A fiber optic coupling device comprises an elastomeric body. The elastomeric body includes first and second sides with a deformable alignment passage extending there between. The deformable alignment passage is configured to elastically center opposing first and second optical fibers. The deformable alignment passage includes a first portion that is configured to receive the first optical fiber having a first core. The deformable alignment passage also includes an opposing second portion that is configured to receive the second optical fiber having a second core. The first portion and the opposing second portion of the alignment passage are defined by a common encompassing periphery, and meet at a common location within the alignment passage to present the core of the received first optical fiber in coaxial alignment with the core of the received second optical fiber.

An optical interconnect device may include a multi-fiber connector at a first end of the optical interconnect device. The optical interconnect device may include an edge coupled connector at a second end of the optical interconnect device. The optical interconnect device may include a plurality of optical fibers disposed inside the multi-fiber connector and the edge coupled connector to optically couple the multi-fiber connector to the edge coupled connector, wherein the multi-fiber connector and the edge coupled connector rigidly interconnect to structurally support the optical interconnect device.

A fiber optic alignment device includes a first and a second alignment block and a first and a second gel block. A fiber passage extends from a first end to a second end of the fiber optic alignment device. The fiber passage is adapted to receive a first optical fiber through the first end and a second optical fiber through the second end. An intermediate portion of the fiber passage is positioned between the first and the second ends. The intermediate portion is adapted to align the first and the second optical fibers between the first and the second alignment blocks. A first portion of the fiber passage is positioned between the first end and the intermediate portion of the fiber passage. The first portion extends between the first alignment block and the first gel block. A second portion of the fiber passage is positioned between the second end and the intermediate portion of the fiber passage. The second portion extends between the second alignment block and the second gel block. End portions of the first and the second optical fibers may be cleaned when slid between the alignment blocks and the gel blocks. The fiber passage may include an undulating portion.

A multicore optical connector includes: a ferrule in which a plurality of optical fibers with lenses are arranged and held, the optical fibers with lenses having GRIN lenses fused to tips of optical fibers; and a coupling member which couples a pair of the ferrules so that the ferrules oppose each other in a non-contact state and end faces of the ferrules are parallel to each other, wherein the ferrules each have an end face inclined by a set angle .sub.0 relative to a central axis Of, the GRIN lenses are arranged and held parallel to the central axis Of so that a center of arrangement Op is at a position eccentric by t relative to the central axis Of, and the optical fibers with lenses held by the pair of the ferrules have end faces of the GRIN lenses inclined along the end faces of the ferrules.

An optical fiber connection system includes a first and a second optical fiber, each with end portions that are terminated by a first and a second fiber optic connector, respectively. A fiber optic adapter connects the first and the second fiber optic connectors. A fiber alignment apparatus includes V-blocks and gel blocks. Each of the fiber optic connectors includes a connector housing and a sheath. The end portions of the optical fibers are positioned beyond distal ends of the respective connector housings. The sheath is slidably connected to the connector housing and slides between an extended configuration and a retracted configuration. The sheath covers the end portion of the respective optical fiber when the sheath is at the extended configuration and exposes the end portion when at the retracted configuration. The end portions of the optical fibers are cleaned when slid between the V-blocks and the gel blocks.

A fiber optic connector includes a connector body housing a plurality of optical fibers. Each of the plurality of optical fibers includes a bare end having an angled face. Half of the plurality of optical fibers has an angled face that is at a first angle and the other half of the plurality of optical fibers has an angled face that is at a second angle that is different from the first angle. The fiber optic connector can comprise a ferrule-less or ferruled fiber optic connector.

Methods for cleaving an optical fiber that extends from a ferrule are provided herein. The ferrule can be aligned on a first side of a scribe wire and an unconstrained end of the optical fiber on a second side of the scribe wire. Tension can be applied to the scribe wire with the optical fiber. Relative motion between the scribe wire and the optical fiber can be caused, while the tension is applied with the optical fiber. The scribe wire and the optical fiber can be separated. A fiber optic shard can be cleaved from the optical fiber. The fiber optic shard may include the unconstrained end of the optical fiber.

The present embodiment relates to an optical connector capable of reducing a pressing force applied to each of a plurality of optical fibers simultaneously held by a ferrule and effectively reducing fiber damage. The optical connector includes a ferrule including a plurality of through holes and a plurality of optical fibers held by the ferrule with end faces of the optical fibers protruding from the ferrule. The maximum curvature of the end face of each of the optical fibers and a variation amount of a protrusion amount of each of the optical fibers are adjusted to enable excellent many-to-many PC connection.

A fiber optic alignment device includes a first and a second alignment block and a first and a second gel block. A fiber passage extends from a first end to a second end of the fiber optic alignment device. The fiber passage is adapted to receive a first optical fiber through the first end and a second optical fiber through the second end. An intermediate portion of the fiber passage is positioned between the first and the second ends. The intermediate portion is adapted to align the first and the second optical fibers between the first and the second alignment blocks. A first portion of the fiber passage is positioned between the first end and the intermediate portion of the fiber passage. The first portion extends between the first alignment block and the first gel block. A second portion of the fiber passage is positioned between the second end and the intermediate portion of the fiber passage. The second portion extends between the second alignment block and the second gel block. End portions of the first and the second optical fibers may be cleaned when slid between the alignment blocks and the gel blocks. The fiber passage may include an undulating portion.

A fiber optic connector has at least two optical fibers therein have end faces that are positioned such that they are directed in different directions. The end faces can be oriented relative to a key that is provided on a fiber optic connector housing that has a central opening in the main body of the fiber optic connector.