APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING BENT OPTICAL FIBER

Provided are an apparatus and a method for manufacturing a bent optical fiber. The apparatus and the method make the temperature distribution between irradiated surfaces and rear surfaces of optical fibers and between the optical fiber in the middle and the optical fibers at the both sides uniform when forming a bent portion by using an infrared laser. An apparatus for manufacturing a bent optical fiber formed of an optical fiber having a bent portion includes a bending formation mechanism that holds the optical fiber and forms the bent portion, a fiber feeding mechanism that feeds the optical fiber toward the bending formation mechanism, a light-source mechanism including a light source that emits laser to a portion of the periphery of the optical fiber in which the bent portion is formed, and a rear reflective member disposed to face the light source with the optical fiber interposed therebetween.