MULTI-CORE OPTICAL FIBER AND OPTICAL CONNECTING COMPONENT

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an MCF (Multi-Core optical Fiber) and an optical connecting component that can suppress both an MPI (Multi-Path Interference) and occurrence of breakage in an MCF even when the MCF is bent into a small diameter because of reduction in height and size.SOLUTION: An MCF 20 with a coating has a bend part formed such that a portion thereof is bent in the vicinity of an end part, and comprises: multiple cores 21 of a non-coupling type; and a common cladding 22 that has a refractive index lower than that of the multiple cores 21 and surrounds the multiple cores 21. The MCF includes in a lengthwise direction: a large diameter part 22a of a constant outer diameter; and a small diameter part 22b reduced in diameter further than the large diameter part 22a. The MCF also has the bend part at the small diameter part 22b or in the vicinity of the small diameter part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2 【課題】低背・小型化のためにＭＣＦを小径に屈曲させた場合であっても、ＭＣＦにおけるＭＰＩおよび破断の発生を共に抑制できるＭＣＦおよび光接続部品を提供する。【解決手段】被覆付ＭＣＦ２０は、端部近傍で一部が屈曲した屈曲部を有し、非結合タイプの複数のコア２１と、複数のコア２１よりも屈折率が低く且つ複数のコア２１を取り囲む共通クラッド２２と、を有し、長手方向に、一定外径の太径部２２ａと、太径部２２ａよりも細径化された細径部２２ｂと、を含み、細径部２２ｂ又はその近傍に屈曲部を有している。【選択図】図２