Optical fiber array

One preferred optical fiber array according to the present invention includes a lower substrate, a ribbon cable, a cover and a housing. The lower substrate has a first end and a second end opposed thereto and an upper surface extending between the first end and the second end. The upper surface defines a plurality of grooves that extend across at least a portion of the upper surface. The ribbon cable comprising a plurality of coated optical fibers. An end of the coated optical fibers are bare of the coating. At least a portion of the bare end of each of the plurality of coated fibers rests in one of the plurality of grooves and extend to the first end of the lower substrate. The cover is positioned proximate the first end of the lower substrate and over at least a portion of the bare end of each of the plurality of coated fibers. The cover is bonded to the lower substrate. The housing has a first end and a second end opposed thereto, a bottom surface extending between the first end and the second end, and a bottom step separating the bottom surface into an upper and a lower level. The housing is bonded to the lower substrate along the upper level of the bottom surface and along the bottom step. The housing and the lower substrate define an interior channel having a first portion bounded by the lower substrate and the housing and a second portion bounded only by the housing. The first portion meets the second portion at the bottom step. The first portion is narrower than the second portion. The ribbon cable passes through the interior channel. An adhesive is applied to fill the gaps between the ribbon cable and the interior channel.