Mating of optical fibers having angled end faces

A method for mating optical fibers, a fiber optic connector, and a fiber optic subassembly are provided in which mating fibers have angled end faces joined by index matching fluid, but in which the angled end faces of the fibers are positioned relative to one another in rotationally misaligned relationship. Applicants discovered unexpectedly that optical fibers can be spliced, to provide satisfactory optical connections, without the need for matched cleaves, and without the need for precise rotational alignment of the cleaves, provided that angled end faces are provided on both the launch and receive fibers and that index matching gel is provided between the angled end faces. Thus, the fibers are mated in positions other than in the precise rotationally aligned position previously believed essential to adequate optical performance. Angled end faces may be positioned less than 165 degrees out of phase.