Optical connector, ferrule, and optical coupling structure

An optical connector comprising:

• a plurality of optical fibers each including a coat removed portion from which a resin coat having a predetermined length from a tip surface is removed, a coated portion on which the resin coat remains, and at least one of a core and a stress applying portion at a position shifted from a center axis;
• and
• a ferrule having a front end surface and a rear end surface that are arranged in a first direction in which the center axis extends, the ferrule including a plurality of fiber holding portions each extending between the front end surface and the rear end surface in the first direction such that the plurality of fiber holding portions are arranged in a second direction intersecting the first direction, the plurality of fiber holding portions being each configured to hold a corresponding one of the plurality of optical fibers,
• wherein each of the plurality of fiber holding portions has
• a holding hole into which the coat removed portion is inserted in the first direction, the holding hole being configured to hold the coat removed portion so as to maintain a position of the coat removed portion in a plane perpendicular to the first direction, and
• an introduction portion located between the holding hole and the rear end surface and having an inner wall surface in which an imaginary circle having a diameter larger than an inside diameter of the holding hole is inscribed, and
• wherein a length of the holding hole in the first direction is shorter than a length of the introduction portion in the first direction.