1. Fiber Array (FA)
An assembly in which multiple optical fibers are arranged at a fixed pitch on a V-groove substrate. Commonly used to couple optical chips to fibers.
2. Polarization Maintaining Fiber Array (PM FA)
An array built with polarization-maintaining fiber, preserving the polarization state of the light.
3. V-Groove Substrate
A silicon or quartz die with precisely etched V-shaped grooves, used to position and align bare optical fibers.
4. Collimator
An optical component that converts the diverging beam from a fiber into a parallel beam using a lens or ball lens.
5. Receptacle
A fiber interface mounted on a device housing, connecting an external patch cord to the internal optical component.
6. Optical Aperture
The effective diameter through which a beam passes a lens or optical system; it affects spot size and coupling efficiency.
7. Tapered Fiber
A fiber whose diameter is reduced by a drawing process, enabling mode-field conversion and coupling optimization.
8. Fiber Patch Cord
A fiber cable with connectors on both ends, used to link optical signals between equipment.
9. Fiber Pigtail
A fiber cable with a connector on one end and a bare fiber on the other.
10. Ferrule
A ceramic or metal part that holds a single optical fiber.
11. Ferrule Plate / Array Ferrule
A ferrule structure that can hold multiple optical fibers at the same time.
12. Adhesive / Epoxy
Material used to bond fibers to a substrate or ferrule. Available as UV-curing and thermal-curing types.
13. Alignment
Precise positional adjustment between a fiber and a chip, a lens, or another fiber.
14. Coupling
The process by which light is transferred between different components or fibers.
15. Insertion Loss (IL)
The optical power loss (dB) when a signal passes through a component — the lower, the better.
16. Return Loss (RL)
The energy reflected back to the input at an interface; a higher value means less reflection.
17. Offset
The positional error of a fiber or chip during the alignment process.
18. Endface Polishing
Grinding and polishing of a fiber or array endface to ensure it is flat and smooth.
19. Angled Polishing (8° FA)
Polishing the endface at an angle (commonly 8°) to reduce back reflection.
20. Fiber Cleaning
Removing dust and oil from the fiber surface to avoid additional loss.
21. Fiber Connector
A detachable fiber termination; common types include FC, SC, LC and MPO.
22. Fiber Adapter
A part used to mate two fiber connectors.
23. Fusion Splicing
Permanently joining two fibers by an electric arc discharge.
24. Thermal Curing
Curing epoxy at elevated temperature to increase strength and stability.
25. UV Curing
Rapidly curing UV adhesive with ultraviolet light.
26. Optical Splitter / PLC Splitter
A passive device that splits one optical signal into multiple outputs.
27. Optical Combiner
A device that combines multiple optical signals into one.
28. Fiber Coupler
A device that distributes or combines optical power.
29. Optical Isolator
Allows light to pass in one direction only, preventing reflected light from disturbing the source.
30. Optical Circulator
Routes light unidirectionally among several ports in sequence.
31. Optical Filter
Passes light of specific wavelengths while blocking others.
32. Fiber Bragg Grating (FBG)
A periodic refractive-index modulation written into the fiber core for wavelength selection.
33. Arrayed Waveguide Grating (AWG)
A planar lightwave circuit device used for wavelength division multiplexing / demultiplexing (WDM).
34. Fiber Delay Line
Uses fiber length to introduce a signal delay.
35. Optical Attenuator
Reduces optical power, used for power balancing in a system.
36. Optical Switch
A passive device that controls the transmission path of an optical signal.
37. Fiber End Cap
A short piece of quartz glass spliced onto the fiber endface to expand the beam and reduce damage.
38. Fiber Lens
A micro-lens formed on the fiber end to improve coupling efficiency.
39. Fiber Alignment Jig
A mechanical tool used to assemble and hold fibers and chips.
40. Multimode / Singlemode Fiber
Multimode fiber supports multiple propagation modes and suits short-distance transmission; singlemode fiber supports only the fundamental mode and suits long distances.