Interferometric system with motion mechanism for inspecting multi-channel fiber optic connectors

An interferometric system for inspection of a multi-terminus fiber optic connector, the system comprising:

• an interferometer configured to perform interferometric inspection of the multi-terminus fiber optic connector and collect interferometric data concerning an end face of the multi-terminus fiber optic connector;
• a holding fixture configured to hold the fiber optic connector;
• and
• a motion mechanism that is removably couplable to the holding fixture and configured to position one or more multiple termini of the multi-terminus fiber optic connector with respect to the interferometer in at least one of three Cartesian X, Y, and Z axes.

A method of inspection of a multi-terminus fiber optic connector using an interferometric system including an interferometer configured to perform interferometric inspection of the connector and collect interferometric data concerning the fiber optic connector end face, a holding fixture configured to hold the multi-terminus fiber optic connector, and a motion mechanism that is removably couplable to the holding fixture and configured to align a field of view of the interferometer with respect to multiple termini of the multi-terminus fiber optic connector in at least one of three Cartesian X, Y, and Z axes, the method comprising:

• moving the field of view of the interferometer with respect to a surface of the multi-terminus fiber optic connector using the motion mechanism;
• aligning the field of view of the interferometer with end face centers of a plurality of fiber optic termini of the multi-terminus fiber optic connector using the motion mechanism;
• obtaining of a series of interference patterns by the interferometer for each of the end face centers of the plurality of fiber optic termini of the multi-terminus fiber optic connector;
• and
• analyzing the obtained series of interference patterns to determine characteristics of each fiber optic termini of the multi-terminus fiber optic connector, including detection of particles, stains, and surface anomalies of the fiber optic termini, and calculation of size and height values of the surface anomalies.