Patent attributes
A fiber array unit (FAU) includes a substrate, a cover element, and a plurality of optical fibers each including a splice joint connecting fibers of different mode-field diameters with a recoating material arranged over at least a portion of the fibers overlapping the substrate, wherein stripped portions of the fibers are arranged in grooves between the substrate and the cover element. A method for fabricating a compact FAU includes splicing ends of stripped sections of first and second optical fiber segments of different mode-field diameters, applying a recoating material over at least portions of the stripped sections, positioning portions of stripped sections of the second optical fiber segments in grooves defined in a substrate, and arranging a cover over the grooves. Certain embodiments include stripping recoating material portions of the second optical fiber segments before they are placed in the grooves.
