Abstract: Cable adapters, connector assemblies, and optical cable assemblies incorporating an integral seal are disclosed. According to one aspect, a cable adapter includes a first end, a second end, and a passageway extending between the first end and the second end. The cable adapter further includes a seal groove within a surface of the second end, at least one opening within the seal groove, wherein the at least one opening is fluidly coupled to the passageway, and a seal within the seal groove. The seal includes a sealing material disposed within the seal groove, the at least one opening, and along an interior surface of the passageway.

Abstract: Cable adapters, connector assemblies, and optical cable assemblies incorporating an integral seal are disclosed. According to one aspect, a cable adapter includes a first end, a second end, and a passageway extending between the first end and the second end. The cable adapter further includes a seal groove within a surface of the second end, at least one opening within the seal groove, wherein the at least one opening is fluidly coupled to the passageway, and a seal within the seal groove. The seal includes a sealing material disposed within the seal groove, the at least one opening, and along an interior surface of the passageway.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a molded ferrule holder that can be coupled to a ferrule eliminating the need for automated injection molding machines and allowing for the use of low cost, low temperature polymers for the ferrule holder materials.

Abstract: Male plug fiber optic connectors having configured for mating with a dissimilar connector are disclosed along with cable assemblies using the same. The fiber optic connector comprises a ferrule, a connector housing, and a nose-piece having a pocket disposed at a front portion. The pocket of the nose-piece is configured for allowing optical mating with a dissimilar connector. In one embodiment, the pocket on the nosepiece of the connector is disposed on a forward portion of the nosepiece. The fiber optic connectors disclosed advantageously allow for optical mating with dissimilar optical connectors with a quick and easy assembly for rugged applications or other optical communication networks.

Abstract: Multi-fiber fiber optic connectors and cable assemblies comprising a fiber optic connector. The fiber optic connector comprises a ferrule, a connector housing comprising a longitudinal passageway therethough, and a nose-piece. The nose-piece has a backstop that captures the multi-fiber ferrule and allows limited movement of the ferrule in the unmated state. In one embodiment, the connector housing comprises a keying portion and a locking portion. The fiber optic connectors disclosed advantageously allow for an quick and easy assembly of the multi-fiber connector for rugged or non-rugged applications. Methods for terminating the optical fibers of a cable to the fiber optic connector for forming a cable assembly are also disclosed.

Abstract: Male plug fiber optic connectors having a conversion adapter for mating with a dissimilar connector are disclosed along with cable assemblies using the same. The fiber optic connector comprises a ferrule, a connector housing, and a nose-piece having a pocket disposed at a front portion. The pocket of the nose-piece is configured for allowing optical mating with a dissimilar connector using the conversion adapter. In one embodiment, the nosepiece of the connector is disposed forward of a keying portion disposed on the nosepiece. The fiber optic connectors disclosed advantageously allow for optical mating with dissimilar optical connectors with a quick and easy assembly for rugged applications or other optical communication networks.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a plasma treatment (under atmospheric conditions or under vacuum conditions) of a jacketed cable comprising a cable jacket and a heat shrink tubing. The plasma treatment improves retention properties of an optical fiber cable assembly by imparting a permanent change on a polymer surface of the cable jacket by cross-linking, leading to eventual graphitization, that can result in a diffusion barrier layer at an interface of the cable jacket and the heat shrink tubing, which prevents or minimizes plasticizer migration and results in an environmental seal (e.g., a long-term water tight seal).

Abstract: Strain relief boots for optic fiber cables are provided. A strain relief boot includes a substrate including a front segment and an opposite rear segment, wherein the substrate includes at least a first material, and a sleeve including a mounting portion and an opposite tail portion, wherein the sleeve includes at least a second material that is less rigid than the first material, the mounting portion of the sleeve engages the rear segment of the substrate, and the substrate and the sleeve are coaxial with one another extending along a portion of a longitudinal axis.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a molded ferrule holder that can be coupled to a ferrule eliminating the need for automated injection molding machines and allowing for the use of low cost, low temperature polymers for the ferrule holder materials.

Abstract: Cable adapters, connector assemblies, and optical cable assemblies incorporating an integral seal are disclosed. According to one aspect, a cable adapter includes a first end, a second end, and a passageway extending between the first end and the second end. The cable adapter further includes a seal groove within a surface of the second end, at least one opening within the seal groove, wherein the at least one opening is fluidly coupled to the passageway, and a seal within the seal groove. The seal includes a sealing material disposed within the seal groove, the at least one opening, and along an interior surface of the passageway.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a plasma treatment (under atmospheric conditions or under vacuum conditions) of a jacketed cable comprising a cable jacket and a heat shrink tubing. The plasma treatment improves retention properties of an optical fiber cable assembly by imparting a permanent change on a polymer surface of the cable jacket by cross-linking, leading to eventual graphitization, that can result in a diffusion barrier layer at an interface of the cable jacket and the heat shrink tubing, which prevents or minimizes plasticizer migration and results in an environmental seal (e.g., a long-term water tight seal).

Abstract: A fiber optic cable assembly includes a fiber optic cable including at least one strength member and a fiber optic connector including a connector body. The assembly also includes a weld collar positioned such that the at least one strength member is at least partially captured between the connector body and the weld collar. The assembly further includes a composite including a portion of the at least one strength member and a portion of at least one of the weld collar or the connector body. A method of coupling a fiber optic cable to a fiber optic connector is also provided.

Abstract: Described herein are glass substrates having oleophobic surfaces that are substantially free of features that form a reentrant geometry. The surfaces can include a plurality of gas-trapping features, extending from the surface to a depth below the surface, that are substantially isolated from each other. The gas-trapping features are capable of trapping gas below any droplets that are contacted with the surface so as to prevent wetting of the surface by the droplets.

Abstract: A fiber optic cable assembly includes a fiber optic cable including at least one strength member and a fiber optic connector including a connector body. The assembly also includes a weld collar positioned such that the at least one strength member is at least partially captured between the connector body and the weld collar. The assembly further includes a composite including a portion of the at least one strength member and a portion of at least one of the weld collar or the connector body. A method of coupling a fiber optic cable to a fiber optic connector is also provided.

Abstract: A fiber optic connector sub-assembly includes a ferrule having a front end, a rear end, and a ferrule bore extending between the front and rear ends along a longitudinal axis. The fiber optic connector sub-assembly also includes a bonding agent disposed in the ferrule bore and having first and second ends along the longitudinal axis. The bonding agent has been melted and solidified at the first and second ends without there being an optical fiber present in the ferrule bore.

Abstract: A fiber optic connector sub-assembly includes a ferrule having a front end, a rear end, and a ferrule bore extending between the front and rear ends along a longitudinal axis. The fiber optic connector sub-assembly also includes a bonding agent disposed in the ferrule bore and having first and second ends along the longitudinal axis. The bonding agent has been melted and solidified at the first and second ends.

Abstract: A fiber optic connector sub-assembly includes a ferrule having a front end, a rear end, and a ferrule bore extending between the front and rear ends along a longitudinal axis. The fiber optic connector sub-assembly also includes a bonding agent disposed in the ferrule bore and having first and second ends along the longitudinal axis. The bonding agent has been melted and solidified at the first and second ends without there being an optical fiber present in the ferrule bore.

Abstract: A crush resistant optical cable and/or crush resistant optical fiber buffer tube are provided. The cable generally includes a tube having at least one layer formed from a first material and an optical fiber located within a channel of the first tube. The buffer tube is configured to protect optical fibers from crush or impact events through a cushioning action. For example, the first material may be a polymer material having modulus of elasticity of less than 200 MPa, and the layer of the tube acts as a compliant cushioning layer at least partially contacting and surrounding an outer surface of the optical fiber when radially directed forces are applied to the outer surface of the tube.

Abstract: A method of making a fiber optic connector sub-assembly involves: initially disposing a bonding agent in a ferrule bore of a ferrule; heating at least a portion of the ferrule above a melting temperature of the bonding agent so that some of the bonding agent melts; and solidifying the bonding agent that has melted to form the fiber optic connector sub-assembly, all without an optical fiber being disposed within the ferrule bore.

Abstract: A beam-shaping optical system suitable for use with optical coherence tomography having a beam-shaping insert having a polymeric material, the beam-shaping insert integrally defining a beam-shaping element. The beam-shaping element has a reflective element positioned on a curved surface. A light source generates an electromagnetic beam. An optical fiber having a core and a cladding, the optical fiber having first end optically coupled with the light source and a fiber end. The fiber end is configured to emit the electromagnetic beam toward the beam-shaping element. The reflective element has a reflectivity greater than about 98% for both a first wavelength band of the electromagnetic beam and a second wavelength band of the electromagnetic beam.