US Patent 7431514 Multifiber optical connector

A multifiber optical connector is provided comprising: a ferrule including a junction-end-face and a plurality of optical-fiber-insertion holes which open in the junction-end-face; openings of the optical-fiber-insertion holes arranged on the junction-end-face in a line or row or in plural parallel lines or rows; and optical fibers received in the optical-fiber-insertion holes such that they protrude from the junction-end-face. The lengths of optical fibers disposed on both side portions of the junction-end-face are greater than the lengths of optical fibers disposed on a central portion of the junction-end-face.