| 摘要 |
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an optical coupling and branching element which is easily workable, inexpensive and small. SOLUTION: This element is provided with a pair of ferrules 3, 4 which hold an optical fiber respectively, aligning sleeves 5, 6 which oppositely align and hold a pair of ferrules 3, 4, a light reflecting and transmitting means 9 which is provided between a pair of ferrules 3, 4 in the inner part of the aligning sleeves 5, 6 and which is arranged in the crossing position with the optical axis formed between the optical fibers 1, 2, and fixing means which fix a pair of ferrules 3, 4 to the aligning sleeves 5, 6. Hereupon, the opposite aligning and holding surfaces of a pair of ferrules 3, 4 are formed into a plane shape at the angle of nearly 45 degrees to the optical axis and moreover are abutted on each other via the light reflecting and transmitting means 9, and also the aligning sleeves 5, 6 are provided with opening parts or transparent parts 50a, 50b in the side surfaces in the direction substantially orthogonal to the optical axis on the axis passing the crossing position. Further, at least one ferrule which is positioned between the crossing position and the opening part or the trartsparent part of a pair of ferruies 3, 4 is composed of the transparent body.
|
