Abstract: Devices such as multiports comprising connection ports with associated securing features and methods for making the same are disclosed. In one embodiment, the device comprises a shell, at least one connection port, at least one securing feature passageway, and at least one securing feature. The at least one connection port is disposed on the multiport with the at least one connection port comprising an optical connector opening extending from an outer surface of the multiport to a cavity of the multiport and defining a connection port passageway. The connection port passageway defines a keying portion. The at least one securing feature is associated with the connection port passageway, and the at least one securing feature is disposed within a portion of the at least one securing feature passageway.

Abstract: A fiber optic connector sub-assembly includes a ferrule having a front end, a rear end, and a ferrule bore extending between the front and rear ends along a longitudinal axis. The ferrule bore has a first section extending inwardly from the rear end of the ferrule, a second section extending inwardly from the front end of the ferrule and having a width that is less than the first section, and a transition section located between the first and second sections. The fiber optic connector sub-assembly also includes a bonding agent disposed in at least a portion of both the transition section and the second section of the ferrule bore. At least some of the bonding agent in the second section of the ferrule bore has been melted and solidified.

Abstract: A method of forming an optical fiber connector comprises preloading an adhesive plug into a ferrule bore of a ferrule. The ferrule bore extends between a first face and a second face of the ferrule and includes a large diameter bore section extending inwardly from the first face, a micro-hole section extending inwardly from the second face, and a transition section located between the large diameter bore section and the micro-hole section. The adhesive plug: a) is coupled to at least the transition section during the preloading, b) comprises an adhesive composition in a stable form, and c) blocks an entrance into the micro-hole section from the transition section. The method also comprises storing the adhesive plug in the ferrule bore for at least one day without coupling the optical connector to an optical fiber.

Abstract: A fiber optic connector sub-assembly includes a ferrule having a front end, a rear end, and a ferrule bore extending between the front and rear ends along a longitudinal axis. The ferrule bore has a first section extending inwardly from the rear end of the ferrule, a second section extending inwardly from the front end of the ferrule and having a width that is less than the first section, and a transition section located between the first and second sections. The fiber optic connector sub-assembly also includes a bonding agent disposed in at least a portion of both the transition section and the second section of the ferrule bore. At least some of the bonding agent in the second section of the ferrule bore has been melted and solidified.

Abstract: A method of forming an optical fiber connector comprises preloading an adhesive plug into a ferrule bore of a ferrule. The ferrule bore extends between a first face and a second face of the ferrule and includes a large diameter bore section extending inwardly from the first face, a micro-hole section extending inwardly from the second face, and a transition section located between the large diameter bore section and the micro-hole section. The adhesive plug: a) is coupled to at least the transition section during the preloading, b) comprises an adhesive composition in a stable form, and c) blocks an entrance into the micro-hole section from the transition section. The method also comprises storing the adhesive plug in the ferrule bore for at least one day without coupling the optical connector to an optical fiber.

Abstract: A method of securing an optical fiber to a ferrule involves heating the ferrule to cause thermal expansion. A ferrule bore of the ferrule increases in diameter as a result of the thermal expansion, and an optical fiber is inserted into the ferrule bore. The ferrule is then cooled so that the ferrule bore decreases in diameter and forms a mechanical interface with the optical fiber. Finally, the optical fiber is fused to the ferrule by irradiating the optical fiber and the ferrule with laser energy.

Abstract: A method of forming an optical fiber connector is provided. The optical connector includes a body having a passage with a first section extending inwardly from a first face of the body, a second section extending inwardly from a second face from the body, and a transition section located between the first and second sections. The first section of the passage has a first width and the second section of the passage has a second width that is less than the first width. The method comprises loading an adhesive composition into the passage and storing the adhesive composition for at least one day without coupling the optical connector to an optical fiber. The adhesive composition is a meltable, substantially solid material maintained the first passage section, transition section, or both the second passage section and transition section.

Abstract: A method of terminating an optical fiber involves providing a ferrule having a front end, a rear end, a ferrule bore extending between the front and rear ends, and a bonding agent disposed in at least a portion of the ferrule bore. The method also involves applying energy to heat the bonding agent. An end section of an optical fiber is inserted into the ferrule bore and through the bonding agent when the bonding agent is heated. The end section of the optical fiber includes a primary coating prior to insertion into the ferrule bore. During insertion of the end section of the optical fiber through the bonding agent, the heated bonding agent thermally removes at least a portion of the primary coating during so that the optical fiber can be secured in the ferrule bore with the bonding agent.

Abstract: A method of forming an optical fiber connector is provided. The optical connector includes a body having a passage with a first section extending inwardly from a first face of the body, a second section extending inwardly from a second face from the body, and a transition section located between the first and second sections. The first section of the passage has a first width and the second section of the passage has a second width that is less than the first width. The method comprises loading an adhesive composition into the passage and storing the adhesive composition for at least one day without coupling the optical connector to an optical fiber. The adhesive composition is a meltable, substantially solid material maintained the first passage section, transition section, or both the second passage section and transition section.

Abstract: An optical fiber connector preloaded with an adhesive is provided. The optical connector includes a body having a passage with a first section extending inwardly from a first face of the body, a second section extending inwardly from a second face from the body, and a transition section located between the first section and the second section. The first section of the passage has a first width and the second section of the passage has a second width that is less than the first width. An adhesive composition is located within the transition section of the passage and is configured to bind an optical fiber to an inner surface of the second section following melting and solidification of the adhesive composition.

Abstract: An optical fiber includes a glass fiber, having a cladding and core, surrounded by a polymer coating. Some of the coating is removed by a laser beam so that the optical fiber comprises a first lengthwise portion covered by the coating and a second lengthwise portion where the coating is not present on at least ninety-five (95) percent of an exterior surface of the second lengthwise portion. A microstructure of the polymer coating, adjacent to the second lengthwise portion on the first lengthwise portion, tapers at an angle such that a thickness of the polymer coating decreases toward the second lengthwise portion as a function of proximity to the second lengthwise portion. The optical fiber may also be optionally cleaved with the laser beam.

Abstract: Mirror systems securing optical fibers to ferrules by thermally securing bonding agents within fiber optic connector housings are disclosed, along with related methods and assemblies. A fiber optic connector includes an optical fiber secured within a ferrule by a temperature-sensitive bonding agent to prevent attenuation-causing movement. The bonding agent is activated (e.g., cured) by heat provided by laser energy incident upon the ferrule, which is at least partially disposed within a fiber optic connector housing and which may be damaged by the laser energy. By shaping and disposing at least one mirror of a mirror system, the laser energy may be reflected to be incident upon the ferrule in a controllable intensity distribution. In this manner, the laser energy may be absorbed uniformly or substantially uniformly along a partial length of the ferrule extending into the housing to accelerate securing of the bonding agent while avoiding damage to the housing.

Abstract: A fiber optic connector sub-assembly includes a ferrule having a front end, a rear end, and a ferrule bore extending between the front and rear ends along a longitudinal axis. The ferrule bore has a first section extending inwardly from the rear end of the ferrule, a second section extending inwardly from the front end of the ferrule and having a width that is less than the first section, and a transition section located between the first and second sections. The fiber optic connector sub-assembly also includes a bonding agent disposed in at least a portion of both the transition section and the second section of the ferrule bore. At least some of the bonding agent in the second section of the ferrule bore has been melted and solidified.

Abstract: An optical fiber connector preloaded with an adhesive is provided. The optical connector includes a body having a passage with a first section extending inwardly from a first face of the body, a second section extending inwardly from a second face from the body, and a transition section located between the first section and the second section. The first section of the passage has a first width and the second section of the passage has a second width that is less than the first width. An adhesive composition is located within the transition section of the passage and is configured to bind an optical fiber to an inner surface of the second section following melting and solidification of the adhesive composition.

Abstract: A non-contact method of measuring an insertion loss of a device-under-test (DUT) connector is disclosed. The method includes arranging the DUT connector and a reference connector so that their respective ferrule ends are confronting and spaced apart. The method also includes moving the reference and DUT connectors closer together while measuring the insertion loss and while also actively maintaining alignment of the first and second ferrules using a position measurement system. The insertion loss for the DUT connector is obtained by estimating a value for the insertion loss at a position where the end faces of the reference and connector ferrules would come into contact.

Abstract: A pre-terminated optical fiber assembly with a ferrule having front and rear opposed faces and at least one fiber bore defined longitudinally therethrough includes a glass optical fiber is disposed within the at least one fiber bore with the fiber fused to the ferrule at a location at least 1 mm deep inside the bore. A method for fusing is also disclosed. The ferrule 14 is desirably composed of an inorganic composite material, the composite comprising a material gradient from at least 75% by volume of a first inorganic material to at least 75% by volume of second inorganic material in the radially inward direction, where the first inorganic material has a fracture toughness of at least 1 MPa·m1/2, and the second inorganic material has a softening point of no greater than 1000° C., desirably no greater than 900° C.

Abstract: A pre-terminated optical fiber assembly with a ferrule having front and rear opposed faces and at least one fiber bore defined longitudinally therethrough includes a glass optical fiber is disposed within the at least one fiber bore with the fiber fused to the ferrule at a location at least 1 mm deep inside the bore. A method for fusing is also disclosed. The ferrule 14 is desirably composed of an inorganic composite material, the composite comprising a material gradient from at least 75% by volume of a first inorganic material to at least 75% by volume of second inorganic material in the radially inward direction, where the first inorganic material has a fracture toughness of at least 1 MPa·m1/2, and the second inorganic material has a softening point of no greater than 1000° C., desirably no greater than 900° C.

Abstract: A method of terminating an optical fiber involves providing a ferrule having a front end, a rear end, a ferrule bore extending between the front and rear ends, and a bonding agent disposed in at least a portion of the ferrule bore. The method also involves applying energy to heat the bonding agent. An end section of an optical fiber is inserted into the ferrule bore and through the bonding agent when the bonding agent is heated. The end section of the optical fiber includes a primary coating prior to insertion into the ferrule bore. During insertion of the end section of the optical fiber through the bonding agent, the heated bonding agent thermally removes at least a portion of the primary coating during so that the optical fiber can be secured in the ferrule bore with the bonding agent.