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: An optical module including a substrate having a groove; an optical waveguide layer formed on the substrate, the optical waveguide layer including an optical waveguide core having first and second ends, the first end being aligned with the groove, and an optical waveguide cladding covering the optical waveguide core; a ferrule having a through hole; and an optical fiber inserted and fixed in the through hole. The ferrule has a flat cut portion for semicylindrically exposing a part of the optical fiber inserted and fixed in the through hole. The ferrule is fixed at the flat cut portion to the substrate so that the part of the optical fiber exposed to the flat cut portion is inserted into the groove of the substrate until one end of the optical fiber abuts against the first end of the optical waveguide core.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a device having at least one exposed region. First and second metal seals bond and/or secure with, and surround, the exposed region of the device. An enclosure seals the device between the first and second metal seals. The enclosure has a first substrate and a second substrate, each with end surfaces including a deformable metal layer. The deformable metal layer seals the corresponding surfaces in response to the application of a compressive force and/or energy to the first and second substrates. The enclosure may be constructed to include a cavity, and/or constructed of relative short length. The enclosure may be used to secure to a portion of an optical fiber, fiber optic device and/or device, and/or may be used to encase a portion or all of an optical fiber, fiber optic device and/or device.

Abstract: An optical module including a substrate having a groove; an optical waveguide layer formed on the substrate, the optical waveguide layer including an optical waveguide core having first and second ends, the first end being aligned with the groove, and an optical waveguide cladding covering the optical waveguide core; a ferrule having a through hole; and an optical fiber inserted and fixed in the through hole. The ferrule has a flat cut portion for semicylindrically exposing a part of the optical fiber inserted and fixed in the through hole. The ferrule is fixed at the flat cut portion to the substrate so that the part of the optical fiber exposed to the flat cut portion is inserted into the groove of the substrate until one end of the optical fiber abuts against the first end of the optical waveguide core.

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 hermaphroditic fiber optic termination device including a plug insert removably insertable into a front of a housing. The housing having locking holes. The plug insert formed so as to receive ferrules surrounding terminal ends of the optical fibers. The plug insert having spring latches, where each spring latches has a nub. The nub feature being designed so as to spring into the locking holes of the housing.

Abstract: A fiber optic module includes front adapters for connection to fiber optic connectors, and rear adapters for connection to fiber optic connectors. The module includes two circuits having passive optical couplers inside, and adapters exposed along the front and the rear of the module. The module is usable in cross-connect applications with itself or with other modules. The adapters are selectively connectable to fiber optic connectors. The front adapters of the module include two receive input ports and two transmit output ports. The front of the module also includes two visual indicators, one for each circuit. The visual indicators include a lens cap at least partially transparent to visual light in light communication with an optical fiber. The rear adapters of the module include two transmit input ports and two transmit output ports. Monitor ports are also located on the rear for both the transmit and receive signals.

Abstract: An optical connector comprises a housing having a ferrule holding portion for holding a ferrule to be connected to an optical fiber, wherein said ferrule is equipped with a split sleeve for implementing an alignment with a ferrule of a mate connector, and said ferrule holding portion has a ferrule holding through passage which allows said ferrule to be received along the direction of ferrule diameter, allows said split sleeve to be inserted along the axial direction of said sleeve, and allows said ferrule to be installed into and held to said housing.

Abstract: A universal optical fiber connector comprises a ferrule for supporting an optical fiber and having an axis extending in an axial direction of the ferrule, a biasing member comprised of a synthetic elastic material for biasing the ferrule in the axial direction, and a securing member for securing the biasing member between the securing member and the ferrule. A connecting member is adapted to receive the ferrule for connection to another ferrule through the connecting member.

Abstract: The invention is an optical assembly which includes at least two optical fibers, each having a coated portion and a bare portion at one end. A spacer is placed between coated portions of the fibers so as to produce a gradual bending of the bare portions and thereby reducing stress on the bare portions.

Abstract: An optical connector is disclosed which includes self-closing shutters to protect the optical contacts from environmental contamination when male and female portions of the connector are disconnected. The optical connector is comprised of male and female portions having means for permitting interconnection while the male and female portions are slightly axially misaligned. Male and female portions of the optical connector each contain one or more spring loaded optical contacts protected by a shutter mechanism and having a body with a spring loaded shutter cap and a shutter disk. The shutter disk contains two apertures which can be made to align with two apertures in the cap of the shutter when the shutter is rotated to an open position. The optical contacts contained in each portion of the optical connector are exposed for interconnection when the male and female portions of the optical connector are joined together.

Abstract: Substrates that are moisture-sensitive and/or corrosion-sensitive, such as electrical components found in fiber optic cables, copper wires, terminal blocks, connections and junctions, are protected from moisture and/or corrosion with a protectant composition that includes a polyamide gelling agent, a gelled solvent, and optionally a bleeding agent. The electrical components are typically contacted with the protective composition to protect the sensitive component from moisture and/or corrosion.

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: A fiber optic connector including a holder for one ore more optical cables, each optical cable having an optical fiber surrounded by strengthening fibers, both of which are surrounded by at least one polymeric coating layer. The cable is stripped in a layerwise manner such that an area of exposed fiber is succeeded by an area of exposed strengthening fibers, succeeded by an area of coated cable. A visible light curable adhesive is injected into the holder and cured by exposure to visible light for up to about 30 seconds, bonding the optical fiber layers and the holder into a unified structure.

Abstract: A fiber optic connector including a holder for one ore more optical cables, each optical cable having an optical fiber surrounded by strengthening fibers, both of which are surrounded by at least one polymeric coating layer. The cable is stripped in a layerwise manner such that an area of exposed fiber is succeeded by an area of exposed strengthening fibers, succeeded by an area of coated cable. A visible light curable adhesive is injected into the holder and cured by exposure to visible light for up to about 30 seconds, bonding the optical fiber layers and the holder into a unified structure.

Abstract: A connection system includes a connector plug for fiber optic cables. The connector plug has a subassembly comprising a ferrule and a seal sleeve that are attached to a fiber optic cable by one or two crimp rings. One crimp ring fits around an extension of the seal sleeve that fits over a collar of the ferrule. A second connector for fiber optic cables has a subassembly comprising a ferrule and a coil spring that are attached to a fiber optic cable by an attachment member that engages the coil spring at one end and is crimped to the fiber optic cable at the other end.

Abstract: An optical part packaging method and a collimator assembly method are provided. In the method for packaging an optical part having collimators which convert light emitted from a fine light source to a parallel light, and focus the transmitted parallel light, optical devices are bonded in the collimators by a conductive adhesive to increase the adhesiveness between the optical devices and the tensile strength of the optical devices. Then, the collimators are aligned in both sides of the optical part, a first housing, integrally formed, is bonded around the collimators by soldering to protect the optical devices and bond the collimators, and a second housing is bonded around the first housing by a waterproof and vibroisolating material to increase the mechanical strength of the first housing. Finally, protection tubes are bonded to the respective collimators by epoxy sealing to protect the ends of optical fibers in the collimators.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a malleable ferrule or connector that is impact mounted to an optical fiber at both its forward end and its rearward end. The mounting is accomplished utilizing an impact driver device and a shaped rearward stationary anvil. A tubular ferrule is placed upon an optical fiber and positioned within a mounting device such that the rearward end of the ferrule butts against the stationary rear anvil. An impact driver is then pressed against the forward end of the ferrule to deliver a mechanical impact that simultaneously deforms both the forward end and the rearward end of the ferrule to simultaneously mechanically deform both ends of the ferrule. The ferrule is thereupon mechanically engaged to the optical fiber at both ends, and the excess fiber projecting from the front end is then removed.

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 at least partially flexible connector assembly includes a slack storage tube connected to the first end of a fiber optic cable for loosely storing excess lengths of the optical fibers. The slack storage tube is typically at least partially flexible. By including a flexible slack storage tube, the connector assembly can be readily flexed, such as during installations of the fiber optic cable in which the end portion of the fiber optic cable must be bent relatively sharply. However, the slack storage tube does generally include crush resistance means for supporting the slack storage tube as the connector assembly is flexed such that the longitudinal bore defined by the slack storage tube remains open. The crush resistance means can include a wire helically wound about the slack storage tube. Alternatively, the slack storage tube can be a corrugated tube.

Abstract: The receptacle includes a rotatable coupling nut for engaging an externally threaded fiber optic connector assembly or plug which is mounted upon the end portion of a fiber optic cable. As such, the cross-sectional dimensions of the fiber optic connector assembly can be significantly decreased, thereby permitting the fiber optic cable to be pulled through much smaller ducts or passageways. The receptacle also includes a receptacle body adapted to be mounted in a fixed position, such as to a sidewall of an enclosure. The coupling nut cooperably engages the receptacle body such that the coupling nut is free to rotate relative to the receptacle body even though the longitudinal movement of the coupling nut relative to the receptacle body is limited.

Abstract: A method for connectorizing fiber optic cables includes arranging a plurality of connectorized optical fiber jumpers having first and second opposed ends, such that the first end of each jumper is in parallel alignment with respect to the first end of each other jumper. Each of the second ends of the jumpers have a fiber optic connector disposed thereon. The first ends of the jumpers are then spliced onto a corresponding plurality of first ends of optical fibers of a fiber optic cable. Each of the first ends of the optical fibers of the fiber optic cable are also arranged in parallel alignment with respect to each other optical fiber so that the first ends of the optical fiber jumpers are axially aligned in an end-to-end relationship with the corresponding first ends of the optical fibers of the fiber optic cable. A jumper insert which has a tapered channel and a jumper seat which has a plurality of lengthwise extending bores which are provided to assist in arranging the jumpers in parallel alignment.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an optical connector and assembly method thereof to provide easier, faster and more stable coupling characteristics without fusion connection nor end-face polishing procedures at job sites. The optical connector includes a ferrule formed of a cylindrical body having a channel along a center axis thereof, the ferrule intermediate section having a cut-away portion, the ferrule with a built-in optical fiber projecting into the cut-away portion; a support member existing within the cut-away portion for maintaining a contact section between the built-in optical fiber and the optical fiber inserted from the backward section; and a locking member for holding together the intermediate section and the support member from the outer periphery of the intermediate section.

Abstract: An optical connector that can stably connect even a tension-resistant jacket-covered optical fiber cord is provided. In an optical connector, which includes an optical connector plug 10 having a ferrule 14 holding an optical fiber and a housing 16 accommodating the ferrule, and an adapter connecting the optical connector plugs; the optical fiber is an optical fiber cord 12 in which at least the jacket carries tension, a secondary coated optical fiber (120) and the jacket (123) carrying the tension of the optical fiber cord 12 are secured to the ferrule 14, and the ferrule 14 is immovably mounted to the housing 16.

Abstract: An optical fiber connector comprises a first tubular body having a passageway extending generally longitudinally therethrough for receiving an optical fiber, a first end for connection to an adaptor and being polished into a tilted convex surface, and a second end. A second tubular body has a passageway extending generally longitudinally therethrough in substantial coaxial alignment with the passageway of the first tubular body for receiving the second end of the first tubular body. A positioning device integral with the second tubular body is provided for positioning a tilt direction of the tilted convex surface of the first tubular body in a predetermined registered position when the first end of the first tubular body is connected to the adaptor.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a malleable ferrule or connector that is impact mounted to an optical fiber at both its forward end and its rearward end. The mounting is accomplished utilizing an impact driver device and a shaped rearward stationary anvil. A tubular ferrule is placed upon an optical fiber and positioned within a mounting device such that the rearward end of the ferrule butts against the stationary rear anvil. An impact driver is then pressed against the forward end of the ferrule to deliver a mechanical impact that simultaneously deforms both the forward end and the rearward end of the ferrule to simultaneously mechanically deform both ends of the ferrule. The ferrule is thereupon mechanically engaged to the optical fiber at both ends, and the excess fiber projecting from the front end is then removed.

Abstract: A generator comprises a lamp (1), an optical unit (2-3) which concentrates the light around an axial image point (5), a ferrule for an optical-fiber bundle, comprising a cylindrical part (7) which, on the one hand, retains the end of the optical-fiber bundle and, on the other hand, surrounds a transparent rod (12) which is brought into contact with the end of the optical-fiber bundle. The end of the transparent rod (12) facing the optical unit and the lamp has a concave surface, the axial image point (5) around which said optical unit concentrates the light is a virtual image point situated inside said rod, and the end of the fiber bundle (6) is polished and brought into contact with the transparent rod (12) by any suitable mechanical means.

Abstract: The modular optical fiber connector includes a ferrule body with a ferrule attached to the front end and a buffer back post extending from the rear end. The ferrule body is permitted to move longitudinally relative to an insert which receives the ferrule and engages the front end of the ferrule body but is restrained against rotation. A coil spring is installed onto the buffer back post of the ferrule body, and engages a connector body that is utilized to internally hold the ferrule body, the insert and the coil spring. A connector nut is a hollow component that has a limiter on the interior wall. The ferrule body and insert in the connector body are inserted into one end of the connector nut and a fastening ring is inserted into the other end of the connector nut, and onto the connector body which is permitted to have longitudinal movement relative to the connector nut within a limited range.

Abstract: An optical connector has a ferrule for accommodating an optical fiber. The ferrule includes a glass capillary and a coating. The glass capillary is formed at the distal end portion of the ferrule and is inserted in a ceramic sleeve that performs optical connection. The glass cylinder has a first through hole at the central axis portion thereof to accommodate a bare optical fiber. The coating is made of a material having a higher hardness than that of the sleeve, and coats an entire outer circumferential surface of the glass capillary. A method of manufacturing an optical connector is also disclosed.

Abstract: The illuminator of the invention takes relatively coherent light exiting from a fiber optic cable and spreads it in an even manner over a wide viewing area of an eye retina, and by securing a transparent ball to face the light output of the fiber optic cable with an air gap in-between, thus allowing a large light index differential between the fiber material and the light refracting material while having the second surface of the ball immersed in vitreous eye fluid.

Abstract: A ferrule includes a cylindrical ceramic main body and a metal or plastic back body mated to an end of the ceramic main body. The cylindrical ceramic main body has an axial bore adapted for holding an optical fiber core in fixed relation to the cylindrical ceramic main body. The metal or plastic back body has an axial, central opening adapted for holding a jacketed portion of an optical fiber which terminates through a stepped or sloped end to a smaller axial, central opening adapted for holding an optical fiber core. At the interface between the cylindrical ceramic main body and the metal or plastic back body, the cylindrical ceramic main body has a substantially planar face and a curving central portion that joins the planar face to the axial bore of the cylindrical ceramic body.

Abstract: A ferrule for an optical fiber connector has a cylindrical sleeve or body (1) and a capillary (3) received in the sleeve 1. The sleeve (1) has thereinside a fiber holding portion (2a) adjoining one end of the sleeve (1) and for holding a built-in optical fiber (4), a capillary holding portion (2b) next to the fiber holding portion (2a), and a fiber inserting portion (2c) next to the capillary holding portion (2b) and for inserting an optical fiber (6). The fiber holding portion (2a) and the fiber inserting portion (2c) have the smallest diameter and the largest diameter, respectively. The diameter of the capillary holding portion (2b) is substantially equal to the outside diameter of the capillary 3. The axis of the fiber holding portion (2a) is accurately coincident with the axis of the sleeve (1). The capillary (3) is held in the capillary holding portion (2b) while the fiber (4) extends over the fiber holding portion (2a) and a through bore formed in the capillary 3.

Abstract: A fiber optic connector includes a ferrule assembly in which the ferrule is mounted in a barrel member having a first bore therein for containing a buffered fiber and a second, larger bore for containing any excess epoxy introduced during connectoriziation. The first and second bores are connected by a tapered section. A cable retaining member has a first, cup-shaped end which surrounds the barrel member, a first bore and a second smaller bore which has a diameter greater than the diameter of the buffered fiber to permit the buffered fiber to bend. The end of the retention member remote from the cup-shaped end has a tapered opening leading into the second bore.

Abstract: This invention is related to a fiber optic connector 10 including a precision ferrule 12 that is mounted in a machined tubular housing 40. An overmolded collar 70 secures the ferrule 12 to the housing 40 without the use of adhesives. Protruding lobes 26 on the ferrule 12 are received in a housing counterbore section 46 and the collar body 72 is molded around these lobes 26 to secure the ferrule against translation and rotation. The overmolded collar body 72 also engages a knurled surface 52 on the exterior of the tubular housing 40. The overmolded version of this connector 10 can be used with an epoxyless optical fiber termination. A press fit connector 110 is also disclosed.

Abstract: In an optical waveguide tube comprising a tubular cladding filled with a solid core having a higher refractive index than the cladding, a light transmissive window member is disposed in close contact with at least the end face of the core on a light incident side for protecting the core end face from thermal influence and contamination. Means disposed around the cladding and the window member for securing the window member to the cladding may be a tape wrapped around them or a heat shrinkable sleeve or a ferrule. Alternatively, a ferrule surrounding the outer periphery of the cladding at each end is fastened for securing the cladding to the core at each end for preventing the core from projecting out of the cladding. The ferrule may have a collar disposed in abutment with the core end face.

Abstract: An improved connector mechanism having a connector coupling nut of a cylindrical tubular configuration with a bore extending therethrough. In one embodiment, the coupling nut has camming slots which align with bayonet pins on the mating adapter serving to draw the connector inwardly to the adapter upon rotation of the coupling nut. A detent window at the end of each camming slot engages and retains the bayonet pins driven slidingly along the camming slots during rotation. A resilient spring member provides stability between the end of the adapter and the internal bore of the coupling nut at the completion of the coupling operation. Variations of spring arrangements force the cylindrical fiber optic terminus, located axially centered within the coupling sleeve, forward to assure pressured abutment with a like mating terminus located opposite at the other end of the adapter.

Abstract: A connector 20 for terminating an optical fiber 31 includes a one-piece molded plastic housing 200 having an exterior latch 220 that secures the housing to an associated receptacle 60. The latch is constructed as a cantilever with its fixed end positioned toward a front end of the housing. The housing includes an axial bore 205 for receiving an end portion of the optical fiber into its interior. This passageway extends longitudinally from a back end of the housing toward its front end, and is about half the length of the housing. The connector further includes a cylindrical structure 140-2 which extends longitudinally from a midpoint of the housing toward its front end. The cylindrical structure also includes an axial passageway 145 for receiving the end portion of the optical fiber, and is positioned within the housing such that the passageways are collinear and communicate with each other. Most importantly, the cylindrical structure is rigidly held within the housing and avoids the use of a spring.

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: 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: An alignment and lighting system aligns and lights an optical fiber termination so that an inspection system can measure the eccentricity of an optical fiber core relative to the termination. The inspection system has an imaging system comprising a feature imager and one or more boundary segment imagers but preferably four in number, a machine vision system connected to the imaging system, and an alignment and lighting system for aligning the termination with the imaging system and lighting the termination without having to launch light therethrough. The feature imager is positioned to capture an image of the fiber core endface, and the one or more boundary segment imagers are positioned to capture an image of a corresponding boundary segment of the termination endface. The machine vision system determines the offset, or eccentricity, based upon the feature image and the one or more boundary segment images. The alignment and lighting system includes an alignment apparatus and a unique lighting scheme.

Abstract: An optical fiber cable includes a central strength member 11 surrounded by a plurality of optical fiber containing tubes 20, the central strength member and tubes being encircled by a sheath 35. The optical fiber containing tubes have a generally frustum or truncated isosceles triangular shaped profile with the base 22 of the triangular shape having a curvature corresponding to the inside surface of the cable sheath and a top 24 (truncated edge or corner) of the triangle opposite and generally parallel to the base having a curvature corresponding to the outside diameter of the central strength member, the plurality of tubes being positioned adjacent to one another in a pie shape to thereby form a central channel within the cable for the central strength member. The truncated isosceles triangular shape of the tubes have a larger cross-sectional area within the tubes for carrying optical fiber cables. Additionally, the shape of the tubes provides improved resistance to compression of the cable.

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: A device for use in the rotational alignment of non symmetrical articles, such as non-cylindrically symmetrical optical elements which transmit and/or emit polarized light. In one embodiment, the current invention provides an optical fiber connector assembly which utilizes internal asymmetrical alignment features to optimize the rotational alignment of the polarization axes of an optical fiber element with respect to a rotational orientation-indicating reference on the connector.

Abstract: An optical fibre termination which reduces the effect of reflections from the transfer face. The transfer face is skewed to the axis of the termination so that reflections are not propagated along the external path. The transfer face is also skewed to the core direction so that refraction makes the eternal path parallel to, and preferably co-incident with, the axis.

Abstract: A capillary for an optical fiber connector which is low in machining cost and a process for producing the same is provided. The capillary for an optical fiber connector of the present invention comprises a cylindrical ceramics sintered body, and having a straight-hole like narrow hole 3 with a slightly larger inner diameter than an outer diameter of the optical fiber bare line for passing the bare line of the optical fiber therethrough, and a tip surface for connection at which the narrow hole opens; and an inner surface of the narrow hole being substantially a sintered surface. Therefore, a number of steps of grinding of the inner surface of the narrow hole is markedly reduced thin the conventional capillary for an optical fiber connector so that production cost can be reduced to a low amount.

Abstract: The inventive optical fiber connector comprises a glass ferrule that is strengthened by etching of the outer surface of the ferrule, followed by deposition thereon of a protective layer. Exemplarily, the ferrule is a vitreous silica ferrule drawn from a preform that was made by a sol-gel process. The ferrule is etched in buffered HF, and the protective layer is electroless deposited Ni, with a thin layer of Au thereon. Significant strength increases, exceeding 200%, are obtainable, with the strength being relatively unchanged after even a severe abrasion test.

Abstract: An optical connector ferrule is provided having an standard single mode optical fiber therein whose mode field diameter is approximately 10 .mu.m along its length. An end portion and the end face of the optical fiber are heated to thermally expanded the mode field diameter to approximately 20 .mu.m or greater for reducing power density at the end face. By providing an expanded mode field diameter at the end face of the fiber, the power density is lessened, thereby lessening the probability that any dirt or debris at the end face will become heated sufficiently to damage the optical fiber.

Abstract: A multiple position fiber optic receptacle comprises a first receptacle member (1) joined to a second receptacle member (3). Captivated within and between the first and second receptacle members (1,3) is a coupling mechanism (17), an alignment sleeve (5), and a floating bottleneck (6). The floating bottleneck (6) permits independent adjustments of each alignment sleeve (5) relative to a ferrule to minimize the insertion force associated with ferrule to alignment sleeve misalignment. In an alternate embodiment, a floating bottleneck is removable permitting repair of the receptacle.

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.