Abstract: The present disclosure relates to fiber optic connectors having integrated features for protecting the optical fibers of the fiber optic connectors.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method for cleaving an optical fiber. The method includes providing an optical fiber (62), which is a bend-insensitive, single-mode optical fiber having a depressed index cladding layer that does not include any air inclusions. The method further includes applying energy to a section of the optical fiber (62) between a first location of the optical fiber and a second location of the optical fiber. The method also includes mechanically cleaving the optical fiber between the first and second locations of the optical fiber to provide cleaved optical fiber ends.