Abstract: An improved optical fiber connector includes a pair of female bodies, each having a first end and a second end, a cavity defined in the first end and a tubular portion extending from the second end, the tubular portion having a diameter smaller than that of the cavity; and a tube fixedly held between the tubular portions and connecting the female bodies.

Abstract: A multiaxial optical coupler for use in a device using an LiNbO3 substrate, which is reliable over a wide temperature range and capable of reducing coupling loss. A capillary has a plurality of linear through holes formed therethrough in a manner each inclined with respect to the central axis of the capillary such that the extension line of the central axis of the linear through hole extends through the center of a lens. A plurality of optical fibers are inserted into the linear through holes, respectively. This construction enables the optical axis of an optical beam emitted from each of the optical fibers within the capillary to pass through the center of the lens and reach the end face of a corresponding one of the optical waveguides. Similarly, the construction enables the optical axis of an optical beam emitted from the end face of each of the optical waveguides on the substrate to pass through the center of the lens and reach a corresponding one of the optical fibers within the capillary.

Abstract: A twin-core ferrule structure is provided which is miniaturized in size, facilitated for accurate positioning the optical axes of two optical fibers, and improved both in degree of freedom of determining a shape and in high-volume productivity.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for a dual-fiber ferrule are disclosed. A hole having a preferably elliptical shape and a size suitable for receiving two bare optical fibers is formed along the axis of symmetry of a retaining member. The elliptically-shaped hole determines the angular position of the center of fiber cores of the optical fibers within the retaining member. The dual-fiber ferrule can be used for forming improved optical connectors. A registration feature on the retaining member of the dual-fiber ferrule used in such connectors allows for passive alignment of the optical fibers of one connector with the fibers of another connector when forming an optical link. The optical link includes two such dual-fiber ferrules and a dual-fiber mating sleeve having a feature for engaging the registration feature of each retaining member.

Abstract: The invention provides a structure of an optical connector and an aligning method which are capable of easily accomplishing the alignment between optical fibers without pre-alignment before the assembling of the optical connector and disassembling of an optical connector assembly. A tube base fixed to a ferrule body has a plurality of fitting portions and a plurality of notch portions on its outer circumferential surface. The axial length A1 of the fitting portions is set to be shorter than the separation B between an end surface of a holder and an end surface of projecting portions of an optical connector housing. At the alignment, the ferrule body is pressed against a spring to be retreated. In this state, the fitting portions can pass in the separation B to allow the ferrule body to rotate. When releasing from the pressing against the spring, at that rotational position the ferrule body is returned by the restoring force of the spring so that the fitting portions again come into the engaged condition.

Abstract: The present invention adjusts the relationship of two optical components within an optical coupler by the use of eccentric sleeves. As individual eccentric sleeves of an adjustable subassembly are rotated, they change either the angle or the location of the axis of one optical component relative to the location of the axis of another fixed optical component. Adjustment of the alignment of the optical components therefore requires only the rotation of the sleeves of the adjustable subassembly. Locking the sleeves into a selected adjustment is accomplished by the insertion of a low expansion, quick setting, bonding agent into holes located so that they feed the bonding agent into the spaces between the sleeves. Thus, after the bonding agent has fused together the otherwise movable parts, any further movement of the sleeves is prevented, and the alignment is permanently preserved.

Abstract: An FC-type optical fiber connector adapter, such as an FC/PC optical fiber connector adapter, is provided with a circumferential flange and at least one substantially radially extending projection for mounting in a panel designed to accommodate biconic optical fiber connector adapters. In one embodiment, the FC-type optical fiber connector adapter contains a circumferential groove with an O-ring to facilitate a tight frictional connection.

Abstract: An remote fiber test system includes a non-blocking N.times.N optical switch having N input ports and N output ports with one of the input ports coupled to a measurement test instrument for examining any of the optical fibers coupled to the output ports. The non-blocking switch includes a plurality of N input mechanical optical switches and an plurality of N output mechanical optical switches with each of the input mechanical optical switches having an input optical transmission path representing one of the input ports and each of the output mechanical optical switches having an output optical transmission path representing one of the output ports. Each input mechanical optical switch has N output optical transmission paths which each optical transmission path being coupled to one of the input optical transmission paths of each of the output mechanical optical switches.

Abstract: A mechanical optical switch having opposing first and second optical transmission paths, such as optical fibers, forming an optical interface and rotating about respective independent and offset first and second rotational axes for positioning the fibers on respective first and second offset and intersecting closed curves operates to rotate the input or first optical fiber on its closed curve to one of the two intersecting points on its closed curve in response to the angular coordinate representative of the position of fiber at the intersecting point matching the intersecting point of the second optical fiber. The output or second optical fiber is rotated on its closed curve to the intersecting point corresponding to the intersecting point of the first fiber in response to the angular coordinate representative of the position of the second fiber at the intersecting point. These rotational movements may be performed sequentially, but in the preferred embodiment they are performed simultaneously.

Abstract: An alignment apparatus for determining angular coordinates for offset and intersecting optical fibers in a mechanical optical switch has an analytical apparatus for imaging the end faces of the ferrules containing the opposing optical fibers of the switch for determining the respective axes of rotation of the mounting members, the locations of the optical fibers in the respective mounting members and coordinates of the optical fibers relative to the axis of rotation of the respective mounting members, the location of at least one reference point within one of the mounting members, and the relative angular coordinates of intersecting points between each of the closed curves of the plurality of optical fibers within the second mounting member and the closed curve of the first optical fiber as a function of the offset of the first and second mounting members and the reference point.

Abstract: A device for cleaning and/or polishing an end surface of an optical fiber is comprised of an insert and a cleaning rod. The insert has a hole formed throughout its length whose axis is eccentric to the optical fiber axis. The rod, when rotated, effectuates cleaning and/or polishing of the end surface of the optical fiber. The optical fiber is mounted in a fiber optic connector, which may be disposed within a corresponding coupling. Various industry-standard models exist for the connectors and the couplings. One or more inserts are designed and utilize various female-type adaptors or sleeves that properly hold the insert within the various types of couplings. Also, a male-type adaptor is provided that adapts the insert to several of the various types of connectors when the connectors are disconnected from their associated couplings.

Abstract: An M.times.N mechanical optical switch has opposing input and output optical fiber bundles disposed within offset ferrules. Each ferrule is mounted in three-point kinematically correct V-groove holder allowing the optical fibers in each optical fiber bundle to traverse on a closed curve path during the rotation of the respective ferrules. The closed curve paths of each optical fiber in one of the optical fiber bundles intersect at least one of the closed curve paths of the optical fiber in the opposing optical fiber bundles. The intersection points of two opposing closed curve paths establish the optimum positioning locations for two opposing fibers. Offsetting the axes of rotation of the opposing optical fiber bundles and mounting the bundles in a three-point kinematically correct holder produces a mechanical optical switch having superior cycle-to-cycle repeatability, long term repeatability, and absolute alignment using loosely toleranced components.

Abstract: In a method of coupling an optical fiber to an optical component on the same substrate, eccentricity of the core of a coupling fiber is exploited to adjust the vertical position of the core by rotation of the fiber about its axis. This adjustment is carried out with the fiber held in contact with a horizontal reference surface of a substrate also carrying a laser diode constituting the component to which the fiber must be coupled. The method can be used to implement transmission headers for optical fiber telecommunication systems.

Abstract: A mechanical connector that normally interfaces two fiber optic cables together has a fiber optic cable inserted in a receptacle on one side of the connector. A device for cleaning and/or polishing the end surface of an optical fiber strand within the cable is disposed in a second receptacle on the opposite side of the connector. The device includes an insert located within the receptacle in the connector, the insert having a hole drilled therethrough that is eccentric to the transmission axis of the optical fiber strand. A cleaning rod may be inserted in the eccentric hole in the insert such that an end surface of the cleaning rod contacts the end surface of the optical fiber strand therein. The cleaning rod is rotated to effectuate cleaning of the end surface of the fiber optic cable and corresponding optical fiber strand. In the alternative, the polishing rod may be inserted in the eccentric hole in the insert and rotated so as to effectuate polishing of the end surface of the optical fiber strand.

Abstract: Light attenuation through a high return loss fixed attenuator is achieved by controlling the offset of two common fiber axes to achieve a controlled transverse misalignment loss while the ends of the fibers are maintained in physical contact under a spring force of the connectors such that a high return loss is achieved.

Abstract: An optical fiber alignment device is provided for aligning an optical fiber ferrule which has a geometric axis which may or may not be coincident with the optical axis of the fiber therewithin, with a cylindrical optical transmitter/receiver component which has a geometric axis which may or may not be coincident with the optical axis of the component. The adaptor includes a first end for receiving the ferrule and a second end for embracing the cylindrical optical component. The first end has a geometric axis generally coincident with the geometric axis of the ferrule, and the second end has a geometric axis generally coincident with the geometric axis of the cylindrical optical component. The first and second ends of the adaptor are eccentric to each other, thereby offsetting the respective geometric axes thereof. Therefore, rotation of the adaptor about the cylindrical transmitter/receiver component allows for alignment optimization between the optical axes of the component and the optical fiber ferrule.

Abstract: An optical connector (20) includes a ferrule assembly (22) which is adapted to be received in a plug frame (70). The ferrule assembly is held in the plug frame by a cable retention assembly (40) which is adapted to be secured to said plug frame. A leading end of the plug frame is symmetrical in an end cross-section which is normal to a longitudinal axis of the connector. After the ferrule assembly has been assembled to the plug frame, the direction of any eccentricity of the plug passageway or of an optical fiber terminated by the ferrule assembly is determined. Then the plug frame is assembled to a housing of a grip (90) such that the direction of eccentricity is aligned with a key (92) of the grip. The plug frame is capable of being assembled to the grip notwithstanding the rotational orientation of the plug frame with respect to the grip.

Abstract: The inclination (6) of the Fiber end surface (4) is arranged in such a way that an edge area (7), which extends through 360 degrees, remains around the inclination. The inclination is separated from the edge area by an annular shaped indentation. In this way the connector pin has on its face (5) a constantly unchanging limit-stop surface in each desired relative position.

Abstract: An optical connector (20) includes a ferrule assembly (22) which is adapted to be received in a plug frame (70). The ferrule assembly is held in the plug frame by a cable retention assembly (40) which is adapted to be secured to said plug frame. A leading end of the plug frame is symmetrical in an end cross-section which is normal to a longitudinal axis of the connector. After the ferrule assembly has been assembled to the plug frame, the direction of any eccentricity of the plug passageway or of an optical fiber terminated by the ferrule assembly is determined. Then the plug frame is assembled to a housing of a grip (90) such that the direction of eccentricity is aligned with a key (92) of the grip. The plug frame is capable of being assembled to the grip notwithstanding the rotational orientation of the plug frame with respect to the grip.

Abstract: An optical connector (20) includes a ferrule assembly (22), which is adapted to be received in a plug frame (70). The ferrule assembly is held in the plug frame by a cable retention assembly (40) which is adapted to be secured to said plug frame. A leading end of the plug frame is symmetrical in an end cross-section which is normal to a longitudinal axis of the connector. After the ferrule assembly has been assembled to the plug frame, the direction of any eccentricity of the plug passageway or of an optical fiber terminated by the ferrule assembly is determined. Then the plug frame is assembled to a housing of a grip (90) such that the direction of eccentricity is aligned with a key (92) of the grip. The plug frame is capable of being assembled to the grip notwithstanding the rotational orientation of the plug frame with respect to the grip.