Optical connector, ferrule, and optical connector module

An optical connector that holds a plurality of optical transmission bodies, the optical connector being configured to engage with another optical connector that holds another plurality of optical transmission bodies to optically couple the plurality of optical transmission bodies with the other plurality of optical transmission bodies, the other optical connector having a shape identical with a shape of the optical connector, the optical connector comprising:

• the plurality of optical transmission bodies;
• and
• a ferrule that holds the plurality of optical transmission bodies disposed in parallel to each other in a first direction,
• wherein the ferrule includes:
• a holding section that holds the plurality of optical transmission bodies,
• a first surface disposed to face end surfaces of the plurality of optical transmission bodies held by the holding section, the first surface allowing thereon incidence of light emitted from the plurality of optical transmission bodies or allowing therefrom emission of light toward the plurality of optical transmission bodies, and
• a plurality of second surfaces that allow therefrom emission of the light incident on the first surface toward the other optical connector or allow thereon incidence of light from the other optical connector,
• wherein the end surfaces of the plurality of optical transmission bodies are each inclined with respect to a second direction perpendicular to the first direction when the end surfaces are viewed along the first direction,
• wherein in a cross section that is along the second direction and includes a first center axis of any one second surface of the plurality of second surfaces and a second center axis of one optical transmission body among the plurality of optical transmission bodies, the one optical transmission body corresponding to the second surface,
• the first center axis and the second center axis are disposed closer to a tip end of the one optical transmission body than a fitting centerline is, and
• wherein under an assumption that the optical connector is engaged with the other optical connector and that the first center axis and the second center axis are positioned on an identical straight line, when a third reference straight line is defined as a straight line positioned on the first center axis and the second center axis,
• in the optical connector, the third reference straight line is positioned in the cross section between the first center axis and the second center axis in such a way that optical coupling efficiency between the plurality of optical transmission bodies and the other plurality of optical transmission bodies is maximized.