SC-type multi-core optical-fiber connectors using a pressurization spring

Abstract

Prototype standard-connector (SC)-type physical-contact connectors were designed and fabricated for a seven-core fiber. The ferrule in the connector has a capillary inserted into a pipe, which fits into a flange with freedom to slide. After the capillary (with the seven-core fiber) and the flange are aligned and adhered, a pressurization spring is used to press fit the flange to a plug frame in a housing. Several prototype connectors have been used to achieve a low attenuation (less than 0.5 dB) and high return loss (40 dB or more). These coupling characteristics indicate that these SC-type physical-contact connectors will be one of the key devices for achieving space division multiplexing (SDM).

Ultra-Bend-Resistant 4-Core Simplex Cable Used for Short-Reach Dense Spatial Division Multiplexing Optical Transmission

“…By optimizing the fiber fabrication and cabling process, the transmission loss, XT and BER performance will be further improved. In the future, combined with an MCF connector, MCF transceiver and low-loss splicing of MCF [ 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 , 30 , 31 ], the prepared ultra-bend-resistant 4-core SXC would have potential applications to further release the space pressure, reduce power consumption and improve the transmission capacity on short-reach DSDM optical transmission. Furthermore, by using plasmonic material as fiber coating, the 4-core fiber may also be extended in the industry for applications in advanced sensors, surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy and so on [ 32 , 33 ].…”

“…However, these methods need to use numerous SC-SMF SXCs or ribbon cables to achieve the OI between thousands of conventional optical modules and fan-in/fan-out (FIFO) devices, which will cause space congestion in DC [ 1 , 7 , 8 ]. By using an MCF-SXC and combining it with an MCF connector and MCF optical transceiver [ 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 ], it can provide an optimal solution to further release the space pressure, save power consumption and increase the access density on OI in DC [ 12 , 13 ]. But there are few studies on the manufacture process and transmission characteristics of the MCF-SXC.…”