Materials in Fiber Optic Connections

Millions of connectors and splices are presently in use in fiber optic telecommunication networks, local area networks, and data links. The termination of optical fibers makes use of a broad class of materials. Among the component parts are metals, ceramics, thermoset and thermoplastic polymers, heat and UV cured adhesives, glasses and single-crystal Si chips. These materials are chosen on the basis of precision fabrication (submicron tolerances may be required), cost, and environmental stability. This talk will survey the materials that are used, the design constraints that dictate their choice and their performance in the field.