Fiber optic holder

An apparatus comprising:

• an optical fiber;
• a rod having a slot formed along the length of said rod for receiving at least partially therein said optical fiber so that said optical fiber extends from a first end of said rod and a second end of said rod;
• a retainer mated with said rod and contacting said optical fiber for restraining axial movement of said optical fiber between said rod and said retainer by means of friction between said optical fiber and said retainer;
• and
• a block having a borehole passing therethrough, said borehole having a first portion extending from a first side of said block to an annular shoulder within said block, said first portion sized to receive said rod mated with said retainer, said borehole further having a second portion extending from said annular shoulder through to a second side of said block opposite said first side, said second portion having a cross-section large enough to allow said optical fiber extending from one of said first end and said second end of said rod to pass through said second side of said block, said cross-section of said second portion further being smaller than a cross-section of said first portion.

An apparatus for non-destructively supporting an optical fiber, comprising:

• a rod having a slot of height H formed along the length of said rod for receiving therein one optical fiber of diameter D so that said one optical fiber extends from a first end of said rod and a second end of said rod;
• a retainer of height (H-D), said retainer fitted in said slot along the entire length of said rod such that said retainer is in contact with said one optical fiber;
• and
• a block having a borehole passing therethrough, said borehole having a first portion extending from a first side of said block to an annular shoulder within said block, said first portion sized to receive said rod wherein said retainer is retained within said slot, said borehole further having a second portion extending from said annular shoulder through to a second side of said block opposite said first side, said second portion having a cross-section large enough to allow said one optical fiber extending from one of said first end and said second end of said rod to pass through said second side of said block, said cross-section of said second portion further being smaller than a cross-section of said first portion.