Abstract: Ferrules having at least one tapered fiber channel that supports at least one optical fiber are disclosed. The at least one tapered fiber channel is defined by at least one channel wall. The material making up the channel wall is at least one of deformable and removable by forcible contact by the at least one optical fiber when the optical fiber is inserted into the fiber channel. This results in the formation of an interference fit between the front channel end and the optical fiber end when the diameter of the optical fiber end exceeds the diameter of the channel front end. The fiber channel wall may optionally include at least one deformable and/or removable-by-contact protrusion, with the at least one protrusion preferably being located in the channel section adjacent the narrow front channel end. Methods of forming the ferrules are also disclosed. Single-fiber and multi-fiber optical fiber connectors that employ the ferrules are also disclosed.

Abstract: Ferrules having at least one tapered fiber channel that supports at least one optical fiber are disclosed. The at least one tapered fiber channel is defined by at least one channel wall. The material making up the channel wall is at least one of deformable and removable by forcible contact by the at least one optical fiber when the optical fiber is inserted into the fiber channel. This results in the formation of an interference fit between the front channel end and the optical fiber end when the diameter of the optical fiber end exceeds the diameter of the channel front end. The fiber channel wall may optionally include at least one deformable and/or removable-by-contact protrusion, with the at least one protrusion preferably being located in the channel section adjacent the narrow front channel end. Methods of forming the ferrules are also disclosed. Single-fiber and multi-fiber optical fiber connectors that employ the ferrules are also disclosed.