PURPOSE: To execute efficiently a polishing work by making a specular surface of a heated plate contact with pressure to the end face of an optical waveguide constituted of a thermoplastic material, softening this end face, and converting it to a specular surface.
CONSTITUTION: An optical waveguide 2 formed in the shape of a film is supported by inserting the end part into a holder 14. Also, a cutter edge 15 is lowered from the upper part of the holder 14, and moved diagonally along a guide surface 16a. As a result, the end part of the optical waveguide 2 is cut and an end face which is not damaged comparatively is formed. Subsequently, the optical waveguide 2 is pushed into the holder 14, and the end face is projected as long as 5mm from the holder 14. On the other hand, a heater 7 of a heating and polishing means 3 is heated by making a current flow, and a plate 9 is heated to a prescribed temperature. This heating and polishing means 3 is positioned at a prescribed interval to the end face so that the plate 9 becomes vertical to the optical waveguide 2, the heating and polishing means 3 in this state is moved to the optical waveguide 2 side, and the plate is made to contact with pressure to the end face. By this contact, the end face of the optical waveguide 2 melts in the shape of a thin film, and a smooth film is formed.
OGAWA YUUJI
YAMASHITA MAKI
KATOU MITSUTAKA
