Multifiber ferrule
A ferrule assembly comprising: (a) an array of optical fibers each having a mating end face; and (b) a ferrule with the fibers disposed therein, the ferrule having a front and rear orientation and a front surface, the front surface having at least a mating surface and a non-mating surface, the mating surface extending forward beyond the non-mating surface and presenting the mating end face of at least one of the fibers.
1. A ferrule assembly comprising:
an array of optical fibers each having a mating end face; and
a ferrule with said fibers disposed therein, said ferrule having a front and rear orientation and a front surface, said front surface having at least a mating surface and a non-mating surface, said mating surface extending forward beyound said non-mating surface and presenting the mating end face of at least one of said fibers.
2. The ferrule assembly of claim 1 , wherein the area of said mating surface is no greater than about 50% of the area of said front surface.
3. The ferrule assembly of claim 2 , wherein the area of said mating surface is no greater than about 30% of the area of said front surface.
4. The ferrule assembly of claim 3 , wherein the area of said mating surface is no greater than about 20% of the area of said front surface.
5. The ferrule assembly of claim 1 , wherein said mating surface is planar.
6. The ferrule assembly of claim 1 , wherein said front surface is curved and said mating surface is at the apex of the curve.
7. The ferrule assembly of claim 1 , wherein said mating surface is planar and said non-mating surface is curved.
8. The ferrule assembly of claim 1 , wherein said mating surface is planar and said non-mating surface is planar.
9. The ferrule assembly of claim 8 , wherein said mating surface and said non-mating surface are on parallel planes.
10. The ferrule assembly of claim 1 , wherein the perimeter of said mating surface is surrounded by said non-mating surface.
11. The ferrule assembly of claim 1 , wherein said mating surface presents the ends of all of said fibers.
12. The ferrule assembly of claim 1 , wherein said front surface comprises two or more mating surfaces.
13. The ferrule assembly of claim 12 , wherein each mating surface comprises a single fiber.
14. An optical connector comprising:
a housing;
a ferrule assembly in said housing, said ferrule assembly comprising:
an array of optical fibers each having a mating end face; and
a ferrule with said fibers disposed therein, said ferrule having a front and rear orientation and a front surface, said front surface having at least a mating surface and a non-mating surface, said mating surface extending forward beyond said non-mating surface and presenting the mating end face of at least one of said fibers.
15. A method of manufacturing a ferrule assembly comprises the steps of:
providing a ferrule comprising a body having a front and rear orientation and a front surface and openings for holding said array of fibers and presenting the ends of said fibers for mating;
forming a mating surface and a non-mating surface on said front surface, said mating surface extending forward beyond said non-mating surface and presenting the mating end face of at least one of said fibers.
16. The method of claim 15 , further comprising:
fixing optical fibers in said openings prior to forming said mating surface.
17. The method of claim 16 , wherein forming said mating and non-mating surfaces comprises at least the steps of
polishing said ferrule to form a curved front surface;
polishing said curved front surface to form said mating surface.
18. The method of claim 17 , wherein forming said curved front surface is performed using a compliant polishing wheel.
19. The method of claim 18 , wherein forming said mating surface is performed using a substantially non-compliant polishing wheel.