Techniques for polishing optical fiber ends.

摘要

Optical fibres (15) are supported within a bonded support member (16) having along opposite sides two grooves (14) which are parallel to the central axes of the fibres being supported. A first opening (22) is formed in a holder member (21) which includes a first projection (27). A cantilever spring member (23) is formed in the holder member having a second projection (27) opposite the first projection. The bonded fibre support member (16) is inserted into the opening such that the first projection engages the first groove (14) on one side, and the second projection engages the second groove (14) on the other side of the bonded support member. Then, the bonded support member is locked into position and the holder biases one end of it against a polishing wheel (29) to permit polishing along a plane which is perpendicular to the axes of the optical fibres. By making the grooves in the support member by photolithographic masking and etching, and by making the projections in the holder by electron discharge machining, one can assure great alignment accuracy.