MPO Type 8-Multicore Fiber Connector With Physical Contact Connection

We developed a MPO type 8-multicore fiber (MCF) connector using single mode 7-core MCF and realized physical contact (PC) with return loss more than 40 dB and low connection loss less than 0.85 dB in all 56 cores. To simplify the rotational alignment process for each MCF, we developed the rotational alignment method using alignment member and realized rotational alignment accuracy within ±1°. To reduce necessary pressing force for PC connection of all cores in all MCFs, we utilized compressive strain of MCF cladding for the absorption of height difference among MCFs and polishing for bare MCF to reduce necessary pressing force for a pair of MCFs. Fabricated 8-MCF connector demonstrated all cores PC with pressing force of 18 N.