Impact of thermal cycle on end-face geometry of laser processed LC and standard LC connectors

This paper investigates the impact of thermal cycle on geometry of laser processed and standard LC/PC connectors. All connectors were separated into four groups: 1) unmated & stored at room temperature, 2) mated & stored at room temperature, 3) unmated during thermal cycle, and 4) mated during thermal cycle. Groups 1 & 2 were stored at room temperature for 7 days. The thermal cycle was performed on Groups 3 & 4 during 7 days based on GR-326 requirements. Radius of curvature, apex offset and fiber height were measured before and after those 7 days. The fiber withdrawal up to 100 nm is found in Group 4, but no changes are observed in Groups 1-3. After Group 4 underwent the 2
^nd
and 3
^rd
thermal cycles (1 week/cycle), an insignificant change in fiber height is found. In addition, there is no significant change in fiber height for the unmated connectors in Group 4 after 1 year stored at room temperature.