Shaped reflector for coaxial illumination of non-normal surfaces

A microscope may receive a fiber optic connector via a connector adapter of the microscope, wherein the connector adapter includes an opening and a shaped reflective surface surrounding the opening. The microscope may align a ferrule of the fiber optic connector with the opening of the connector adapter of the microscope, wherein the ferrule includes a ferrule chamfer or a ferrule radius. The microscope may transmit direct light onto the shaped reflective surface and may receive reflected light from the ferrule chamfer or the ferrule radius and with a camera of the microscope.

BACKGROUND

A microscope, such as a video microscope, may be used to view a fiber optic connector and to determine imperfections and contamination on the endface of the fiber optic connector.

SUMMARY

In some implementations, a method may include receiving a fiber optic connector via a connector adapter of a microscope, wherein the connector adapter includes an opening and a shaped reflective surface surrounding the opening. The method may include aligning a ferrule of the fiber optic connector with the opening of the connector adapter of the microscope, wherein the ferrule includes a ferrule chamfer or a ferrule radius. The method may include transmitting direct light onto the shaped reflective surface and receiving reflected light from the ferrule chamfer or the ferrule radius and with a camera of the microscope.

In some implementations, a microscope may include a connector adapter that includes an opening and a shaped reflective surface surrounding the opening. The connector adapter may be configured to align a ferrule of a fiber optic connector with the opening of the connector adapter, and the ferrule may include a ferrule chamfer. The microscope may include a light source to transmit direct light to the shaped reflective surface and onto the ferrule chamfer, and a camera to receive reflected light from the ferrule chamfer.

In some implementations, a connector adapter may include a body portion configured to connect with an optical microscope. The body portion may include an opening that is configured to receive and retain a ferrule of a fiber optic connector and the ferrule may include a ferrule chamfer. The connector adapter may include a shaped reflective surface surrounding the opening and being configured to receive direct light from a light source of the optical microscope, and reflect the direct light, as reflected light, to a camera of the optical microscope and via the ferrule chamfer.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A fiber optic connector may include a connector body that retains a cylindrical ceramic ferrule. The ferrule includes a small bore through a central axis that supports a piece of optical fiber. A flexible jacket may house the optical fiber that exits the fiber optic connector. The optical fiber is fixed in place in the bore, and the optical fiber and an endface of the ferrule are polished to a smooth finish. Typically, a chamfer or a bevel is added at a circular edge formed between the end face and a cylindrical face of the ferrule. The chamfer protects the edge from damage and facilitates insertion into mating adapters.

A microscope may use coaxial illumination to illuminate surfaces of the ferrule. Light emitted from a light source of the microscope reflects from a beam splitter (e.g., half of the light reflects, and half of the light passes through). The light reflected from the beam splitter passes through a lens of the microscope and reflects from the ferrule endface and the optical fiber. The reflected light passes back through the lens and forms an image of the ferrule endface at a camera of the microscope. Such a technique is referred to as bright field illumination.

However, some light is not reflected directly back through the lens (e.g., light that reflects from the ferrule chamfer) and does not form an image at the camera. Some light scatters after striking a surface. For example, if the ferrule chamfer is not polished smooth, there is significant light scattering caused by the ferrule chamfer. Scattered light with a great enough intensity reenters the lens and forms an image at the camera. Such an image has different characteristics and is generally referred to as oblique illumination, dark field illumination, or stray light illumination. The image formed by oblique illumination is qualitatively different from bright field illumination. Most inspections of fiber optic endfaces rely on bright field illumination and may be inaccurate when using only oblique illumination. Thus, current inspection techniques waste computing resources (e.g., processing resources, memory resources, communication resources, and/or the like), networking resources, human resources, and/or the like associated with performing incorrect inspections of fiber optic connectors, incorrectly determining that faulty fiber optic connectors are functional, implementing faulty fiber optic connectors in networks, losing network data because of the faulty fiber optic connectors, and/or the like.

Some implementations described herein relate to a microscope that utilizes a shaped reflector for coaxial illumination of non-normal surfaces. For example, the microscope may receive a fiber optic connector via a connector adapter of the microscope, wherein the connector adapter includes an opening and a shaped reflective surface surrounding the opening. The microscope may align a ferrule of the fiber optic connector with the opening of the connector adapter of the microscope, wherein the ferrule includes a ferrule chamfer. The microscope may transmit direct light onto the shaped reflective surface and may receive reflected light from the ferrule chamfer and with a camera of the microscope.

In this way, the microscope utilizes a shaped reflector for coaxial illumination of non-normal surfaces. The microscope may include a reflector with a geometry that allows illumination from the light source to image the ferrule chamfer with bright field illumination. The light from the light source is reflected by the reflector in such a way that subsequent light reflected from the ferrule chamfer passes back through the lens. The ferrule chamfer and the reflector may be conical and axially symmetric. This, in turn, conserves computing resources, networking resources, human resources, and/or the like that would otherwise have been wasted in performing incorrect inspections of fiber optic connectors, incorrectly determining that faulty fiber optic connectors are functional, implementing faulty fiber optic connectors in networks, losing network data because of the faulty fiber optic connectors, and/or the like.

FIGS.1A-1Gare diagrams of an example100associated with utilizing a shaped reflector for coaxial illumination of non-normal surfaces. As shown inFIGS.1A-1G, example100includes a microscope105and a fiber optic connector110. Microscope105may be an optical microscope or video microscope with or without a display, used to view fiber optic connector110and to determine imperfections in fiber optic connector110, and/or the like. Fiber optic connector110may include any fiber optic connector that includes an optical fiber, such as a fiber-optic connector (FC), an FC/physical content (PC) connector, an FC/angled physical content (APC) connector, a snap-in connector (SC), an ST connector, a small-form factor (LC) connector, and/or the like. Further details of microscope105and fiber optic connector110are provided elsewhere herein.

As shown inFIG.1A, and by reference number115, fiber optic connector110may be connected to microscope105. For example, fiber optic connector110may be inserted into microscope105so that fiber optic connector110may be retained in and tested by microscope105. Further details of the interconnection of fiber optic connector110and microscope105are provided elsewhere herein.

As shown inFIG.1B, fiber optic connector110may include a ferrule120that extends through a body portion of fiber optic connector110and outward away from an opening of the body portion. Ferrule120may be cylindrical, square, rectangular, and/or the like in shape and may be made from a variety of materials, such as plastic, stainless steel, ceramic, and/or the like. Ferrule120may be sized and shaped based on an application of fiber optic connector110(e.g., based on a size and shape associated with a mating fiber optic adapter). Ferrule120may include a bore through a central axis that includes an optical fiber125. Optical fiber125may be fixed in place in the bore. Ferrule120may include a ferrule endface130. Optical fiber125and ferrule endface130may be polished to a smooth finish. Ferrule120may include a ferrule chamfer135or a bevel provided at an edge formed between ferrule endface130and an outer surface of the body portion of ferrule120. Ferrule chamfer135may protect the edge from damage and may facilitate insertion into mating fiber optic adapters. In some implementations, ferrule chamfer135may be replaced with a ferrule radius provided at the edge formed between ferrule endface130and the outer surface of the body portion of ferrule120.

A side view of fiber optic connector110is shown in the top part ofFIG.1Cand a sectional view of fiber optic connector110, taken along line B-B of the side view, is shown in the bottom part ofFIG.1Cprovides. As shown in the side view, ferrule120may include a diameter that is based on an application of fiber optic connector110. For example, diameter may range from approximately one millimeter (1 mm) to approximately three millimeters (3 mm). As shown in the sectional view, ferrule120may extend from within the body portion of fiber optic connector110, through the opening of fiber optic connector110, and away from the body portion and the opening.

As shown inFIG.1D, microscope105may include a camera140, a light source145, a beam splitter150, a lens155, and a connector adapter160. Camera140may include an image sensor that captures images provided by light reflected from ferrule endface130. For example, camera140may include a complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) megapixel image sensor. Light source145may include a light-emitting diode (LED) light source, an incandescent light source, a fluorescent light source, a halogen light source, and/or the like that generates direct light. Beam splitter150may include an optical device that splits a beam of light in two. For example, beam splitter150may include two triangular glass prisms that are joined together to form a cube, such that half of light incident on one face of the cube is reflected and another half of the light is transmitted due to frustrated total internal reflection.

In operation, microscope105may utilize coaxial illumination to illuminate surfaces of ferrule120. Half of light emitted from light source145of microscope105reflects from beam splitter150toward lens155. The light reflected from beam splitter150passes through lens155of microscope105and reflects from ferrule endface130and optical fiber125as reflected light. The reflected light passes back through lens155and lens155forms an image of optical fiber125and ferrule endface130at camera140.

Connector adapter160may be sized and shaped to fit within and connect to an end portion of microscope105(e.g., an end portion that is opposite of an end portion associated with camera140). Connector adapter160may be formed from a variety of materials (e.g., metal, plastic, glass, and/or the like), and may include an opening that is sized and shaped to receive and retain ferrule120of fiber optic connector110. In some implementations, the opening of connector adapter160is axially aligned with an axis of ferrule120(e.g., the bore provided through ferrule120and including optical fiber125).

As further shown inFIG.1D, connector adapter160may include a shaped reflective surface165provided around the opening of connector adapter160. A size and a shape of shaped reflective surface165may depend on a size and a shape of ferrule120and on a size and a shape of ferrule chamfer135. Shaped reflective surface165may be formed from a variety of materials, such as a polished metal, a coated glass, a metallized plastic, and/or the like.

As further shown inFIG.1D, and by reference number170, ferrule120of fiber optic connector110may be aligned with and retained in the opening of connector adapter160of microscope105. As shown by reference number175, the direct light from light source145may be transmitted onto shaped reflective surface165(e.g., via beam splitter150and lens155) and may be received as reflected light with camera140. For example, and as shown in the magnified view ofFIG.1D, some of the direct light may be transmitted to shaped reflective surface165and reflected by shaped reflective surface165to ferrule chamfer135. Ferrule chamfer135may reflect the direct light as reflected light. The reflected light from ferrule chamfer135may travel through lens155and beam splitter150and may be received by camera140. Some of the direct light may be transmitted to ferrule endface130and reflected by ferrule endface130as reflected light. The reflected light from ferrule endface130may travel through lens155and beam splitter150and may be received by camera140.

As shown inFIG.1E, in some implementations, microscope105includes light source145, an offset light source180, and a shaped reflective surface185. Offset light source180may include an LED light source, an incandescent light source, a fluorescent light source, a halogen light source, and/or the like that generates direct light. Offset light source180may generate the direct light at an angle rather than coaxially with camera140, beam splitter150, and/or lens155. Shaped reflective surface185may include the features of shaped reflective surface165described above in connection withFIG.1D. However, since the direct light from offset light source180is provided at an angle, shaped reflective surface185may include a different geometry than shaped reflective surface165. For example, the geometry of shaped reflective surface185may be adapted to the angle of the direct light received from offset light source180in such a way that the reflected light forms a bright field image at camera140.

As shown in the magnified view ofFIG.1E, the direct light from offset light source180may be transmitted to shaped reflective surface185and reflected by shaped reflective surface185to ferrule chamfer135. Ferrule chamfer135may reflect the direct light as reflected light. The reflected light from ferrule chamfer135may travel through lens155and beam splitter150and may be received by camera140. The direct light from light source145may be transmitted to ferrule endface130and reflected by ferrule endface130as reflected light. The reflected light from ferrule endface130may travel through lens155and beam splitter150and may be received by camera140.

As shown inFIG.1F, in some implementations, microscope105includes a prism190provided around the opening of connector adapter160and including to a shaped surface that is shaped in a manner similar to shaped reflective surface165. The shaped surface of prism190may be an interior reflective surface that reflects direct light in a manner similar to shaped reflective surface165. Prism190may be sized and shaped to connect to the opening of connector adapter160and may be formed from a variety of materials, such as glass, plastic, fluorite, and/or the like. A portion of prism190may be transparent, to receive the direct light and provide the direct light to the interior reflective surface of prism190. The interior reflective surface of prism190may be reflective, to reflect the direct light in a manner similar to shaped reflective surface165. The interior reflection with prism190may be provided by a reflective surface coating provided on the interior reflective surface or as a result of total internal reflection.

As shown in the magnified view ofFIG.1F, some of the direct light from light source145may be transmitted through prism190to the interior reflective surface of prism190and may be reflected by the interior reflective surface to ferrule chamfer135. Ferrule chamfer135may reflect the direct light as reflected light. The reflected light from ferrule chamfer135may travel through lens155and beam splitter150and may be received by camera140. Some of the direct light from light source145may be transmitted to ferrule endface130and reflected by ferrule endface130as reflected light. The reflected light from ferrule endface130may travel through lens155and beam splitter150and may be received by camera140.

As further shown inFIG.1F, and by reference number195, microscope105may determine a result based on the reflected light received by camera140and provide the result for display. For example, microscope105may determine an inspection result (e.g., a fault, no issues, and/or the like) for fiber optic connector110based on the reflected light received by camera140. Microscope105may provide the result for display on a display device associated with microscope105.

As shown inFIG.1G, ferrule chamfer135of ferrule120may be provided at an angle α relative to a line provided perpendicular to a plane of ferrule endface130. Shaped reflective surface165may be provided at an angle β relative to a line provided parallel to the plane of ferrule endface130. In some implementations, a size of angle β is determined based on a size of angle α to ensure that direct light reflected from shaped reflective surface165is reflected to a surface of ferrule chamfer135and back to camera140. For example, angle β may range from approximately twenty-five degrees (25°) to approximately thirty-five degrees (35°).

In this way, microscope105utilizes a shaped reflector for coaxial illumination of non-normal surfaces. Microscope105may include a shaped reflector (e.g., shaped reflective surface165or185) with a geometry that allows illumination from light source145to image ferrule chamfer135with bright field illumination. The light from light source145is reflected by the reflector in such a way that subsequent light reflection from ferrule chamfer135passes back through lens155. Ferrule chamfer135and the reflector may be conical and axially symmetric. This, in turn, conserves computing resources, networking resources, human resources, and/or the like that would otherwise have been wasted in performing incorrect inspections of fiber optic connectors, incorrectly determining that faulty fiber optic connectors are functional, implementing faulty fiber optic connectors in networks, losing network data because of the faulty fiber optic connectors, and/or the like.

As indicated above,FIGS.1A-1Gare provided as an example. Other examples may differ from what is described with regard toFIGS.1A-1G. The number and arrangement of devices shown inFIGS.1A-1Gare provided as an example. In practice, there may be additional devices, fewer devices, different devices, or differently arranged devices than those shown inFIGS.1A-1G. Furthermore, two or more devices shown inFIGS.1A-1Gmay be implemented within a single device, or a single device shown inFIGS.1A-1Gmay be implemented as multiple, distributed devices. Additionally, or alternatively, a set of devices (e.g., one or more devices) shown inFIGS.1A-1Gmay perform one or more functions described as being performed by another set of devices shown inFIGS.1A-1G.

FIG.2is a diagram of example components of a device200, which may correspond to microscope105. In some implementations, microscope105may include one or more devices200and/or one or more components of device200. As shown inFIG.2, device200may include a bus210, a processor220, a memory230, a storage component240, an input component250, an output component260, and a communication component270.

Bus210includes a component that enables wired and/or wireless communication among the components of device200. Processor220includes a central processing unit, a graphics processing unit, a microprocessor, a controller, a microcontroller, a digital signal processor, a field-programmable gate array, an application-specific integrated circuit, and/or another type of processing component. Processor220is implemented in hardware, firmware, or a combination of hardware and software. In some implementations, processor220includes one or more processors capable of being programmed to perform a function. Memory230includes a random-access memory, a read only memory, and/or another type of memory (e.g., a flash memory, a magnetic memory, and/or an optical memory).

Storage component240stores information and/or software related to the operation of device200. For example, storage component240may include a hard disk drive, a magnetic disk drive, an optical disk drive, a solid-state disk drive, a compact disc, a digital versatile disc, and/or another type of non-transitory computer-readable medium. Input component250enables device200to receive input, such as user input and/or sensed inputs. For example, input component250may include a touch screen, a keyboard, a keypad, a mouse, a button, a microphone, a switch, a sensor, a global positioning system component, an accelerometer, a gyroscope, and/or an actuator. Output component260enables device200to provide output, such as via a display, a speaker, and/or one or more light-emitting diodes. Communication component270enables device200to communicate with other devices, such as via a wired connection and/or a wireless connection. For example, communication component270may include a receiver, a transmitter, a transceiver, a modem, a network interface card, and/or an antenna.

Device200may perform one or more processes described herein. For example, a non-transitory computer-readable medium (e.g., memory230and/or storage component240) may store a set of instructions (e.g., one or more instructions, code, software code, and/or program code) for execution by processor220. Processor220may execute the set of instructions to perform one or more processes described herein. In some implementations, execution of the set of instructions, by one or more processors220, causes the one or more processors220and/or the device200to perform one or more processes described herein. In some implementations, hardwired circuitry may be used instead of or in combination with the instructions to perform one or more processes described herein. Thus, implementations described herein are not limited to any specific combination of hardware circuitry and software.

FIG.3is a flowchart of an example process300for utilizing a shaped reflector for coaxial illumination of non-normal surfaces. In some implementations, one or more process blocks ofFIG.3may be performed by a microscope (e.g., microscope105). In some implementations, one or more process blocks ofFIG.3may be performed by another device or a group of devices separate from or including the microscope. Additionally, or alternatively, one or more process blocks ofFIG.3may be performed by one or more components of device200, such as processor220, memory230, storage component240, input component250, output component260, and/or communication component270.

As shown inFIG.3, process300may include receiving a fiber optic connector via a connector adapter of the microscope, wherein the connector adapter includes an opening and a shaped reflective surface surrounding the opening (block310). For example, the microscope may receive a fiber optic connector via a connector adapter of the microscope, as described above. In some implementations, the connector adapter includes an opening and a shaped reflective surface surrounding the opening.

As further shown inFIG.3, process300may include aligning a ferrule of the fiber optic connector with the opening of the connector adapter of the microscope, wherein the ferrule includes a ferrule chamfer (block320). For example, the microscope may align a ferrule of the fiber optic connector with the opening of the connector adapter of the microscope, as described above. In some implementations, the ferrule includes a ferrule chamfer.

As further shown inFIG.3, process300may include transmitting direct light onto the shaped reflective surface (block330). For example, the microscope may transmit direct light onto the shaped reflective surface, as described above.

As further shown inFIG.3, process300may include receiving reflected light from the ferrule chamfer and with a camera of the microscope (block340). For example, the microscope may receive reflected light from the ferrule chamfer and with a camera of the microscope, as described above.

In a first implementation, the direct light reflects from the shaped reflective surface and onto the ferrule chamfer to form the reflected light.

In a second implementation, alone or in combination with the first implementation, process300includes determining a result based on the reflected light received by the camera and providing the result for display.

In a third implementation, alone or in combination with one or more of the first and second implementations, transmitting the direct light onto the shaped reflective surface includes one of transmitting the direct light, from a light source of the microscope and via a beam splitter of the microscope, onto the shaped reflective surface; transmitting the direct light, from the light source and via the beam splitter, onto a prism of the connector adapter; or transmitting the direct light, from an offset light source of the microscope, onto the shaped reflective surface.

In a fourth implementation, alone or in combination with one or more of the first through third implementations, a size and a shape of the shaped reflective surface depends on a size and a shape of the ferrule and on a size and a shape of the ferrule chamfer.

In a fifth implementation, alone or in combination with one or more of the first through fourth implementations, the microscope includes a beam splitter to receive the direct light from the light source, transmit the direct light onto the shaped reflective surface, receive the reflected light from the ferrule chamfer, and transmit the reflected light to the camera.

In a sixth implementation, alone or in combination with one or more of the first through fifth implementations, the connector adapter includes a prism, and the light source is to transmit the direct light onto a reflective surface of the prism.

In a seventh implementation, alone or in combination with one or more of the first through sixth implementations, the light source is an offset light source to transmit the direct light at an angle onto the shaped reflective surface.

In an eighth implementation, alone or in combination with one or more of the first through seventh implementations, the reflected light from the ferrule chamfer is imaged at the camera with bright field illumination.

In a ninth implementation, alone or in combination with one or more of the first through eighth implementations, the microscope includes a lens, provided between the light source and the connector adapter, to receive the direct light from the light source, transmit the direct light onto the shaped reflective surface, receive the reflected light from the ferrule chamfer, and form an image of the ferrule chamfer on the camera based on the reflected light.

In a tenth implementation, alone or in combination with one or more of the first through ninth implementations, the shaped reflective surface includes one or more of a polished metal, a coated glass, or a metallized plastic.

In an eleventh implementation, alone or in combination with one or more of the first through tenth implementations, the ferrule includes an axial bore through which an optical fiber is provided.

In a twelfth implementation, alone or in combination with one or more of the first through eleventh implementations, the connector adapter includes a body portion configured to connect with the microscope, and the body portion includes that opening that is configured to receive and retain the ferrule of the fiber optic connector.

AlthoughFIG.3shows example blocks of process300, in some implementations, process300may include additional blocks, fewer blocks, different blocks, or differently arranged blocks than those depicted inFIG.3. Additionally, or alternatively, two or more of the blocks of process300may be performed in parallel.

The foregoing disclosure provides illustration and description but is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the implementations to the precise form disclosed. Modifications may be made in light of the above disclosure or may be acquired from practice of the implementations.