Plastic split alignment sleeves for single-mode fiber connection of MU- and SC-type ferrules

Split alignment sleeves for the single-mode optical-fiber connection of MU- and SC-type ferrules were successfully fabricated for the first time with a precise injection-molding technique using a thermosetting epoxy resin, Th e optimum inner radii of the plastic sleeves were determined with a view to realizing both suitable gauge retention forces for the ferrules and a smal l fiber offset of 1 mum between them. The adapters incorporating the plasti c sleeves showed excellent performance with an average connection loss of 0 .09 dB and a return loss of >50 dB.