Abstract: A jack assembly is provided in which the central body of the assembly includes integrally cast posts for aligning and securing follower springs, wiper springs and spacers. To assemble the jack, the follower springs, wiper springs and spacers are stacked onto the posts and then secured with a pushnut that engages the posts with a friction fit, avoiding separation from the central body.

Abstract: Disclosed is a novel "hermetic" optical assembly. A radiation-transmissive member seals an aperture in the assembly housing. The member comprises two major surfaces and a recess that extends from one surface towards the other, with a "septum" between the bottom of the recess and the other surface. An optical or opto-electronic device typically is mounted on the inside surface of the member, and the end of an optical fiber is maintained outside of the assembly in coupling relationship with the device. In a currently preferred embodiment the recess extends from the outward-facing surface of the member and serves to position the end of the optical fiber with respect to a device mounted in a "well" in the inward-facing surface of the member. In another embodiment, the outward facing surface of the member comprises geometrical features (e.g., recesses) that mate with corresponding features (e.g.