Fiber optic connector and method of assembly

Abstract

A fiber optic connector comprising a coupling shell encircling a glass end portion of a bushing disposed axially within an encircling ferrule having an end portion extended axially out of the shell and terminating in a dish-shaped end surface provided with a central aperture through which an optical fiber element extending axially through the glass end portion of the bushing and the ferrule protrudes to terminate at a planar end surface spaced axially from the aperture, the dish-shaped end surface being curved concavely and continuously from the aperture radially to a circular rim which is spaced a greater axial distance from the aperture than the planar end surface of the optical fiber element. The method of assembling the fiber optic connector onto the optical fiber element including the steps of securing the glass end portion of the bushing to a body portion thereof with bonding material insensitive to ultraviolet light and securing the optical fiber element to the glass end portion with bonding material sensitive to ultraviolet light. A fiber optic junction assembly comprising two of the fiber optic connectors having the circular rims of their respective dish-shaped end surfaces disposed in abutting relationship and forming a biconvex enclosure wherein the planar end surfaces of the respective optical fiber elements are disposed in axial spaced alignment with one another.