Methodology and design of fixtures for precision alignment of mtp/mpo connectors and mt ferrules in interferometric end-face measurements

A fixture intended for use with interferometric microscopes for measuring multi-fiber MTP/MPO female connectors and MT ferrules, the fixture comprising:

• a base attachable to the interferometric microscope and containing a window sized to receive a multi-fiber MTP/MPO female connector;
• the base having first and second guide pins with length of 1.8-3.5 mm each located near opposite sides of the window and adapted to fit into first and second guide holes of the female connector or ferrule allowing its precise alignment along the optical axis of the microscope.

A fixture intended for use with interferometric microscopes for measuring multi-fiber MTP/MPO female connectors and MT ferrules, the fixture comprising:

• a base attachable to the interferometric microscope and containing a window sized to receive a multi-fiber MTP/MPO female connector;
• the base having one guide pin with length 3-6 mm located near the window and adapted to fit into one guide hole of the female connector or ferrule allowing its precise alignment parallel the optical axis of the microscope.

A fixture intended for use with interferometric microscopes for pre-calibration of reference MT ferrule, the fixture comprising:

• a base attachable to the front panel of the interferometric microscope and containing one guide pin with length 3-6 mm located in the center and adapted to fit into one guide hole of the female connector or ferrule allowing its precise alignment parallel to the optical axis of the microscope;
• two windows located on different sides from the guide pin and sized one half of the ferrule end face, through each of which light from the interferometric microscope illuminates one half of the ferrule end-face.

A method of pre-calibration of a reference ferrule and calculation of ferrule reference angles for the area of six fibers near one guide hole (pre-calibration of one guide hole).

A method of pre-calibration of a reference ferrule and calculation of ferrule reference angles (pre-calibration of two guide holes).