Optical-fiber holding component, optical connector, and optical coupling structure

An optical connector comprising:

• a plurality of optical fibers each having a center axis, wherein the plurality of optical fibers include resin coated portions and coating removed portions being obtained by removing each resin coating by a predetermined length from a tip end of each of the optical fibers, and each of the optical fibers includes at least one core in a region shifted from a region on the center axis, the optical fibers being arranged in a first direction intersecting with the center axis;
• at least one optical-fiber holding component including a holding part defining a position of each of the coating removed portions in a plane perpendicular to the center axis and holding the coating removed portions;
• and a fixing part arranged side by side with the holding part in a second direction along the center axis and fixing the resin coated portions;
• and
• a ferrule housing the optical-fiber holding component and at least a part of each of the plurality of optical fibers therein,
• wherein the ferrule has:
• a front end surface intersecting with the second direction;
• an opening provided opposite to the front end surface and collectively accommodating the optical-fiber holding component and the plurality of optical fibers;
• an introduction hole extending from the opening along the second direction and holding the optical-fiber holding component;
• and
• a plurality of holding holes extending from a front end of the introduction hole opposite to the opening to the front end surface, and holding the coating removed portions of the plurality of optical fibers, respectively,
• wherein the at least one optical-fiber holding component includes a plurality of optical-fiber holding components, and
• wherein the opening correctively accommodates the plurality of optical-fiber holding components, the introduction hole collectively holds the plurality of optical-fiber holding components, and the respective optical-fiber holding components are stacked in a third direction intersecting with the first and second directions.