SINGLE MODE OPTICAL FIBER

Abstract

There is provided a single mode optical fiber including a core layer, a first cladding layer, and a second cladding layer, in which when a refractive index of a center portion of the core layer is set as no, a radial position where a refractive index becomes n.sub.00.45 is set as r.sub.CORE, a minimum value of a refractive index of the first cladding layer is set as n.sub.3, and a radial position where a refractive index becomes the n.sub.3 is set as r.sub.3, a relative refractive index difference of the first cladding layer is reduced continuously and gently from the r.sub.CORE to the r.sub.3.

Claims

1. A single mode optical fiber comprising: a core layer; a first cladding layer adjacent to an outer circumference of the core layer; and a second cladding layer adjacent to an outer circumference of the first cladding layer, wherein when a refractive index of a center portion of the core layer is set as n.sub.0, a radial position where a refractive index becomes n.sub.00.45 is set as r.sub.CORE, a radial position of r.sub.CORE2.2 in the first cladding layer is set as r.sub.2, a refractive index at the r.sub.2 is set as n.sub.2, a minimum value of a refractive index of the first cladding layer is set as n.sub.3, a radial position where a refractive index becomes the n.sub.3 is set as r.sub.3, a radial position of a boundary between the first cladding layer and the second cladding layer is set as r.sub.4, and an average refractive index of the second cladding layer is set as n.sub.4, a relative refractive index difference n.sub.0 of the core layer that is calculated from the no and the n.sub.4 is 0.3% or more and 0.5% or less, a relative refractive index difference n.sub.2 that is calculated from the n.sub.2 and the n.sub.4 is 0.12% or more and 0.05% or less, a relative refractive index difference n.sub.3 that is calculated from the n.sub.3 and the n.sub.4 is 0.20% or more and 0.12% or less, and a relative refractive index difference of the first cladding layer is reduced continuously and gently from the r.sub.CORE to the r.sub.3.

2. The single mode optical fiber according to claim 1, wherein when a radial position of r.sub.CORE0.8 in the core layer is set as r.sub.1, for a differential value d(r)/dr of a relative refractive index difference (r) (%) with respect to a distance r (m) from a center of the core layer, d(r)/dr0.08%/m is satisfied in a range in which a radial position r is 0 to r.sub.1.

3. The single mode optical fiber according to claim 1, wherein the r.sub.CORE is 3 m to 6 m, and the r.sub.4 is 14 m to 20 m.

4. The single mode optical fiber according to claim 2, wherein the r.sub.CORE is 3 m to 6 m, and the r.sub.4 is 14 m to 20 m.

5. The single mode optical fiber according to claim 1, wherein a bending loss at a wavelength of 1550 nm at a time of being bent with a bending radius of 10 mm is 0.10 dB/turn or less.

6. The single mode optical fiber according to claim 2, wherein a bending loss at a wavelength of 1550 nm at a time of being bent with a bending radius of 10 mm is 0.10 dB/turn or less.

7. The single mode optical fiber according to claim 3, wherein a bending loss at a wavelength of 1550 nm at a time of being bent with a bending radius of 10 mm is 0.10 dB/turn or less.

8. The single mode optical fiber according to claim 4, wherein a bending loss at a wavelength of 1550 nm at a time of being bent with a bending radius of 10 mm is 0.10 dB/turn or less.

9. The single mode optical fiber according to claim 1, wherein a mode field diameter at a wavelength of 1310 nm is 8.2 m to 9.4 m.

10. The single mode optical fiber according to claim 2, wherein a mode field diameter at a wavelength of 1310 nm is 8.2 m to 9.4 m.

11. The single mode optical fiber according to claim 3, wherein a mode field diameter at a wavelength of 1310 nm is 8.2 m to 9.4 m.

12. The single mode optical fiber according to claim 4, wherein a mode field diameter at a wavelength of 1310 nm is 8.2 m to 9.4 m.

13. The single mode optical fiber according to claim 5, wherein a mode field diameter at a wavelength of 1310 nm is 8.2 m to 9.4 m.

14. The single mode optical fiber according to claim 6, wherein a mode field diameter at a wavelength of 1310 nm is 8.2 m to 9.4 m.

15. The single mode optical fiber according to claim 7, wherein a mode field diameter at a wavelength of 1310 nm is 8.2 m to 9.4 m.

16. The single mode optical fiber according to claim 8, wherein a mode field diameter at a wavelength of 1310 nm is 8.2 m to 9.4 m.

17. The single mode optical fiber according to claim 1, wherein a zero dispersion wavelength is in a range of 1300 nm to 1324 nm, a dispersion slope at a zero dispersion wavelength is 0.091 ps/nm.sup.2/km or less, and a chromatic dispersion value at a wavelength of 1550 nm is 17.5 ps/nm/km or less.

18. The single mode optical fiber according to claim 2, wherein a zero dispersion wavelength is in a range of 1300 nm to 1324 nm, a dispersion slope at a zero dispersion wavelength is 0.091 ps/nm.sup.2/km or less, and a chromatic dispersion value at a wavelength of 1550 nm is 17.5 ps/nm/km or less.

19. The single mode optical fiber according to claim 1, wherein a cutoff wavelength measured at a fiber length of 22 m is 1260 nm or less.

20. The single mode optical fiber according to claim 1, wherein germanium, fluorine, and chlorine are added to the core layer and the first cladding layer, and chlorine is added to the second cladding layer.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] FIG. 1 shows an example of a refractive index profile structure of an optical fiber according to the present embodiment.

[0008] FIG. 2 shows a refractive index profile structure of an optical fiber in example 1.

[0009] FIG. 3 shows d(r)/dr in example 1.

[0010] FIG. 4 shows a refractive index profile structure of an optical fiber in comparative example 1-1.

[0011] FIG. 5 shows d(r)/dr in comparative example 1-1.

[0012] FIG. 6 shows a refractive index profile structure of an optical fiber in comparative example 1-2.

[0013] FIG. 7 shows d(r)/dr in comparative example 1-2.

DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

[0014] The present invention will be described below through embodiments of the invention, but the following embodiments do not limit the invention according to the claims. In addition, not all of the combinations of features described in the embodiments are essential to the solution of the invention.

[0015] FIG. 1 shows an example of a refractive index profile structure of a single mode optical fiber according to the present embodiment. The single mode optical fiber according to the present embodiment achieves an optical fiber which has characteristics of a low bending loss and a low transmission loss, by adjusting refractive index profile shapes of a core region and an inner cladding region, and in which a dispersion slope at a zero dispersion wavelength, that is, a zero dispersion slope and a chromatic dispersion value, is reduced.

[0016] In the single mode optical fiber of the present embodiment; a radius r.sub.CORE of a core layer is a radial position where a refractive index becomes n.sub.00.45 with respect to a refractive index no at a center portion of the core layer, that is, a core center portion (r=0); a radial position of r.sub.CORE0.8 in the core layer is set as r.sub.1; a refractive index at the r.sub.1 is set as n.sub.1; a radial position of r.sub.CORE2.2 in a first cladding layer is set as r.sub.2; a refractive index at the r.sub.2 is set as n.sub.2; a minimum value of a refractive index of the first cladding layer is set as n.sub.3; a radial position where a refractive index becomes the refractive index n.sub.3 is set as r.sub.3; a radial position of a boundary between the first cladding layer and a second cladding layer is set as r.sub.4; and an average refractive index of the second cladding layer is set as n.sub.4.

[0017] In addition, a relative refractive index difference of each layer is defined as follows. The relative refractive index difference (r) at a distance r from the center of the core layer is set as (r)=100(n(r)n.sub.4)/n(r), with the refractive index n.sub.4 of the second cladding layer being set as a reference. Accordingly, the relative refractive index difference n.sub.0 of the core layer is calculated from a central refractive index no of the core layer and the refractive index n.sub.4 of the second cladding layer; the relative refractive index difference n.sub.2 of the first cladding layer is calculated from the refractive index n.sub.2 of the first cladding layer and the refractive index n.sub.4 of the second cladding layer; and the relative refractive index difference n.sub.3 of the first cladding layer is calculated from the refractive index n.sub.3 of the first cladding layer and the refractive index n.sub.4 of the second cladding layer.

[0018] It should be noted that the relative refractive index difference (r) was calculated by preparing the single mode optical fiber with a diameter of 125 m and measuring the refractive index at a pitch of 0.15 m.

[0019] Here, chromatic dispersion will be briefly described.

[0020] The chromatic dispersion is a phenomenon in which light of respectively different wavelengths propagates at different speeds through the single mode optical fiber, and thus a difference in propagation time occurs. The chromatic dispersion is one of factors distorting a waveform of an optical signal, and limiting a transmission capacity. The chromatic dispersion has a wavelength dependency and is expressed as a sum of material dispersion and structural dispersion. The material dispersion is due to the wavelength dependency of the refractive index of a glass material used in the single mode optical fiber, and thus a control is difficult. On the other hand, the structural dispersion is due to the refractive index profile shape, it is important to appropriately control the refractive index profile shape. A wavelength (0) at which the chromatic dispersion becomes zero is the zero dispersion wavelength, and the zero dispersion slope defined in the standard of the ITU-T represents an inclination of the chromatic dispersion at the zero dispersion wavelength.

[0021] The single mode optical fiber of the present embodiment achieves reductions of the zero dispersion slope and the chromatic dispersion at a wavelength of 1550 nm (hereinafter referred to as 1550 nm chromatic dispersion), by adjusting the refractive index profile shapes of the core region and the inner cladding region. The zero dispersion slope and the 1550 nm chromatic dispersion typically have a negative correlation with the zero dispersion wavelength, and in decreasing both of the zero dispersion slope and the 1550 nm chromatic dispersion, it is effective to increase the zero dispersion wavelength.

[0022] Furthermore, in order to make sure which part of the refractive index profile shape is effective for the zero dispersion slope and the 1550 nm chromatic dispersion, an estimation value of an optical characteristic was calculated while a shape of a specific location of the refractive index profile shape was caused to change. In calculating the estimation value, a scalar wave equation was solved by a finite element method.

[0023] As a result of the estimation calculation, it was found that the relative refractive index difference n.sub.2 at the radial position r.sub.2 of r.sub.CORE2.2 with respect to the core radius r.sub.CORE, is one of the important factors. By increasing n.sub.2, the zero dispersion wavelength was increased, and it was possible to reduce both of the zero dispersion slope and the 1550 nm chromatic dispersion. On the other hand, when n.sub.2 is caused to be too great, the refractive index difference from that of the core layer becomes small, and it is not possible to obtain the bending loss that is specified in G. 657. A2 of the ITU-T. It is desirable that the relative refractive index difference n.sub.2 in the first cladding layer is set to 0.12% to 0.05%.

[0024] It is desirable that the relative refractive index difference n.sub.0 of the core layer is set to 0.30% to 0.50%. When the relative refractive index difference becomes less than 0.3%, the refractive index difference from that of the cladding layer becomes small, and it is not possible to obtain the bending loss that is specified in G. 657. A2 of the ITU-T. In addition, when the relative refractive index difference becomes 0.5% or more, a dopant concentration in a core portion becomes high, and regarding a transmission loss, there is a concern of deterioration by an increase of Rayleigh scattering.

[0025] It is desirable that the relative refractive index difference n.sub.3 in the first cladding layer is set to 0.20% to 0.12%. When the relative refractive index difference becomes less than 0.20%, the negative dopant concentration in the cladding layer becomes high, and regarding a transmission loss, there is a concern of deterioration by an increase of Rayleigh scattering. In addition, when the relative refractive index difference becomes greater than 0.12%, the refractive index difference from that of the core layer becomes small, and it is not possible to obtain the bending loss that is specified in G. 657. A2 of the ITU-T.

[0026] It was found that a core shape is also one of the important factors for the zero dispersion slope and the 1550 nm chromatic dispersion. It was found that in the core shape in which the refractive index is sharply increased over the core center portion, the zero dispersion wavelength is increased, and it is possible to decrease the 1550 nm chromatic dispersion, but it leads to the increase of the zero dispersion slope. When the radial position of r.sub.CORE0.8 in the core layer is set as r.sub.1, for d(r)/dr, it is desirable that d(r)/dr0.08%/m is established in a range in which a distance from the center of the core layer, that is, the radial position r, is 0 to r.sub.1.

[0027] It is desirable for the relative refractive index difference of the first cladding layer to be reduced continuously and gently from the radial position r.sub.CORE to the r.sub.3 to suppress an abrupt change in the refractive index, that is, an abrupt change in composition.

[0028] Here, a comparative example with the single mode optical fiber of the present embodiment will be described. The single mode optical fiber of the comparative example has a feature that the signal light propagates through the core portion of the optical fiber and the signal is able to be transmitted even in a state in which the optical fiber is bent to some degree. In the single mode optical fiber, as a bending radius thereof becomes small, a ratio of the light that cannot be propagated and leaks from the core is exponentially increased, which leads to an occurrence of an increase of the transmission loss. This is the bending loss. In recent years, the single mode optical fiber may be used in a bent state of a curvature radius of 15 mm or less to about 10 mm. On the other hand, there is a demand for the single mode optical fiber with a lower loss. As a standard in relation to the low bending loss of the single mode optical fiber, the standard that is defined by G.657 of the ITU-T is known. For example, the standard of the G.657.A2 specifies that the bending loss at a wavelength of 1550 nm in a case of being bent with a radius of 10 mm, is 0.10 dB/turn or less.

[0029] In order to reduce the bending loss, it is effective to increase the refractive index of the core, and confine the light in the core. This is improved by lowering a mode field diameter (MFD). For this reason, the single mode optical fibers with the MFD of approximately 8.2 m to 8.8 m are often used.

[0030] In addition, by adding a down dopant such as fluorine to the cladding layer of an outer circumference of the core layer, and adopting the refractive index profile of a trench type in which the refractive index is reduced, as well, it is possible to confine the light in the core and it is possible to reduce the bending loss of the single mode optical fiber.

[0031] In forming a trench layer, a manufacturing method in which the core and the inner cladding layer are formed, and then covered with a fluorine-doped glass tube, is known; however, this method increases the number of manufacturing steps for a base material, which is complicated. Furthermore, an impurity such as an OH group is easily mixed in near an interface of the trench layer, and in addition, there is also a composition difference (fluctuation of the interface) following an abrupt change in the refractive index at the interface, which can cause an increase in the transmission loss.

[0032] In setting the trench layer to be deep, it is necessary to increase an amount of fluorine addition. On the other hand, when the amount of fluorine addition is increased, the zero dispersion wavelength is decreased, and the zero dispersion slope and the chromatic dispersion value are reduced. In order for the single mode optical fiber to have the characteristics of a low bending loss and a low transmission loss, and in order for various types of optical characteristics of the single mode optical fiber to fall within a desired range, it is important to appropriately control the refractive index profile shapes of the core region and the inner cladding region.

[0033] In contrast with this, as described above, the single mode optical fiber of the present embodiment has the characteristics of a low bending loss and a low transmission loss, by adjusting the refractive index profile shapes of the core region and the inner cladding region, and the zero dispersion slope and the chromatic dispersion value are reduced.

[0034] In the single mode optical fiber of the present embodiment, the r.sub.CORE may be 3 m to 6 m, and r.sub.4 may be 14 m to 20 m. The bending loss at a wavelength of 1550 nm at a time of being bent with a bending radius of 10 mm may be 0.10 dB/turn or less. The mode field diameter at a wavelength of 1310 nm may be 8.2 m to 9.4 m.

[0035] In the single mode optical fiber of the present embodiment, the zero dispersion wavelength (0) may be in a range of 1300 nm to 1324 nm, the dispersion slope at the zero dispersion wavelength may be 0.091 ps/nm.sup.2/km or less, and the chromatic dispersion value at a wavelength of 1550 nm may be 17.5 ps/nm/km or less. A cutoff wavelength (cc) measured at a fiber length of 22 m may be 1260 nm or less.

[0036] In the single mode optical fiber of the present embodiment, germanium, fluorine, and chlorine may be added to the core layer and the first cladding layer, and chlorine may be added to the second cladding layer.

[0037] Next, a method for manufacturing a single mode optical fiber according to the present invention will be described. First, a porous glass base material including the core layer and the first cladding layer is synthesized by a VAD method. At that time, a burner for forming the core layer and a burner for forming the first cladding layer are used. To the burner for forming the core layer, in addition to hydrogen, oxygen, and SiCl.sub.4 as a raw material gas, GeCl.sub.4 is supplied, and germanium is doped to increase the refractive index. To the burner for forming the first cladding layer, hydrogen, oxygen, and SiCl.sub.4 as a raw material gas are supplied to deposit the first cladding layer, thereby producing a soot base material.

[0038] It should be noted that it is possible to control the core shape, by adjusting a flow rate of the gas that is supplied to the burner for forming the core layer, or burner settings, or the like.

[0039] Next, the produced soot base material is sintered in the following procedure. First, as a dehydrating process and a fluorine doping process for the soot base material, in a mixed gas atmosphere of the gas in a furnace Ar=25 L/min, Cl.sub.2=1.0 L/min, and SiF.sub.4=0.25 L/min, heat treatment is performed on the entire length of the soot base material at a sintering temperature of 1200 C. and a pull down speed of 10 mm/min. Next, as a transparent vitrification process, in a gas atmosphere of the gas in a furnace He=20 L/min, the heat treatment is performed on the entire length of the soot base material at a sintering temperature of 1500 C. and a pull down speed of 5 mm/min.

[0040] A transparent core base material produced in this way is set as a target, and an outside deposition is performed on the second cladding layer by an OVD method. A porous base material obtained in this way is sintered, and the transparent vitrification is performed, thereby obtaining the optical fiber base material. After that, by the optical fiber base material being heated to approximately 2100 C. and being spun, it is possible to obtain the optical fiber with a diameter of 125 m.

EXAMPLE

Example 1

[0041] First, the porous glass base material including the core and the first cladding layer was synthesized by the VAD method. The core was doped with germanium to increase the refractive index. For this porous glass base material, 1 liter of chlorine gas per minute, 0.25 liters of silane tetrafluoride gas per minute, and further 25 liters of Ar gas per minute, were supplied, and heating was performed to approximately 1200 C., and the porous glass base material was pulled down at 10 mm/min to perform dehydration and fluorine doping. Subsequently, 20 liters of He gas was supplied per minute, the heating was performed to about 1500 C., and the porous glass base material was pulled down at 5 mm/min to be set as the transparent glass core base material. It should be noted that instead of silane tetrafluoride gas, tetrafluoromethane, hexafluoroethane, or the like may be used.

[0042] The transparent core base material that is produced in this way and includes the core and the first cladding layer was set as a target, and the outside deposition was performed on the second cladding layer by the OVD method. The porous base material obtained in this way was sintered, and the transparent vitrification was performed, thereby producing the optical fiber base material. The obtained optical fiber base material was heated to approximately 2100 C. and was spun, thereby obtaining the optical fiber with a diameter of 125 m. The refractive index profile of the obtained optical fiber is shown in FIG. 2, and d(r)/dr is shown in FIG. 3.

Comparative Example 1-1

[0043] First, the porous glass base material including the core and the first cladding layer was synthesized by the VAD method. The core was doped with germanium to increase the refractive index. At this time, the flow rate of the gas that is supplied to the burner for forming the core layer, and the burner settings were changed, and an adjustment was performed to have the core shape as shown in FIG. 4. For this porous glass base material, 1 liter of chlorine gas per minute, 0.35 liters of silane tetrafluoride gas per minute, and further 25 liters of Ar gas per minute, were supplied, and the heating was performed to approximately 1230 C., and the porous glass base material was pulled down at 10 mm/min to perform dehydration and fluorine doping. Subsequently, 20 liters of He gas was supplied per minute, the heating was performed to about 1500 C., and the porous glass base material was pulled down at 5 mm/min to be set as the transparent glass core base material. After that, similar to example 1, the outside deposition and the transparent vitrification were performed on the second cladding layer, and the optical fiber base material was produced and spun to obtain the optical fiber. The refractive index profile of the obtained optical fiber is shown in FIG. 4, and d(r)/dr is shown in FIG. 5.

Comparative Example 1-2

[0044] First, the porous glass base material including the core and the first cladding layer was synthesized by the VAD method. The core was doped with germanium to increase the refractive index. At this time, the flow rate of the gas that is supplied to the burner for forming the core layer, and the burner settings were changed, and an adjustment was performed to have the core shape as shown in FIG. 6. For this porous glass base material, 1 liter of chlorine gas per minute, 0.15 liters of silane tetrafluoride gas per minute, and further 25 liters of Ar gas per minute, were supplied, and the heating was performed to approximately 1180 C., and the porous glass base material was pulled down at 10 mm/min to perform dehydration and fluorine doping.

[0045] Subsequently, 20 liters of He gas was supplied per minute, the heating was performed to about 1500 C., and the porous glass base material was pulled down at 5 mm/min to be set as the transparent glass core base material. After that, similar to example 1, the outside deposition and the transparent vitrification were performed on the second cladding layer, and the optical fiber base material was produced and spun to obtain the optical fiber. The refractive index profile of the obtained optical fiber is shown in FIG. 6, and d(r)/dr is shown in FIG. 7.

[0046] Table 1 shows various types of parameters of the optical fiber obtained in the example and the comparative example.

TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 COMPARATIVE COMPARATIVE UNIT EXAMPLE 1 EXAMPLE 1-1 EXAMPLE 1-2 r CORE m 4.03 4.15 3.97 1 3.22 3.32 3.18 2 8.87 9.14 8.73 3 13.7 13.5 15.2 4 16.8 17.0 16.9 n 0 % 0.42 0.45 0.35 1 0.33 0.30 0.38 2 0.08 0.14 0.02 3 0.15 0.16 0.11 MINIMUM VALUE 0~r1 %/m 0.06 0.09 0.06 OF d(r)/dR cc nm 1214 1202 1224 0 nm 1312 1310 1317 ZERO DISPERSION SLOPE ps/nm.sup.2/km 0.089 0.093 0.087 WAVELENGTH 1550 nm ps/nm/km 17.3 17.9 17.1 DISPERSION MFD 1310 nm m 8.55 8.56 8.58 TRANSMISSION 1310 nm dB/km 0.327 0.334 0.329 LOSS 1383 nm 0.282 0.280 0.285 1550 nm 0.183 0.182 0.185 BENDING LOSS R10 1turn dB 0.04 0.02 0.12

[0047] In example 1, the transmission loss at a wavelength of 1310 nm is 0.327 dB/km, and the bending loss at a wavelength of 1550 nm at a time of being bent with a bending radius of 10 mm is 0.04 dB/turn, which satisfies the bending loss value specified in G. 657. A2 of the ITU-T. In addition, the zero dispersion slope is 0.089 ps/nm.sup.2/km, and the chromatic dispersion at a wavelength of 1550 nm is 17.3 ps/nm/km, and for both, favorable values are obtained.

[0048] In comparative example 1-1, in comparison with example 1, by fluorine doping progressing to an inside of the first cladding layer, and by n.sub.2 or n.sub.3 being small, the bending loss becomes small, the transmission loss at a wavelength of 1310 nm is 0.334 dB/km, and a bending loss at a wavelength of 1550 nm at a time of being bent with a bending radius of 10 mm is 0.02 dB/turn, which satisfies the bending loss value specified in G.657.A2 of the ITU-T; however, on the other hand, by the n.sub.2 becoming small, the zero dispersion slope is 0.093 ps/nm.sup.2/km, which is outside the standard of the ITU-T. In addition, the chromatic dispersion at a wavelength of 1550 nm became 17.9 ps/nm/km, which is great.

[0049] In addition, the core shape had a steep refractive index from r.sub.1 to the center, and the minimum value of d(r)/dr was-0.09%/m in a range of r from 0 to r.sub.1. Furthermore, by the effect of the amount of fluorine addition being increased, the transmission loss at a wavelength of 1310 nm also became greater in comparison to example 1.

[0050] In comparative example 1-2, the transmission loss at a wavelength of 1310 nm was 0.329 dB/km, and the bending loss at a wavelength of 1550 nm at a time of being bent with a bending radius of 10 mm was 0.12 dB/turn, which was outside the standard of G. 657. A2 of the ITU-T. The zero dispersion slope was 0.087 ps/nm.sup.2/km, and the chromatic dispersion at a wavelength of 1550 nm was 17.1 ps/nm/km.

[0051] In comparative example 1-2, in comparison with example 1, by fluorine doping not progressing to the inside of the first cladding layer, and by n.sub.2 or n.sub.3 becoming great, the bending loss becomes great.

[0052] While the present invention has been described by way of the embodiments, the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the scope described in the above-described embodiments. It is apparent to persons skilled in the art that various alterations or improvements can be made to the above-described embodiments. It is also apparent from the description of the claims that the form to which such alterations or improvements are made can be included in the technical scope of the present invention.

[0053] It should be noted that the operations, procedures, steps, stages, and the like of each process performed by an apparatus, system, program, and method shown in the claims, the specification, or the drawings can be realized in any order as long as the order is not indicated by prior to, before, or the like and as long as the output from a previous process is not used in a later process. Even if the operation flow is described by using phrases such as first or next for the sake of convenience in the claims, specification, and drawings, it does not necessarily mean that the process must be performed in this order.