The present invention provides an optical fiber structure that allows for
reliable and easy branching of optical fibers, as well as a method of
manufacturing such optical fiber structure. The optical fiber structure
proposed by the present invention is characterized by a structure wherein
multiple optical fiber units, each comprising multiple optical fibers
that are aligned two-dimensionally in such a way that one side is covered
by a first covering body, are aligned so that the covered surfaces face
the same direction, and the covered or uncovered surfaces of the multiple
optical fiber units are integrally covered by a second covering body. The
second covering body should preferably be made of silicone rubber having
a tearing strength of 29 kgf/cm or below.