Optical fiber array

A fiber array comprising:

• a holder defining an array of first holes;
• a plurality of optical fibers;
• a plurality of ferrules retaining corresponding optical fibers therein;
• a plurality of springs exerting resilient force on the ferrules;
• a plurality of posts abutting corresponding ferrules;
• a block attached to the holder, the block defining an array of second holes;
• and
• a guide member attached to the holder, the guide member defining an array of third holes;
• wherein
• a diameter of each of the first holes is substantially equal to a diameter of each of the ferrules, and the ferrules are slidably retained in the first holes.

A fiber array from which light beams are precisely gathered to a lens array in an optical switch, the fiber array comprising:

• an optical fiber array subassembly comprising a holder defining an array of first holes;
• a plurality of optical fibers;
• a plurality of ferrules each retaining a corresponding fiber therein, the ferrules being retained in the array of first holes;
• a plurality of posts;
• and
• a guide member for receiving an end of the ferrules therein, the guide member being attached to the holder;
• wherein
• a diameter of each of the first holes is substantially equal to a diameter of each of the ferrules, and each of the posts urges a corresponding ferrule in a position where a focal point of a corresponding lens of the lens array is positioned.

An optical fiber array from which light beams are precisely gathered to a lens array in an optical switch, the fiber array comprising:

• a holder defining an array of holes;
• a plurality of ferrules located in the corresponding holes, respectively;
• a plurality of optic fibers connected to rear ends of the corresponding ferrules, respectively;
• a plurality of discrete springs urging the corresponding ferrules to move rearwardly, respectively;
• a plurality of posts engaging the rear ends of the corresponding ferrules, respectively, and
• a guide member for receiving an end of each optic fiber;
• wherein
• each of said posts is axially adjustably moveable to decide an axial position of the corresponding ferrule in the holder, thereby, a focal length of the corresponding lens of the lens array precisely corresponds to a position of the end of the optic fiber.