OPTICAL FIBER CONNECTION SYSTEM

An optical fiber connection system for connecting a plurality optical fibers is described. The connection system comprises a first bare fiber holder comprising a first splice element and a second bare fiber holder comprising a second splice element. Each of the first and second splice elements comprises a splice body having a first end and a second end and a plurality of alternating alignment and clamping channels formed in a top surface of splice body that extend from the first end to the second end of the splice body. When the first and second bare fiber holders are mated, at least a portion of the alignment channels of the first spice element overlap a portion of the clamping channels in the second splice element and at least a portion of the clamping channels of the first splice element overlap a portion of the alignment channels of the second splice element to hold the first and second optical fibers in end to end alignment.