Interferometric measurement method for angular misalignment, fiber core concentricity and end face polish angle of single fiber connectors and ferrules

Abstract

An interferometric measurement method aims at calculating angular misalignment between fiber and ferrule axes for single fiber ferrules. The misalignment is measured by scanning side surface of reference fiber inserted into the ferrule and side surface of the ferrule. For single fiber connectors and ferrules, the method also aims at calculating fiber core concentricity and ferrule circularity and for single fiber connectors, end face angle of polish. The concentricity, the circularity and the angle of polish are measured by scanning side surface of the ferrule and end face of the connector or ferrule. Interferometric data from the side surfaces of the reference fiber and the ferrule, or from the end face of the connector or ferrule and the side surface of the ferrule, is gathered during one scanning session—either one simultaneous scan or several scans without moving or re-inserting the connector or ferrule.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.