Array connector for optical fibers

US4762387A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• American Telephone and Telegraph Company, AT&T Bell Laboratories · US

Inventors

• Robert L. Batdorf · Reading, US
• Edmond J. Murphy · Town of West Hartford, US
• Tommy L. Poteat · Bound Brook, US
• Jay R. Simpson · Fanwood, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Feb 21, 1986
• Grant date: Aug 9, 1988
• Expiry date: Feb 21, 2006

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G02B6/423
• WIPO field: Optics
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

An array connector for optical fibers is disclosed which utilizes a plurality of grooves formed in the array substrate to hold the fibers. The connector is to be used with fibers having at least one sectional view substantially flattened side, where polarization maintaining fibers may be formed to assume this shape. The grooves are formed to have a relatively flat bottom surface so that the flattened side of the fiber is positioned to coincide with this flat bottom surface. The grooves themselves may have any desired cross section. A coverplate with corresponding grooves may be utilized to form an interlocking structure to prevent any lateral movement by the fibers. When used in association with polarization maintaining fibers, the connector of the present invention will preserve the polarization through the connection by preventing any axial angular motion. The connector may be used to align a plurality of fibers with another plurality of fibers or, alternatively, with a plurality of optical waveguides.