Fibre Optic connectors are the interface between two fibre optic cables that join or terminate the ends of the cables, or connect one cable to a device. These connectors allow data to be transferred between two different media, and are typically mounted onto the end of an optical fibre to allow for easy connections.
There are many types of these connectors and they are primarily differentiated by their physical form factor. Common fibre optic connectors include the LC, SC, MTRJ, ST, FC, and MPO connectors. These connectors are described by the type of material used to build them, the shape and size of the connector, and the number of fibres that can be accommodated.
Fibre optic connectors are also used to protect fibre optic cable from external influences such as dust or moisture and are typically filled with a gel or liquid that prevents contamination and damage. A wide variety of connectors are available, including multi-fiber, curved and straight designs. Fibre Optic connectors must be properly mated with compatible connectors in order to achieve reliable data transmission with minimal signal loss.