Optical fiber calibration connector

An optical fiber connector assembly for mating a first group of optical fibers, comprising:

• a first group delivery optical fiber and a first group return optical fiber with corresponding optical fibers in a second group of optical fibers comprising a second group delivery optical fiber and a second group return optical fiber, the optical fiber connector assembly comprising:
• a body, comprising a common axis, a cavity disposed along the common axis, a first port for receiving the first group of optical fibers, the first port being disposed at one end of the body and extending along the common axis into the cavity, wherein the second group of optical fibers is arranged at the opposite end of the body such that each end face of the optical fibers in the second group of optical fibers face the cavity;
• and second group of optical fibers comprising a second group delivery optical fiber, and a second group return optical fiber and a shutter hingeably mounted to the first port, the shutter being selectively movable between a closed state in which the shutter blocks the first port and in which the shutter lies in a plane that transversely intersects the common axis, and an open state in which the shutter lies in a plane that forms an acute angle with the common axis;
• and
• wherein, the shutter has an inner surface that is innermost to the cavity, and an opposing outer surface;
• the shutter is movable between the closed state and the open state by applying a force (F) to the outer surface of the shutter in a direction along the common axis;
• the second group of optical fibers is further arranged such that when the shutter is in the closed state, delivery light emitted by the second group delivery optical fiber into the cavity is incident upon the inner surface of the shutter and return light that is scattered or reflected or emitted by the inner surface of the shutter consequent to the emitted delivery light is at least partially collected by the second group return optical fiber;
• both the body and the shutter are opaque to optical wavelengths within at least a first calibration wavelength interval, and wherein the shutter blocks the first port in the closed state to form a light-impermeable barrier between the first port and the cavity:
• the light-impermeable barrier being opaque to optical wavelengths within the first calibration wavelength interval.