Method of viewing optical fiber connection residing in polishing workholders and apparatus used therefor

Abstract

An apparatus that enables a magnification system to view the surface of optical connectors without the need to remove the connectors from a polishing workholder. A connector is placed into a centering insert that is integral to a polishing workholder. The magnification system is fitted with an adapter that engages with the centering insert. This engagement locates the ferrule of the optical connector in the focal plane of the magnification system for viewing and inspection of surface quality.

We claim:  
     
         1 . An apparatus enabling the viewing of an optical fiber connector residing in a polishing workholder with an optical magnification system comprising: 
 a centering means;    an adapter means.    
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of    claim 1    wherein said centering means is mounted in said polishing workholder.  
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of    claim 1    wherein a ferrule of said optical fiber connector is positioned in the center of said centering means.  
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of    claim 3    wherein the longitudinal axis said ferrule coincides with the longitudinal axis of said centering means.  
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of    claim 1    wherein said adapter means is mounted on said optical magnification system.  
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of    claim 1    wherein said centering means has a gender surface profile that is the anti-gender of the surface profile of said adapter means.  
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of    claim 6    wherein the said gender surface and said anti-gender surface permit an engagement between said centering means and said adapter means.  
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of    claim 7    wherein said engagement results in the longitudinal co-alignment of the said axis of said ferrule with the optical train axis of said magnification system.  
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of    claim 7    wherein said engagement positions the end face of said ferrule at the focal plane of said optical magnification system.  
     
     
         10 . An apparatus which creates an engagement between a polishing workholder and an optical magnification device that locates the end face of a fiber optic component residing in said polishing fixture for inspection comprising: 
 a locating means;    an interface means.    
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of    claim 10    wherein said locating means is a modified surface contour of said polishing workholder.  
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of    claim 10    wherein said interface means attaches to the objective end of said optical magnification device.  
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of    claim 12    wherein the front end of said interface means has a surface profile that allows it to mate with said locating means.  
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of    claim 13    wherein said mating positions the end face of said fiber optic component along the optical train axis of said magnification device.  
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of    claim 13    wherein said mating positions the end face of said fiber optic component in the focal plane of said magnification device.  
     
     
         16 . An apparatus which positions a ferrule of an optical fiber connector, protruding from a polishing workholder, into the focal region of an optical magnification system comprising: 
 a locating means;    an adapter means.    
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of    claim 16    wherein said locating means is the bottom surface area of said polishing workholder surrounding said ferrule.  
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of    claim 17    wherein said locating means is a positive stop for said adapter means upon engagement.  
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of    claim 16    wherein one end of said adapter means attaches to said magnification system and the other end is formed to engulf the outer perimeter of said protruding ferrule upon engagement with said locating means.  
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of    claim 16    wherein engagement between said locating means and said adapter means causes said ferrule of said fiber connector to lie in the focal plane of said magnification system.