Influence of kinematic variables on apex offset in polishing process of fiber optic connectors

Fiber optic connectors are the fundamental passive optical devices for optical fiber transmission systems. Apex offset on the spherical end-face of a fiber optic connector could significantly deteriorate its optical performances (such as causing higher back reflection). Apex offset is closely related to polishing locus and depends on the kinematic variables of polishing machine. The polishing processes of fiber optic connectors have been experimentally investigated. However, there are few reports on the relationship between polishing locus and apex offset. This paper presents a polishing locus model for a polishing machine of fiber optic connectors. On the basis of the model, the relationships between the apex offset and kinematic variables are obtained by analyzing the polishing distance deviation index and the polishing speed fluctuation index. A group of optimum kinematic variables, which can minimize apex offset, are derived in this paper. The experimental results show that both the polishing locus model and the optimum kinematic variables developed in this paper are accurate. (C) 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.