METHOD FOR PROCESSING END FACE OF COATED OPTICAL FIBER

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method for processing an end face of a coated optical fiber, which method prevents the degradation in optical performance by bulging the coated optical fiber of a tapered section in just proportion. SOLUTION: The method comprises cutting the coated optical fiber 20 to a prescribed length, inserting the cut fiber 20 into a through-hole 4 from a second aperture 3 so as to project the front end of the fiber 20 from a first aperture 2, heating a ferrule 1 to bulge the fiber 20, bringing a mirror finished surface 15 of a mirror finished surface plate 15 into pressurized contact with the ferrule 1, heating the end face of the fiber 20 to melt or soften and to bring the end face into contact with the surface 15, then cooling the end face of the fiber 20 to solidify the end face, and transferring the surface 15 to the end face of the fiber 20. COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO