FERRULE ASSEMBLY

摘要

A method for preparing a ferrule assembly avoids polishing while providing adequate control over fiber end protrusion and co-planarity. A distal end of the fiber is prepared before securing the fiber in a ferrule, and before or after inserting the fiber into the ferrule. The prepared fiber is manipulated to provide a desired spatial relationship between the fiber end and the ferrule's end face, and then secured to maintain the desired spatial relationship. Preferably, the fiber end is prepared using a laser cleaving technique to provide a suitable end without abrasive polishing. An interferometer may be used to obtain measurements, during manipulation of the prepared fiber within the ferrule, that indicate whether the prepared fiber is satisfactorily positioned. In accordance with other aspects of the invention, a ferrule assembly prepared in accordance with the method, and a connector or other optical package including such a ferrule assembly are provided.

主权项

1. A ferrule assembly for optically coupling an optical fiber having a desired end face geometry, the ferrule assembly having been prepared by a method comprising:
providing a ferrule body including a pathway for an optical fiber, the ferrule body having an end face; preparing a distal end of an optical fiber to provide a prepared fiber end having the desired end face geometry; positioning the prepared optical fiber in the pathway; manipulating the prepared optical fiber within the pathway to provide a desired spatial relationship between the fiber's distal end and the end face; and securing the prepared optical fiber within the pathway to maintain the desired spatial relationship.