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Method and apparatus for measuring endface surface topography of multi-fiber fiberoptic connectors

  • US 6,215,555 B1
  • Filed: 01/07/1999
  • Issued: 04/10/2001
  • Est. Priority Date: 01/07/1999
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A method of evaluating a connector end surface of a multi-fiber connector having a precision guide pin hole for receiving a guide pin to precisely mate the multi-fiber connector with a like multi-fiber connector, the method comprising:

  • (a) providing a reference guide pin having on one end thereof a polished reference surface oriented at a predetermined angle relative to a longitudinal axis of the reference guide pin;

    (b) inserting the reference guide pin into the guide pin hole;

    (c) focusing an interferometer on the reference surface to produce an interferogram of the reference surface;

    (d) adjusting the relative orientation between the reference surface and a reference mirror of the interferometer as necessary to produce a predetermined fringe density of the interferogram of the reference surface;

    (e) ensuring that the interferometer is focused on the connector end surface; and

    (f) operating the interferometer to acquire data representative of an interferogram of the connector end surface and operating the interferometer to compute from the data a profile of the connector end surface, wherein the profile is precisely calibrated with reference to the guide pin hole, whereby the profile of the connector end surface is indicative of mateability of the multi-fiber connector with the like multi-fiber connector.

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