Patent ID: 7325979
Filing Date: 2008-02-05
Classification: G02B

Abstract:
1. A method for releasably connecting two groups of individual optical fibers, which are arranged in parallel and delimited by end faces that are arranged in a plane transverse to the main axis of the fibers, and in which individual fibers are aligned in pairs, the method comprising the steps of: providing a plurality of fiber blocks, each having a plurality of individual lateral guiding geometries formed therein; assigning each of the two groups of individual optical fibers to one of the fiber blocks; aligning each individual fiber within a respective one of the individual lateral guiding geometries; firmly connecting each of the two groups to the associated fiber block, such that a free length of each fiber lies movably in the associated fiber block before a pair wise alignment of the fibers of the two groups; pair wise aligning the fibers of the two groups, whereby the individual fibers of the two groups are linearly fixed and secured in the lateral direction over their free length during alignment; moving the groups of fibers toward each other until the end face of each fiber in one group abuts against the end face of a corresponding fiber from the other group; and compensating for differences in fiber lengths by axially compressing the fibers linearly in the axial direction over the free length of the fibers.