Optical fiber array and substrate for the optical fiber array

An optical fiber array characterized by comprising:

• a substrate having a shoulder and including a grooved portion and a planar portion which are formed integrally with each other on respective opposite sides of said shoulder;
• a plurality of V-shaped grooves formed in said grooved portion of said substrate such that said plurality of V-shaped grooves are arranged in parallel with each other and such that each of said V-shaped grooves has a V-shape defined by two side walls which form therebetween an angle which is gradually increased in a portion of said grooved portion on the side of said substrate;
• a plurality of optical fibers accommodated within said plurality of V-shaped grooves, respectively, and thereby positioned on said grooved portion, said plurality of optical fibers being supported by said planar portion of said substrate;
• a covering plate disposed on said grooved portion of said substrate, to force said optical fibers accommodated in said plurality of grooves of said grooved portion of said substrate, onto said two side walls of said each V-shaped groove, to thereby position said optical fibers;
• and
• adhesive layers formed so as to fill gaps between said optical fibers and said substrate and between said optical fibers and said covering plate, for integrally bonding said optical fibers to said substrate and said covering plate.

An optical fiber array characterized by comprising:

• a substrate having a shoulder and including a grooved portion and a planar portion which are formed integrally with each other on respective opposite sides of said shoulder;
• a plurality of V-shaped grooves formed in said grooved portion of said substrate such that said plurality of V-shaped grooves are arranged in parallel with each other, such that each of said V-shaped grooves has a V-shape, and such that a depth of said V-shaped groove is gradually increased in a portion of said grooved portion on the side of said substrate;
• a plurality of optical fibers accommodated within said plurality of V-shaped grooves, respectively, and thereby positioned on said grooved portion, said plurality of optical fibers being supported by said planar portion of said substrate;
• a covering plate disposed on said grooved portion of said substrate, to force said optical fibers accommodated in said plurality of grooves of said grooved portion of said substrate, onto two side walls defining said each V-shaped groove, to thereby position said optical fibers;
• and
• adhesive layers formed so as to fill gaps between said optical fibers and said substrate and between said optical fibers and said covering plate, for integrally bonding said optical fibers to said substrate and said covering plate.

A substrate for an optical fiber array, characterized by comprising:

• a grooved portion for positioning a plurality of optical fibers;
• a planar portion formed integrally with said grooved portion, with a shoulder being formed between said grooved and planar portions, said planar portion supporting said plurality of optical fibers positioned on said grooved portion;
• and
• a plurality of V-shaped grooves formed in said grooved portion of said substrate such that said plurality of V-shaped grooves are arranged in parallel with each other and such that each of said V-shaped grooves has a V-shape defined by two side walls which form therebetween an angle which is gradually increased in a portion of said grooved portion on the side of said substrate, said plurality of optical fibers being accommodated in said plurality of grooves, respectively, and thereby positioned on said grooved portion.

A substrate for an optical fiber array, characterized by comprising:

• a grooved portion for positioning a plurality of optical fibers;
• a planar portion formed integrally with said grooved portion, with a shoulder being formed between said grooved and planar portions, said planar portion supporting said plurality of optical fibers positioned on said grooved portion;
• and
• a plurality of V-shaped grooves formed in said grooved portion of said substrate such that said plurality of V-shaped grooves are arranged in parallel with each other, such that each of said V-shaped grooves has a V-shape, and such that a depth of said V-shaped groove is gradually increased in a portion of said grooved portion on the side of said substrate, said plurality of optical fibers being accommodated in said plurality of grooves, respectively, and thereby positioned on said grooved portion.