Durable fiber optic mating surface with integrated lens

The Hardened-Lens Contact (HLC) termination process provides the durable interconnect that the fiber optic industry is seeking. The process subjects the end-face to a rapid melt and reflow. The entire end face becomes a hard, smooth surface that resists scratching, films and residues, and the accumulation of airborne particles. The process also prevents leaching of contaminants from below the surface. These benefits provide a durable fiber optic end face that is easy to clean and produces repeatable results in a real world environment. Another benefit is the integrated lens that is automatically formed during the termination process. The lens is an optical approach that greatly reduces many of the alignment and loss issues that are faced by the industry today. Megladon´s HLC process provides an end-face that meets all UPC geometry criteria and is compatible with all PC and UPC interconnects.