STRUCTURES AND TECHNIQUES FOR ALIGNING A MULTICORE FIBER IN A FERRULE OR PRODUCTION JIG

摘要

An alignment block for aligning a multicore fiber has a body with a front face and a rear face, and includes a capillary extending between a front opening at the first face and a rear opening at the rear face. The capillary has an inner circumference that includes an alignment surface corresponding to the multicore fiber alignment surface. The front opening is shaped to fit closely around the multicore fiber so as to prevent non-longitudinal movement of the multicore fiber relative to the alignment block body. The rear opening is shaped to fit around the multicore fiber so as to allow a selected amount of non-longitudinal movement of the multicore fiber relative to the alignment block body. The capillary provides tapered transition between the rear opening and the front opening. Movement of the multicore fiber along the capillary causes the multicore fiber alignment surface to be urged against the capillary alignment surface so as to align the multicore fiber cores relative to the alignment block body.