Fabrication Method of Fiber V Groove Array

Ⅰ. Brief introduction of fiber V groove array

The fiber V groove array in the optical communication mainly includes basal plate, cover plate and optical fiber. In general, a number of V-shaped grooves are cut at the bottom of the basal plate, the cover plate is pressed and the optical fiber that inserting into the grooves is fixed. The fiber V groove array has high requirements for materials and manufacturing technology.

Ⅱ. Fabrication method of fiber V groove array

1. Material inspection

Check whether there are scratches, damages and cracks on the base cover, whether there are impurities, damages, cracks and bumps on the basal plate, and whether the fiber is delaminated, damaged, cracked, color changed and broken by a microscope. Check the length and width of the basal plate and base cover, as well as the spacing of the fiber core on the basal plate by caliper and tape measure. The deviation of the above length and width requirements is about 0.1mm, and the above spacing deviation requirement of the fiber core is about 0.5um.

2. Fiber tape processing

The fiber tape is made by winding clamp, automatic peeling machine, microscope and meter ruler. The fiber tape has a uniform color, smooth surface, no coating damage, and obvious color change. In addition, its winding diameter is larger than 6cm and its winding length is 1.5m, which can be made according to the actual production requirements. Besides, the stripping length can be divided into two types, which are 1.5cm and 2cm.

3. Raw material cleaning

The raw materials are cleaned with alcohol, cleaning agent and deionized water by ultrasonic cleaning machine, cleaning fixture, microscope and other instruments. The cleaning time is 30 minutes, and the baking time is 120~150 minutes. Keep the raw material free of dust, foreign matter and impurity after cleaning.

4. Fiber V groove array assembly

Through the high positioning fixture and microscope, the fiber tape, basal plate and cover plate are tightly bonded by adhesive. The coated fiber strips are peeled. Place them across or in a single row and fix them on the basal plate in sequence. Put the cleaned base cover parallel to the basal plate and align it from front to back and from left to right.

5. Curing

The adhesion agent is cured by UV light source, UV box and oven.

6. Grinding

The assembled fiber V groove array is angularly grinded by grinding machine.

7. Inspection

The appearance and angle of fiber V groove array are tested by the measuring system. Its fiber core distance tolerance was required to be within 0.5um, and its grinding angle is controlled within 0.3 degrees. The high-precision grinding machine and fixture can ensure the accuracy of product angle more effectively, which is suitable for mass production.