Methods for processing a multi-fiber ferrule

摘要

A method for processing ferrules for fiber optic connectors is disclosed herein. The method involves ablating a distal end face of the ferrule with the plurality of laser beam pulses to remove a distal layer of the ferrule without removing an optical fiber secured within the ferrule. By removing the distal layer from the ferrule, the optical fiber is caused to protrude distally outwardly from the distal end of the ferrule by a desired amount.

主权项

1. A method for processing a multi-fiber ferrule for a multi-fiber fiber optic connector, the multi-fiber ferrule including a ferrule body having a distal end and a proximal end, the ferrule body also defining a plurality of openings that extend through the ferrule body from the proximal end to the distal end, the ferrule body having a plurality of optical fibers potted within the openings, the method comprising:
removing a portion of a distal end face of the ferrule using a micro-machining process in which a plurality of laser beam pulses are directed at the distal end face of the ferrule to cause removal of the portion of the distal end face, and wherein the laser beam pulses have a power density selected such that the plurality of laser beam pulses are not capable of ablating glass, and wherein the plurality of laser beam pluses ablate outer layers of the distal face of the ferrule without ablating the plurality of optical fibers potted within the openings of the ferrule body.