A ferrule holds end portions of optical fibers and includes: a plurality of optical fiber holes arranged in a predetermined direction, wherein the optical fibers are inserted into the plurality of optical fiber holes; and an adhesive-filling section that is filled with an adhesive and internally includes an opening surface of the plurality of optical fiber holes and an opposed surface opposed to the opening surface. The adhesive-filling section includes an upper side opening and a lower side opening, the upper side opening opens on a top surface that is a surface on a side from which the adhesive is filled, and the lower side opening opens on a lower surface that is a surface on a side opposite to the top surface.

An optical-fiber-attached ferrule includes: an optical fiber hole into which an optical fiber is inserted; and a filling section filled with a liquid refractive index-matching material. The filling section internally includes an opening surface of the optical fiber hole and an opposed surface that is opposed to the opening surface, and the filling section is filled with the liquid refractive index-matching material while an end surface of the optical fiber inserted into the optical fiber hole abuts with the opposed surface

A fiber optic connector includes a ferrule having a mating end and an insertion end and a ferrule holder having a first end portion in which the ferrule is received and a second end portion opposite the first end portion. The first end portion defines a first bore having a first bore width for receiving the ferrule. Additionally, the first end portion defines a bore surface and at least one groove formed in the bore surface. The at least one groove extends from where the insertion end of the ferrule is located within the first bore to a front face of the ferrule holder. Ridges are formed around the first bore because the at least one groove also extends in a circumferential direction. The ridges contact the ferrule and are deflected by the ferrule in a direction toward the insertion end of the ferrule.

A self-cleaning optical fiber connector system for ensuring dust or contaminants are cleared from an optical connection interface is disclosed. In one aspect, the optical fiber connector system includes a connector joining first and second connectors. The adapter has a main body defining a central opening within which the connectors are received. The connectors each include a fiber optic cable secured by a ferrule. In one aspect, the ferrule defines an airflow passageway that narrows between a second opening and a first opening proximate an end face of the cable optical core and cladding. The connectors are constructed such that, as each connector is being inserted into the connector, an air flow is generated through the ferrule airflow passageway, and optionally through an exhaust airflow passageway in the connector. The generated airflow clears debris from the exposed end faces. Electrostatic precipitation may also be used to aid in clearing dust and debris, alone or in combination with air flow effects.

A dust cap for use with a fiber optic connector. The connector has a ferrule comprising an optical fiber. The ferrule has an end portion that includes an end surface of the optical fiber through which optical signals are transmitted. The dust cap includes a cover and wiping material. The cover is removably positionable over the end portion of the ferrule. The wiping material is positioned at least partially inside the cover. The wiping material may be adjacent the end surface of the optical fiber when the cover is positioned over the end portion of the ferrule. The wiping material may be wiped across the end surface of the optical fiber when the cover is positioned over the end portion of the ferrule. The wiping material may be moveable with respect to the end surface of the optical fiber and may wipe thereacross when moved.

A ferrule holds end portions of optical fibers and includes: a plurality of optical fiber holes arranged in a predetermined direction, wherein the optical fibers are inserted into the plurality of optical fiber holes; and an adhesive-filling section that is filled with an adhesive and internally includes an opening surface of the plurality of optical fiber holes and an opposed surface opposed to the opening surface. The adhesive-filling section includes an upper side opening and a lower side opening, the upper side opening opens on a top surface that is a surface on a side from which the adhesive is filled, and the lower side opening opens on a lower surface that is a surface on a side opposite to the top surface.

An optical-fiber-attached ferrule includes: an optical fiber hole into which an optical fiber is inserted; and a filling section filled with a liquid refractive index-matching material. The filling section internally includes an opening surface of the optical fiber hole and an opposed surface that is opposed to the opening surface, and the filling section is filled with the liquid refractive index-matching material while an end surface of the optical fiber inserted into the optical fiber hole abuts with the opposed surface

A self-cleaning optical fiber connector system for ensuring dust or contaminants are cleared from an optical connection interface is disclosed. In one aspect, the optical fiber connector system includes a connector joining first and second connectors. The adapter has a main body defining a central opening within which the connectors are received. The connectors each include a fiber optic cable secured by a ferrule. In one aspect, the ferrule defines an airflow passageway that narrows between a second opening and a first opening proximate an end face of the cable optical core and cladding. The connectors are constructed such that, as each connector is being inserted into the connector, an air flow is generated through the ferrule airflow passageway, and optionally through an exhaust airflow passageway in the connector. The generated airflow clears debris from the exposed end faces. Electrostatic precipitation may also be used to aid in clearing dust and debris, alone or in combination with air flow effects.

A dust cap for use with a fiber optic connector. The connector has a ferrule comprising an optical fiber. The ferrule has an end portion that includes an end surface of the optical fiber through which optical signals are transmitted. The dust cap includes a cover and wiping material. The cover is removably positionable over the end portion of the ferrule. The wiping material is positioned at least partially inside the cover. The wiping material may be adjacent the end surface of the optical fiber when the cover is positioned over the end portion of the ferrule. The wiping material may be wiped across the end surface of the optical fiber when the cover is positioned over the end portion of the ferrule. The wiping material may be moveable with respect to the end surface of the optical fiber and may wipe thereacross when moved.