Optical fiber polishing apparatus

An apparatus for polishing an end face of an optical fiber located within a ferrule portion of a fiber optic connector device the end face located on an end of the optical fiber projecting from the ferrule portion, comprising:

• mounting means having a forward surface and a receptacle for mounting the connector device with the end of the optical fiber projecting from the forward surface to permit the end face to be polished by moving the mounting means over an appropriate polishing surface, wherein said receptacle is configured for receiving and holding the ferrule portion of the fiber optic connector device and comprises a resilient sleeve, wherein said sleeve is generally cylindrical and is at least in part axially and radially slit to provide resiliency for gripping the ferrule portion;
• and
• polishing means including a substrate having a recess in a forward surface thereof, and a polishing film on the substrate the polishing film having adhesive means on a back side thereof for adhering to the forward surface of the substrate, spanning the recess to define an air space in the recess beneath the film confining air present in the recess,
• whereby the mounting means can be positioned over the polishing means to align the end of the optical fiber with the recess, in engagement with the polishing film spanning the recess, to permit the end face of the optical fiber to be polished by moving the forward surfaces of the mounting means and the polishing means relative to each other.