| 摘要 |
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To permit rapid processing of a stable shape and to reduce the cost of optical parts by shortening of processing time and an improvement in a yield by forming an AC arc discharge region within a groove of an insulating block and stretching an optical fiber in this groove. SOLUTION: Tapered parts 6b are formed at the optical fiber 6 by stretching the optical fiber 6 while heating the optical fiber with a heating means. The AC arc discharge region 5 by an AC arc discharge is used as this heating means in the method for tapering the optical fiber. When an AC power source is first supplied to respective electrode parts 3 and 4 by driving a power source for AC discharge, the AC arc discharge region 5 (heating means) is generated in the groove 2 by the AC arc discharge between the respective electrode parts 3 and 4. When the optical fiber 6 is located in this groove 2, i.e., the AC arc discharge region 5 and is stretched by pulling both ends of the optical fiber 6, the tapered parts may be respectively evenly formed from the central part of the optical fiber 6 toward both ends. |
