Self-aligning optical-fibre connector with magnetic-alloy-clad fibres

Novel 10-fibre connectors have been developed based on a magnetic self-aligning mechanism. The magnetic-alloy-clad fibres for the connector are attracted into V-grooves by a permanent magnet. The average connection loss is 0.4 dB with index matching. The loss for each connection point remains constant within a deviation of 0.005 dB, the measurement accuracy, for disengagement/re-engagement cycles with the connector.