Abstract:
An improved manufacturing technique for optical fiber arrays employs optical feedback in a partially assembled unit using an inspection camera. This allows immediate reworking of a problematic part. In the present invention, a video microscope is used to check the alignment of the optical fiber array during the manufacturing process. After the optical fiber array has been glued or otherwise affixed, then an optical device may be used to measure the performance of the glued assembly.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates to the manufacture of optical assemblies. More particularly this invention relates to the manufacture of a precisely aligned array of optical fibers. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     In the past, the assembly and manufacture of optical fiber arrays has been largely time consuming and prone to quality control problems. The latest developments in optical cross-connect assemblies have only magnified these problems. A general demand for more precisely constructed assemblies having greater reliability has translated into a demand for better manufacturing apparatus and processes. For example, the newest cross-connect assemblies place extreme importance on a well-adjusted optical system. These devices rely on the reception of modulated light on a light-receiving device from a multiplicity of fibers, in which the parameters of operation are precisely known differences in phase shift and polarization of the individual light beams. If the optical system is not finely tuned, then the device will not operate optimally, or may fail entirely. Precisely manufactured arrays of optical fibers are components of such cross-connect assemblies. 
     One way of ensuring an optical fiber array of high quality is to increase labor intensity and quality control. The increased labor allows more time per optical fiber array for alignment and adjustment. Increased quality control results in rejection of substandard optical fiber arrays. The disadvantages of this approach are dramatically increased cost, and the discarding of parts and material upon recognition of failure. A better strategy is to manufacture storage devices with maximized quality and efficiency. 
     As mentioned previously, parts and labor are the most expensive elements of an optical fiber array. In the past, optical elements were positioned by hand. An assembler would hold the elements in place and apply glue. Quality control would later determine if the optical part were properly placed. The problem with this method is that in the case of a misplaced piece additional labor is uselessly added to an optical fiber array. Typically, any repair attempt destroys the glued part, and increases labor cost. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In the present invention, optics are inspected during the assembly or immediately following assembly. An improved manufacturing technique for optical fiber arrays employs optical feedback in a partially assembled cross-connect assembly using an inspection camera. This allows immediate reworking of a problematic part. In the present invention, a video microscope is used to check the alignment of the optical fiber array during the manufacturing process. After the optical fiber array has been glued or otherwise affixed, then an optical device may be used to measure the performance of the glued assembly. 
     It is a primary object of some aspects of the present invention to align optical fiber array assemblies during manufacture in a precise and efficient manner. 
     It is another object of some aspects of the present invention to reduce the cost of manufacturing optical devices that employ optical fiber array assemblies. 
     The invention provides an apparatus for manufacturing a fiberoptic device, comprising a first stage, and a fiber rotator disposed on the first stage. The fiber rotator carries an optical fiber therein, and the stage is arranged to rotate the optical fiber about its optical axis. The apparatus further includes a second stage for holding a silicon slab, a fiber gripping assembly that is disposed between the first stage and the second stage for gripping an intermediate portion of the optical fiber. The apparatus further includes a first viewer directed toward the silicon slab along a Y-axis, and a second viewer directed toward an end face of the optical fiber in a Z-axis. Responsive to views provided by the first viewer and the second viewer, the first stage, the second stage, the fiber rotator, and the fiber gripping assembly are manipulated to establish the optical fiber in a desired position on the silicon slab. 
     According to another aspect of the invention, the apparatus includes a third stage, and a weight mounted on the third stage. A free end of the weight impinges on the optical fiber to urge an end portion of the optical fiber onto the silicon slab. 
     According to another aspect of the invention, the third stage is movable on the X-axis and the Z-axis. 
     According to still another aspect of the invention, the weight is pivotally mounted and pivots between a first position, wherein the weight is in a non-contacting relationship with the optical fiber and a second position, wherein the weight impinges on the optical fiber. 
     According to a further aspect of the invention, the weight includes a first weight that urges the end portion of the optical fiber into a groove formed in the silicon slab, and a second weight that urges the end portion of the optical fiber onto a flat portion of the silicon slab. 
     According to another aspect of the invention, a contacting surface of the free end of the weight is parallel to a top portion of the silicon slab when the contacting surface is in contact with the optical fiber. 
     According to yet another aspect of the invention, the fiber gripping assembly is supplied by a vacuum line, and includes a channel formed therein for establishing fluid communication between the vacuum line and a tip portion of the fiber gripping assembly, wherein the optical fiber is held in the tip portion of the fiber gripping assembly by suction produced in the channel. 
     According to a further aspect of the invention, the tip portion has a groove formed therein, and the optical fiber is received in the groove. The groove is dimensioned such that a surface of the optical fiber contacts a first side wall of the groove and contacts a second side wall of the groove. 
     According to an additional aspect of the invention, the first stage is movable on a vertical axis and is rotatable about the vertical axis. 
     According to an aspect of the invention, the second stage is movable about the Y-axis. 
     According to still another aspect of the invention, the second stage is connected to a vacuum line, and the silicon slab is exposed to vacuum transmitted via the vacuum line. 
     According to a further aspect of the invention, the second viewer includes a power and polarization detector, and the second viewer is linked to a motorized servomechanism that actuates at least one of the first stage, and the second stage. 
     According to yet another aspect of the invention, the first viewer is linked to the servomechanism. 
     The invention provides a method of manufacturing a fiberoptic array. The method includes disposing a silicon slab on an assembly station, gripping an optical fiber in a first gripping assembly for rotation about a Z-axis therein, gripping the optical fiber in a second gripping assembly for displacement thereof in an X-axis and a Y-axis, visualizing a position of the optical fiber relative the silicon slab, and responsive to the visualization, adjusting the position to a desired position, and then permanently affixing the optical fiber to the silicon slab in the desired position. 
     According to an additional aspect of the invention, housing is attached to the silicon slab, and the optical fiber is enclosed in the housing. 
     According to an aspect of the invention, a first groove is formed in the silicon slab. A second groove is formed in the housing, such that the optical fiber is embraced by the first groove and the second groove. 
     According to another aspect of the invention, the polarization axis of the optical fiber is determined by visualization, and responsive to the determination, the optical fiber is rotated about the Z-axis until its polarization axis attains a desired alignment. 
     According to a further aspect of the invention, a weight is applied to an intermediate portion of the optical fiber while adjusting the position of the fiber. 
     The invention provides an apparatus for manufacturing a fiberoptic device, which includes a first stage, a fiber rotator disposed on the first stage, the fiber rotator carrying an optical fiber therein, and rotating the optical fiber about an optical axis thereof. The apparatus further includes a second stage for holding a silicon slab, a fiber gripping assembly disposed between the first stage and the second stage for gripping an intermediate portion of the optical fiber. The fiber gripping assembly is supplied by a first vacuum line, and includes a channel formed therein for establishing fluid communication between the first vacuum line and a tip portion of the fiber gripping assembly. The optical fiber is held in the tip portion of the fiber gripping assembly by suction transmitted via the channel, wherein a groove is formed in the tip portion. The groove is dimensioned such that a surface of the optical fiber contacts both side walls of the groove. A first viewer is directed toward the silicon slab along the Y-axis, and a second viewer is directed toward an end face of the optical fiber in the Z-axis. A third stage is movable on an X-axis and the Z-axis. A first weight and a second weight, are mounted on the third stage, wherein a free end of the first weight and a free end of the second weight impinge on the optical fiber to urge an end portion of the optical fiber against the silicon slab. Responsive to views provided by the first viewer and the second viewer, the first stage, the second stage, the fiber rotator, and the fiber gripping assembly are manipulated to establish the optical fiber in a desired position on the silicon slab. 
     According to yet another aspect of the invention, the first weight and the second weight are pivotally mounted and independently pivot between a first position of non-contacting relationship with the optical fiber and a second position of impingement on the optical fiber. 
     According to still another aspect of the invention, the first stage is movable on a vertical axis and is rotatable about the vertical axis. 
     According to an additional aspect of the invention, the second stage is movable about the Y-axis. 
     According to an aspect of the invention, the second stage is connected to a second vacuum line, and the silicon slab is exposed to vacuum transmitted via the second vacuum line. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     For a better understanding of these and other objects of the present invention, reference is made to the detailed description of the invention, by way of example, which is to be read in conjunction with the following drawings, wherein: 
     FIG. 1 is an elevation of a portion of a fiberoptic assembly that is constructed and operative in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention; 
     FIG. 2 is an exploded side elevation of the fiber-optic assembly shown in FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating a fiber-optic assembly station that is constructed and operative in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention; 
     FIG. 4 is a top view of the portion of an assembly station similar to that shown in FIG. 3; 
     FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a portion of the assembly station shown in FIG. 3; 
     FIG. 6 is a side elevation of the assembly station shown in FIG. 5; 
     FIG. 7 is a composite sectional view through a portion of a gripping subassembly of the assembly station shown in FIG. 3; 
     FIG. 8 is a schematic view of a weight subassembly of the assembly station shown in FIG. 3; 
     FIG. 9 is an enlarged schematic view of a portion of the weight subassembly of the assembly station shown in FIG. 3; 
     FIG. 10 is an end view of an optical fiber having a polarization angle; and 
     FIG. 11 is a partially schematic view similar to FIG. 3, illustrating an assembly station that is constructed and operative in accordance with an alternate embodiment of the invention. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. 
     Turning now to the drawings, reference is made to FIG. 1, which illustrates a portion of a fiberoptic assembly that is aligned during manufacture in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention. The fiber-optic assembly  10  includes a linear array of optical fibers  12 , which is secured within a housing  14 . The optical fibers  12  are mutually aligned, such that their geometric centers  16  lie along a straight line  18 . It is required that the deviation from co-linearity in the Y-axis of the geometric centers  16  be maintained within a tolerance shown as the distance “A”, In the preferred embodiment the distance “A” cannot exceed two microns. Such close tolerances are essential for the fiberoptic assembly  10  to function correctly in devices such as optical switches. 
     Reference is now made to FIG. 2, wherein the fiber-optic assembly  10  is shown in further detail in an exploded view. The description of FIG. 2 is to be read in conjunction with FIG.  1 . The housing  14  has a top portion  20  and a bottom portion  22 . Formed in each of the top portion  20  and the bottom portion  22  are V-shaped grooves  24 ,  26 . When the top portion  20  is approximated to the bottom portion  22 , an optical fiber  12  is received by the grooves  24 ,  26 , which hold the optical fiber  12  firmly in position. Each of the optical fibers in the fiberoptic assembly  10  is similarly arranged. Nevertheless, it is technically difficult to align the optical centers of the fibers as required. 
     Reference is now made to FIG. 3, which illustrates an optico-mechanical assembly station that is constructed and operative in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention. An assembly station  30 , which is adapted for the manufacture of fiberoptic assemblies, such as the fiberoptic assembly  10  (FIG.  1 ), comprises four sections: a optical fiber positioning sub-assembly  31 , an optical fiber stabilizing sub-assembly  33 , a substrate holding sub-assembly  35  and a viewing section  37 . 
     In describing the assembly station  30  and its operation, the following conventions are used herein. The Z-axis is nominally horizontal, and coincides with the optical axis of an optical fiber that is being held and manipulated. The X-axis refers to the horizontal axis that is orthogonal to the Z-axis. The Y-axis is the vertical axis, and is orthogonal to both the X and Z axes. Rotation about the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis is referred to as theta-X, theta-Y and theta-Z motion respectively. Of course, it is possible to operate the assembly station  30  in many positions and orientations, in which case the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis are appropriately translated. 
     Reference is now made to FIG.  4  and FIG.  5 . FIG. 4 is a top view of a portion of an assembly station  30  similar to that shown in FIG.  3 . FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a portion of the assembly station  30 . The description of FIG.  4  and FIG. 5 is to be read in conjunction with FIG.  1  and FIG.  3 . The optical fiber positioning sub-assembly  31  and a portion of the optical fiber stabilizing sub-assembly  33  are supported by a stage  36 . The optical fiber positioning sub-assembly  31  includes an actuator  38 , and an actuator  40 , which control movements of the stage  36 . The optical fiber positioning sub-assembly  31  also includes a fiber rotator  42 , an actuator  46  which controls the fiber rotator  42 , and a clamp  148  which secures a fiber  12  in the fiber rotator  42 . 
     The optical fiber stabilizing sub-assembly  33  includes a clamp  64 , a clamp  66 , and a clamp  68 , which are carried on the stage  36 , for stabilizing a portion of the fiber  12  near the fiber rotator  42 . The optical fiber stabilizing sub-assembly  33  also includes a gripping assembly  50 , a weight  112 , and a weight  114  for stabilizing the fiber  12  near the optical assembly into which it is to be incorporated. A bottom portion  22  of such an optical assembly is shown in a working position in FIG.  4  and FIG.  5 . 
     The substrate holding sub-assembly  35  includes a vacuum plate stage  52 , a hose  62  for supplying vacuum to the vacuum plate stage  52 , an actuator  54 , an actuator  56 , and a rotation control  58  for controlling movements of the vacuum plate stage  52 . 
     The viewing section  37  includes a video camera  72 , which provides a view parallel to the Y-axis, and a stereo-microscope  70 , which is aligned generally with the Z-axis. 
     Reference is again made to FIG. 1, FIG. 2, and FIG.  5 . The objectives of the operations performed by the assembly station  30  are now presented in order to assist in understanding its structure and operation. Using the assembly station  30 , each fiber  12  of the fiberoptic assembly  10  is sequentially secured in proper alignment to the bottom portion  22 , which can be a silicon slab. In some embodiments the bottom portion  22  has a grooved section  32  in which a plurality of V-grooves are aligned parallel to the Z-axis, and has a flat section  34 . When all the fibers have been secured such that their free ends lie in designated grooves of the grooved section  32 , horizontally aligned with one another. If the fibers are polarizing optical fibers, their polarization axes each have a desired alignment. The top portion  20  is then affixed to the bottom portion  22  as a separate operation to complete the assembly. 
     Reference is again made to FIG. 3, FIG. 4, and FIG.  5 . The stage  36  is provided for holding and manipulating components of the fiberoptic assembly  10 . The stage  36  is capable of displacement along the Z-axis, and can be rotated about the Z-axis, using the actuators  38 ,  40 . The fiber rotator  42 , adapted for gripping an individual fiber  12  of the fiberoptic assembly during assembly, is mounted on the stage  36  and is oriented in the Z-axis. A slit  146  is provided in the fiber rotator  42  for receiving an optical fiber therethrough. The fiber rotator  42  includes the actuator  46 , which is capable of rotating the fiber  12  about its optical axis, with 360-degree freedom of rotation. In the case of polarization mounted single-mode fibers, this capability allows the fiber  12  to be aligned with respect to its polarization axis. The fiber rotator  42  is a known component, and a suitable version is available as model F265-R from Suruga Seiki, OST Division, Shizuoka, Japan. Cooperating with the fiber rotator  42  is the fiber gripping assembly  50 , which opposes the fiber rotator  42  and is specialized to hold the optical fiber  12  while it is seated in its designated groove of the grooved section  32  during assembly. The gripping assembly  50  is mounted on the stage  36  by a bracket  51 . It can move independently in the X-axis, Z-axis, and is capable of theta-X and theta-Z motion as well. The bottom portion  22  is carried on a vacuum plate stage  52  having freedom of movement along the Y-axis and the X-axis, as well as having freedom of rotation about the Y-axis. The actuators  54 ,  56  and the rotation control  58  control the movement of the vacuum plate stage  52 . 
     Vacuum is maintained by a vacuum hose  60 , which leads from the gripping assembly  50  to a suitable pump (not shown). Vacuum is provided to the vacuum plate stage  52  by a hose  62  for stabilizing the bottom portion  22 . The clamps  64 ,  66 ,  68  provide further stabilization for the fiber  12  during the assembly and alignment operations. 
     The fiberoptic assembly under construction is viewed along the Y-axis on the vacuum plate stage  52  by the stereo-microscope  70  (FIG.  3 ), which is conventional. In practice, the stereo-microscope  70  can be linked to a monitor (not shown) for the convenience of the operator. The video camera  72 , mounted on a movable stage  74 , observes the vacuum plate stage  52  horizontally, in line with the Z-axis. Using the video camera  72 , the end face of the optical fiber  12  can be visualized as it is being positioned in the bottom portion  22 . It should be noted that while the video camera  72  has freedom of adjustment in the X, Y, and Z-axes independently, in operation there is no relative movement between the stage  74  and the vacuum plate stage  52 . Using the stereo-microscope  70  and the video camera  72 , the operator can view the process of assembly of the fiberoptic assembly  10  along two orthogonal axes, the Y-axis and the Z-axis. The video camera  72  is capable of high magnification, and is connected to a display monitor (not shown). Cameras suitable for the video camera  72  are available from Mitutoya Corp. 
     Reference is now made to FIG. 6, which is a side elevation of the assembly station  30 , and illustrates additional components of the optical fiber stabilizing sub-assembly  33 . The description of FIG. 6 is to be read in conjunction with FIG. 2, FIG. 3, FIG. 4, and FIG.  5 . The gripping assembly  50  is disposed behind the vacuum plate stage  52 . Vacuum is employed to urge the fiber  12  against the gripping assembly  50  at a point near the end face of the fiber  12 , such that stability of the fiber  12  with respect to the vacuum plate stage  52  is assured during manipulation. The weights  112 ,  114  are mounted on a stage  116 , and are pivotable, as explained in further detail hereinbelow. Weights  112 ,  114  are preferably identical in structure. The stage  116  is provided with an X-actuator  160  and a Z-actuator  162  that adjust the position of the stage  116  in the X- and Z-axes, such that the free ends  122 ,  124  (FIG. 4) can be accurately positioned over a desired portion of the vacuum plate stage  52 . The weights  112 ,  114  impinge on the vacuum plate stage  52  and more particularly on a portion of the optical fiber  12  lying in the groove  26  while being currently manipulated. The weight  114  is positioned to assist in coupling an optical fiber  12  into its assigned groove  26  at the edge of the silicon slab  126 . As best seen in FIG. 4, the weight  112  is positioned in order to position the optical fiber  12  onto the more proximal non-grooved portion of the silicon slab  126  by applying the weight  112  to the optical fiber  12 . 
     Reference is now made to FIG. 8, which illustrates the structure of the weights  112 ,  114  in greater detail. The description of FIG. 8 is to be read in conjunction with FIG. 6. A wheel  128  is affixed to both the weights  112 ,  114 , and pivots about an axis  130 . The wheel  128  is counterweighted to provide precision in movement and weighting. A shaft  132  is rigidly attached to the wheel  128 , and extends radially in the direction of the vacuum plate stage  52 . The shaft  132  is dimensioned so that its free end  134  impinges on the vacuum plate stage  52  as the wheel  128  is revolved. 
     Reference is now made to FIG. 9, which illustrates the structure of the free end  134  of the shaft  132  in further detail. The description of FIG. 9 is to be read in conjunction with FIG.  6  and FIG. 8. A tip  136  extends downward from the shaft  132  and terminates in a face  138 . The face  138  is a plane, which is angled with respect to the radial line formed by the shaft  132  with respect to its pivot, axis  130  (FIG.  8 ). The radial direction of the shaft  132  is indicated by the line  140 . It is important that the face  138  be parallel to the top surface of the silicon slab  126 , which is mounted on the vacuum plate stage  52 . A plurality of cylindrical bores  142  is formed in the shaft  132 . The bores  142  receive cylindrical weights, which are selected to adjust the pressure that is exerted by the tip  136  against a fiber  12  that is being assembled into the silicon slab  126 . 
     Reference is now made to FIG. 7, which is a sectional view of a tip  76  of the gripping assembly  50 . The description of FIG. 7 is to be read in conjunction with FIG.  5  and FIG.  6 . Two opposing jaws  78 ,  80  are approximated to one another along a line  82 , such that grooves  84 ,  86  formed in the jaws  78 ,  80  provide closed fluid channels leading to a vacuum pump (not shown) via the hose  60 . The grooves  84 ,  86  open into a V-shaped groove  88  that is formed at the free end of the tip  76 . An object, such as the smaller fiber  90  or a larger fiber  92  is received into the groove  88 . The fiber  90  makes contact with the side walls  94 ,  96  at points  98 ,  100 , creating a semi-closed region  102  where the air pressure is lower than the ambient air pressure. Consequently the fiber  90  is urged against the side walls  94 ,  96 , and is held in a stable position thereon. It will be noted that the side walls  94 ,  96  form tangent planes with the cylindrical outer surface of the fiber  90 . The tangent planes are represented as tangent lines on the sectional view of FIG.  7 . It is important that the groove  88  be dimensioned such that tangents are formed at the point of contact on the side walls  94 ,  96  for the gripping assembly  50  to operate optimally. For example the fiber  92  contacts the side walls  94 ,  96  at points  104 ,  106  and therefore is held successfully by the gripping assembly  50 . However a fiber larger than the fiber  92  would merely contact the tip  76  at cusps  108 ,  110  and would not form the requisite tangent plane. Its stability could not be assured. 
     Operation. 
     Reference is again made to FIGS. 2-6. The operation of the assembly station  30  will now be disclosed. Initially a bottom portion  22  of a silicon slab is mounted on the vacuum plate stage  52  and held in place using the vacuum transmitted by the hose  62 . The stereo-microscope  70  is adjusted to view the bottom portion  22 , and in particular the grooved section  32 . 
     Operations on an optical fiber are then begun. The fiber  12  is inserted through the slit  146  of the fiber rotator  42 , initially positioned such that it lies in a designated groove of the grooved section  32 , with its free end coinciding with the free edge  23  of the bottom portion  22 . The fiber is then secured in the fiber rotator  42  using the clamp  148 . The positioning is accomplished by applying vacuum to the gripping assembly  50 , and then by clamping the intermediate portion of the fiber  12  using the clamp  64 , the clamp  66 , and the clamp  68  (FIG.  4 ). Actuation of the gripping assembly  50  provides the fine control needed to precisely place the fiber  12  in a desired position. The video camera  72  (FIG. 3) is adjusted such that its direction of view is aligned with the Z-axis, and the free edge  23  of the bottom portion  22  and the free end of the fiber  12  are visualized en face. The magnification of the video camera  72  is adjusted such that the relationship of the fiber  12  to its associated V-groove is seen clearly. The weight  112  and the weight  114  are applied to the fiber  12  to further immobilize it in a desired position so that it is aligned in the Y-axis with other optical fibers that are inserted in other grooves of the grooved section  32 . 
     Reference is now made to FIG. 10, which shows an end view of an optical fiber  12 . The description of FIG. 10 is to be read in conjunction with FIG. 4, FIG. 5, and FIG.  6 . The view of the fiber-optic assembly  10  is similar to that seen by the video camera  72 . Two circles  154 ,  156  define the polarization axis of the optical fiber  12 , which may be adjusted by the operator such that they are in vertical alignment, indicated by their orientation with respect to the vertical line  158 . The actuator  38  and the actuator  40  control movement of the stage  36  independently of the vacuum plate stage  52 , so that the optical fiber  12  is allowed to move in the Z-axis or to undergo theta-Z motion relative to the bottom portion  22 . During the alignment the operator also controls the actuator  54  and the actuator  56  of the vacuum plate stage  52  so that the bottom portion  22  and the weights  112 ,  114  can move in the X-axis and the Y-axis relative to the optical fiber  12 . If it is necessary for the operator to move the weights  112 ,  114  on the X-axis and the Z-axis relative to the bottom portion  22 , the X-actuator  160  and the Z-actuator  162  are provided to control movements of the stage  116 , which carries the weights  112 ,  114 . The operator then rotates the fiber  12  about its optical axis using the fiber rotator  42  until its polarization axis is in a desired orientation. In its final position, the fiber  12  rests in its designated V-groove of the bottom portion  22 , is aligned with other optical fibers of the assembly in the Y-axis, and is rotationally aligned, such that its polarization axis has a desired orientation with respect to the Y-axis. 
     Suitable glue, such as UV-glue, is then applied in order to secure the fiber  12  to the bottom portion  22 , and allowed to cure. The gripping assembly  50 , the clamp  64 , the clamp  66 , and the clamp  68 , the weight  112  and the weight  114  are released, and the fiber  12  removed from the fiber rotator  42 . 
     The above described operations fiber are then repeated until all the V-grooves are occupied by optical fibers, or until a predetermined number of optical fibers have been emplaced in the bottom portion  22 . The assembly of the fiberoptic assembly  10  is completed by gluing the top portion  20  to the bottom portion  22  with an epoxy glue to form a housing over the optical fibers, and then polishing the end faces of the optical fibers using known methods. 
     Alternate Embodiment 
     The above described embodiment relies on skilled human operators. Reference is now made to FIG. 11, which semi-schematically illustrates an assembly station that is constructed and operative in accordance with an alternate embodiment of the invention. An assembly station  170  is similar to the assembly station  30  of the first embodiment. However, the video camera has been replaced by a power and polarization detector  164 . The output of the detector  164  is coupled to a suitable signal processor (not shown), which applies control signals to industrial motors  174  which drive the various actuators of the assembly station  170 . The actuators can thus be controlled automatically, without intervention of a human operator. 
     While this invention has been explained with reference to the structure disclosed herein, it is not confined to the details set forth and this application is intended to cover any modifications and changes as may come within the scope of the following claims: