Optical fiber and method of manufacturing the same

摘要

An optical fiber is rolled by a swing motion of a swing guide roller (220) in order to impart a predetermined twist to it effectively, and its polarization dispersion is suppressed equivalently as in a perfectly circular concentric optical fiber. A method of manufacturing such an optical fiber is also provided. As a swing guide roller (220) swings, the optical fiber is rolled on its roller surface, so that a clockwise twist and a counterclockwise twist are imparted to the optical fiber alternately. At this time, the optical fiber is fitted in a V-shaped narrow groove formed at the central portion of the roller surface of a next-stage first stationary guide roller (231) provided just beside the swing guide roller (220). Rolling of the optical fiber on the roller surface of the first stationary guide roller (231) is suppressed, thereby helping smooth rolling of the optical fiber on the roller surface of the swing guide roller (220). As a result, a twist can be imparted to the optical fiber highly efficiently in accordance with the swing speed of the swing guide roller (220).