Abstract: A fiber optic connector includes a ferrule, a housing received over the ferrule, and a slider assembly mounted to the housing. The housing includes left and right sides each having a latch receptacle for receiving at least a portion of an adapter latch. The slider assembly includes a first unit movable relative to the housing between a forward position and a rearward position, wherein the first unit at least partially obstructs the latch receptacles when the first unit is in its forward position, and each of the latch receptacles is at least partially unobstructed by (e.g., substantially not obstructed by) the first unit when the first unit is in its rearward position. The slider assembly also includes a second unit movable relative to the housing between a forward position and a rearward position.

Abstract: The application provides methods of forming a fiber coupling device comprising a substrate, the substrate having a substrate surface and at least one optoelectronic and/or photonic element, and further comprising at least one fiber coupling alignment structure that is optically transmissive. The method comprises a) applying a polymerizable material to the substrate surface, b) selectively polymerizing, using a method of 3D lithography, a region of the polymerizable material so as to convert the region of the polymerizable material into a polymer material, thereby forming at least one fiber coupling alignment structure, and c) cleaning the substrate and the polymer material from remaining non-polymerized polymerizable material, thereby exposing the at least one fiber coupling alignment structure of the fiber coupling device.

Abstract: Fiber optic modules, fiber optic connectors, and methods are disclosed. In one embodiment, a fiber optic module includes a body and a fiber tray. The body includes a fiber tray recess extending from a first surface, a fiber-end datum surface positioned an end of the fiber tray recess, and a plurality of lens surfaces. The plurality of lens surfaces, the fiber-end datum surface, and intervening portions of the body define a plurality of lenses each having a linear optical axis. The fiber tray includes a plurality of fiber support features disposed on a first surface. The plurality of fiber support features is configured to receive a plurality of optical fibers. The fiber tray is disposed within the fiber tray recess and secured to the body.

Abstract: Hardened fiber optic connectors having a mechanical splice assembly are disclosed. The mechanical splice assembly is attached to a first end of an optical waveguide such as an optical fiber of a fiber optic cable by way of a stub optical fiber, thereby connectorizing the hardened connector. In one embodiment, the hardened connector includes an inner housing having two shells for securing a tensile element of the cable and securing the mechanical splice assembly so that a ferrule assembly may translate. Further assembly of the hardened connector has the inner housing fitting into a shroud of the hardened connector. The shroud aides in mating the hardened connector with a complimentary device and the shroud may have any suitable configuration. The hardened connector may also include features for fiber buckling, sealing, cable strain relief or a pre-assembly for ease of installation.

Abstract: Gradient index (GRIN) lens holders employing groove alignment feature(s) and total internal reflection (TIR) surface, and related components, connectors, and methods are disclosed. In one embodiment, the GRIN lens holder contains one or more internal groove alignment features configured to secure one or more GRIN lenses in the GRIN lens holder. The groove alignment features are also configured to accurately align the end faces of the GRIN lenses. The GRIN lens holders disclosed herein can be provided as part of an optical fiber ferrule and/or a fiber optic component or connector for making optical connections. A fiber optic connector containing the GRIN lens holders disclosed herein may be optically connected to one or more optical fibers in another fiber optic connector or to an optical device, such as a laser-emitting diode (LED), laser diode, or opto-electronic device for light transfer.

Abstract: A ferrule for a multi-fiber optical connector includes a body extending in a longitudinal direction between a front end and a back end. The front end of the body defines a first end face and at least one additional endface offset from the first end face in the longitudinal direction. The ferrule also includes first and second groups of micro-holes extending into the body from the at least one additional end face. Each micro-hole is configured to receive one of the optical fibers. The first and second groups of micro-holes are spaced apart from each other by distance greater than spacing between the micro-holes in the first and second groups themselves, thereby defining a space between an innermost micro-hole in the first group and an innermost micro-hole in the second group. The space itself is free of micro-holes.

Abstract: A fiber optic connector includes a ferrule, a housing received over the ferrule, and a slider assembly mounted to the housing. The housing includes left and right sides each having a latch receptacle for receiving at least a portion of an adapter latch. The slider assembly includes a first unit movable relative to the housing between a forward position and a rearward position, wherein the first unit at least partially obstructs the latch receptacles when the first unit is in its forward position, and each of the latch receptacles is at least partially unobstructed by (e.g., substantially not obstructed by) the first unit when the first unit is in its rearward position. The slider assembly also includes a second unit movable relative to the housing between a forward position and a rearward position.

Abstract: Gradient index (GRIN) lens holders employing groove alignment feature(s) and a recessed cover, as well as optical connectors and methods employing such GRIN lens holders, are disclosed. In one embodiment, the GRIN lens holder contains one or more internal groove alignment features configured to secure one or more GRIN lenses in the GRIN lens holder. The groove alignment features are also configured to accurately align the end faces of the GRIN lenses. The GRIN lens holder also contains a recessed cover having a front face that is negatively offset with respect to a mating surface of the GRIN lens holder. The GRIN lens holders disclosed herein can be provided as part of an optical fiber ferrule and/or a fiber optic component or connector for making optical connections.

Abstract: Gradient index (GRIN) lens holders employing groove alignment feature(s) in recessed cover and single piece components, connectors, and methods are disclosed. In one embodiment, the GRIN lens holder contains one or more internal groove alignment features configured to secure one or more GRIN lenses in the GRIN lens holder. The groove alignment features are also configured to accurately align the end faces of the GRIN lenses. The GRIN lens holders disclosed herein can be provided as part of an optical fiber ferrule and/or a fiber optic component or connector for making optical connections. A fiber optic connector containing the GRIN lens holders disclosed herein may be optically connected to one or more optical fibers in another fiber optic connector or to an optical device, such as a laser-emitting diode (LED), laser diode, or opto-electronic device for light transfer.

Abstract: A fiber optic connector inner housing employing a front-loading retention feature for receiving and retaining a ferrule holder, and related fiber optic connectors, cables, and methods are disclosed. In one example, the inner housing has an opening extending therethrough and at least one bayonet locking mechanism that includes an insertion slot, a rotation slot, and a retention slot disposed in an interior surface of the opening. A ferrule holder having a key portion is inserted into the opening such that the key portion is received by the insertion slot. The ferrule holder is next rotated in the rotation slot and released such that a bias member within the inner housing moves the key portion of the ferrule holder into the retention slot, thereby retaining the ferrule holder in the inner housing and preventing accidental removal of the ferrule holder from the inner housing.

Abstract: Fiber optic module assemblies and optical-electrical connectors incorporating the same are disclosed. The fiber optic module assembly generally includes a total-internal-reflection (“TIR”) module having TIR body including a TIR surface to direct light to active optical components. The TIR body is coupled to a lens module including a lens body having a plurality of lens surfaces. A plurality of optical fibers may be secured within fiber support features of the TIR body that aligns ends of the optical fibers to the lenses defined by the lens body. Alignment features and index-matching adhesive may be used to couple the TIR body to the lens body. Optical-electrical connectors employing such two-piece fiber optic module assemblies are also disclosed, as well as kits of parts for providing optical communication of light between an active optical component and an optical fiber.

Abstract: The application provides methods of forming a fiber coupling device comprising a substrate, the substrate having a substrate surface and at least one optoelectronic and/or photonic element, and further comprising at least one fiber coupling alignment structure that is optically transmissive. The method comprises a) applying a polymerizable material to the substrate surface, b) selectively polymerizing, using a method of 3D lithography, a region of the polymerizable material so as to convert the region of the polymerizable material into a polymer material, thereby forming at least one fiber coupling alignment structure, and c) cleaning the substrate and the polymer material from remaining non-polymerized polymerizable material, thereby exposing the at least one fiber coupling alignment structure of the fiber coupling device.

Abstract: The application provides methods of forming a fiber coupling device comprising a substrate, the substrate having a substrate surface and at least one optoelectronic and/or photonic element, and further comprising at least one fiber coupling alignment structure that is optically transmissive. One method comprises a) applying a polymerizable material to the substrate surface, b) selectively polymerizing, using a method of 3D lithography, a region of the polymerizable material so as to convert the region of the polymerizable material into a polymer material, thereby forming at least one fiber coupling alignment structure, and c) cleaning the substrate and the polymer material from remaining non-polymerized polymerizable material, thereby exposing the at least one fiber coupling alignment structure of the fiber coupling device.

Abstract: A cap apparatus is mounted to a fiber optic connector having a ferrule supporting optical fiber(s). A sealing apparatus is cooperatively configured with the cap apparatus for protecting an end face of the ferrule. The cap apparatus includes a body having opposite ends between which a cavity extends. The opposite ends of the body respectively define first and second openings to the cavity. A portion of the fiber optic connector extends through the first opening and into the cavity. The cap apparatus includes a cover mounted to the body and at least partially obstructing the second opening, wherein the end face of the ferrule is positioned within the cavity at a location spaced from the cover. The sealing apparatus is positioned between at least a portion of the cover and the end face of the ferrule.

Abstract: A cap apparatus is mounted to a fiber optic connector having a ferrule supporting optical fiber(s). A sealing apparatus is cooperatively configured with the cap apparatus for protecting an end face of the ferrule. The cap apparatus includes a body having opposite ends between which a cavity extends. The opposite ends of the body respectively define first and second openings to the cavity. A portion of the fiber optic connector extends through the first opening and into the cavity. The cap apparatus includes a cover mounted to the body and at least partially obstructing the second opening, wherein the end face of the ferrule is positioned within the cavity at a location spaced from the cover. The sealing apparatus is positioned between at least a portion of the cover and the end face of the ferrule.

Abstract: A fiber optic connector comprising a main connector body having a plurality of removable sub-connectors retained therein is disclosed. Each sub-connector has a ferrule for retaining a pair of optical fibers, such as a transmit/receive pair for example. When the main connector body of the fiber optic connector is inserted into a receptacle, each of the optical fibers retained in each ferrule of the plurality of sub-connectors is optically connected to the fiber optic receptacle. In this manner, the fiber optic connector can connect and disconnect a plurality of optical fibers in the sub-connectors at the same time. Additionally, individual sub-connectors can be removed, rearranged and replaced, without disturbing the optical connections of the other sub-connectors. This arrangement thus eliminates the need for breakout cables or other bulky solutions to convert between different multi-fiber and duplex applications.

Abstract: Gradient index (GRIN) lens holders employing groove alignment feature(s) in recessed cover and single piece components, connectors, and methods are disclosed. In one embodiment, the GRIN lens holder contains one or more internal groove alignment features configured to secure one or more GRIN lenses in the GRIN lens holder. The groove alignment features are also configured to accurately align the end faces of the GRIN lenses. The GRIN lens holders disclosed herein can be provided as part of an optical fiber ferrule and/or a fiber optic component or connector for making optical connections. A fiber optic connector containing the GRIN lens holders disclosed herein may be optically connected to one or more optical fibers in another fiber optic connector or to an optical device, such as a laser-emitting diode (LED), laser diode, or opto-electronic device for light transfer.