Receptacle ferrule assemblies with gradient index lenses and fiber optic connectors using same

摘要

A receptacle ferrule assembly for a fiber optic receptacle connector. The receptacle ferrule assembly comprises a first lens with first second optical surfaces and a receptacle ferrule body having first and second ends. At least one monolithic optical system is formed in a monolithic receptacle ferrule body and includes a lens formed at the second end of monolithic receptacle ferrule body and an optical surface formed at the first end of monolithic receptacle ferrule body. The optical surface is situated adjacent to, and mated to the second optical surface of the first lens The monolithic optical system is configured, in conjunction with the first lens, to define a receptacle optical pathway from the second end of the monolithic optical system to the first surface of the first lens. According to some embodiments the first lens is a gradient index lens.

主权项

1. A receptacle ferrule assembly for a fiber optic receptacle connector for mating with a fiber optic plug connector having a plug ferrule assembly with a plug optical pathway, the receptacle ferrule assembly comprising:
(i) a gradient index lens having a first planar optical surface and a second planar optical surface; (ii) a monolithic receptacle ferrule body having first and second ends, with a bore formed at the first end, wherein the bore has an end within the monolithic receptacle body and the gradient index lens resides at least partially and closely within the bore; and (iii) at least one monolithic optical system formed in a monolithic receptacle ferrule body, and comprising
a) a lens formed at the second end of monolithic receptacle ferrule body, andb) an optical surface defined by the end of the bore, the optical surface being situated adjacent to and mated to the second optical surface of the gradient index lens; wherein the at least one monolithic optical system being structured, in conjunction with said gradient index lens, to define a receptacle optical pathway from the second end of the monolithic optical system to the first surface of the gradient index lens.