Shock Resistant Single-Mode Fiber Optic Connector

The ST-connector is the standard Navy single fiber connector. It is a quick-release fiber connector which makes it easy to connect and install but the quick release nature of the coupling makes it very sensitive to severe vibration. We propose a novel coupling system that will be incorporated into the ST-connector, which will significantly reduce its sensitivity to vibration. Our coupling system will include diffractive optics and proven coupling techniques. The beam will be allowed to expand as it emerges from the first fiber and a collimating diffractive optic will be utilized to collimate this expanded beam and a focusing diffractive optic will be utilized to focus the beam into the second fiber. The expanded beam will reduce system sensitivity to misalignment which can be caused by vibration. In addition, the diffractive optic elements will be specifically designed to reduce sensitivity to vibration.