The present disclosure relates to system and method for cleaning an end face of a bare optical fiber (100). The system and methods include inserting the end face of the bare optical fiber (100) through a layer of material (500) that includes electrospun fibers.

Aspects and techniques of the present disclosure relate to an alignment device that includes a groove-type alignment structure with a support region for receiving an optical fiber inserted along a fiber insertion axis. The optical fiber has a first side and a second, opposite side. The groove-type alignment structure engages the first side of the optical fiber. The alignment device includes a stabilization structure that engages the first side of the optical fiber and a first angled transition surface that engages the second, opposite side of the optical fiber. The present disclosure also relates to an alignment system that includes a first housing piece; a second housing piece adapted to mate with the first housing piece; and a flat structure positioned between the first and second housing pieces.

A system for connecting a fiber optic connector to a fiber optic adapter includes various alternative improvements, including improvements to the shutter, the alignment device, and the adapter in general.

A fiber optic connection system (10/182/252) includes a first connection component (12/166/184/194/202/230/254) terminating a first fiber optic cable (14), the first connection component (12/166/184/194/202/230/254) including a housing (24/170/214/244/260) defining a longitudinal axis, at least one fiber (20) of the first fiber optic cable (14) fixed axially to the housing (24/170/214/244/260). A first shutter (36/206/238) is slidably movable in a direction generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the housing (24/170/214/244/260), the first shutter (36/206/238) biased to a closed position to prevent exposure to the at least one fiber (20) of the first fiber optic cable (14). The first connection component (12/166/184/194/202/230/254) includes a second shutter (22/100/172/212/242/258) slidably movable in a direction generally parallel to the longitudinal axis, the second shutter (22/100/172/212/242/258) biased to a closed position to prevent the at least one fiber (20) from protruding from the first connection component (12/166/184/194/202/230/254).

Aspects and techniques of the present disclosure relate to an enclosure (10) including a housing, a volume of sealant (66) that defines a port (28) in communication with an interior of the housing, and a fiber optic connection module (32) including a sleeve that mounts within the port with the volume of sealant forming a seal about an exterior of the sleeve. The sleeve includes an inner end (34) adjacent the interior of the housing and an outer end (36) outside the housing. The fiber optic connection module also includes a demateable fiber optic connection interface adjacent the outer end of the sleeve. The demateable fiber optic connection interface includes a fiber optic connector. Other aspects of the present disclosure relate to fiber optic connection modules having features that make such modules suitable to be mounted within a port defined by a volume of sealant.

Embodiments herein describe a fiber array unit (FAU) configured to optically couple a photonic chip with a plurality of optical fibers. Epoxy can be used to bond the FAU to the photonic chip. However, curing the epoxy between the FAU and the photonic chip is difficult. As such, the FAU can include one or more optical windows etched into or completely through a non-transparent layer that overlap the epoxy disposed on the photonic chip. UV radiation can be emitted through the optical windows to cure the underlying epoxy. In one example, the windows can also be used for dispensing epoxy. In addition to the optical windows, the FAU can include alignment protrusions (e.g., frustums) which mate or interlock with respective alignment receivers in the photonic chip. Doing so may facilitate passive alignment of the optical fibers in the FAU to an optical interface in the photonic chip.

An optical apparatus for coupling an optical fiber to a waveguide is disclosed. The optical apparatus can comprise a funnel coupler having an orifice configured to receive an optical fiber. The funnel coupler can mechanically support the optical fiber when received in the orifice. The funnel coupler can guide the optical fiber to a coupling end of the funnel coupler and a waveguide disposed adjacent the coupling end of the funnel coupler. One or more of the funnel coupler or the waveguide can be configured to optically couple the optical fiber and the waveguide when the optical fiber is received in the orifice.

A fiber array unit (FAU) connector includes a support substrate having a rear-end section and an elevated front-end section. The front-end section has a top surface with fiber grooves that support bare glass sections of optical fibers, which have respective fiber end faces that reside at a front end face defined by the front-end section. Two alignment pins reside in parallel alignment pin channels on opposite sides of the fiber grooves. The alignment pin channels terminate at respective front-end recessed surfaces that are axially spaced from the front end face. The alignment pins extend from the alignment pin channels to be even with the front end face. A cover secured to the front-end section holds the bare glass sections of the optical fibers and the alignment pins in place. Alignment sleeves are used to establish pin-to-pin alignment of confronting FAU connectors.

Aspects and techniques of the present disclosure relate to an alignment device that includes a groove-type alignment structure with a support region for receiving an optical fiber inserted along a fiber insertion axis. The optical fiber has a first side and a second, opposite side. The groove-type alignment structure engages the first side of the optical fiber. The alignment device includes a stabilization structure that engages the first side of the optical fiber and a first angled transition surface that engages the second, opposite side of the optical fiber. The present disclosure also relates to an alignment system that includes a first housing piece; a second housing piece adapted to mate with the first housing piece; and a flat structure positioned between the first and second housing pieces.

A fiber alignment device is provided that includes a curable refractive index-matching gel that exhibits self-cleaning and self-healing characteristics upon multiple cycles of insertion and removal of an optical fiber.