An optical connector for optically coupling a fiber to an optical pathway of a
mating component when in a mated state, the connector comprising: (a) a housing
having a front end portion and a back end portion, the housing having at least
one passageway extending from the back end portion to the front end portion to
accommodate at least one fiber, the housing defining a cavity along a first portion
of the passageway such that a fiber in the passageway is deflected into the cavity
when the connector is in the mated state; (b) a barrier along a second portion
of the passageway, the barrier preventing a fiber from being deflected into the
second portion when the connector is in the mated state; (c) a fiber retainer at
the back end portion, the fiber retainer adapted to restrict a fiber's backward
movement with respect to the housing when in the mated state; and (d) the front
end portion being configured to mate with an alignment member such that a fiber
in the passageway is received within a passage of the alignment member, the front
end having a first end face having an opening through which the passageway extends
such that a fiber in the passageway is supported at the back end portion by the
fiber retainer and at the front end portion by the end face and is deflected between
the front and back end portions during mating.