [degree] (refer to step S09 and FIG. 6 (a) for ?.sub.s and ?.sub.d). When the angle ?.sub.i-j is within the range (step S09; Yes), it is judged to a good structure and the step is terminated (step S10). On the other hand, when the angle ?.sub.i-j is out of the range (step S09; No) and it is judged to be the defect (step S11).

[0080] The judgement steps are terminated in the step S10 or S11.

[0081] The tolerance r.sub.d and the tolerance of the angle ?.sub.d used in the steps S08 and S09 are determined by the equations (4) and (5).

[00005]$\begin{array}{cc}\left[\mathrm{Math}.4\right]& ?\\ r_d=\sqrt{-\frac{w_i^2+w_j^2}{2}\ln \left[\frac{?}{{\left\{\frac{2w_i{w}_j}{w_i^2+w_j^2}\right\}}^2}\right]},& \left(4\right)\end{array}$$\begin{array}{cc}\left[\mathrm{Math}.5\right]& ?\\ {?}_d=2*{\tan }^{-1}\left(\frac{r_d}{r_s}\right),& \left(5\right)\end{array}$

[0082] W.sub.i is the mode field diameter (MFD) of the core of number i at a desired wavelength. ? is the same as the coupling efficiency described in the equation (3), and a desired connection loss value (a linear value) is substituted.

[0083] FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining a distribution (a connection loss characteristic) of the connection loss when MCFs selected as good by the above-mentioned evaluation method are connected to each other.

[0084] The present connection loss characteristic is for a 4-core fiber having an MCF of ?=40 ?m, and the MFD of each core is set to W.sub.1=W.sub.2=8.6 ?m, r.sub.s=28.3 ?m, ?.sub.s=90 degrees, r.sub.d=0.6 ?m, and ?.sub.d=2.0 degree, and ?max=0.8 ?m, this is the result of calculation under the condition that the random positional deviations of 10,000 times are given to the core. The horizontal axis and the vertical axis have the same meanings as those in FIG. 3.

[0085] From the result of FIG. 7, it can be seen that the loss standard shown in NPL 6 is satisfied by selecting the MCF using the judgement flow of FIG. 5. In other words, the MCF satisfying good connection characteristic can be selected by using the judgement method of the present invention. Note that although an example in which the end surface structure is judged so as to satisfy the connection loss conditions described in NPLs 3 and 4 is shown, other connection loss conditions can also be judged by the same procedure by obtaining the necessary core eccentricity amount as shown in FIG. 4.

Embodiment 2

[0086] FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining the evaluation method of the MCF of the present embodiment. The present evaluation method is the same as the procedure described in FIG. 5 up to the step S07. In this embodiment, only parts that differ from the embodiment 1 will be described.

[0087] This evaluation method is characterized in that, after the step S07, when a deviation amount ??.sub.x between a design center coordinate which is the design center coordinate of the core calculated by Math. 6 and the measured center coordinate satisfies ??.sub.x?r.sub.d,

[0088] it is determined that a desired connection loss characteristic is obtained (steps S18 to S21, S10, S11).

[0089] The method of the present embodiment is a method for judging whether or not the MCF satisfies a desired connection loss characteristic by judging whether or not the measured center position of the core is within an allowable position deviation amount for the design center position of the core.

[0090] FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining the deviation amount ??.sub.x between the design center position of the core and the measured center position of the core of the MCF. The deviation amount ??.sub.x can be expressed by the following equation.

[Math. 6]

??.sub.x=?{square root over (2r.sub.s{r.sub.s+r?(r.sub.s+r)cos ?}+r.sup.2)}(6) [0091] where, r=R.sub.i?r.sub.s, ?=?.sub.i-j??.sub.s is satisfied, each represents the deviation amount for the design position of the measurement result for the radial direction and the circumferential direction.

[0092] In the judgement step of the present method, first, the length r.sub.s(?m) of the line segment between the design center of the clad and the center of each core is subtracted from the length R.sub.i (?m) of the line segment between the center of the clad and the center of each core acquired from the image, the deviation amount r in the radial direction is calculated for each core (step S18). Subsequently, the design angle ?.sub.s [degree] formed by the first line segment and the second line segment is subtracted from ?.sub.i-j [degree] formed by the first line segment and the second line segment acquired from the image, the deviation amount ? [degree] of the circumferential direction is calculated for each core (step S19). Further, the deviation amount ??.sub.x is calculated for each core (step S20) by the equation (6).

[0093] Subsequently, it is judged whether or not the deviation ??.sub.x is within the r.sub.d (refer to the equation (4)) obtained from the allowable loss (step S21). When the deviation ??.sub.x is within the r.sub.d (step S21; Yes), it is judged that the structure is good and terminates the step (step S10). On the other hand, when the deviation amount ??.sub.x is larger than the r.sub.d (step S21; No), it is judged to be the defect (step S11).

[0094] The judgement steps are terminated in the step S10 or S11.

[0095] In the evaluation method of the present embodiment, two deviation amounts in the radial direction and the circumferential direction can be judged at the same time, and the evaluation method is preferable.

Embodiment 3

[0096] FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining an evaluation device 301 of the present embodiment. The evaluation device 301 includes a camera 31 for observing the cross section of the multi-core fiber 50, and [0097] a processor 32 for performing the evaluation method described in embodiment 1 or 2, [0098] and judges whether or not the multi-core fiber 50 has the desired connection loss characteristic.

[0099] The evaluation device 301 will be described with reference to FIG. 10. The evaluation device 301 further includes a light source 30, an optical fiber holding part 32, and an objective lens 33. The camera 31 includes an image photographing device 31a, an optical image photographing device 31b, and a switching part 34 for moving these photographing devices with respect to an optical axis Lax. The light source 30 is a white light source such as a halogen lamp, and the light may be condensed by a lens or the like as long as the whole clad of the MCF 50 can be irradiated. The optical fiber holding part 32 horizontally installs the MCF 50 and suppresses the MCF 50 so as not to move. For example, the optical fiber holding part 32 has a V-groove 32a as shown in FIG. 11 and a clamp (not shown) for suppressing the MCF 50 from above so that the MCF 50 is horizontally installed in the V-groove 32a and does not move.

[0100] The objective lens 33 has a magnification in which the whole clad of the MCF 50 is photographed or is configured to photograph the whole clad of the MCF 50 by simultaneously moving the image photographing device 31a or the optical image photographing device 31b by the switching part 34 even when the magnification is such that only one part is photographed.

[0101] The image photographing device 31a and the optical image photographing device 31b can photograph a range sufficiently satisfying the visual field of the objective lens 33. The image photographing device 31a can photograph the whole end surface of the MCF 50. The optical image photographing device 31b can photograph the intensity distribution of the near infrared light emitted from the core part of the MCF 50.

[0102] The image photographing device 31a and the optical image photographing device 31b are movable by the switching device 34, each can be linearly arranged so that an optical axis is aligned with the light source 31, the MCF 50 and the objective lens 33. The switching device 34 is, for example, a rail or a revolver. That is, by switching the image photographing device 31a and the optical image photographing device 31b by the switching device 34, the two kinds of end surface images (the image of the whole end surface of the MCF 50 and the image of the intensity distribution of the near infrared light emitted from the core part) can be photographed. The camera 31 and the processor 32 are connected, and two kinds of end surface images acquired by the camera 31 are sent to the processor 32.

[0103] The processor 32 synthesizes the two kinds of end surface images to measure the clad diameter of the optical fiber and the center coordinates of each core, and performs the evaluation based on the judgement flow shown in FIG. 5 or FIG. 8. Therefore, the evaluation device 301 can easily judge whether or not the MCF 50 to be inspected has the desired connection loss characteristic.

[0104] Note that the operation of processor 32 is realized by a computer and a program, and the program can be recorded in a recording medium or provided through a network.

Other Embodiments

[0105] In the above embodiments, although the above embodiments are described with reference to 4CF, the number of cores of the MCF that can be evaluated is not limited to 4. The MCF having the cores of 3 or more can be evaluated. In addition, in the above embodiment, although the MCF having no core at the center of the optical fiber is described, the MCF having core at the center of the optical fiber can be also evaluated. Further, the MCF in which the cores are not polygonal but annularly arranged can be evaluated.

[0106] The MCF in which the cores are arranged in a hexagonal close-packed state can also be evaluated by utilizing the core in the outermost periphery.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST

[0107] 11 Clad [0108] 12, 12-1, 12-2, 12-3, 12-4 Core [0109] 13, 13-1, 13-2, 13-3, 13-4 Design core position [0110] 30 Light source [0111] 31 Camera [0112] 31a Image photographing device [0113] 31b Optical image photographing device [0114] 32 Optical fiber holding part [0115] 32a V-groove [0116] 33 Objective lens [0117] 34 Switching device [0118] 35 Processor [0119] 50 Multi-core fiber [0120] 301 Evaluation device