OPTICAL FIBER SIDE INPUT-OUTPUT DEVICE AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING DISTORTION

To provide an optical fiber side input-output device and a method for providing a distortion that can attain reduction in a side pressure loss and increase in the efficiency of optical input/output when a distortion is formed in a tube-equipped optical fiber and light is output or input from a distorted part with a probe.SOLUTION: The optical fiber side input-output device according to the present invention reduces a side pressure loss by pressing the area around the top of the distortion gently enough to maintain a space between the optical fiber and the protective tube, by using not only a convex fixture to distort and press the tube-equipped fiber at its top but also a pressing fixture. The input-output device also obtains a high level of efficiency of inputting or outputting light by increasing the distance for which the protective tube and the concave fixture are in contact with each other.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4 【課題】チューブ付き光ファイバに曲げを形成して曲げ部からプローブを用いて光を入出力するときに、側圧損失の低減と光の入出力効率の向上を両立可能な光ファイバ側方入出力装置及び曲げ付与方法を提供することを目的とする。【解決手段】本発明に係る光ファイバ側方入出力装置は、チューブ付き光ファイバを曲げて頂点を押しつぶす凸治具に加えて、抑え治具を用いて曲げ頂点の周囲を光ファイバと保護チューブが接触しない程度の押しつぶすことで側圧損失を低減し、かつ保護チューブと凹治具の接触する距離を長くすることで、高い光の入出力効率を得ることとした。【選択図】図４