Small-form-factor fiber optic interface devices with an internal lens

Abstract

Small-form-factor fiber optic interface devices with an internal lens are disclosed. The fiber optic interface devices have a ferrule with a bore that supports an optical waveguide. The lens is on or adjacent the ferrule front end and is aligned with the bore. A first planar surface is provided on or adjacent the lens. The first planar surface interfaces with a second planar surface of a second fiber optic interface device to form a fiber optic interface assembly having a liquid-displacing interface when the first and second fiber optic interface devices are engaged.

1 . A ferrule assembly for a first fiber optic interface device for engaging a second fiber optic interface device having a second planar surface comprising:
 a ferrule having a front end, a front section at the front end, and a bore configured to support an optical waveguide, the bore having an end at or adjacent the ferrule front end;   a lens on or adjacent the ferrule end, the lens being aligned with the bore and operably arranged relative to the bore end; and   a first planar surface provided on or adjacent the lens, with the first and second planar surfaces defining a liquid-displacing interface when the first and second fiber optic interface devices are engaged.   
     
     
         2 . The ferrule assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the lens is defined by a substantially transparent endcap configured to fit over the ferrule front section. 
     
     
         3 . The ferrule assembly of  claim 2 , further comprising the endcap having an endwall with first and second opposite surfaces, with the first endwall surface being said first planar surface and the second endwall surface being a curved interior surface. 
     
     
         4 . The ferrule assembly of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 the endcap having an endwall with first and second opposite surfaces, with the first endwall surface defining a curved exterior surface and the second endwall defining one of a curved or planar surface; and   a transparent member disposed adjacent the curved exterior surface, the transparent member having a planar surface that defines said first planar surface.   
     
     
         5 . The ferrule assembly of  claim 2 , further comprising the endcap having an interior defined by an interior sidewall, the interior surface having a venting slot. 
     
     
         6 . The ferrule assembly of  claim 2 , further comprising the endcap having an interior defined by an interior sidewall, with a step formed in the sidewall and contacting the ferrule front surface to define a gap between the ferrule front end and the endcap second surface. 
     
     
         7 . The ferrule assembly of  claim 2 , further comprising the optical waveguide supported in the bore, with the optical waveguide having an end substantially at the bore end. 
     
     
         8 . The ferrule of  claim 1 , further comprising the lens supported by the ferrule front section and comprising a gradient-index lens having a front surface that defines the first planar surface and a rear surface adjacent the bore end. 
     
     
         9 . The ferrule of  claim 8 , further comprising the GRIN lens being formed by one of an ionic diffusion process and a fiber drawing process. 
     
     
         10 . A first fiber optic interface device, comprising:
 the ferrule assembly of  claim 1 ; and   a housing that operably supports the ferrule assembly.   
     
     
         11 . The first fiber optic interface device of  claim 10 , further comprising an optical fiber cable operably connected to the housing and containing an optical fiber, with an end portion of the optical fiber supported by the ferrule. 
     
     
         12 . The first fiber optic interface device of  claim 10 , further comprising:
 the second fiber optic interface device engaged with the first fiber optic interface device to define the liquid-displacing interface.   
     
     
         13 . A ferrule assembly for a first fiber optic interface device configured to engage a second fiber optic interface device having a second planar surface, comprising:
 a ferrule having a front end and a bore configured to support an optical waveguide, the bore having an end that terminates within the ferrule at a distance from the ferrule front end;   a lens having a front convex surface, the lens aligned with the bore; and   a substantially transparent member disposed adjacent the convex surface, the substantially transparent member having a first planar surface that defines along with the second planar surface a liquid-displacing interface when the first and second fiber optic interface devices are engaged.   
     
     
         14 . The ferrule assembly of  claim 13 , further comprising the lens defined by an endcap that fits over the ferrule front end, the endcap having a front surface that defines the convex surface, with the transparent member supported by the endcap. 
     
     
         15 . A fiber optic interface assembly, comprising:
 the first fiber optic interface device having the ferrule assembly of  claim 13 ;   the second fiber optic interface device engaged with the first fiber optic interface device.   
     
     
         16 . A ferrule assembly for a first fiber optic interface device configured to engage a second fiber optic interface device having a second planar surface, comprising:
 a ferrule having a front end and a bore configured to support an optical waveguide having an end; and   a gradient-index (GRIN) lens operably supported at or adjacent the ferrule front end, the GRIN lens having a first planar front surface and a rear surface at or adjacent the optical fiber end, the first planar front surface and the second planar surface defining a liquid-displacing interface when the first and second fiber optic interface devices are engaged.   
     
     
         17 . The ferrule assembly of  claim 16 , further comprising the ferrule having a front section, the ferrule assembly further comprising an endcap configured to fit over the ferrule front section, the endcap having a front end defined by an endwall that supports the GRIN lens, with the first planar front surface being substantially at the endcap front end and the GRIN rear surface being immediately adjacent the ferrule front end. 
     
     
         18 . The ferrule assembly of  claim 16 , further comprising the GRIN lens being formed by one of an ionic diffusion process and a fiber drawing process. 
     
     
         19 . A fiber optic interface assembly, comprising:
 the first fiber optic interface device having the ferrule assembly of  claim 16 ;   the second fiber optic interface device engaged with the first fiber optic interface device such that the first planar front surface and the second planar surface define the liquid-displacing interface when the first and second fiber optic interface devices are engaged.   
     
     
         20 . A ferrule assembly for a first fiber optic interface device configured to engage a second fiber optic interface device having a second planar surface, comprising:
 a ferrule body having a front end that defines a first planar surface, and an internal cavity having a front surface and a rear surface;   a bore that supports an optical waveguide having an end, with the bore terminating at a bore end within the ferrule body adjacent the internal cavity rear surface, with the optical waveguide end substantially at the bore end;   a first cylindrical lens on the internal cavity front surface and having optical power in a first direction; and   a second cylindrical lens on the internal cavity rear surface and axially spaced apart from the first cylindrical lens, the second cylindrical lens having optical power in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction; and   wherein the first and second planar surfaces define a liquid-displacing interface when the first and second fiber optic interface devices are mated.   
     
     
         21 . The ferrule according to  claim 20 , further comprising the first and second cylindrical lenses configured to form a substantially collimated beam from a diverging beam from the optical waveguide end. 
     
     
         22 . A method of transmitting light through a liquid-displacing interface, comprising:
 supporting in a ferrule of a ferrule assembly an optical fiber having an end, the ferrule assembly having a lens operably arranged relative to the optical fiber end, and having a first planar front surface;   interfacing the first planar front surface with a second planar front surface of a light-transmitting member to define the liquid-displacing interface; and   transmitting the light through the optical fiber, through the lens and through the liquid-displacing interface and to light-transmitting member.   
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 22 , further comprising defining the internal lens by an end cap that first over a ferrule front end, the end cap having an interior curved surface and an exterior planar surface that defines the first planar front surface. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 22 , further comprising the lens comprising a gradient-index lens element having a front surface that defines the first planar front surface. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein said interfacing includes placing the first and second planar surfaces in contact. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 22 , further comprising defining the lens at a front end of the ferrule and defining the first planar front surface with a substantially transparent planar member disposed adjacent the ferrule front end. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 22 , further comprising:
 the lens comprising a gradient-index (GRIN) lens.   
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 27 , further comprising forming the GRIN lens by one of an ionic-diffusion process and a fiber-drawing process.