Facile optical assemblies and components

Abstract

A micro identification system supports facile optical assemblies and components. A segment of optical fiber can comprise an identifier formed via actinic radiation. The identifier can generate a laser interference pattern that can be read through a cylindrical surface of the optical fiber to determine a code. Modified optical fibers are those fibers that have been shaped or coated to an extent beyond the demands of normal communications optical fibers. In one example, modified fibers are no longer than about two feet in length. For another example, the modified fibers can have either a non-cylindrical end face, a non-flat end face, an end face the plane of which is not perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the waveguide, an end face coated with high density filter, or an identifier on or near an end face.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An optical connector, comprising:
 a body having a plurality of holes extending from a front face of the optical connector to an opposing end of the optical connector, the holes being adapted to receive respective optical waveguides; and   a plurality of grooves in the front face, at least two of the holes being separated by a groove, and at least one of the holes being surrounded by a groove.   
     
     
         2 . The optical connector of  claim 1 , at least some of the grooves being adapted to prevent unintended transfer of photons between optical waveguides inserted into the holes. 
     
     
         3 . The optical connector of  claim 1 , wherein each of the holes are surrounded by a groove. 
     
     
         4 . The optical connector of  claim 1 , wherein each hole is separated from another hole by a groove. 
     
     
         5 . The optical connector of  claim 1 , wherein the grooves are adapted to receive corresponding projections on a mating optical connector. 
     
     
         6 . An optical connector, comprising:
 a body having a plurality of holes extending from a front face of the optical connector to an opposing end of the optical connector, the holes being adapted to receive respective optical waveguides; and   a plurality of projections on the front face, at least two the holes being separated by a projection, and at least one of the holes being surrounded by a projection.   
     
     
         7 . The optical connector of  claim 6 , at least some of the projections being adapted to prevent unintended transfer of photons between optical waveguides inserted into the holes. 
     
     
         8 . The optical connector of  claim 6 , wherein each of the holes are surrounded by a projection. 
     
     
         9 . The optical connector of  claim 6 , wherein each hole is separated from another hole by a projection. 
     
     
         10 . The optical connector of  claim 6 , wherein the projections are adapted to engage corresponding grooves on a mating optical connector.