Method of forming an optical connector

A method of forming an optical connector that includes a ferrule in which a ferrule bore is defined, wherein the ferrule bore extends between a first face and a second face of the ferrule and includes a large diameter bore section extending inwardly from the first face, a micro-hole section extending inwardly from the second face, and a transition section located between the large diameter bore section and the micro-hole section, the method comprising:

• preloading an adhesive plug into the ferrule bore, wherein the adhesive plug is coupled to at least the transition section during the preloading, wherein the adhesive plug comprises a partially cross-linkable adhesive composition in a stable form, and wherein the adhesive plug blocks an entrance into the micro-hole section from the transition section;
• and
• storing the adhesive plug in the ferrule bore for at least one day without coupling the optical connector to an optical fiber;
• focusing heat onto a portion of the ferrule that includes the adhesive plug and the micro-hole section, wherein the heat is sufficient to cause the adhesive composition to melt and cross-link;
• inserting the optical fiber through the ferrule bore and the melted adhesive composition;
• and
• cooling the ferrule to solidify the adhesive composition and thereby secure the optical fiber in the micro-hole section, wherein following the solidification the cross-linking in the adhesive composition causes the adhesive composition to resist re-melting.