408-9971 Datasheet, PDF (5/7 Pages) TE Connectivity Ltd – ST Ceramic Ferrule Connector Kits and Coupling Receptacle

408-9971
3.7. Cleaving the Fiber
DANGER
! ALWAYS wear safety glasses when working with optical
fibers. BE VERY CAREFUL to dispose of fiber ends
properly. The fibers create slivers that easily puncture
the skin and cause irritation.
1. Carefully remove the protective sleeve from the
connector.
2. Firmly support the connector assembly.
3. Place the blade of the scribe tool directly above
the epoxy, and lightly draw the beveled edge across
the fiber parallel to the tip of the ferrule. See
Figure 7. After scoring the fiber, pull it straight away
from the connector.
Pull Fiber Straight Away
Fiber
Epoxy
Ferrule Tip
Scribe Tool
Figure 7
DANGER
! BE VERY CAREFUL to dispose of fiber ends properly.
The fibers create slivers that can easily puncture the
skin and cause irritation.
4. Insert the connector into the polishing bushing.
See Figure 8.
3.8. Polishing the Fiber
1. Choose a flat end finish or physical contact (PC)
end finish.
iNOTE NOTE
The flat end finish is recommended when the connector
might be exposed to a tough mechanical environment,
and the PC end finish is recommended for singlemode
connectors and will provide better performance by
reducing the optical power reflected back to the source.
2. For the flat end finish, place the white polishing
pad on the polishing plate. For the PC end finish,
place the green polishing pad on the polishing plate.
3. Place the 5-µm polishing film on top of the
polishing pad.
CAUTION
! ALWAYS place the polishing bushing on a clean area of
the polishing film. NEVER start polishing on or across a
dirty section of the film.
4. Holding the polishing bushing, not the connector,
start polishing very lightly. Polish in an elongated
figure 8 pattern. See Figure 9. Initially a small
amount of exposed fiber will be worn away. This is
indicated by a narrow white trace on the film. As the
exposed fiber wears away, the trace will widen and
darken, indicating that epoxy is being removed. At
this point a moderate downward force may be
applied while polishing. Check the tip of the ferrule
often, and stop polishing on the 5-µm film when the
epoxy is light blue.
5. Clean the polishing bushing and connector
assembly with an alcohol fiber wipe.
Figure 8 Pattern
Polishing Bushing
Short Strain Relief
(Ref)
Figure 8
Rev L
Figure 9
6. For the flat end finish, use the 1-µm film on the
white polishing pad, and polish the fiber until only a
very light blue trace of epoxy remains.
For the PC end finish, use the 1-µm film on the
green polishing pad, and polish the fiber for about
20 seconds.
7. Clean the polish bushing and connector
assembly with an alcohol fiber wipe.
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