OPTICAL FIBER FIXING MEMBER, METHOD OF MANUFACTURING THE OPTICAL FIBER FIXING MEMBER, OPTICAL FIBER ARRAY, AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING THE OPTICAL FIBER ARRAY

摘要

An optical fiber fixing member having optical fiber engagement grooves 2 and peaks 5 between the engagement grooves 2 is configured as a unitary structure by molding. A preform G is pressed with a mold 21 such that the concavities 25 of the mold 21, which comprises convexities 26 and concavities 25 for the transfer of the engagement grooves 2 and the peaks 5, respectively, are filled with the preform G only partially. The shape of the convexities 26 of the mold 21 is transferred, yielding optical fiber engagement grooves 2 whose surfaces are mold transfer surfaces 6. Because the preform G fills the concavities 25 only partially, the peaks 5 between the optical fiber engagement grooves formed by the filling of the concavities 25 are free rounded surfaces 7 whose shape does not reflect the shape of the concave bottom portions 25a of the mold 21. An optical fiber fixing member molded with the aid of the mold by keeping glass at high temperature prevents transmission loss from being reduced by the microcracking of the optical fibers and makes it possible to improve release properties and burr control properties. <IMAGE>