Techniques for polishing optical fiber ends

Abstract

Optical fibers (15) are supported within a bonded support member (16) having along opposite sides first and second grooves (14) which are parallel to the central axes of the fibers being supported. A first opening (22) is formed in a holder member (21) which includes a first projection (27). A cantilever spring member (23) is formed in the holder member having a second projection (27) opposite the first projection. The bonded fiber support member (16) is inserted into the opening such that the first projection engages the first groove (14) on one side, and the second projection engages the second groove (14) on the other side of the bonded support member. Thereafter, the bonded support member is locked into position and the holder biases one end of it against a polishing wheel (29) to permit polishing along a plane which is perpendicular to the axes of the optical fibers. By making the grooves in the support member by photolithographic masking and etching, and by making the projections in the holder by electron discharge machining, one can assure great alignment accuracy. The cantilever spring is preferably made by electron discharge machining to be part of a monolithic holder member and is made to exert a sufficient bias to hold the support member temporarily in place. Thereafter, the support member is locked in place by biasing a coil spring (28) against it. This use of spring bias means for holding the support member in the holder permits sufficient force to be exerted on the support members to permit polishing, but without risking cracking them.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.