Ferrule having optical fiber incorporated therein as an integral part thereof and method for production thereof

摘要

An optical connector ferrule has an optical fiber incorporated therein as an integral part thereof, wherein the optical fiber is integrally fixed in the ferrule directly or through the medium of the metal tube embedded in the ferrule. This ferrule of the optical fiber built-in type can be produced by inserting an optical fiber or a metal tube having an optical fiber fitted therein into a mold provided with a molding cavity which defines the outer shape of an optical connector ferrule, injecting a fluid material kept at an elevated temperature into the cavity of the mold, and solidifying the cast material by cooling. The optical fiber or both the optical fiber and the metal tube are strongly fixed in the ferrule integrally by the thermal shrinkage or coagulation shrinkage of the ferrule during the production thereof. <IMAGE>