Optical ferrule

Abstract

An optical ferrule includes top and bottom surfaces. The top surface includes a plurality of attachment areas and a light redirecting member. The bottom surface includes an exit window. The top and bottom surfaces define a thickness direction of the optical ferrule therebetween. The optical ferrule has at least along the thickness direction, an optical transmittance of at least 30% for at least a first wavelength in a wavelength range extending from about 350 nm to about 2000 nm. The top and bottom surfaces of the optical ferrule have respective pluralities of top and bottom alignment fiducials. For at least a pair of the top and bottom alignment fiducials, when the optical ferrule is viewed at the at least the first wavelength in a plan view of the optical ferrule along the thickness direction, the pair of the top and bottom alignment fiducials are in substantial alignment with each other.

Description

[0001] OPTICAL FERRULE

[0002] Technical Field

[0003] The present disclosure relates generally to an optical ferrule.

[0004] Background

[0005] An optical ferrule is generally used for optical coupling of optical waveguides, such as optical fibers. Such optical ferrules may connect with different types of optical components. In some cases, the optical ferrules may include A-side and B-side inserts. Such optical ferrules may be injection molded. Specifically, the injection molded optical ferrules may include the A-side and the B-side inserts. The A-side and B-side inserts may require a high precision alignment. The optical ferrules with misalignments may not function as desired.

[0006] Summary

[0007] In one aspect, the present disclosure provides an optical ferrule. The optical ferrule includes a top surface including a plurality of attachment areas for receiving and permanently attaching to a plurality of corresponding optical waveguides, and a light redirecting member. The optical ferrule further includes a bottom surface opposite the top surface and including an exit window. The top and bottom surfaces define a thickness direction of the optical ferrule therebetween. The optical ferrule has at least along the thickness direction, an optical transmittance of at least 30% for at least a first wavelength in a wavelength range extending from about 350 nanometers (nm) to about 2000 nm, such that when the optical waveguides are received and permanently attached to the attachment areas, central light rays emitted by the optical waveguides are redirected by the light redirecting member and exit the optical ferrule through the exit window as exiting central light rays. The top and bottom surfaces of the optical ferrule have respective pluralities of top and bottom alignment fiducials. For at least a first pair of the top and bottom alignment fiducials, when the optical ferrule is viewed at the at least the first wavelength in a plan view of the optical ferrule along the thickness direction, the first pair of top and bottom alignment fiducials are in substantial alignment with each other.

[0008] In another aspect, the present disclosure provides an optical ferrule. The optical ferrule includes a top surface including a plurality of attachment areas for receiving and permanently attaching to a plurality of corresponding optical waveguides, and a light redirecting member. The optical ferrule further includes a bottom surface opposite the top surface and including an exit window. The top and bottom surfaces define a thickness direction of the optical ferrule therebetween, such that when the optical waveguides are received and permanently attached to the attachment areas, central light rays emitted by the optical waveguides are redirected by the light redirecting member and exit the optical ferrule through the exit window as exiting central light rays. The top and bottom surfaces of the optical ferrule have respective pluralities of top and bottom alignment fiducials. For each pair of top and bottom alignment fiducials in a plurality of pairs of top and bottom alignment fiducials, the top and bottom alignment fiducials are substantially centered on a common axis substantially oriented along the thickness direction.

[0009] The details of one or more examples of the disclosure are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features, objects, and advantages of the disclosure will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims.

[0010] Brief Description of the Drawings

[0011] Exemplary embodiments disclosed herein may be more completely understood in consideration of the following detailed description in connection with the following figures. The figures are not necessarily drawn to scale. Like numbers used in the figures refer to like components. However, it will be understood that the use of a number to refer to a component in a given figure is not intended to limit the component in another figure labeled with the same number.

[0012] FIG. 1 is a schematic top perspective view of an optical ferrule, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0013] FIG. 2 is a schematic top view of the optical ferrule of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0014] FIGS. 3 A and 3B are different schematic top perspective views of the optical ferrule of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0015] FIGS. 3C and 3D are different schematic bottom perspective views of the optical ferrule of FIG. 1 , according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0016] FIGS. 4 A to 4C are different schematic sectional perspective views of the optical ferrule of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0017] FIG. 5 is a schematic sectional side view of the optical ferrule of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0018] FIG. 6A is a schematic top view of a top alignment fiducial of the optical ferrule of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0019] FIG. 6B is a schematic view of the top alignment fiducial superimposed on a bottom alignment fiducial of the optical ferrule of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0020] FIG. 6C is a schematic top view of a top alignment fiducial of the optical ferrule of FIG. 1, according to another embodiment of the present disclosure; and FIG. 6D is a schematic view of the top alignment fiducial superimposed on a bottom alignment fiducial of the optical ferrule of FIG. 1, according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0021] Detailed Description

[0022] In the following description, reference is made to the accompanying figures that form a part thereof and in which various embodiments are shown by way of illustration. It is to be understood that other embodiments are contemplated and may be made without departing from the scope or spirit of the present disclosure. The following detailed description, therefore, is not to be taken in a limiting sense.

[0023] In the following disclosure, the following definitions are adopted.

[0024] As used herein, all numbers should be considered modified by the term “about”. As used herein, “a,” “an,” “the,” “at least one,” and “one or more” are used interchangeably.

[0025] As used herein as a modifier to a property or attribute, the term “generally”, unless otherwise specifically defined, means that the property or attribute would be readily recognizable by a person of ordinary skill but without requiring absolute precision or a perfect match (e.g., within + / - 20 % for quantifiable properties).

[0026] The term “substantially”, unless otherwise specifically defined, means to a high degree of approximation (e.g., within + / - 10% for quantifiable properties) but again without requiring absolute precision or a perfect match.

[0027] The term “about”, unless otherwise specifically defined, means to a high degree of approximation (e.g., within + / - 5% for quantifiable properties) but again without requiring absolute precision or a perfect match.

[0028] As used herein, the terms “first” and “second” are used as identifiers. Therefore, such terms should not be construed as limiting of this disclosure. The terms “first” and “second” when used in conjunction with a feature or an element can be interchanged throughout the embodiments of this disclosure.

[0029] As used herein, “at least one of A and B” should be understood to mean “only A, only B, or both A and B”.

[0030] An optical ferrule is generally used for optical coupling of optical waveguides, such as optical fibers. Such optical ferrules may connect with different types of optical components. In some cases, the optical ferrules may include A-side and B-side inserts. Such optical ferrules may be injection molded. Specifically, the injection molded optical ferrules may include the A-side and the B-side inserts. The A-side and B-side inserts may require a high precision alignment. The optical ferrules with misalignments may not function as desired.

[0031] It may be often difficult to accurately and conveniently measure any misalignments of the A-side and B-side inserts by inspecting the A-side and B-side inserts. For example, the A-side and B-side inserts of current optical ferrules may require to be moved around under a microscope to be inspected. Specifically, features of the current optical ferrules that may be used for measuring the misalignments may require to be moved around under the microscope to be inspected. In some cases, sharp edges of such features may be difficult to identify or define under the microscope.

[0032] The present disclosure relates to an optical ferrule. The optical ferrule includes a top surface including a plurality of attachment areas for receiving and permanently attaching to a plurality of corresponding optical waveguides, and a light redirecting member. The optical ferrule further includes a bottom surface opposite the top surface and including an exit window. The top and bottom surfaces define a thickness direction of the optical ferrule therebetween. The optical ferrule has at least along the thickness direction, an optical transmittance of at least 30% for at least a first wavelength in a wavelength range extending from about 350 nanometers (nm) to about 2000 nm, such that when the optical waveguides are received and permanently attached to the attachment areas, central light rays emitted by the optical waveguides are redirected by the light redirecting member and exit the optical ferrule through the exit window as exiting central light rays. The top and bottom surfaces of the optical ferrule have respective pluralities of top and bottom alignment fiducials. For at least a first pair of the top and bottom alignment fiducials, when the optical ferrule is viewed at the at least the first wavelength in a plan view of the optical ferrule along the thickness direction, the first pair of top and bottom alignment fiducials are in substantial alignment with each other.

[0033] The aligned at least first pair of top and bottom alignment fiducials may help to identify and measure any misalignment of the top surface and the bottom surface of the optical ferrule accurately and conveniently. In some cases, the misalignment may be identified and measured by simply inspecting the optical ferrule under a regular microscope by focusing on each of the aligned at least at least first pair of top and bottom alignment fiducials without any need to move the optical ferrule in lateral directions. The aligned at least first pair of top and bottom alignment fiducials may be made to be imaged in one field of view under even relatively high magnification, such as 20 times and 50 times, so that the optical ferrule may not be required to be moved around. Moving the optical ferrule around may lead to imaging in different field of views, which may further lead to measurement errors. In some cases, multiple first pairs of the top and bottom alignment fiducials may also be used to determine a relative rotation of the top surface and the bottom surface of the optical ferrule.

[0034] Therefore, the optical ferrule of the present disclosure may simplify an inspection process and provide accurate misalignment measurement results.

[0035] Referring now to the figures, FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic top perspective view of an optical ferrule 200, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 1 further illustrates a plurality of optical waveguides 20 attached to the optical ferrule 200. In some embodiments, the optical waveguides 20 include optical fibers.

[0036] The optical ferrule 200 defines mutually orthogonal x, y, and z-axes. The x-axis is defined along the length of the optical ferrule 200, while the y-axis is defined along a breadth of the optical ferrule 200. The z-axis is defined along a thickness of the optical ferrule 200.

[0037] FIG. 2 illustrates a schematic top view of the optical ferrule 200, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0038] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the optical ferrule 200 includes a top surface 10 and a bottom surface 13 opposite the top surface 10. The top and bottom surfaces 10, 13 define a thickness direction of the optical ferrule 200 therebetween. In the illustrated embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2, the thickness direction of the optical ferrule 200 extends substantially along the z-axis.

[0039] The optical ferrule 200 further includes a pair of opposing side walls 50, 51 spaced apart along a width direction of the optical ferrule 200, extending generally along a length direction of the optical ferrule 200, and joining the top and bottom surfaces 10, 13 of the optical ferrule 200. In the illustrated embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2, the width direction of the optical ferrule 200 extends substantially along the y-axis. Further, in the illustrated embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2, the length direction of the optical ferrule 200 extends substantially along the x-axis.

[0040] The top surface 10 includes a plurality of attachment areas 11 for receiving and permanently attaching to the plurality of corresponding optical waveguides 20. Specifically, the attachment areas 11 are configured to receive and permanently attach to the plurality of corresponding optical waveguides 20.

[0041] In some embodiments, the attachment areas 11 include a plurality of grooves extending along the length direction (i.e. , the x-axis) of the optical ferrule 200. Each of the grooves is configured to receive and permanently attach to a corresponding optical waveguide 20 in the plurality of corresponding optical waveguides 20. In some embodiments, a number of the grooves may correspond to a number of the optical waveguides 20.

[0042] In some embodiments, the optical ferrule 200 further includes an input member 16. The top surface 10 further includes a light redirecting member 12. In some embodiments, the light redirecting member 12 includes at least one optical lens 12a having an optical power along at least one direction. For example, the at least one optical lens 12a may have the optical power along the width direction of the optical ferrule 200 and / or the length direction of the optical ferrule 200. In other words, the at least one optical lens 12a may have the optical power along the y-axis and / or the x-axis. In some embodiments, each of the at least one optical lens 12a may include any suitable type and shape of lens, for example, convex, biconvex, planoconvex, concavo-convex, concave, biconcave, plano-concave, and so forth. In some embodiments, a number of the optical lenses 12a may correspond to the number of the grooves. The attachment areas 11 may be spaced apart from each other along the y-axis. The attachment areas 11 may be uniformly spaced from each other. However, the attachment areas 11 may be non- uniformly arranged along the y-axis. Further, the optical lenses 12a may be spaced apart from each other along the y-axis. The attachment areas 11 and the optical lenses 12a may be aligned to each other along the x-axis. Therefore, in some embodiments, a number of the optical lenses 12a may correspond to the number of the grooves.

[0043] FIGS. 3 A and 3B illustrate different schematic top perspective views of the optical ferrule 200, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIGS. 3C and 3D illustrate different schematic bottom perspective views of the optical ferrule 200, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0044] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3A-3D, the top and bottom surfaces 10, 13 of the optical ferrule 200 have respective pluralities of top and bottom alignment fiducials 30a, 30b, 30c, 30d, 40a, 40b, 40c, 40d. Specifically, the top surface 10 has the plurality of top alignment fiducials 30a, 30b, 30c, 30d and the bottom surface 13 has the plurality of bottom alignment fiducials 40a, 40b, 40c, 40d. The plurality of top alignment fiducials 30a, 30b, 30c, 30d of the top surface 10 may be collectively referred to as the plurality of top alignment fiducials 30 and the plurality of bottom alignment fiducials 40a, 40b, 40c, 40d of the bottom surface 13 may be collectively referred to as the plurality of bottom alignment fiducials 40 herein.

[0045] In some embodiments, the pluralities of top and bottom alignment fiducials 30, 40 may have a circular shape. However, the pluralities of top and bottom alignment fiducials 30, 40 may have any other suitable shape, such as crosshair, triangle, square, rectangle, oval, elliptical, polygonal, etc. In some embodiments, each of the pluralities of top and bottom alignment fiducials 30, 40 may include a protrusion or a recess.

[0046] FIGS. 4A to 4C illustrate different schematic sectional perspective views of the optical ferrule 200, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 5 illustrates a schematic sectional side view of the optical ferrule 200, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0047] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 5, the optical ferrule 200 has at least along the thickness direction (i.e., the z-axis), an optical transmittance of at least 30% for at least a first wavelength in a wavelength range extending from about 350 nanometers (nm) to about 2000 nm. In some embodiments, the optical ferrule 200 has at least along the thickness direction, the optical transmittance of at least 40%, at least 50%, at least 60%, at least 70%, at least 80%, or at least 90% for at least the first wavelength.

[0048] In some embodiments, the at least the first wavelength includes at least one first visible wavelength in a visible wavelength range extending from about 420 nm to about 680 nm.

[0049] In some embodiments, the bottom surface 13 includes an exit window 14. When the optical waveguides 20 are received and permanently attached to the attachment areas 11, central light rays 21 emitted by the optical waveguides 20 are redirected by the light redirecting member 12 and exit the optical ferrule 200 through the exit window 14 as exiting central light rays 23. The central light rays 21 redirected by the light redirecting member 12 are depicted as redirected central light rays 22 in FIG. 5.

[0050] In some embodiments, when the optical waveguides 20 are received and permanently attached to the attachment areas 11, the central light rays 21 emitted by the optical waveguides 20 enter the optical ferrule 200 through the input member 16 of the optical ferrule 200. The central light rays 21 entering the optical ferrule 200 through the input member 16 are depicted as entered central light rays 24 in FIG. 5. Each of the central light rays 21, the entered central light rays 24, the redirected central light rays 22, and the exiting central light rays 23 is depicted as a single light ray for the purpose of illustration.

[0051] The entered central light rays 24 are incident on the light redirecting member 12 along a first direction 24a. In some embodiments, the first direction 24a is substantially along the x-axis. Further, the light redirecting member 12 redirects the incident central light rays 21 along a different second direction 22a. The redirected central light rays 22 exit the optical ferrule 200 through the exit window 14 of the optical ferrule 200 as the exiting central light rays 23.

[0052] For at least a first pair of the top and bottom alignment fiducials 30, 40, when the optical ferrule 200 is viewed at the at least the first wavelength in a plan view (i.e., the x-y plane) of the optical ferrule 200 along the thickness direction (i.e., the z-axis), the first pair of the top and bottom alignment fiducials 30, 40 are in substantial alignment with each other.

[0053] The illustrated embodiment of FIGS. 1-5 includes a plurality of first pairs of the top and bottom alignment fiducials 30, 40. Specifically, the illustrated embodiment of FIGS. 1-5 includes four first pairs of the top and bottom alignment fiducials 30, 40, i.e., the first pair 30a, 40a, the first pair 30b, 40b, the first pair 30c, 40c, and the first pair 30d, 40d. The term “the first pair of the top and bottom alignment fiducials 30, 40” may be interchangeably referred to as “the pair of top and bottom alignment fiducials 30, 40” herein.

[0054] In some embodiments, for each first pair in the plurality of first pairs (i.e., the first pair 30a, 40a, the first pair 30b, 40b, the first pair 30c, 40c, and the first pair 30d, 40d) of the top and bottom alignment fiducials 30, 40, when the optical ferrule 200 is viewed at the at least the first wavelength in the plan view of the optical ferrule 200 along the thickness direction, the first pair of top and bottom alignment fiducials 30, 40 are in substantial alignment with each other.

[0055] In some embodiments, for each pair of the top and bottom alignment fiducials 30, 40 in the plurality of pairs of top and bottom alignment fiducials (i.e., the pair 30a, 40a, the pair 30b, 40b, the pair 30c, 40c, and the pair 30d, 40d), the top and bottom alignment fiducials 30, 40 are substantially centered on a common axis substantially oriented along the thickness direction (i.e., the z-axis).

[0056] Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4A, for the pair 30a, 40a, the top and bottom alignment fiducials 30a, 40a are substantially centered on a common axis 60a substantially oriented along the thickness direction and for the pair 30b, 40b, the top and bottom alignment fiducials 30b, 40b are substantially centered on a common axis 60b substantially oriented along the thickness direction. Therefore, in some embodiments, for the pair 30a, 40a, the top and bottom alignment fiducials 30a, 40a may be concentric and for the pair 30b, 40b, the top and bottom alignment fiducials 30b, 40b may be concentric.

[0057] Further, as shown in FIGS. 4B and 4C, for the pair 30c, 40c, the top and bottom alignment fiducials 30c, 40c are substantially centered on a common axis 60c substantially oriented along the thickness direction and for the pair 30d, 40d, the top and bottom alignment fiducials 30d, 40d are substantially centered on a common axis 60d substantially oriented along the thickness direction. Therefore, in some embodiments, for the pair 30c, 40c, the top and bottom alignment fiducials 30c, 40c may be concentric and for the pair 30d, 40d, the top and bottom alignment fiducials 30d, 40d may be concentric.

[0058] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 4A-4C, the substantially aligned pairs of the top and bottom alignment fiducials 30, 40 may help to identify and measure any misalignment of the top surface and the bottom surface 10, 13 of the optical ferrule 200 accurately and conveniently. In some cases, the misalignment may be identified and measured by simply inspecting the optical ferrule 200 under a regular microscope by focusing on each of the substantially aligned pairs of the top and bottom alignment fiducials 30, 40 without any need to move the optical ferrule 200 in lateral directions (e.g., the x-axis and the y-axis).

[0059] The substantially aligned pairs of the top and bottom alignment fiducials 30, 40 may be made to be imaged in one field of view under even relatively high magnification, such as 20 times and 50 times, so that the optical ferrule 200 may not be required to be moved around. Moving the optical ferrule 200 around may lead to imaging in different field of views, which may further lead to measurement errors. In some cases, multiple substantially aligned pairs of the top and bottom alignment fiducials 30, 40 may also be used to determine a relative rotation of the top surface 10 and the bottom surface 13 of the optical ferrule 200. Therefore, the optical ferrule 200 may simplify an inspection process and provide accurate misalignment measurement results.

[0060] FIG. 6A illustrates a schematic top view of the top alignment fiducial 30a, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 6B illustrates a schematic view of the top alignment fiducial 30a superimposed on the bottom alignment fiducial 40a, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 6C illustrates a schematic top view of the top alignment fiducial 30c, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 6D illustrates a schematic view of the top alignment fiducial 30c superimposed on the bottom alignment fiducial 40c, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0061] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 6A-6D, in some embodiments, for the at least the first pair 30a, 40a, 30c, 40c of the top and bottom alignment fiducials 30a, 30c, 40a, 40c when the optical ferrule 200 is viewed at the at least the first wavelength in the plan view of the optical ferrule 200 along the thickness direction, an outermost perimeter 30a’, 30c’ of one of the top and bottom alignment fiducials is entirely disposed within an outermost perimeter 40a’, 40c’ of the other one of the top and bottom alignment fiducials 30a, 30c, 40a, 40c.

[0062] For example, as shown in FIG. 6B, for the at least the first pair 30a, 40a of the top and bottom alignment fiducials 30a, 40a, when the optical ferrule 200 is viewed at the at least the first wavelength in the plan view of the optical ferrule 200 along the thickness direction, the outermost perimeter 30a’ of the top alignment fiducial 30a is entirely disposed within the outermost perimeter 40a’ of the bottom alignment fiducial 40a.

[0063] Further, as shown in FIG. 6D, for the at least the first pair 30c, 40c of the top and bottom alignment fiducials 30c, 40c, when the optical ferrule 200 is viewed at the at least the first wavelength in the plan view of the optical ferrule 200 along the thickness direction, the outermost perimeter 30c’ of the top alignment fiducial 30c is entirely disposed within the outermost perimeter 40c’ of the bottom alignment fiducial 40c.

[0064] However, in some other embodiments, for the at least the first pair 30a, 40a of the top and bottom alignment fiducials 30a, 40a, when the optical ferrule 200 is viewed at the at least the first wavelength in the plan view of the optical ferrule 200 along the thickness direction, the outermost perimeter 40a’ of the bottom alignment fiducial 40a may be entirely disposed within the outermost perimeter 30a’ of the top alignment fiducial 30a and for the at least the first pair 30c, 40c of the top and bottom alignment fiducials 30c, 40c, when the optical ferrule 200 is viewed at the at least the first wavelength in the plan view of the optical ferrule 200 along the thickness direction, the outermost perimeter 40c’ of the bottom alignment fiducial 40c may be entirely disposed within the outermost perimeter 30c’ of the top alignment fiducial 30c.

[0065] Referring to FIGS. 6A-6D, in some embodiments, the first pair 30a, 40a, 30c, 40c of the top and bottom alignment fiducials 30a, 30c, 40a, 40c may have different sizes. For example, the at least the first pair 30a, 40a of the top and bottom alignment fiducials 30a, 40a have different sizes as shown in FIG. 6B and the at least the first pair 30c, 40c of the top and bottom alignment fiducials 30c, 40c have different sizes as shown in FIG. 6D. The different sizes may avoid light scattering and imaging artifacts when the perimeters 30a’ , 40a’ , 30c’ , 40c’ of the first pair 30a, 40a, 30c, 40c of the top and bottom alignment fiducials 30a, 30c, 40a, 40c overlap due to any misalignment.

[0066] Unless otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing feature sizes, amounts, and physical properties used in the specification and claims are to be understood as being modified by the term “about”. Accordingly, unless indicated to the contrary, the numerical parameters set forth in the foregoing specification and attached claims are approximations that can vary depending upon the desired properties sought to be obtained by those skilled in the art utilizing the teachings disclosed herein. Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that a variety of alternate and / or equivalent implementations can be substituted for the specific embodiments shown and described without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. This application is intended to cover any adaptations or variations of the specific embodiments discussed herein. Therefore, it is intended that this disclosure be limited only by the claims and the equivalents thereof.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. An optical ferrule comprising: a top surface comprising a plurality of attachment areas for receiving and permanently attaching to a plurality of corresponding optical waveguides, and a light redirecting member; and a bottom surface opposite the top surface and comprising an exit window, the top and bottom surfaces defining a thickness direction of the optical ferrule therebetween, the optical ferrule having at least along the thickness direction, an optical transmittance of at least 30% for at least a first wavelength in a wavelength range extending from about 350 nm to about 2000 nm, such that when the optical waveguides are received and permanently attached to the attachment areas, central light rays emitted by the optical waveguides are redirected by the light redirecting member and exit the optical ferrule through the exit window as exiting central light rays, wherein, the top and bottom surfaces of the optical ferrule have respective pluralities of top and bottom alignment fiducials, and wherein for at least a first pair of the top and bottom alignment fiducials, when the optical ferrule is viewed at the at least the first wavelength in a plan view of the optical ferrule along the thickness direction, the first pair of the top and bottom alignment fiducials are in substantial alignment with each other.

2. The optical ferrule of claim 1, wherein for each first pair in a plurality of first pairs of the top and bottom alignment fiducials, when the optical ferrule is viewed at the at least the first wavelength in the plan view of the optical ferrule along the thickness direction, the first pair of the top and bottom alignment fiducials are in substantial alignment with each other.

3. The optical ferrule of claim 1 , wherein for the at least the first pair of the top and bottom alignment fiducials, when the optical ferrule is viewed at the at least the first wavelength in the plan view of the optical ferrule along the thickness direction, an outermost perimeter of one of the top and bottom alignment fiducials is entirely disposed within an outermost perimeter of the other one of the top and bottom alignment fiducials.

4. The optical ferrule of claim 1, wherein the attachment areas are configured to receive and permanently attach to the plurality of corresponding optical waveguides, and wherein the optical waveguides comprise optical fibers.

5. The optical ferrule of claim 1 further comprising a pair of opposing side walls spaced apart along a width direction of the optical ferrule, extending generally along a length direction of the optical ferrule, and joining the top and bottom surfaces of the optical ferrule.

6. The optical ferrule of claim 1, wherein the attachment areas of the optical ferrule comprise a plurality of grooves extending along a length direction of the optical ferrule, each of the grooves configured to receive and permanently attach to a corresponding optical waveguide in the plurality of corresponding optical waveguides.

7. The optical ferrule of claim 1 further comprising an input member, such that when the optical waveguides are received and permanently attached to the attachment areas, the central light rays emitted by the optical waveguides enter the optical ferrule through the input member of the optical ferrule, the entered central light rays incident on the light redirecting member along a first direction, the light redirecting member redirecting the incident central light rays along a different second direction, the redirected central light rays exiting the optical ferrule through the exit window of the optical ferrule as the exiting central light rays.

8. The optical ferrule of claim 1, wherein the at least the first wavelength comprises at least one first visible wavelength in a visible wavelength range extending from about 420 nm to about 680 nm.

9. The optical ferrule of claim 1, wherein the light redirecting member comprises at least one optical lens having an optical power along at least one direction.

10. An optical ferrule comprising: a top surface comprising a plurality of attachment areas for receiving and permanently attaching to a plurality of corresponding optical waveguides, and a light redirecting member; and a bottom surface opposite the top surface and comprising an exit window, the top and bottom surfaces defining a thickness direction of the optical ferrule therebetween, such that when the optical waveguides are received and permanently attached to the attachment areas, central light rays emitted by the optical waveguides are redirected by the light redirecting member and exit the optical ferrule through the exit window as exiting central light rays, wherein, the top and bottom surfaces of the optical ferrule have respective pluralities of top and bottom alignment fiducials, and wherein for each pair of top and bottom alignment fiducials ina plurality of pairs of top and bottom alignment fiducials, the top and bottom alignment fiducials are substantially centered on a common axis substantially oriented along the thickness direction.

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