Methods and systems for alignment and positioning of optical fibers

A method for aligning and positioning an optical fiber, the method comprising:

• providing an optical fiber alignment and positioning system including a vacuum stage having a first end and second end, wherein the vacuum stage comprises:
• a vacuum inlet operable to be in fluid communication with a vacuum source;
• one or more passages extending through the vacuum stage;
• a plurality of vacuum ports in fluid communication with the one or more passages;
• and
• an optical fiber channel extending from the first end of the vacuum stage to the second end of the vacuum stage, wherein:
• the plurality of vacuum ports pass through the optical fiber channel;
• the optical fiber channel comprises a first wall and a second wall;
• the first wall and the second wall comprise a directional friction surface;
• the directional friction surface is characterized by a first friction factor in a first direction and a second friction factor in a second direction;
• and
• the first friction factor is higher than the second friction factor;
• placing an optical fiber in the optical fiber channel such that at least a portion of the optical fiber is in contact with the directional friction surface;
• modifying a position of the optical fiber by moving the optical fiber in the second direction to a modified position;
• determining an alignment offset;
• and
• comparing the alignment offset to an alignment threshold.