An optical coupling component for use in an optical communication
connector is provided which comprises a pair of columnar sending side and
receiving side optical functional sections and a joint section integrally
molded with the optical functional sections and made from the same
material as the material of the optically functional sections and having
joint regions adjoining the side walls of the optical functional
sections, the joint regions of the joint section having a circumferential
length along the side walls of the optically functional sections which is
equal to or less than a half circumference of the optically functional
sections.