Abstract: A female ferule is fixed to a terminal of a multi-core optical fiber in which a sheath is provided outside a large number of optical fibers being tied in a bundle and a portion of the sheath is removed. The female ferule includes a ferule body which includes a cylindrical portion and a step which is formed on an outer surface and at a rear side of the cylindrical portion, and a sleeve which includes an insertion-connected portion for a male ferule serving as a connection partner at the one end and a coupling-connected portion for the cylindrical portion at the other end. The sleeve is retrofitted to the ferule body. The cylindrical portion includes a caulking-fed portion for the bundle optical fibers and an insertion/coupling-fixed portion for the coupling-fixed portion, the caulking-fixed portion and the insertion/coupling-fixed portion are formed successively from a front end face of the cylindrical portion.

Abstract: An optical-waveguide device mounted on a fixing member having a pair of opposing upright walls and a sub-mount unit including a metallic sub-mount of a rectangular solid shape inserted between the opposing upright walls and a nonmetallic sub-mount of a rectangular solid shape mounted on the metallic sub-mount, and fixed onto a base table. The fixing member and the sub-mount unit as well as the fixing member and the base table are spot-welded together using YAG welding.

Abstract: A terminus for a fiber optic cable includes a ferrule. An optic fiber of the cable passes through a central bore of the ferrule and is attached to a lens seated in a conical or cylindrical seat formed in an end surface of the ferrule by an epoxy. Preferably, the seat permits the lens to be recessed below the end surface of the ferrule. An inspection slot may be formed through the seat to allow a technician to inspect the state of the epoxy attachment. The ferrule may also include retaining features, such as an o-ring encircling a groove in the outer circumference of the ferrule or a metal sleeve crimped or otherwise attached to the ferrule to permit the ferrule to be easily attached to a cable retention sleeve, connector body or similar structure.

Abstract: An optical connector kit includes a ferrule-with-optical-fiber and an accommodating housing for accommodating all connector parts constituting an optical connector, including the ferrule-with-optical-fiber. An optical fiber having a predetermined length is attached to the ferrule of the ferrule-with-optical-fibers, for which end face polishing processing is carried out. The connector parts include a plurality of connector parts into which another optical fiber is inserted when the rear end of the optical fiber of the ferrule-with-optical-fiber and the tip end of another optical fiber are fusion-spliced. In the accommodating housing, the connector parts are arranged in a line in the order of insertion of another optical fiber.

Abstract: A cleaning apparatus (1100) for cleaning an endface (1104) of an optical fiber (1106), wherein a portion of the optical fiber is contained within an interface device (1103) is provided. The cleaning apparatus includes a housing (1114) having an interface portion (1124) adapted to be received by the interface device. The cleaning apparatus further includes a fluid dispensing assembly (1116) at least partially disposed within the housing, wherein at least a portion (1112) of the fluid dispensing assembly engages the endface when the interface portion is received by the interface device. The fluid dispensing assembly is operable to deliver a fluid and a solvent upon the endface when the interface portion of the housing is received by the interface device to aid in the removal of contaminants on the endface. The cleaning apparatus may include a contact cleaning assembly (1304) and/or a microscope (1408).

Abstract: An optical fiber ferrule retainer, for retaining a ferrule in a state in which the ferrule is inserted into a ferrule insertion hole in an axial direction of the ferrule insertion hole, comprises: a retainer base part; and a retention member replaceably attached to the retainer base part. The retention member comprises: a tubular sleeve part and a fixing part fixed to the retainer base part; the ferrule insertion hole; a split groove formed in an axial direction of the ferrule insertion hole or in a circumferential direction orthogonal to the axial direction; and a press part that is displaced to be able to press a peripheral surface of the ferrule with a partial inner face of the ferrule insertion hole defined by the split groove.

Abstract: The optical module includes a ferrule having a fiber holding hole, a flexible printed circuit (FPC) board provided to one end of the ferrule, an optoelectric device connected to an electric circuit of the FPC board, and a built-in fiber held in the fiber holding hole in a state in which one end of the fiber faces the optoelectric device, and another end of the fiber is flush with an end surface of another end of the ferrule. The method includes insert-molding a ferrule having a fiber holding hole with one end of the ferrule being positioned with respect to a FPC board; connecting an optoelectric device to an electric circuit of the FPC board; inserting and securing a built-in fiber into the fiber holding hole; and polishing an end surface of the fiber so that an end surface of another end of the ferrule is flush with the end surface of the fiber.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for shaping an end of an optical fiber. The apparatus may include a frame and a clamp constructed to hold the optical fiber in a fixed location relative to the frame. The apparatus may further include a tip shaper supported by the frame and movable in a first direction toward and away from the clamp, and moveable in a second direction that lies in a plane transverse to the first direction to shape the end of the optical fiber when the tip shaper is placed in contact with the optical fiber. The apparatus may include an abrasive substrate which abrades the end of the fiber.

Abstract: The invention relates to an optical fibre with a connector piece that has a recess, such as a bore hole, for instance, for accommodating the optical fibre, wherein a fluid channel (18, 14) is provided that begins at the end of the recess and through which a fluid can pass. The invention furthermore relates to an optical fibre with a plug with a gripping piece that has two end openings, wherein the fibre enters into the gripping piece in one end opening and the light of the fibre or the fibre can exit from the gripping piece through the other end opening, wherein the end openings (15, 16) of the gripping piece (2) are interconnected in a way allowing throughflow.

Abstract: A fiber grinding process includes: contacting an end of the optical fiber with a grinding surface in such a manner that a central axis of the optical fiber at the end is inclined to the grinding surface; rotating the optical fiber about the central axis; and changing a contact pressure between the end of the optical fiber and the grinding surface by applying a variable torque while rotating the optical fiber. A substantially cone-shaped end face with a substantially elliptic cross-section may be produced. A fiber grinding apparatus is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for processing fiber optic ferrules, the method comprising: providing a fiber optic ferrule defining an endface portion and a pedestal portion about one or more protruding optical fibers; mechanically polishing the one or more protruding optical fibers substantially flush with the pedestal portion; and non-mechanically eroding the pedestal portion about the one or more protruding optical fibers to a depth of at least the end face portion such that the one or more optical fibers remain protruding from the endface portion. Non-mechanically eroding may include laser erosion or chemical erosion.

Abstract: There is provided an optical module for coupling with a fiber optic cable through an optical connector, including a module body connectable with a plug of the optical connector by a dedicated guide pin, with a side surface of the module body being opposed to a mating surface of the connector plug at which an end face of the fiber optic cable is exposed, and an optical element mounted to the module body and having an optical axis brought into alignment with an optical axis of the fiber optic cable upon fitting of the guide pin into the module body and the connector plug.

Abstract: An optical receptacle includes: a fiber stub having a ferrule and an optical fiber in a through-hole of the ferrule; a holder to which an rear end of the fiber stub is fixed; and a sleeve for holding a plug ferrule in front of the fiber stub; wherein a grip ring is provided on an outer side face in which the fiber stub and the sleeve are overlapped to each other, whereby attaining the shortened optical receptacle, and improving connection loss due to tilting of the plug ferrule, and obtaining good repeatability of the connection loss.

Abstract: Connectorized nano-engineered optical fibers and method for forming them are disclosed. The methods include heating a mid-span bare fiber portion of the nano-engineered fiber to substantially collapse the airlines therein so as to form a substantially airline-free portion. The fiber is then inserted into a ferrule channel so that the fiber end protrudes beyond the ferrule end face, but with the substantially airline-free portion positioned at the ferrule end face. The fiber is then cleaved at or near the ferrule end face in the substantially airline-free portion, and the new fiber end face polished to create a solid fiber end face that coincides with the ferrule end face. The methods result in relatively small changes to the mode field diameter (MFD) and/or to the outer cladding diameter.

Abstract: A multifiber (MF) ferrule produced using a ferrule molding insert that is jig ground in order to improve the tolerance on the bumper height of a molded ferrule and the surface finish on the region of interest (ROI), thus improving manufacturing yields.

Abstract: A new, neutral gender MT-type connector ferrule and adapter are being disclosed. The ferrule consists of a body with a number of optical fiber channels and two, not removable, guide pins. The ferrule does not have a male/female configuration. In our invention, the guiding pins are fixed to the ferrule body and located in the recessed portion of the body in such a way that they do not protrude beyond the face (contact surface) of the fibers. This design has several advantages over the standard MT-type ferrule. The new ferrule is easier to terminate, easier and less expensive to produce and improves the optical performance of the connection by increasing the positioning accuracy of the mating fibers. Connector systems based on this new ferrule design need a novel mating adapter. The design of this adapter is shown in this invention. The new adapter has V-grooves to hold, under pressure, the guiding pins of the ferrules. This zero-gap design contributes to the higher performance of the system.

Abstract: A fiber optic termination and method for the fabrication thereof are provided. The fiber optic termination (325) is configured to provide coupling of light between the fiber core (326) and an external optical element from a direction other than the direction of the longitudinal axis. In particular, the fiber optic termination permits coupling of light to a fiber at an angle that is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the fiber.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a ferrule assembly. The method including first and second polishing operations. The first polishing operation including polishing only the end face of a ferrule of an assembly. The second polishing operation including polishing only the optical fiber of the assembly.

Abstract: A cleaning apparatus (1100) for cleaning an endface (1104) of an optical fiber (1106), wherein a portion of the optical fiber is contained within an interface device (1103) is provided. The cleaning apparatus includes a housing (1114) having an interface portion (1124) adapted to be received by the interface device. The cleaning apparatus further includes a fluid dispensing assembly (1116) at least partially disposed within the housing, wherein at least a portion (1112) of the fluid dispensing assembly engages the endface when the interface portion is received by the interface device. The fluid dispensing assembly is operable to deliver a fluid and a solvent upon the endface when the interface portion of the housing is received by the interface device to aid in the removal of contaminants on the endface. The cleaning apparatus may include a contact cleaning assembly (1304) and/or a microscope (1408).

Abstract: There are provided a substantially cylindrical optical component, a method for connecting the same, and an optical module having the optical component, whereby adequate gripping force can be exerted during positioning or fixing, and the position in the azimuthal angle about the cylinder axis can be easily aligned. The optical component comprises a substantially cylindrical elongated member, an outer peripheral portion of which includes a cylindrical portion and a side plane portion that has a flat surface, the flat surface being parallel to a central axis to the elongated member. The optical module is composed of a planar light circuit device connected to a rod lens or capillary. With the method for connecting the optical component, the optical component of the present invention is positioned using the side plane portion as a reference, and is connected to another optical component.

Abstract: There is provided a holder for an optical fiber ferrule end face grinding apparatus that can make good use of a grinding film, in which the number of optical fiber ferrules held by the holder is greatly increased. The holder includes a holder plate including a plurality of insertion holes into which each of the ferrules is inserted. In the holder plate, the insertion holes are arranged in an area of a certain size extending from the center to the periphery thereof.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a fiber assembly is provided. The fiber assembly has a first fiber having at least one core. The core has a length, a first end, and a second end, and light may be transmitted along the core. The second end has an obtusely angled end surface. The assembly also has a second fiber having at least one core having a first end. Light may be transmitted along the core. The second end of the first fiber is optically coupled to the first end of the second fiber such that light emitted from the first fiber may be transmitted to the second fiber.

Abstract: A multimedia patching box including a generally rectangular housing. The housing includes a first wall positioned opposite from a second wall. The housing also includes opposing third and fourth walls that extend between the first and second walls. A panel is mounted adjacent the front of the housing. The panel is mounted to pivot about a pivot axis between an open position and a closed position. The pivot axis is located adjacent to the third wall of the housing and extends generally along the third wall of the housing. A plurality of multimedia connectors are mounted on the panel. The housing defines at least one cable access opening defined through at least one of the first and second walls at a location adjacent the third wall. A cable management structure is connected to the back side of the panel. The cable management structure defines a cable guiding channel that extends generally along the pivot axis of the panel and generally aligns with the at least one cable access opening.

Abstract: A monolithic ferrule/endcap/optical fiber structure is provided wherein an optical fiber is terminated in a ferrule and bonded by fusion to form a monolithic unit which minimizes optical loss and is typically capable of transmitting high power laser radiation, preferably on the order of 500 W and higher, without damage to the optical fiber and ferrule. Ferrule, endcap, optical fiber and fusible powder are composed of material of substantially the same physical characteristics such that, when all are fused together, the structure so formed is monolithic and the optical path is transparent.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments include an improved connector for a fiber-optic cable including: a fiber-optic conductor disposed in a center portion of the fiber-optic connector; one or more flexible end portions disposed on an outer portion of the fiber-optic connector; a swab disposed on an inner surface of at least one flexible end portion; wherein the swab contacts and cleans the fiber-optic conductor when the improved connector is attached to a receptacle.

Abstract: A cleaning tool for cleaning particulate matter from contact surfaces of fiber-optics ferrules of an electronics assembly has one or more first connector halves for engaging one or more second connector halves hosting the ferrules to be cleaned, and one or more cleaning inserts provided within the one or more first connector halves, the cleaning inserts comprising adherent surfaces for removing particulates from engaged surfaces. The tool is characterized in that the one or more cleaning inserts are sized to contact the contact surfaces of the fiber optics ferrules with the first connector half engaged in the second connector half.

Abstract: A ferrule assembly having highly protruding optical fibers and a corresponding method of efficiently, precisely and repeatedly fabricating the ferrule assemblies are provided. In this regard, a ferrule assembly is provided that includes a plurality of optical fibers extending at least about 3.5 ?m beyond the front face. The end portions of the optical fibers of the ferrule assembly may also be substantially coplanar with the end portions of the optical fibers differing in position from one another by no more than 100 nm. The ferrule assembly may be efficiently fabricated by polishing the optical fibers to a desired protrusion without first grinding or polishing the optical fibers to be flush with the front face of the ferrule. The ferrule assembly may be even more efficiently fabricated in instances in which the ferrule includes at least one polishing feature, such as an outwardly extending pedestal or a recessed portion.

Abstract: An optical ferrule is provided with a ferrule body having a front face and at least one covering applied to the front face to protect the front face of the ferrule from a laser beam used during a trimming process. The optical ferrule may also have a second covering disposed between the front face of the ferrule and the first covering to assist in adhering the first covering to the optical ferrule. A method is also provided for applying the first covering or the first covering and the second covering to the front face of the ferrule. A method is also provided for trimming, and in particular, ablating portions of one or more optical fibers that protrude beyond the front face of the ferrule.

Abstract: A cleaning apparatus (1100) for cleaning an endface (1104) of an optical fiber (1106), wherein a portion of the optical fiber is contained within an interface device (1103) is provided. The cleaning apparatus includes a housing (1114) having an interface portion (1124) adapted to be received by the interface device. The cleaning apparatus further includes a fluid dispensing assembly (1116) at least partially disposed within the housing, wherein at least a portion (1112) of the fluid dispensing assembly engages the endface when the interface portion is received by the interface device. The fluid dispensing assembly is operable to deliver a fluid and a solvent upon the endface when the interface portion of the housing is received by the interface device to aid in the removal of contaminants on the endface. The cleaning apparatus may include a contact cleaning assembly (1304) and/or a microscope (1408).

Abstract: A method and a system for cleaning fiber-optic connectors utilizing compressed-gas cans are disclosed. In one preferred embodiment, a solvent delivery sub-system (200) consisting of a fiber-optic connector interfacing unit (250) and a solvent spraying device (260) is reviewed. In another preferred embodiment, a solvent/contaminant removal sub-system (300) comprising of a compressed-gas can (340), a pressure regulator (345), a particle filter (347), a heating element (349), and a fiber-optic connector interfacing unit (310) is detailed. An additional preferred embodiment (400) is disclosed wherein the solvent delivery and removal sub-systems being integrated. For both the solvent delivery and the solvent/contaminant removal sub-systems, the compressed-gas cans may be obtained commercially. The improved art disclosed herein offers an effective and low cost solution to cleaning fiber-optic connectors.

Abstract: For creating flat surfaces along the circumference of a polymer optical fiber of a round cross section by machining, the polymer optical fiber is wound onto a mandrel in a plurality of windings, the mandrel having a generally non-circular cross section with at least one projecting sector in which the radius is constant or, starting from an apex of the largest radius, in which the radius linearly decreases on both sides with an increasing angular distance to the apex, the machining including using a cutting chisel of a high quality for turning-off the polymer optical fiber in the projecting sector of the mandrel. Subsequently, the polymer optical fiber is cut to several pieces that can be used for the manufacture of optical splitters.

Abstract: An optical connector ferrule has an optical fiber containing hole reaching from the rear end surface near the end surface and a fine pore extending from the optical fiber accommodating hole to the end surface to be connected. A bare fiber of a polarization-maintaining optical fiber is inserted into the fine pore. Since the length of the fine pore is short, the influence of the uniformness of the adhesive in the fine pore is smaller, and therefore the stress distribution is maintained, resulting in stabilizing the polarization characteristics. A flange unit is attached to the ferrule after an optical fiber is inserted to the ferrule and fixed. Therefore the optical fiber is easily adjusted with respect to the housing in the circumferential direction around the axis, and optical fibers are connected by but joining with high accuracy.

Abstract: A terminal element for fiber optic communication has an elongated body defining a body axis and having a first end from which an optical fiber extends along the body axis. The body has a second end with an angled surface offset at an angle from the body axis. The fiber extends through the length of the body, and terminates at a fiber end surface flush with the angled surface. A lens element is positioned adjacent to the angled surface. The fiber may be hermetically sealed to the body at a position away from first end, and may be sealed with a flexible material at the first end.

Abstract: An end face polishing apparatus with improved polishing precision regardless of the length of ferrules when end faces of the ferrules are polished is provided. In an end face polishing apparatus polishing a rod-shaped member mounted at a polishing fixture by pressing the rod-shaped member against a lapping member on a lapping machine provided on a surface plate that is supported at the main body of the apparatus to rotate and rock, there are a plurality of rod-shaped guide members provided at the polishing fixture radially outwardly projecting and a tubular member capable of supporting the polishing fixture through the guide members on the surface plate. In this way, the guide members at the polishing fixture and the tubular member abut against each other so that the movement of the polishing fixture in the pressing direction is restricted.

Abstract: A Micro-Electro-Mechanical System (MEMS) and double-layer nozzle based high efficiency, lightweight, low cost, compact, portable fiber-optic connector cleaning apparatus useful for various fiber optic communications applications such as fiber optic cable plant maintenance. The double-layer nozzle design enables the delivery of compressed, filtered air and solvent to connector surfaces. A built-in MEMS pump sucks the air and solvent back to remove particles and contaminations without leaving residues and without scratching the connector surfaces. An interchangeable external needle allows the cleaner to quickly adapt to all kinds of fiber optic connectors. No disassembly is required. The connector cleaner is therefore both fast and effective at cleaning various male and female fiber optic connectors. The fiber optic connector cleaner with 3–5 cc solvent weighs less than half a pound and can be held and operated by one hand.

Abstract: An optical fiber connector includes a sleeve having a first end surface, an abutment having a second end surface, the abutment being located within the sleeve and axially movable within the sleeve, and at least three balls located between the first end surface and the second end surface within the sleeve for clamping an optical fiber, the balls having centers disposed in a plane and being axially and radially displaceable in the sleeve and biased radially inwardly toward a central axis of the sleeve. At least one of the first end surface and the second end surface includes a conical surface.

Abstract: A tape-like optical fiber cable comprises a plurality of optical fibers arranged in parallel to each other and each abutted to an adjacent fiber. Each of the optical fibers includes a cover and a lead extending therefrom. A method of forming an inclined surface at a terminal face of each lead comprises the steps of: pushing the respective leads of the optical fibers in parallel and together toward a grinding surface of a grinding means while moving in a certain direction so that terminal portions of the respective leads are simultaneously resiliently bent to form an inclined surfaces at the terminal faces of the respective leads.

Abstract: An end face polishing apparatus has a support member mounted on the main body for undergoing revolving and rotational movement during a polishing operation, a tubular member mounted on the support member for rotation and revolving movement therewith, a lapping member mounted on the support member for rotation and revolving movement therewith, and a polishing fixture for supporting at least one workpiece having an end face for pressure contact with the lapping member to polish the end face of the workpiece during rotation and revolving movement of the lapping member. The polishing fixture has radially outwardly projecting guide members for contacting the tubular member to limit the amount of polishing of the end face of the workpiece in a pressing direction during rotation and revolving movement of the lapping member.

Abstract: An optical connector end face grinding apparatus comprises a grinding apparatus main body, a sliding plate and a grinding bolder. The grinding apparatus main body further comprises an eccentric member driven by a motor and a guide pin. The sliding plate further provides a grinding pad on which is disposed a grinding film and moves in a reciprocal action along a guide pin in synchronism with the circular movement of the rotation of the eccentric member. An optical connector with a ferrule can be attached to and detached from the grinding holder, which positions the end face of the ferrule in a predetermined position relative to the grinding film in the rotational center of the eccentric member.

Abstract: An apparatus, integral to a polishing fixture, that enables a plurality of fiber optic connectors to be independently aligned to a polishing surface. Once inserted into the apparatus, a reference connector is positioned over an optical interferometer, whose focal plane is parallel with that of the polishing surface plane. The apparatus is then adjusted to the known interferometric geometry of the reference connector. This procedure is performed for each integral apparatus insuring that all consecutive connectors inserted into said apparatus are polished to the same interferometric geometry as that of the reference connector. The same apparatus also permits connector geometries to be measured by the interferometer while the connectors are mounted in the polishing fixture.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a fused coupler having at least two fiber optic cables that have a positive coefficient of thermal expansion. A section of each of the fiber optic cables is placed together and heated until they form a single fused section that acts as a coupler. A jacket having a negative coefficient of thermal expansion, the absolute value of which is approximately equal to the absolute value of the positive coefficient of thermal expansion of the fiber optic cables, is placed around the fused section of the fiber optic cables. The jacket can be manufactured from a ceramic material that is specifically manufactured with a negative coefficient of thermal expansion. A filler material, such as an epoxy resin, is inserted in a gap between the jacket and the fused sections of the fiber optic cables such that the gap is filled in.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an optical fiber end, provided with a face transparent to light waves, for attaching a ferrule, is described, in which the face is formed by cutting through the optical fiber and mechanical machining and the optical fiber is freed of its outer cladding, which completely encloses the outside of the optical fiber, in the region of an end section, the cutting through of the optical fiber (1) and the mechanical machining of the face (14, 15) being performed as a self-contained work step, which simultaneously includes the cutting through of the optical fiber (1) and the fine machining of the face (14, 15) obtained in this way, and the removal of the outer cladding (21, 22) in the region of the end section (23, 24) only being completed subsequently to this work step.

Abstract: Optical isolator comprises a ferrule having a through-hole in which an optical fiber is inserted and a groove formed in the ferrule with the optical fiber inserted in the through-hole; and a composite assembly consisting of an optical isolator element composed of a Faraday rotator and a pair of polarizers fixed on opposite surfaces of the Faraday rotator in such manner that the angle between the directions of polarization of the polarizers is at about 45° and a structure reinforcing member having a thickness of filling the groove and surrounding the optical element, said composite assembly being inserted in the groove as a unit. The reinforcing member may be made of the same material as the outer support or formed by a magnet for applying a magnetic field to the Faraday rotator.

Abstract: The present invention provides a compact, highly reliable optical module in which a light-emitting element and optical modulator element that differ from each other in thermal expansion coefficient are mounted in one casing. In the optical module having a differential thermal expansion coefficient less than 5×10?6 [1/K] between the light-emitting element and the casing, and a differential thermal expansion coefficient of at least 5×10?6 [1/K] between the optical modulator element and the casing, a section at which the optical modulator element and the casing are fixed is equal to or less than 10 mm wide in the direction of an optical axis.

Abstract: An end face polishing method provides an end face polishing apparatus having a main body, a jig board mounted on the main body and supporting at least one workpiece, a polishing board mounted on the main body for undergoing rotational and revolving movements relative to the main body, and abrasive members each removably connectable to the polishing board for rotational and revolving movements therewith. Each of the abrasive members has an abrasive surface with a hardness that is either higher or lower than the hardness of the abrasive surface of the others of the abrasive members. An end face of a workpiece is successively brought into pressure contact with the abrasive surface of each of the abrasive members in descending order of hardness of the abrasive surfaces while rotating and revolving the polishing board to thereby successively polish the end face of the workpiece.

Abstract: A plastic optical fiber end surfaces processing method is disclosed which allows formation of not only a convex semi-spherical surface but also of an arbitrary profile such as a concave semi-spherical surface. In addition, an apparatus for use in the method, a cutter for the method, and a plastic optical fiber connection method are disclosed. At least the core portion of the end surface of a plastic optical fiber is cut into a semi-spherical surface by a semi-circular cutter, which is of a convex or a concave shape. This cutter is inserted into a through-hole of a holder and rotates therein. The plastic optical fiber is inserted into the through-hole of this holder, and end surface processing is effected by the rotating cutter.

Abstract: A ferrule assembly having highly protruding optical fibers and a corresponding method of efficiently, precisely and repeatedly fabricating the ferrule assemblies are provided. In this regard, a ferrule assembly is provided that includes a plurality of optical fibers extending at least about 3.5 ?m beyond the front face. The end portions of the optical fibers of the ferrule assembly may also be substantially coplanar with the end portions of the optical fibers differing in position from one another by no more than 100 nm. The ferrule assembly may be efficiently fabricated by polishing the optical fibers to a desired protrusion without first grinding or polishing the optical fibers to be flush with the front face of the ferrule. The ferrule assembly may be even more efficiently fabricated in instances in which the ferrule includes at least one polishing feature, such as an outwardly extending pedestal or a recessed portion.

Abstract: A system for shaping an optical fiber with various geometries while minimizing unwanted artifacts in the core of the optical fiber. The system facilitates control of sag in the region of the core that is exposed to a beam of optical energy. The sag is reduced, if not eliminated, by maintaining the cross-sectional area of the core that is exposed to the beam at thermal equilibrium.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for securing a workpiece during a polishing operation are described. More particularly, embodiments of the present invention provide a support fixture for securing a workpiece. The support fixture includes a gripping member that is configured to grip a workpiece and configured to release the workpiece. The support fixture also includes a ferrule that is configured to tighten the gripping member around the workpiece and configured to release the gripping member from the workpiece.

Abstract: The cleaning apparatus for electrodes includes a supporting container provided with a replaceable brush body; and a rotation mechanism for the rotation of the supporting container. The brush body accepts the insertion of the electrodes and cleans the tip end thereof by rotation.