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: An apparatus that enables the radiusing and beam profiling of an optical fiber tip protruding from a polishing fixture. When engaged with the polishing fixture, the apparatus positions the fiber tip in a high temperature plasma field generate by an electrode pair. The apparatus is provided with a window that permits the active viewing and monitoring of radiusing procedure. After the radiusing procedure, the same apparatus also permits the analysis of the beam pattern created when light is transmitted through the radiused fiber tip.