Fiber optic connectors having a rotatable ferrule holder and methods for making the same

A fiber optic connector, comprising:

• a ferrule;
• a ferrule holder having a forward portion with a spherical feature, the spherical feature having a first portion with a compound surface that includes a first surface with a first radius and a second surface with a second radius that share a common center, and a keying feature;
• and
• a housing for receiving a portion of the ferrule holder, wherein the housing cooperates with the spherical feature of the ferrule holder to permit rotational translation of the ferrule holder in two degrees of freedom relative to the housing and inhibit the longitudinal translation of the ferrule holder in the same two degrees of freedom relative to the housing.

A method of making a fiber optic connector, comprising the steps of:

• providing a housing;
• providing a ferrule holder having a forward portion with a spherical feature having a first portion with a compound surface and at least one keying feature;
• and
• inserting the ferrule holder into the housing, wherein the housing cooperates with the spherical feature of the ferrule holder to permit rotational translation of the ferrule holder in two degrees of freedom relative to the housing and inhibit longitudinal translation of the ferrule holder in the same two degrees of freedom relative to the housing.