The disclosure describes a method for assembling an optical coupler, the method may include (a) inserting optical fibers of an array of optical fibers through an array of openings of a mount of the optical coupler so that tips of the optical fibers pass through the array of openings of the mount and reach an adaptor; wherein the array of openings of the mount exhibit a first positioning accuracy; (b) using the adaptor to position the tips of the optical fibers at predefined locations, at a second positioning accuracy that is higher than the first positioning accuracy; (c) fixing the tips of the optical fibers to the mount while maintaining the tips of the optical fibers at the predefined locations; and (d) detaching the mount from the adaptor.

Waveguide connectors include a ferrule having first alignment features. A polymer waveguide has one or more a topclad portions, each with a waveguide core, second alignment features fastened to the first alignment features, and underclad portion that is thicker than the one or more topclad portions. The polymer waveguide has a higher coefficient of thermal expansion than the ferrule and is fastened to the ferrule under tension.

A fiber optic ferrule assembly is provided, which comprises a ferrule and an optical fiber received in the ferrule. The ferrule and the optical fiber are directly joined together, so as to fix the optical fiber in the ferrule. At least a part of the ferrule is directly over-molded on the optical fiber by injection molding or shrunk on the optical fiber. In the embodiments of the present invention, the ferrule is directly over-molded or shrunk on the optical fiber, so that the ferrule and the optical fiber are directly joined together. As a result, the optical fiber is stably fixed in the ferrule.

A fiber structural body includes a first fiber, and a second fiber spliced to the first fiber such that light having propagated through the first fiber propagates through the second fiber. At least one of the fibers is a photonic crystal fiber. The second fiber is coated with a first coating layer and a second coating layer in order from a splice surface, and the first coating layer has a refractive index n.sub.1 larger than that of a clad layer of the second fiber. In the fiber structural body, L, r, n.sub.1, and NA satisfy a particular relationship.

A ferrule-based fiber optic connectors having a connector assembly with a ferrule having an integral ferrule insertion stop for limiting the insertion of the ferrule into a ferrule sleeve are disclosed. In one embodiment, the fiber optic connector comprising a connector assembly, a connector sleeve assembly and a female coupling housing. The connector assembly comprises a ferrule and a resilient member for biasing the ferrule forward and the connector sleeve assembly comprises a housing and a ferrule sleeve, where the ferrule of the connector assembly is at least partially disposed in the ferrule sleeve when assembled. The ferrule has an integral ferrule insertion stop that limits the depth that the ferrule may be inserted into the ferrule sleeve.

Aspects and techniques of the present disclosure relates to an improved process for easily securing an optical fiber within a ferrule of a fiber optic connector which negates the use of epoxies or adhesives. The present disclosure further relates to a method for anchoring an optical fiber in a connector of the kind described, where a solvent agent is used rather than epoxies or adhesives.

A unitary multi-fiber ferrule has micro-holes for optical fibers, an optical stop plane for the optical fibers, and a plurality of lenses disposed adjacent the front end, each of the plurality of lenses optically aligned with one of the micro-holes and exposed to air. Multiple rows of optical fibers and lenses may also be used in the unitary multi-fiber ferrule. The unitary multi-fiber ferrule requires less processing and equipment than other current optical ferrules.

An optical connector assembly (100) includes a housing (110), an optical ferrule (140); and an optical fiber array (150). The housing (110) has a mating end (111) and an opposite cable end (112) and includes: a first housing portion (120) including a front support (122) proximate the mating end (111) and a rear support (124) disposed between the front support (122) and the cable end (112); and a second housing portion (130) assembled to the first housing portion (120) and including a middle support (133) disposed between the front and rear supports (122,124). The ferrule (140) is supported by the front support (122). Front ends of optical fibers of the optical fiber array (150) are received by and attached to an attachment area of the ferrule (140). When the second housing portion (130) is assembled to the first housing portion (120), the middle support (133) of the second housing portion (130) contacts and bends the optical fiber array (150) about the middle support (133). The bend causes the optical ferrule (140) to rotate about the front support (122).

The present disclosure relates to a process by which an optical fiber is terminated with a ferrule to form an optical fiber connector assembly. The ferrule is heated at a heating temperature whereby the ferrule bore (and ferrule microhole) expands. The optical fiber is then inserted into the ferrule microhole. The ferrule then contracts when heat is no longer applied resulting in an interference fit between the optical fiber and the ferrule microhole based on the dimensions of the optical fiber and the ferrule microhole. The interference fit yields certain optical fiber characteristics within the optical fiber connector assembly. The present disclosure also relates to an optical fiber having an outer cladding comprising titania-doped silica and the resulting optical fiber characteristics.

The present disclosure relates to a multi-fiber optical ferrule that includes a protrusion on the ferrule end face that surrounds and encompasses ferrule microholes on the ferrule end face. The protrusion is shaped and is deformable upon contact with a contact target such that alignment of optical fibers within the ferrule can be controlled. Stated another way, the protrusion enables precision control of the fiber position relative to the ferrule end face.