UNITARY CONNECTOR FOR CONNECTING TWO BARE OPTICAL FIBERS

An optical fiber connecting device (100) and method of optically connecting two optical fibers (50, 50′) is described. The device (100) includes a housing (110), and first and second mechanical elements (130, 150) disposed within the housing (110). A first actuation cap (140) is disposed adjacent the first mechanical element (130) to secure a first optical fiber (50) within the first mechanical element (130) upon actuation, and a second actuation cap (160) disposed adjacent the second mechanical element (150) to secure a second optical fiber (50′) within the second mechanical element (150) upon actuation. The first and second optical fibers (50, 50′) can be positioned, secured and actuated in the connection device (100) at the same or at different times.