Epoxyless Connectors for Optical Fiber

The Navy has identified the need for an epoxyless fiber optic ferrule and associated connector housing, and mating adapter, for optical fibers designed for transmission from 2-10 microns in wavelength. The primary application for epoxyless mid-infrared (MWIR) fiber connector technology is the PMA-272 Directed Infrared Countermeasures (DIRCM) program and a secondary application is at-a-distance chemical and biological agent sensors. Other Navy applications of epoxyless low loss fiber optic connector technology, when used with other types of optical fiber, include high energy fiber laser weapons, platform interconnects, and tethers for towed arrays and undersea weapons. nPP proposes to offer epoxyless metallic ferrules optimized for laser sources in the MWIR, capable of running at the required powers and power densities (100 W, 10 GW/cm2) that are MIL-STD810G and AS6021 compliant. Aiding the ability to withstand these powers is that the ferrule will be metallic, and so will act as a combined radiative and thermally conductive heat sink reducing the temperature rise of the fiber, something the ceramic ferrules cannot do effectively. The need for and design of a custom heat-sinking connector housing and adaptor with optimized thermal properties that mate the two ferrules ends together will be investigated, and designed if required.