Miniature Optical Connector With Magnetic Attraction Structure

We present a new simplex physical-contact (PC) optical connector featuring a novel magnetic attraction structure. Our connectors provide sufficient magnetic force for PC connection between mated connector plugs with magnetic metal and an adapter equipped with a magnet. The use of magnetic force eliminates the need for mechanical components such as springs and enables us to miniaturize the connectors. To make the connector size as small as possible in our concept, we redesign the minimum compression force required for PC connection using the finite element method. Additionally, we design the optimal configuration including component dimensions and their tolerances to yield the target force by detailed magnetic simulations. The magnetic connectors we designed and fabricated are small enough whose connection size of
$3.0\times 3.0\times9.2$
mm3 while providing low-insertion and high-return losses with high environmental durability comparable to those of conventional connectors. Furthermore, we fabricate the magnetic PC connector for polarization-maintaining fiber for use as on-board connection and confirm good polarization characteristics.