Abstract: An optical assembly structure includes, a semiconductor element generating a large amount of heat and a high impedance optical element which are to be mounted, with low optical loss on the same semiconductor substrate which has an optical waveguide formed thereon.The element generating a large amount of heat is mounted on a terrace of the semiconductor substrate directly or through an insulating layer having a thickness of submicron order, while the high impedance element is mounted in a groove which is etched into the semiconductor substrate to such an extent that the optical axis of the high impedance element mates with the optical axis of the optical waveguide layer formed on a recess in the semiconductor substrate. The optical axes can be adjusted independently for the respective elements.

Abstract: In an optical module such as an optical branching and multiplexing device used in an optical communication system, optical waveguides are formed on a surface of an optical waveguide substrate and optical fibers are held by arranging guide grooves on an optical fiber arranging substrate. The optical waveguide substrate has positioning guide grooves which can engage with the arranging guide grooves. The pitch of the optical waveguides on end faces of the optical waveguide substrate coincide with the pitch of the arranging guide grooves, so that the optical fibers and the optical waveguides are coupled accurately without any adjustment.

Abstract: An optical fiber coupling assembly for substantially preserving polarization of transmitted optical radiation, including at least one multimode optical fiber situated in a housing that includes means for distributing pressure on the optical fiber and reducing stress on the multimode optical fiber. In one embodiment, the housing has a first and a second side, and includes a channel having a first end opening on the first side and a second end within the housing. A cavity connected to the second end of the channel is formed within the housing. An aperture formed in the housing connects the cavity to the second side. The channel, cavity, and aperture together provide a passageway for the optical fibers from the first side to the second side of the housing. In the preferred embodiment the aperture bundles a plurality of fibers together in an approximately circular cross-section.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an integrated semiconductor optical device comprises forming an optical fiber positioning groove of a main surface of a support substrate, flattening the main surface of the support substrate, positioning an optical component on the flatted main surface, again exposing the groove, and assembling and positioning an optical fiber in the exposed groove.

Abstract: An optical fiber array according to the present invention comprises an optical coupling end face to be optically coupled to another optical line, and one ends of a plurality of optical fibers are arrayed in the optical coupling end face. The optical fiber array comprises a lower plate (3a) comprising a plurality of V-shaped grooves (4) for positioning the optical fibers exposing from one end of a ribbon part of the optical fibers, and an upper plate (3b) for pressing each optical fiber provided in each V-shaped groove (4) of the lower plate into the positioning groove. A boundary portion between the ribbon part (7) and the optical fibers (1) is fixed between the first and second plates (3a, 3b) by heat resistant adhesive (10), and the optical fibers from the boundary portion to a front end are fixed by solder (6) in an airtightness state. Accordingly, the hermetic sealing with sufficiently high airtightness can be achieved.

Abstract: A fiber optic connector defines an optical axis and includes a housing mounting a forwardly protruding ferrule. A bore extends axially through the housing and the ferrule for terminating a fiber optic cable, with an exposed optical fiber in the bore of the ferrule. A spring loaded gripping clamp is mounted on the housing for receiving and gripping the optical fiber when inserted into the ferrule. The spring loaded gripping clamp is movable between a normally closed position for gripping the fiber and an open position for receiving the fiber. An appropriate tool can be used in moving the gripping clamp to its open position.

Abstract: An optical device includes a common carrier, a first optical component and a second optical component that are supported by the common carrier, the first optical component being placed on the common carrier. This common carrier includes the following on a main surface thereof. The common carrier includes a first guide groove in which the second optical component is placed, a first beam passing groove extending from a vicinity of the first optical component along an optical axis so that a light beam emitted from the first optical component travels in the beam passing groove. The common carrier includes a second groove which is connected to the first guide groove and the first beam passing groove and extends in a first direction perpendicular to the optical axis, the second groove allowing the light beam to travel at a position lower than the main surface of the common carrier without being shaded.

Abstract: An optical fiber coupler package comprising an base member having a longitudinal groove disposed therein, and a cover member for the base member, wherein the cover member is shorter in length than the base member and wide enough to completely overlap the groove when placed so as to cover the base member.

Abstract: A hybrid plug connector with modular electrical and light waveguide plug connections includes a tub-shaped pin connector housing and a socket connector housing, which can be plugged into one another in overlapping fashion. At least one socket module having jack contacts arranged in a predetermined grid, as well as at least one light waveguide module, which contains at least one single-mode fiber are insertable into the socket connector housing. In order to ensure a modular and variable construction of the mixed plugging system, the modules are inserted into an opening on one side in the socket connector housing and have equal measurements of separation with their outer dimensions. The pin connector housing is provided with plug pins in the tub base to coact with the jack contacts of the socket connectors and also has a light guide countermodule to connect with the optical fibers of the light waveguide module.

Abstract: Mutually parallel V grooves are formed on the upper surface of a first support member of an optical fiber array ferrule, and then an optical fiber wire is disposed in each of the V grooves. Stacked thereon is a second support member having V grooves formed on both the upper and lower surfaces thereof so as to oppose each other, the V grooves on the lower surface serving as guiding grooves. An optical fiber wire is also disposed in each of the V grooves on the upper surface of the second support member. Further stacked thereon is a third support member having V grooves formed on the lower surface thereof, so that an optical fiber array ferrule is configured. The optical fiber array ferrule as well as a surface emitting laser array are mounted on a single substrate so that an optical coupling module is configured.

Abstract: A massive parallel (MP) connector is provided which includes a fiber optic connector having a polymer ferrule having multiple fibers mounted in V-grooves of the ferrule and beveled edges of the ferrule providing for alignment of the ferrule when the MP fiber optic connector is mated to a receptacle having an alignment assembly and an alignment member mounted within the alignment assembly to provide for precision alignment.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an optical waveguide device, particularly a structure for positioning end faces of an optical waveguide and end faces of optical fibers with respect to each other, as well as a method of realizing such a structure. V grooves for positioning optical fibers are formed on a glass substrate by hot pressing, and the optical fibers are put in the V grooves to position end faces of the optical fibers and end faces of an optical waveguide with respect to each other, thereby forming the optical waveguide device of the invention.

Abstract: An optical module for interconnecting two or more optical fibers has a microreplicated waveguide element which is integrally formed on the same substrate with a splice element. In one embodiment, the module has three plates, a bottom plate, a cover plate, and a top plate, all contained within a common housing. The bottom plate has fiber-receiving grooves and fiber alignment grooves at its ends, the fiber alignment grooves being aligned with waveguide channels formed on the central portion of the bottom plate. The cover plate is used when forming the cores of the waveguide channels, to force residual curable, waveguide material into flow channels adjacent the waveguide channels, and this material, when cured, adheres the bottom and cover plates together. The top plate is used to clamp fibers which are held in the fiber alignment grooves, with the center of the fibers aligned with the core of the waveguide channels.

Abstract: The optical fibers are arranged in a V groove formed at the surface of a silicon substrate and a cover is provided thereon. An electrode for solder bump is respectively formed at the position opposed with each other to the substrate and cover. These substrate and cover are deposited with solder in order to fix the optical fibers. The substrate or cover is previously provided, at the end point part of the optical fibers, with the mark for the positioning in the longitudinal direction of the optical fibers. The optical fibers are positioned with this mark. Here, the side surface of the optical fibers is provided with the metallized area at the position located in the predetermined distance from the end point thereof. Before fixing with the cover, the optical fibers can be deposited automatically to the predetermined position without alignment due to the self-alignment effect between the mark and metallized area.

Abstract: The present invention provides a connecting member for facilitating connecting of optical fibers, and a connecting method in which the loss due to connecting is small. An optical fiber connecting member is composed of: a retaining portion having through-holes each of which has an inner diameter slightly larger than the outer diameter of optical fibers to be connected; and introduction portions which are integrally formed with and on the opposite end sides of the retaining portion and each of which has introduction grooves communicated with the through-holes to thereby make it easy to insert ends of the optical fibers into the through-holes. Further, the inner diameter of each of the through-holes is reduced by heating the connecting member to thereby make axis alignment of the optical fibers automatically to obtain connecting in which the connecting loss is reduced.

Abstract: An improved fiber optic connector for supporting therebetween an array of optical fibers, the connector comprising first and second support members, each having on a first surface thereof a parallel array of grooves and at least one side landing section. The side landing section of the support member is substantially planar and has a substantially irregular surface thereon for enhancement of bonding between the support members. The grooves of the first and second support members are adapted to contain therebetween the array of optical fibers. The irregular surfaces of the side landing sections of the first and second support members are juxtaposed to substantially overlap each other when the first and second support members are placed in mating relationship around the array of optical fibers. The irregular surfaces of the side landings are joined together around the array of optical fibers with an adhesive epoxy.

Abstract: The optical fiber connector assembly including a clamping member, a holding member, and a connector housing provided with a ferrule and a receiving chamber. The optical fiber to be connected has a coated portion and an exposed end. The clamping member is crimped on the coated portion of the fiber and the fiber is inserted into--and held by--the holding member, thus constituting a fixing device. This device, together with the optical fiber, is inserted into the chamber of the connector housing through the opening in its rear, so that the exposed end of the fiber is secured in the ferrule. The clamping member desirably comprises a cylindrical portion fixed to the coated optical fiber, and a flange, by which the clamping member is fixed to the holding member. The holding member can be formed by a pair of elements. One face of each element is configured so that, when the two elements are in opposing abutment, they cover and retain the clamping member and the coated fiber.

Abstract: Fiber array connectors of the type having a connector body and adapted to house a plurality of fibers which carry data through the connector. Ferrules are provided to the connectors which are formed by first ferrule members having configured thereon by an electrical discharge machining process at least one guide pin hole, and a plurality of grooves for housing a plurality of fibers in registration in the ferrules. The ferrules are also made up of second ferrule members in engagement with the plurality of grooves for clamping the plurality of fibers in registration in the grooves so that the plurality of fibers can be held in precise alignment with the connector and so that data is transmitted therethrough with a minimum possibility of transmission error.

Abstract: An alignment piece for optical conductors comprises a support plate, a guiding plate made with very high accuracy, one or more alignment channels for the conductors, which alignment channels have ends formed in the guiding plate, a first positioning element and a first positioning means formed in the guiding plate and holding the first positioning element at a predetermined location with respect to the ends of the alignment channels. The first positioning element has a supporting zone engaging the conductors. The alignment piece comprises a second positioning element and a second positioning means formed in the alignment piece at the side of the first positioning element opposite of the ends of the alignment channels and holding the second positioning element at a predetermined location with respect to the ends of the alignment channels.

Abstract: An alignment piece (1, 13) for a connector for optical conductors (10) comprises a support plate (2, 14), a guiding plate (3, 15) manufactured with very high accuracy and one or more alignment channels (4) for the conductors. At least the ends (11) of the alignment channels are formed in the guiding plate. The guiding plate (3, 15) is further provided with an inclining guiding plate part (5) in which the alignment channels (4) are formed. The support plate (2, 14) has a recess (6) in which the free end of the inclining guiding plate part (5) is received. The support plate includes a guiding surface (7) for the conductors (10), the guiding surface with its side directed towards the inclining guiding plate part lying above the free end of the guiding plate part.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an integrated semiconductor optical device comprises forming an optical fiber positioning groove of a main surface of a support substrate, flattening the main surface of the support substrate, positioning an optical component on the flattened main surface, again exposing the groove, and assembling and positioning an optical fiber in the exposed groove.

Abstract: An optical module that includes a plastic package main body and at least one sleeve formed integrally with the package main body is disclosed. The sleeve receives and holds a ferrule provided on an end portion of an optical fiber. The sleeve has a substantially cylindrical shape, and is defined by at least first and second portions. At least the second portion has an inner surface with a plurality of grooves formed therein. The grooves extend in a longitudinal direction of the sleeve and are circumferentially spaced to each other to define protuberant regions therebetween. The inner surface of the second portion and the ferrule have substantially the same diameters, such that the protuberant regions make contact with and support the ferrule.

Abstract: Semiconductor device can be connected to an external optical fiber, by providing a short optical fiber, optically coupled to a semiconductor, which is held in a ferrule having the same diameter as an external ferrule of the external fiber. The semiconductor device comprises an optical semiconductor laser diode, a short optical fiber optically coupling at its first end face with the optical semiconductor laser diode, a ferrule for housing the optical fiber, and a sleeve which has an inner diameter slightly larger than an outer diameter of the ferrule and into which the ferrule is inserted. The connection to an external optical fiber is given by inserting a connector of the external optical fiber into the sleeve. The present invention provides compact optical semiconductor device suitable for automatic mounting thereof.

Abstract: An alignment piece (1, 9) for a connector for optical conductors (16) comprises a support plate (2, 10), a guiding plate (3, 11) made with very high accuracy and one or more alignment channels (4) for the conductors. The guiding plate (3, 11) has an end edge (5) in which the ends of the alignment channels are made as V-shaped slots (6) and the support plate (2, 10) is provided with an inclining guiding surface (8) in which the alignment channels (4) extend. The inclining guiding surface (8) of the support plate (2, 10) ends at a distance from the end edge (5) of the guiding plate (3, 11) wherein a support member (14, 20) is provided between this end edge and the guiding surface (8), which support member (14, 20) projects above the guiding surface (8). This support member (14, 20) supports the conductors (16) during introduction under such an angle of inclination that the conductors project above the end edge of the guiding plate (3, 11).

Abstract: A waveguide mounting board having an array of ridge type waveguides on a surface thereof is automatically centered with an optical fiber board having a corresponding array of optical fibers by seating elongated alignment rails on the waveguide mounting board within alignment V-grooves in the fiber board. The alignment rails each comprises a short length of an optical fiber mounted on a pair of parallel alignment ridges. The alignment ridges are generally similar to the ridge type waveguides and are formed simultaneously therewith using a common photomask.

Abstract: A component for making a connection to a fiber with n cores disposed in a square geometry comprises n fibers assembled together at a common end and independent at their other end. The n fibers are assembled together at their common end in a geometry such that their cores are disposed in the same geometry as the cores of the multicore fiber. They are attached at their common end to a member enabling manipulation and/or positioning of the component.

Abstract: For manufacturing a connector for optical conductors on a printed circuit board a first printed circuit board part is made and an alignment piece with one or more reference faces and with one or more alignment channels for the conductors is fixed on the first printed circuit board part. The optical conductors are put in the alignment channels and are attached in the alignment piece, whereafter the parts of the optical conductors projecting out of the alignment piece and superfluous attachment material are removed by polishing and optical contact pads are formed in the upper surface of the alignment piece. A protection cover is put on the alignment piece, which protection cover seals the reference faces and the optical contact pads from the environment, whereafter the printed circuit board is completed and finally the protection cover is removed.

Abstract: The ferrule for optical connector according to this invention comprises a first grip portion having first through holes for insertion of optical fibers and gripping part of said optical fibers apart a predetermined distance from the distal ends of optical fibers; a second grip portion arranged along the insertion direction of optical fibers together with the first grip portion and opposed to the first grip portion through a first space. The second grip portion has second through holes for the optical fibers set through the first through holes to be further introduced therethrough, and grips the vicinity of the distal ends of optical fibers; and a pedestal portion projecting from a surface of the first grip portion.

Abstract: A multichannel optical connection process starts with making a wafer having a plurality of optical outlets disposed on a common face. The wafer is then disposed on a support having mechanical positioning arrangements, after which the assembly comprising the connecting wafer and the support is aligned with a reference termination having a base with mechanical positioning arrangements and a plate with at least two optical outlets disposed in the same configuration as the connecting plate. The two outlets of the wafer are then dynamically aligned with the outlets of the plate by three independent relative displacements of the wafer and the support. The wafer is fixed to the support when the alignment is achieved.

Abstract: A coupling device between a glass fiber and a dielectric waveguide integrated on a substrate. A low-loss and low-back-scatter, but cost-effective coupling is achieved by that the fiber end being reduced--principally by drawing under heat exposure until breaking--to a diameter in the order of typical core dimensions of dielectric waveguides. A fiber receiving portion is provided on the substrate dimensions reduced in a way substantially corresponding to the glass fiber and the tip thereof changing over into the waveguide to be coupled. The glass fiber, during assembly, need only be inserted into the receiving portion up to a stop, where it is centered with respect to the waveguide, without tolerances.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for aligning a fiber tip of an optic fiber in position with respect to a fiber communications circuit disposed on a carrier having a planar surface. In the method, the steps include supporting the optic fiber with a block having a planar surface such that a movement of the block causes a corresponding movement of the fiber tip. The steps further include placing the planar surface of the block in contact with the planar surface of the carrier, thereby defining a reference plane between the block and the carrier. Finally, after the placing step, there is the steps of automatically establishing a first relative position between the block and the carrier along a first dimension of the reference plane, and automatically establishing a second relative position between the block and the carrier along a second dimension of the reference plane, wherein the second dimension is orthogonal to the first dimension.

Abstract: The invention provides an improved simplified waveguide-optical fiber connection structure for connecting a waveguide and an optical fiber. The waveguide-optical fiber connection structure comprises an optical fiber, a waveguide substrate having a waveguide integrally formed thereon and having a first guide groove formed thereon adjacent an end portion of the waveguide for positioning the optical fiber therein, and a fiber substrate provided in an opposing relationship to the first guide groove for cooperating with the first guide groove to hold the optical fiber thereon. The waveguide-optical fiber connection structure can be applied to a waveguide circuit which is employed for optical communication, optical information management and so forth.

Abstract: An optical module includes an optical connector element formed of first and second substrates for carrying optical fibers therebetween, and a device substrate carrying photodiodes on an upper major surface thereof in correspondence to the optical fibers, wherein the optical connector element is mounted upon the device substrate such that end surfaces of the first and second substrates face the principal surface of the device substrate and such that polygonal projections provided on the principal surface of the device substrate for positioning engage with corresponding spaces formed between the first and second substrates at the foregoing end surfaces.

Abstract: An optical fibre-connecting device includes a passageway which is funnel-shaped at both ends thereof and with which an optical fibre is intended to be inserted from either end into the passageway, so that the fibres will meet one another therein. The connecting device (1) includes a first silicon part (7) having a flat surface in which one or more grooves (8) of V-shaped cross-section have been etched. Additionally the connecting device (1) includes a second part (9) which is made of transparent glass and which has a flat side that is intended to abut the grooved surface of the first part (7) so as to form a channel of triangular cross-section, wherein a circle inscribed in the channel will have a diameter which is only slightly larger than the outer diameter of an optical fibre (5, 6).

Abstract: In an optical coupling device for optically coupling an optical fiber to an optical waveguide formed on a crystalline substrate, the optical fiber is placed in a V-shaped groove formed on the substrate by anisotropic etching. The V-shaped groove is not linearly continuous, but intermittent to intermittently support the optical fiber. The intermittence of the V-shaped groove decreases undesired width expansion of the V-shaped groove. For this structure, a light axis alignment between the optical fiber and the optical waveguide is enhanced.

Abstract: A housing structure for coupling and releasing optical modules comprises three housing. A first housing including a distal wall at one end, an opening at the other end, and the opening having a first protrusion part protruding toward inside of the opening. A second housing for receiving and holding an optical module provided in the first housing so as to be slidable. The second housing includes a second protrusion part for engaging with the first protrusion part and the sliding of the second housing being limited by the distal wall of the first housing and the first protrusion part. A third housing for holding an another optical module including holding parts for selectively holding the second housing and a contact part provided at one end of the third housing for touching the second housing. The second housing also includes engaging means for engaging the holding parts of the third housing.

Abstract: The invention is an improved optical fiber connector of the type comprising two identical plastic support members (11) having therein at least one V-groove on a first surface. The two support members are identical, with the V-grooves (12) being adapted to clamp on opposite sides of an optical fiber (16). In one embodiment of the invention, each of the support members has integrated therein a first spring member (20). First and second alignment pins (17, 18) are located on opposite sides of the matched first and second support members (11). The spring member (20) of a first one of the support members bears against one of the alignment pins (18) and forces it against the first and second support members (11); and the other spring member (19) forces the other one of the alignment pins (17) against the first and second support members. The springs are both preferably leaf springs which extend in a direction parallel to the V-grooves.

Abstract: Apparatus for holding optical fibers in a matrix configuration comprises a holder member (20) and a pair of parallel alignment members (25) extending in an X direction and attached to the holder member. A plurality of fiber support members (11), each containing a column of optical fibers (13) are arranged side-by-side in the X direction, such that the end surfaces of the optical fibers form an X-Y matrix configuration. First and second alignment pins (16) bear against opposite sides of each fiber support member. Each alignment pin extends beyond the fiber support member and bears against a reference surface of one of the alignment members (25). Clamping means (27) connected to the holder member forces the alignment pins against the reference surfaces of the alignment members. By making the reference surfaces in the alignment member of the requisite precision, one insures relative alignment of the fiber support members (11 ) with respect to each other.

Abstract: An apparatus for adjusting the alignment of the optical fibers at a high precision, formed by a base frame having a plurality of pairs of V-grooves for mounting the optical fibers at mutually facing sides of the base frame, each V-groove being defined by a fixed member and a movable member, each movable member being movable within a guide groove defined between each adjacent fixed members, and one of each pair of V-grooves on one of the mutually facing sides has the fixed member and the movable member facing against the movable member and the fixed member, respectively, of another one of each pair of V-grooves on another one of the mutually facing sides; and a plurality of piezoelectric elements, each of which is connected with each movable member of each V-groove, for causing each movable member to move within the guide groove such that a displacement of each movable member makes an adjustment of a position of an optical fiber mounted on each V-groove.

Abstract: An optical collimator array having an optical fiber array for aligning and fixing optical fibers, and a microlens array formed by arranging lenses integrally and connected to the optical fiber array with a predetermined distance, has a spacer for fixing the microlens array connected to said optical fiber array in such a manner that light axes at an end of the optical fibers in the optical fiber array are made coincident with those of said lenses in the microlens array.

Abstract: Fiber optic light displays are fabricated quickly and inexpensively according to a novel, low cost construction technique. Specifically, a plurality of fiber optic strands are drawn between a pair of spaced apart insert sections which have semicircular gaps designed to fit each of the fiber optic strands in a circular opening when the inserts are brought together. A bonding material is positioned between the insert sections and serves as a potting material for the fiber optic strands at the circular openings. After the fiber optic strands are installed and the inserts are bonded together, the ends of the fibers are cut flush with the insert display surface. The insert is then installed in a display, preferably by sliding the insert into a channeled receptacle. The fiber optic strands are collected together and directed out of the receptacle to a light source.

Abstract: An optical component mounting substrate which comprises grooves for holding optical fibers, other grooves for optical components being inserted and optical waveguides is produced with a press molding process. A mold having convex and/or concave surface profiles which are corresponding to the grooves and the optical waveguides to be formed on a surface of the optical component mounting substrate is used as a die in the press molding process. The surface profiles of the mold are precisely transferred onto the surface of a transparent glass base substrate, thereby forming the optical component mounting substrate having a desired surface configuration including the grooves and the optical waveguides. Optical fibers are aligned along the grooves and fixed by a light-curing adhesive.

Abstract: An optical connector for connecting optical fibers, comprises: a guide-groove substrate having grooves for positioning optical fibers and guide pins; an upper plate having groove portions each for covering the guide pins positioned in the guide grooves of the guide-groove substrate; elastic guide-pin pressing members each provided in the groove portions of the upper plate above portions where the guide pin grooves are in contact with the guide pins. In such a arrangement, it is preferable to forman oxide film on said V-grooves of the guide-groove substrate at least in the vicinity of contact points between the guide pins and the V-grooves. The optical connector further includes a resin molding portion for surrounding the substrate and the upper plate, the resin molding portion including a pair of opposite opened portions at top and bottom surfaces thereof.

Abstract: A fiber optic star and transmission assembly for transmitting optical signals from a plurality of input optic fibers to a plurality of output optic fibers. The assembly comprising a female connector body retaining and positioning a plurality of input and output optic fibers, a convergence connector body having a pair of central cavities with a semi-circular grooves, and wedge means having semi-circular recesses which is inserted in to the cavities to define passageways. The optic fibers are inserted through the passageways which guide the jacketed and stripped ends of the optic fibers into a linear slot at the forward end of the convergence connector. The female connector is slidably connected to the convergence connector. A ribbon retainer housing and a hollow cover means complete the star assembly.

Abstract: An inner, optical fiber core clamping ferrule has an optical fiber clamping portion for receipt in an outer ferrule and defining an axially extending through-passageway, an axial slit extending through the clamping portion divides the passageway into two opposed groove portions receiving a prepared end of an optical fiber extending along the through-passageway. The inner ferrule is force-fitted in the outer ferrule to extend co-axially therewith, with wall portions thereof maintaining the opposed walls of the spaced apart slit in open condition so that opposed walls of the groove portions are pressed into gripping engagement with the optical fiber. The opposed walls of the slit diverge as they extend radially outwardly away from the groove portions. The inner ferrule may be split for the entire length of the through passageway forming two halve hinged together at one end or have open slits formed in an otherwise imperforate tubular wall.

Abstract: A first optical fiber support member (30) is held in a first fixture (35) having a first alignment pin (40) extending therefrom perpendicularly to an optical fiber array (32) and also having a first alignment aperture (43). A second support member (31) is held in a second fixture (37) having a second alignment aperture (41) and a second alignment pin (42) extending therefrom perpendicularly to the optical fiber array. When the two support members are clamped on opposite sides of the optical fiber array, they are aligned by engaging the first alignment pin (40) with the second alignment aperture (41) and engaging the second alignment pin (42) with the first alignment aperture (43). With the support members clamped, fluid adhesive is applied through an aperture (61) to bond the support members (30, 31) and optical fiber array (32) together. The first and second support members (30, 31) are made of plastic and are made by plastic molding.

Abstract: A modular, multifiber connector comprising a plug and a receptacle whose outward appearance and installation is similar to a convention RJ45 jack for copper conductors. The plug includes a body having a surface with several fiber-receiving grooves, and the plug fibers terminate along an intermediate section of the grooves. The receptacle includes a housing having an opening, and a plate which is slidably mounted inside the housing. The plate is biased toward the opening and has several more fiber-receiving grooves. The receptacle fibers approach the plate at an oblique angle causing them to bend as they contact the grooves of the plate. When the plug is inserted into the opening, its forward end contacts the plate and pushes it back. As the plate retracts, the terminal portions of the fibers in the receptacle (which are not secured to the plate) become free to flex, and position themselves in the corresponding grooves of the plug.

Abstract: An optical fiber connector for splicing a plurality of optical fibers integrally, including V-groove substrates each comprising V-grooves for setting optical fibers therein. Further, positioning standard surfaces arranged in parallel with a V-groove forming direction are formed in the substrates to enable stacking of the substrates on the basis of the positioning standard surfaces.

Abstract: An optical/electrical connector including a molded base having a well and a plurality of grooves extending from the well to a first outer edge of the base and alignment guides associated with the grooves at the first outer edge. The base further having external electrical connections with first ends exposed and positioned in the well and second ends extending outwardly beyond a second outer edge of the base. An array of photonic components is positioned in the well and each aligned with a separate groove. The array is electrically coupled to the exposed first ends of the external electrical connections of the base. The grooves are filled with a plastic material to form optical waveguides from the optical ports to the first outer edge.

Abstract: A fiber optic connector attaches a fiber optic harness having a plurality of jacketed optic fibers to an optical device that has a flat rectangular contact surface. The connector comprises an outer member that has a plural number of non-linearly arrayed, grooves that receive individual jacketed optic fibers of the harness. An inner member wedge in the rear end of the outer member guides and holds individual jacketed optic fibers in the respective grooves. Each groove converges toward and communicates with a slot at the front end of the connector. The slot receives stripped end portions of the optic fibers and holds them in an abutting linear array for engagement with the flat rectangular contact surface of the optical device. The connector may also include latches for retaining the optic fibers individually and springs for biasing each individual optic fiber into engagement with the flat contact surface of the optic device.