Abstract: An optical connector having a front and back orientation and suitable for operating with a temperature range, the connector comprising: (a) a ferrule comprising a first material having a first coefficient of thermal expansion (COE), and having no greater than a first diameter below a transition temperature with the temperature range, and no less than a second diameter above the transition temperature, the ferrule also comprising an endface, and containing at least one fiber having a fiber end presented at the endface; (b) a spring disposed behind the ferrule and in contact with the ferrule to apply a forward urging force to the ferrule; and (c) a housing comprising a second material having a second COE, the housing defining a bore hole having a diameter greater than the second diameter, and an interface portion having a restricted bore hole having no greater than a third diameter below the transition temperature, and no less than a fourth diameter above the transition temperature; wherein the connector is con

Abstract: An optical connector having a front and back orientation and suitable for operating with a temperature range, the connector comprising: (a) a ferrule comprising a first material having a first coefficient of thermal expansion (COE), and having no greater than a first diameter below a transition temperature with the temperature range, and no less than a second diameter above the transition temperature, the ferrule also comprising an endface, and containing at least one fiber having a fiber end presented at the endface; (b) a spring disposed behind the ferrule and in contact with the ferrule to apply a forward urging force to the ferrule; and (c) a housing comprising a second material having a second COE, the housing defining a bore hole having a diameter greater than the second diameter, and an interface portion having a restricted bore hole having no greater than a third diameter below the transition temperature, and no less than a fourth diameter above the transition temperature; wherein the connector is con

Abstract: A single-channel, expanded beam connector having a front and rear orientation and comprising: (a) a housing; (b) an outer sleeve at least partially contained by the housing; (c) a first inner sleeve disposed at least partially in the outer sleeve; (d) a ferrule disposed at least partially in the first inner sleeve; (e) a lens disposed at least partially in the first inner sleeve in front of the ferrule, wherein the lens and the ferrule have about the same outside first diameter which is just slightly less than that of the inside diameter of the first inner sleeve such that the ferrule and the lens are held in optical alignment in the first inner sleeve, and wherein the distal end of the outer sleeve extends beyond the inner sleeve to receive a second inner sleeve of a mating structure, the first and second inner sleeves having the same diameter which is just slightly less than the inside diameter of the outer sleeve such that the first and inner sleeves are aligned within the outer sleeve.

Abstract: An optical connector comprising: (a) a lens; (b) a ferrule assembly comprising a ferrule with an endface and at least one fiber in the ferrule having a fiber end presented at the endface; (c) a housing for holding the ferrule assembly and the lens in a certain axial and radial relationship; and (d) a glass element having a first and second surface, the first surface affixed to the endface such that it is in physical contact with the fiber end, the second surface having an AR coating and defining a space between it and the lens.

Abstract: An optical connector comprising: (a) a lens; (b) a ferrule assembly comprising a ferrule with an endface and at least one fiber in the ferrule having a fiber end presented at the endface; (c) a housing for holding the ferrule assembly and the lens in a certain axial and radial relationship; and (d) a glass element having a first and second surface, the first surface affixed to the endface such that it is in physical contact with the fiber end, the second surface having an AR coating and defining a space between it and the lens.

Abstract: A single-channel, expanded beam connector having a front and rear orientation and comprising: (a) a housing; (b) an outer sleeve at least partially contained by the housing; (c) a first inner sleeve disposed at least partially in the outer sleeve; (d) a ferrule disposed at least partially in the first inner sleeve; (e) a lens disposed at least partially in the first inner sleeve in front of the ferrule, wherein the lens and the ferrule have about the same outside first diameter which is just slightly less than that of the inside diameter of the first inner sleeve such that the ferrule and the lens are held in optical alignment in the first inner sleeve, and wherein the distal end of the outer sleeve extends beyond the inner sleeve to receive a second inner sleeve of a mating structure, the first and second inner sleeves having the same diameter which is just slightly less than the inside diameter of the outer sleeve such that the first and inner sleeves are aligned within the outer sleeve.

Abstract: An optical connector comprising: (a) a lens; (b) a ferrule assembly comprising a ferrule with an endface and at least one fiber in the ferrule having a fiber end presented at the endface; (c) a housing for holding the ferrule assembly and the lens in a certain axial and radial relationship; and (d) a glass element having a first and second surface, the first surface affixed to the endface such that it is in physical contact with the fiber end, the second surface having an AR coating and defining a space between it and the lens.

Abstract: An optical fiber assembly kit (7) comprising: (a) a ferrule assembly (1) having at least one bore hole to receive an optical fiber and a first contact surface; (b) a positioning member (2) having a second contact surface and an aperture adapted to receive the ferrule assembly (1), wherein the first contact surface and the aperture are configured to form a first interface in which a first radial position relationship between the ferrule assembly (1) and the positioning member (2) is maintained; (c) a housing having an interior cavity adapted for receiving the positioning member (2) and the ferrule assembly (1), the housing and the second surface of the positioning member (2) are configured to form a second interface such that a second radial position relationship between the positioning member (2) and the housing is maintained, wherein one of the first or second radial position relationships is adjustable in increments less than a quarter rotation, and the other radial position relationship is predetermined, a

Abstract: A method of coupling a high-power optical signal between an optical fiber and a mating optical component, the optical signal ranging in wavelength from x to y, and having a first diameter while propagating in a mode field within the fiber, the method comprising: (a) converting the high-power optical signal between the first diameter in the fiber and a second diameter significantly greater than the first diameter using a GRIN lens fused to an end of the fiber, the GRIN lens having a diameter substantially the same as that of the optical fiber and a length l complying with the following equation: ¼x+½nx?l?¼y+½ny, wherein n=0, 1, 2, 3 . . . 100; (b) establishing physical contact between the GRIN lens and a coupling surface of the mating optical component; and (c) while the high-power optical signal is at the second diameter, optically coupling it between the lens and the mating optical component.

Abstract: A method of coupling a high-power optical signal between an optical fiber and a mating optical component, said optical signal having a first diameter while propagating in a mode field within said fiber, said method comprising: (a) converting said high-power optical signal between said first diameter in said fiber and a second diameter using a collimator optically coupled to said fiber, said second diameter being significantly greater than said first diameter, and (b) while said high-power optical signal is at said second diameter, optically coupling it between said lens and said mating optical component.

Abstract: An optical fiber assembly kit (7) comprising: (a) a ferrule assembly (1) having at least one bore hole to receive an optical fiber and a first contact surface; (b) a positioning member (2) having a second contact surface and an aperture adapted to receive the ferrule assembly (1), wherein the first contact surface and the aperture are configured to form a first interface in which a first radial position relationship between the ferrule assembly (1) and the positioning member (2) is maintained; (c) a housing having an interior cavity adapted for receiving the positioning member (2) and the ferrule assembly (1), the housing and the second surface of the positioning member (2) are configured to form a second interface such that a second radial position relationship between the positioning member (2) and the housing is maintained, wherein one of the first or second radial position relationships is adjustable in increments less than a quarter rotation, and the other radial position relationship is predetermined, a

Abstract: Optical fibers (7) within alignment ferrules (6) are aligned by a connector body (1) that is supported by a resilient member (17) in floating suspension within a wall (23) of a connector (20), and a mating end (2) of the connector body (1) is sealed by the resilient member (17) and by seals (16) encircling the alignment ferrules (6).

Abstract: A polishing fixture (20) having nests (48) for releasably holding optical fiber connectors during polishing, inclined beams (44a) being deflectable to narrow the nests (48) and hold optical fiber connectors received in the nests (48), and a force transmitting body (26) avoiding jamming against the inclined beams (44a) by being moveable beside each of the beams (44a) in a direction that unopposes the direction toward which deflected portions of the inclined beams (44a) point.

Abstract: Fiber array connectors of the type having a connector body and adapted to house a plurality of fibers which carry data through the connector. Ferrules are provided to the connectors which are formed by first ferrule members having configured thereon by an electrical discharge machining process at least one guide pin hole, and a plurality of grooves for housing a plurality of fibers in registration in the ferrules. The ferrules are also made up of second ferrule members in engagement with the plurality of grooves for clamping the plurality of fibers in registration in the grooves so that the plurality of fibers can be held in precise alignment with the connector and so that data is transmitted therethrough with a minimum possibility of transmission error.

Abstract: A polishing fixture (20) for use with a polishing machine comprises a plurality of clamping assemblies (41) (22). The fixture (20) includes a connector holder plate (28) which has a perimeter edge (30). A plurality of slots (42) obliquely extend inwardly from the perimeter edge (30) through the plate (28). A force transmitting body (26) having an internal rim (32) is positioned around the perimeter edge (30) of the connector holder plate (28) so as to provide a camming action against convex cam surfaces (52). The camming action of the internal rim (32) of the force transmitting body (26) and the convex cam surface (52) on the perimeter (30) of the connector holder plate (28) deflect a corresponding beam (44) inwardly to clamp a connector (49) positioned in a corresponding one of the camping assemblies (41).

Abstract: The invention relates to testing apparatus, such as the type known as a burn-in test socket for integrated circuit "chips", where the chips are essentially planar electronic devices having a plurality of chip leads or traces, laterally projecting therefrom, for electrical interconnection to complementary traces on a planar electronic device, such as a mother board, upon which the socket may be mounted, during testing. The socket comprises a frame member for mounting to the planar electronic device, where the frame member includes electrical means for engaging chip leads and applying electrical current thereto during testing. A second element of the socket is a two-piece, adjustable cover member consisting of first and second members floatably mounted together by plural compression springs, where the first and second members are axially movable relative to one another.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a system for precisely aligning a pair of electronic devices, such as an integrated chip test socket electrically interconnected to a motherboard, where such devices are arranged in a parallel relationship. The system includes a method which comprises the steps of fixedly securing plural projections on a planar surface of each of the devices, where each projection includes a flat side or edge and that the flat side of at least two adjacent projections define a first plane or reference line. Arranging the respective planar surfaces in close proximity to one another whereby the projections from one surface contacts the other planar surface. Thereafter, shifting the respective devices relative to one another until the respective first planes or reference lines are aligned into a common plane or line. Finally the devices are fixedly secured together, whereby the electrical interconnections between the devices are precisely aligned.

Abstract: A scribe-and-break tool for fracturing the free end of an optical fiber that is especially suitable for hand-holdable configurations and field use which has an elongate body with a plunger that is interrelated to a blade for scribing the free end of an optical fiber retained in tension within a depressible head that extends outward from the body and is depressible inward to bring the free end of the optical fiber into contact with the blade, thereby scribing the free end of the fiber causing the free end to break off.

Abstract: A fiber optic connector has a low cost ferrule assembly that protectively supports, positions and aligns an optical fiber The ferrule has an outer ferrule body terminating in an alignment passage and which seats an inner support member within which the fiber extends. This ferrule is particularly advantageous for use with unbuffered optical fibers and adhesiveless connectors.

Abstract: An adhesiveless optical fiber termination employs an outer element (14, 76, 90) having a through passage (18, 80, 86) that receives an optical fiber (60, 72, 84). A tubular inner element (12, 78, 92) fits over the cable and telescopically seats in the passage of the outer element. An elastomeric compressive system (16, 74, 94) is seated within the passage substantially encircling the optical fiber and is radially inwardly deformed into secure engagement with the optical fiber therein in response to compressive engagement between the outer element and the inner element.