A ferrule is provided, the fiber is inserted into a through hole axially disposed in the ferrule body, a first end of the fiber is located inside the through hole, a vertical distance between an end face of the first end of the fiber and a plane on which a connection end face of the ferrule body is located is a first preset distance, and the first preset distance is a distance that can leave a gap between a fiber of the ferrule and a fiber of another ferrule after the ferrule abuts the another ferrule.

An optical connection structure including first optical fibers, second optical fibers, a first optical connector, and a second optical connector is disclosed. The first optical connector is configured such that each of first distal end portions of the first optical fibers protrudes from a first front end surface to the outside when the first optical connector and the second optical connector are connected to each other. Each of the first distal end portions is inserted into a corresponding second fiber hole of the second optical connector. The second optical connector is configured such that each of second distal end portions of the second optical fibers is moved rearward inside second fiber holes due to each of the first distal end portions respectively inserted into the second fiber holes. The first optical fibers and the second optical fibers are optically coupled to each other inside the second fiber holes.

A factory processed and assembled optical fiber arrangement is configured to pass through tight, tortuous spaces when routed to a demarcation point. A connector housing attaches to the optical fiber arrangement at the demarcation point (or after leaving the tight, tortuous spaces) to form a connectorized end of the optical fiber. A fiber tip is protected before leaving the factory until connection is desired.

One or more cables are axially, laterally, and/or rotationally secured to an anchor member. A plug connector can be assembled to or around the anchor member. The anchor member also can be used to handle the cable prior to assembling the plug connector. A connectorization system for assembling plug connectors includes multiple types/sizes of cables; optionally types/sizes of plug bodies; and the anchor member sized and shaped to connect a selected one of any of the cables with any of the plug bodies of the connectorization system.

A receptacle connector comprises a receptacle ferrule, and a receptacle housing including a cavity housing the receptacle ferrule and a cavity housing a plug connector. The receptacle ferrule includes an optical coupling surface (front surface). An opening area of the cavity on a cross section vertical to an inserting direction of the plug connector to the receptacle housing is smaller than an opening area of the cavity on the cross section vertical to the inserting direction. In a second state after being optically coupled, the optical coupling surface (front surface) is positioned inside the cavity.

Optical connectors and optical couplings for fiber-to-chip optical connections are disclosed. In one embodiment, an optical connector includes a ferrule body having a surface, an optical interface disposed within the surface. The optical interface is recessed with respect to the surface by an offset distance, and at least one fiber bore through the ferrule body and terminating at the optical interface. The optical connector further includes at least one optical fiber disposed within the at least one fiber bore such that the optical fiber protrudes beyond a surface of the optical interface. In another embodiment, a compliant material is disposed on a ferrule surface of a ferrule body such that one or more optical fibers pass through the compliant material and protrude beyond a surface of the compliant material. A clamp may also be provided to clamp the optical connector to a substrate.

A fiber optic connector (20) including a ferrule (42) having a front end (48) and a rear end (50). The ferrule (42) defines an axial bore (46) that extends through the ferrule (42) between the front end (48) and the rear end (50). The ferrule (42) includes a ferrule axis (64) that extends along the axial bore (46). The fiber optic connector (20) includes an optical fiber (62) positioned within the axial bore (46) that is movable relative to the ferrule (42) within the axial bore (46) along the ferrule axis (64). The optical fiber (62) has fiber end face (63) that has been energy treated to round the fiber end face (63). A fiber alignment structure (66) can be attached at a front ferrule end face (54) of the ferrule (42). A camera can be used to position a fiber end face (63) of the optical fiber (62) relative to the front ferrule end face (54) of the ferrule (42).

A process for polishing the end face of a plastic optical fiber (POF) to produce a mirror smooth surface without any defect. Smooth POF end faces reduce the optical coupling loss when two plastic optical fibers are connected. The polishing process can be used to produce POF end faces which are recessed relative to the adjacent end face of a ferrule surrounding the fiber. When the ends of two ferrules are inserted in a connector designed to align the end faces of the ferrules while allowing those end faces to abut each other, the confronting recessed POF end faces will be separated by an air gap.

A protective assembly method using a transparent layer within the fiber interconnect system aids in optical coupling by preventing an air gap from forming between the fiber cores within a connector. A thin transparent film (or with adhesive) is placed over the fiber end-faces at the connector interface, the film having characteristics which allows it to conform to the fiber end and minimize coupling loss between fibers. The film is sized to fit connectors faces and can be temporary, being replaced with each installation. A coating can also applied to the connector surface, providing a similar effect, as well as structurally enhancing the connector surfaces.

An optical fiber connector component that is useful for joining and connecting fiber cables, particularly in the field. A joinder component includes a fiber ferrule coaxially housing a short section of optical fiber with a rearward flanged sleeve that allows the fiber to extend through it. Rearwardly the flanged sleeve extends into a connector body where a fusion splice of the fiber section to the main fiber cable is hidden. Forwardly, the fiber facet and ferrule have anti-reflection coatings and are configured so that the fiber has an output facet recessed slightly relative to the forward polished end surface of the ferrule so that when two ferrule end surfaces are brought together in an adapter, respective fiber facets are slightly spaced apart thereby avoiding wear on fiber facets due to physical contact, yet having good optical communication.