Fiber optic polisher

A method of polishing the end of a glass optical fiber comprising producing relative lateral movement between the end of the fiber and an abrasive surface disposed in a generally perpendicular relationship to the axis of the fiber, said relative lateral movement being produced in a continuous, curved pattern in the manner that the direction of said relative movement between the end of the optical fiber and the abrasive surface continuously changes at a rate greater than about 10,000 arc degrees per second, wherein said fiber is a single mode telecommunication fiber having a core diameter of about 5 to 10 microns, in which said rate of change of the direction of relative movement is substantially constant, the average relative speed between the end of said fiber and said abrasive surface is greater than about 250 mm/sec., said lateral movement is produced by providing, between said fiber and said abrasive surface, a first relative motion that provides said high rate of change of said direction of relative movement and a second relative motion at a slow velocity in relation to said first motion that changes the general location of said end of said fiber on said abrasive surface as said polishing proceeds.