Abstract: Fiber optic connectors and other structures that can be easily and quickly prepared by the craft for termination and/or connectorization in the field are disclosed. More specifically, the fiber optic connectors and other structures disclosed are intended for use with glass optical fibers having a large core. In one embodiment, the fiber optic connector includes a ferrule having a bore sized to receive an optical fiber and a buffer layer at a front end face of the ferrule. Methods of making the fiber optic connectors and other structures are also disclosed. The methods disclosed allow “rough cutting” of the optical fibers with a buffer layer thereon by the craft.

Abstract: Optical couplings for making and optical connection between one or more devices are disclosed. In one embodiment, an optical coupling includes a coupling face, an optical interface within the coupling face, an optical component positioned within the optical interface, and at least one coded magnetic array. The at least one coded magnetic array may include a plurality of magnetic regions configured aid in mating the optical component with a corresponding optical component of a complementary mated optical coupling to a predetermined tolerance for optical communication. Optical cable assemblies and electronics devices having optical couplings with optical interfaces using coded magnetic arrays are also disclosed.

Abstract: Fiber optic connector assemblies are disclosed that utilize a reverse optical fiber loop within the fiber optic connector to isolate the optical fiber from stresses. In one embodiment, a fiber optic connector assembly includes an optical fiber having a fiber end, and a connector housing, wherein the optical fiber enters the connector housing from a first direction and is secured within the connector housing in a second direction, thereby forming a reverse optical fiber loop that is free to expand or contract within the connector housing. In another embodiment, a fiber optic connector assembly includes an optical fiber having a fiber end, a connector housing, and a substrate within the connector housing. The optical fiber enters the connector housing over a first surface of the substrate then passes by (i.e., crosses) the first surface, and is secured within the connector housing at a second surface of the substrate.

Abstract: Disclosed are optical connections having a coupling portion that includes a piston and a magnet along with complimentary optical connections. In one embodiment, the optical connection includes an optical interface portion having at least one optical channel and a coupling portion. The coupling portion includes a piston that is movable between a first position and a second position, a resilient member for biasing the piston to the first position and a magnet for retaining the piston at the second position. In one embodiment, the piston may be disposed in a body of the optical connection. The piston may be formed from a ferrous material and since it is not magnetic it does not attract metal trash; however, it still allows coupling (e.g., mating) of optical connections using magnetic retention. Additionally, the piston may optionally include a cover portion if desired.

Abstract: Plug and receptacle ferrules, and fiber optic plug and receptacle connectors that use the plug and receptacle ferrules are disclosed. Connector assemblies formed by mating the plug and receptacle connectors are also disclosed. The fiber optic connectors and connector assemblies are suitable for use with commercial electronic devices and provide either an optical connection, or both electrical and optical connections. The plug ferrule includes an open section over which light converges are diverges. The receptacle ferrule includes a receptacle optical pathway having a substantially right angle bend formed by a mirror. The plug ferrule has a plug optical pathway that interfaces with the receptacle optical pathway at a solid-solid interface that serves to substantially expel any liquid from the interface.

Abstract: Small-form-factor fiber optic interface devices with an internal lens are disclosed. The fiber optic interface devices have a ferrule with a bore that supports an optical waveguide. The lens is on or adjacent the ferrule front end and is aligned with the bore. A first planar surface is provided on or adjacent the lens. The first planar surface interfaces with a second planar surface of a second fiber optic interface device to form a fiber optic interface assembly having a liquid-displacing interface when the first and second fiber optic interface devices are engaged.

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: 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: Gradient index (GRIN) lens assemblies employing lens alignment channels, as well as fiber optic connectors and fiber optic cable assemblies employing such GRIN lens assemblies, are disclosed. In one embodiment, a GRIN lens assembly includes a lens holder body having a mating face, a surface extending from the mating face, and a lens alignment channel. The lens alignment channel is defined by a narrow portion extending from the surface to a first depth and at least partially along a length of the surface, and a wide portion extending from the narrow portion to a second depth. A lens opening defined by the wide portion of the lens alignment channel at the mating face is disposed in the mating face. The wide portion of the lens alignment channel is configured to support a GRIN lens disposed in the lens alignment channel.

Abstract: An optical connection comprises an adapter having a housing and a splice guide. The optical connection also comprises a pair of splicing connectors each having an outer housing and a fiber guide within the outer housing. The splicing connectors also include optical fibers extending through the fiber guides. The fiber guides and optical fibers of the splicing connectors are configured to allow relative movement therebetween. The outer housing of each splicing connector is received in and latched to the housing of the adapter, and the optical fibers are abutted together within a cavity of the splice guide such that the splicing connectors are mated in the adapter.

Abstract: Indexable optical fiber connectors, optical connector arrays, and optical connector systems are disclosed. According to one embodiment, an optical fiber connector includes a connector body comprising an optical coupling face and a connector housing that surrounds the connector body. The connector housing includes a first interconnecting surface having an indentation arraying feature, and a second interconnecting surface having a protrusion arraying feature. The first interconnecting surface and the second interconnecting surface are orthogonal to the optical coupling face. The indentation arraying feature is configured to mate with a corresponding protrusion arraying feature of a first adjacent interconnecting optical fiber connector by a non-locking engagement relationship. Similarly, the protrusion arraying feature is configured to mate with a corresponding indentation arraying feature of a second adjacent optical fiber connector by a non-locking engagement relationship.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a device comprises at least one ferrule having a bore, the bore extending from a rear of the ferrule toward a front of the ferrule, wherein the bore is sized to receive an optical fiber with a buffer at a rear end face of the ferrule, wherein the front end of the ferrule includes an optical component.

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: Methods of reducing and/or avoiding fiber ordering during preparations of a multi-fiber, fiber optic cable to provide a connectorized multi-fiber, fiber optic cable system, and related fiber optic cables and assemblies are also disclosed. The embodiments disclosed herein allow for a section of a multi-fiber, fiber optic cable to be prepared to form two or more connectorized fiber optic cables as part of a multi-fiber cable system without requiring specific fiber ordering in the fiber optic connectors. The natural ordering of the optical fibers in the fiber optic cable is fixed in place in at least one section of the fiber optic cable before the optical fibers are cut to form adjacent fiber optic connectors in the cable system. Thus, the fiber ordering between adjacent fiber optic connectors in the cable system will be the same even though the fiber ordering of the optical fibers was random during cable preparations.

Abstract: Disclosed are optical plug connectors and methods for making the same. The disclosure is directed to optical connectors. In one embodiment, the optical connector includes an optical body having at least one optical channel with an optical interface at a first side. The at least one optical channel having a total internal reflection (TIR) surface with a lens at the second side for turning the optical signal, and at least one fiber lead-in aligned to the TIR surface. The TIR surface may be angled in one or more directions from a longitudinal axis to allow a small form-factor for the optical body. In one embodiment, the optical body has a plurality of optical channels each having a discrete TIR surface. The optical connections disclosed herein may optionally also include an electrical connection if desired.

Abstract: Lens assemblies including a substrate and a plurality of mechanically isolated lenses coupled to the substrate are disclosed. The substrate may have a low coefficient of thermal expansion. Optical connectors including the lens assemblies described herein, as well as methods of fabricating a lens assembly, are also disclosed. In one embodiment, a lens assembly includes a substrate having a first surface, and a lens layer including a plurality of lenses. A coefficient of thermal expansion of the substrate is different from a coefficient of thermal expansion of the plurality of lenses. The lens layer is coupled to the first surface of the substrate, and each lens of the plurality of lenses is mechanically isolated from adjacent lenses of the plurality of lenses by gap regions within the lens layer.

Abstract: Circuit boards employing optical interfaces optically connected to surface-accessible, planar-shaped inter-board optical fiber traces, and related connectors, assemblies, and methods are disclosed. The circuit boards include inter-board optical fiber traces optically connected to optical components interfacing optical signals to electronic signal components in the circuit board. Providing inter-board optical fiber traces protects the optical fiber traces from the environment. To optically interface to the inter-board optical fiber traces, planar-shaped end portions of the inter-board optical fiber traces are provided surface accessible on the circuit board. In this manner, optical interfaces can be optically connected to planar-shaped, end portions of the inter-board optical fibers traces to establish optical connections.

Abstract: Small-form-factor fiber optic interface devices with an internal lens are disclosed. The fiber optic interface devices have a ferrule with a bore that supports an optical waveguide. The lens is on or adjacent the ferrule front end and is aligned with the bore. A first planar surface is provided on or adjacent the lens. The first planar surface interfaces with a second planar surface of a second fiber optic interface device to form a fiber optic interface assembly having a liquid-displacing interface when the first and second fiber optic interface devices are engaged.

Abstract: Disclosed are optical transceiver modules for use with electronic devices. In one embodiment, an optical transceiver module has a circuit board assembly for receiving and transmitting optical signals with a connector shell that is attached to the circuit board so that the circuit board is disposed outside the shell. The optical transceiver module also includes a faceplate that may have one or more attachment features for securing the faceplate and/or optical transceiver module to a device. By arranging the circuit board outside the shell of the optical transceiver module the footprint of the module is greatly reduced, thereby providing an advantageous arrangement for fitting into electronic devices having a relatively thin profile. Further, the optical transceiver module may optionally include one or more electrical contacts.

Abstract: Disclosed are interposers and interposer structures having an optical interface for optical fiber connection with a related fiber optic ferrule that can form a portion of an optical assembly. The interposer is useful for transmitting optical signals to/from the interposer for high-speed communication. Specifically, the interposer provides a passively aligned structure with an optical alignment structure of the interposer formed by a resist layer of the interposer.