Abstract: Disclosed are optical plug connectors and optical receptacles for making optical connections. In one embodiment, the optical plug connector includes an optical portion having an optical interface and a cover for protecting the optical interface. The cover can translate toward the optical interface when connecting the optical plug connector and a portion of the cover allows transmission of optical signals therethrough.

Abstract: A connector device for connecting optical fiber endpieces comprising an optoelectronic chip, a fiber end piece holder and a reflection surface. The chip is oriented for emitting and/or detecting optical signals along a first propagation direction normal to a circuit board. The reflection surface changes a propagation direction of optical signals from the first propagation direction to a different, second propagation direction and/or vice versa. The connector device comprises a layered optical stack mounted to the circuit board and designed for propagation of optical signals along the first propagation direction. The connector device further comprises a coupling adapter piece mounted to the layered optical stack that holds and/or secures the fiber end piece holder in an orientation enabling propagation of signals radiation along the second propagation direction. The reflection surface for changing between both propagation directions is comprised in the coupling adapter piece.

Abstract: Dense shuttered fiber optic connectors and assemblies suitable for establishing optical connections for optical backplanes in equipment racks are disclosed. In one embodiment, a fiber optic connector assembly is provided. The fiber optic connector assembly comprises a fiber optic connector. The fiber optic connector assembly also comprises a slideable shutter disposed in the fiber optic connector. The slideable shutter has an opening(s) configured to be aligned with a plurality of lenses disposed in the fiber optic connector in an open position, and configured to block access to the plurality of lenses disposed in the fiber optic connector in a closed position. The fiber optic connector assembly also comprises an actuation member coupled to the slideable shutter configured to move the slideable shutter from the closed position to the open position.

Abstract: Backplane optical connectors and optical connections are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a backplane optical connector includes a ferrule element that includes a body portion having optical interface, at least two bores positioned through the body portion, at least two posts extending from the body portion, and a fiber inlet portion extending from the body portion. The fiber inlet portion includes a fiber receiving opening. The backplane optical connector further includes a magnet disposed within each bore of the at least two bores, and a bias member coupled to the at least two posts.

Abstract: Optical fiber ferrules with complementary mating geometry that are suitable for making optical connections are disclosed along with fiber optic connectors and cable assemblies using the same. In one embodiment, the fiber optic ferrule includes a body having a plurality of optical pathways and a mating geometry that has at least one guide pin that is monolithically formed in the body of the fiber optic ferrule and at least one spring retention feature disposed on a rear portion of the ferrule. The ferrule reduces the number of parts required for a fiber optic connector and allows quick and easy assembly. The disclosure is also directed to fiber optic connectors and cable assemblies using the ferrule.

Abstract: Optical ports providing passive alignment connectivity are disclosed. In one embodiment, an optical port includes a substrate having a surface, a photonic silicon chip, a connector body, and a plurality of spacer elements. The photonic silicon chip includes an electrical coupling surface, an upper surface and an optical coupling surface. The optical coupling surface is positioned between the electrical coupling surface and the upper surface. The photonic silicon chip further includes at least one waveguide terminating at the optical coupling surface, and a chip engagement feature disposed on the upper surface. The connector body includes a first alignment feature, a second alignment feature, a mounting surface, and a connector engagement feature at the mounting surface. The connector engagement feature mates with the chip engagement feature. The plurality of spacer elements is disposed between the electrical coupling surface of the photonic silicon chip and the surface of the substrate.

Abstract: Backplane optical connectors and optical connections are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a backplane optical connector includes a ferrule element that includes a body portion having optical interface, at least two bores positioned through the body portion, at least two posts extending from the body portion, and a fiber inlet portion extending from the body portion. The fiber inlet portion includes a fiber receiving opening. The backplane optical connector further includes a magnet disposed within each bore of the at least two bores, and a bias member coupled to the at least two posts.

Abstract: Optical ports providing passive alignment connectivity are disclosed. In one embodiment, an optical port includes a substrate having a surface, a photonic silicon chip, a connector body, and a plurality of spacer elements. The photonic silicon chip includes an electrical coupling surface, an upper surface and an optical coupling surface. The optical coupling surface is positioned between the electrical coupling surface and the upper surface. The photonic silicon chip further includes at least one waveguide terminating at the optical coupling surface, and a chip engagement feature disposed on the upper surface. The connector body includes a first alignment feature, a second alignment feature, a mounting surface, and a connector engagement feature at the mounting surface. The connector engagement feature mates with the chip engagement feature. The plurality of spacer elements is disposed between the electrical coupling surface of the photonic silicon chip and the surface of the substrate.

Abstract: Disclosed are optical plugs and optical connectors for making optical connections. The optical plugs and optical connectors disclosed have a nosepiece that is easily removed and replaced for allowing access to the optical interface for cleaning and the nosepiece may also protect the optical interface when installed. The nosepiece may be a single component or an assembly as desired. The devices disclosed may be hybrid devices providing both optical and electrical connectivity or they may solely have optical connectivity if desired.

Abstract: Disclosed are optical connectors having lenses along with methods for making the same. In one embodiment, the optical connector includes a fiber body having a front portion with a plurality of fiber guides, and a connector body having a plurality of connector body fiber guides that lead to a plurality of lenses at a front portion of the connector body. The fiber body attaches to the connector body and may align a plurality of optical fibers to the lenses at the front portion of the connector body. One embodiment has the fiber body configured as a crimp body with a barrel at a rear portion for attaching a fiber optic cable.

Abstract: The application provides a connector device for connecting at least one optical fiber endpiece to an electric terminal. The connector device comprises a printed circuit board and an electric connector plug connectable to an electric terminal. A fiber end piece holder is mounted or mountable in an orientation enabling light propagation parallel to the printed circuit board, whereas an optoelectronic chip comprising optoelectronic active elements enables emission and/or detection of light substantially normal to the printed circuit board. A layered optical stack is provided on the printed circuit board, which layered optical stack comprises a reflection surface for changing the propagation direction between parallel and normal to the printed circuit board.

Abstract: Disclosed are optical connectors and methods for making the same. In one embodiment, the optical connector comprises an optical body, one or more first magnetic materials attached to the optical body, a housing, and one or more second magnetic materials attached to the housing. The first magnetic material(s) provide alignment with an optical element of a complimentary receptacle and the optical body may include one or more openings for receiving the first magnetic materials. The second magnetic material(s) attached to the housing provide retention of the optical connector with the complimentary receptacle when mated together. Consequently, the optical connector allows for quick and easy assembly along with a robust structure for a large number of mating/unmating cycles. In other embodiments, the optical devices disclosed may further include one or more electrical contacts for making a hybrid connection or have a TIR surface integrated into a portion of a housing.

Abstract: Disclosed are optical plugs and optical connectors for making optical connections. The optical plugs and optical connectors disclosed have a nosepiece that is easily removed and replaced for allowing access to the optical interface for cleaning and the nosepiece may also protect the optical interface when installed. The nosepiece may be a single component or an assembly as desired. The devices disclosed may be hybrid devices providing both optical and electrical connectivity or they may solely have optical connectivity if desired.

Abstract: Field-installable mechanical splice connectors for making optical and/or electrical connections in the field are disclosed. One embodiment is a hybrid mechanical splice connector having an electrical portion and an optical portion that includes at least one electrical contact, a shell, and at least one body for receiving at least one field optical fiber and securing the electrical contact. The connector includes a mechanical retention component for securing at least one optical field fiber to the at least one body. Another embodiment is directed to a mechanical splice connector having at least one body for receiving at least one field optical fiber, a mechanical retention component for securing at least one optical field fiber to the at least one body, and at least one lens attached to the at least one body.

Abstract: Optical coupling assemblies for silicon-based optical sources are disclosed. In one embodiment, an optical coupling assembly includes an optical coupling carrier frame and a jumper cable assembly. The optical coupling carrier frame includes a frame portion defining an integrated circuit opening operable to receive an integrated circuit assembly, and a connector portion extending from the frame portion. The connector portion includes a channel operable to receive an optical connector of an optical cable assembly. The jumper cable assembly is disposed within the connector portion. The jumper cable assembly includes a plurality of jumper optical fibers, a jumper ferrule coupled to a first end of the plurality of jumper optical fibers, and an optical turn assembly coupled to a second end of the plurality of jumper optical fibers. The optical turn assembly is operable to optically turn optical signals propagating within the optical turn assembly.

Abstract: Cable assemblies, optical connector assemblies, and optical connector subassemblies employing a translating element and a unitary alignment pin are disclosed. In one embodiment, an optical connector assembly includes a connector housing defining a unitary alignment pin including a first pin portion and a second pin portion, and a cover including a first bore and a second bore that allows the transmission of optical signals therethrough. The first pin portion is disposed within the first bore of cover and the second pin portion is disposed within the second bore cover so that that the cover can translate along the first pin portion and the second pin portion.

Abstract: Translating lens holder assemblies employing bore relief zones, as well as optical connectors employing such lens holder assemblies, are disclosed. In one embodiment, a lens holder assembly includes a lens holder body having a mating face, a first forward slide portion and a first rear slide portion disposed on a first side of the lens holder body, and a second forward slide portion and a second rear slide portion disposed on a second side of the lens holder body. The first forward slide portion is separated from the first rear slide portion by a first bore relief zone, and the second forward slide portion is separated from the second rear slide portion by a second bore relief zone. In one embodiment, the lens holder assembly further includes at least one groove alignment feature disposed in the lens holder body that is configured to support at least one GRIN lens.

Abstract: Optical connectors, optical coupling systems, and methods of optical coupling are disclosed. In one embodiment, an optical connector includes a plug housing, at least one optical fiber, an internal coupling surface, and a translating element. The translating element has a first coupling surface, a second coupling surface, and at least one optical component within the translating element. The translating element is biased such that when the optical connector is in a disengaged state, the translating element is positioned toward an optical connector opening and the second coupling surface of the translating element is displaced from the internal coupling surface. When the optical connector is in an engaged state, the translating element is positioned such that the second coupling surface of the translating element is positioned at the internal coupling surface and the optical fiber is optically coupled to the optical component.

Abstract: Optical ports providing passive alignment connectivity are disclosed. In one embodiment, an optical port includes a substrate having a surface, a photonic silicon chip, a connector body, and a plurality of spacer elements. The photonic silicon chip includes an electrical coupling surface, an upper surface and an optical coupling surface. The optical coupling surface is positioned between the electrical coupling surface and the upper surface. The photonic silicon chip further includes at least one waveguide terminating at the optical coupling surface, and a chip engagement feature disposed on the upper surface. The connector body includes a first alignment feature, a second alignment feature, a mounting surface, and a connector engagement feature at the mounting surface. The connector engagement feature mates with the chip engagement feature. The plurality of spacer elements is disposed between the electrical coupling surface of the photonic silicon chip and the surface of the substrate.

Abstract: Fiber optic connector assemblies and subassembly are disclosed. In one embodiment, a fiber optic connector subassembly includes a body and a pivot arm. The body includes a first body shell and a second body shell having a joint portion. The first body shell is coupled to the second body shell. The pivot arm is rotatably coupled to the joint portion. In another embodiment, a fiber optic connector assembly includes a plurality of cable assemblies, a housing, a body, and a pivot arm. Each cable assembly includes a fiber optic cable having a plurality of optical fibers, and a ferrule. The plurality of optical fibers is coupled to the ferrule. The housing receives the ferrules of the plurality of cable assemblies. The body is coupled to the housing. The pivot arm is rotatably coupled to the body. The plurality of optical fibers is disposed within the pivot arm.