Fiberpaedia. PM Fiber Handbook. Meet us in Mexico. WEBSITE NEWS: Two fiber publications available from the Fibercore Tech Centre -

Transcription

1 Meet us in Mexico WEBSITE NEWS: Two fiber publications available from the Fibercore Tech Centre - Fiberpaedia Fiber Optics Key Parameters Explained A concise collection of explanations and definitions of some of the most important fiber optic concepts and parameters all resourced in alphabetical order for ease of reference. SPIE Photonics West 2011 Moscone Center, San Francisco, CA January 2011 Meet us at Booth 5124 to find out how Fibercore Ltd can help with your fiber requirements PM Fiber Handbook Excerpt from Specialty Optical Fibers Handbook Academic Press Inc An introduction to Polarization Maintaining Fiber including explanations of key polarization maintaining fiber performance parameters and lifetime performance properties. Fibercore All Rights Reserved

2 Fiber Terminology ATTENUATION: A measure of how much of the light injected into an optical fiber actually reaches the other end, usually expressed in decibels per kilometre (db/km). BEATLENGTH: The length over which polarization rotates through 360 within an optical fiber and therefore a fundamental measure of the polarization maintaining ability of a polarization maintaining fiber. op BIREFRINGENCE: The fundamental principle by which Fibercore HiBi (Highly Birefringent) polarization maintaining fiber works. A birefringent material has two distinct indices of refraction. B n slow n CHROMATIC DISPERSION: A pulse-broadening and therefore bandwidth-limiting phenomenon which occurs because different wavelengths of light travel at different velocities. CONVERSION EFFICIENCY: In an erbium doped fiber amplifier (EDFA), the ratio between the amplified signal output power and the power input from the pump laser. CONCENTRICITY: Core-cladding concentricity is the distance between the geometric center of the core and the geometric center of the cladding. Sometimes call Eccentricity or Concentricity Error, CUT-OFF WAVELENGTH: The wavelength at which an optical fiber becomes single-moded. Below cut-off, the fiber will transmit more than one mode. At increasing wavelengths above cut-off the strength of guidance is gradually reduced. EDFA: Erbium Doped Fiber Amplifier. A device incorporating erbium doped fiber to provide direct amplification of optical signals when pumped at either 980 nm or 1480 nm. EXTINCTION RATIO: In a polarization maintaining fiber, the ratio between the wanted and unwanted polarization states, expressed in decibels (db). Highly dependent upon operating environment. FIBER LASER: A laser in which the gain-element is a length of rare-earth doped optical fiber. FIBER GRATING: A selective reflector formed by inducing a periodic variation of refractive index within the core of an optical fiber. FOG: Fiber Optic Gyroscope. A solid-state replacement for the conventional spinning mass gyroscopes used in direction sensing. Incorporates a coil of HiBi PM fiber as the sensing element. GAIN: In an EDFA, the ratio between the amplified signal output and the (un-amplified) signal input, expressed in db. H-PARAMETER: In a PM fiber, the extinction ratio, expressed as a decibel, per unit length. Should not be used to compare fibers because H-parameter ratio is also determined by environment. HB: Highly Birefringent (Hi-Bi). See Birefringence. The greater the difference in the indices of refraction, the higher the birefringence. The degree of PM is directly related to the degree of birefringence MODE FIELD DIAMETER (MFD): The diameter of the optical field within the fiber, specified at the 1/e or 1/e² point (the radial point at which the intensity has fallen to 1/e or 1/e² of its maximum value). NUMERICAL APERTURE: A measure of the divergence of the light emitted from the fiber, determined by the refractive index difference between the core and the cladding. NA = 0 sin 2n n 2 PM: Polarization Maintaining. In a PM fiber, a desired fixed polarization orientation is preserved along the entire fiber length. PMD: Polarization Mode Dispersion. Dispersion associated with different waveguide characteristics for different polarization modes. QUANTUM EFFICIENCY: In the EDFA, the actual conversion efficiency signal expressed as a percentage of the maximum possible conversion efficiency (equal to the ratio of the pump and sign wavelengths). SATURATION: EDFA performance under conditions of total population inversion which occur at high input powers. SMF: Singlemode Fiber. A fiber that only supports the propagation of a single fundamental Gaussian mode above the cutoff wavelength V-VALUE: Also called Normalised Frequency the fundamental relationship between numerical aperture, cut-off wavelength and core diameter. V = d ( NA ) at cut-off For a concise collection of explanations and definitions of some of the most important fiber optic concepts and parameters, ask for a copy of our Fiberpaedia or download a copy, free-of-charge, from our website. fast L p B

3 First in Specialty Fiber Message from Fibercore Limited Fibercore Limited has been part of the specialty fiber landscape since 1982 almost thirty years ago and more than a decade before any real market for specialty fibers was developed. To maintain our position at the peak of such a technically demanding marketplace requires a unique combination of customer focus, Quality and product performance. With these objectives in mind, Fibercore's fiber experts work with our clients to develop a true customer partnership, delivering quantifiable value that goes well beyond the product itself. As one longstanding Fibercore customer once said: "With Fibercore, it's like buying optical fiber consultancy and getting the specialty fiber thrown-in, free-of-charge" Our unmatched depth of specialty fiber expertise is the direct result of the singular purpose that Fibercore has followed since its beginnings in 1982 as a spin-out from the World-renowned Optical Fiber Group at the University of Southampton, UK. Originally named York Ventures and Specialty Optical Products, the Company's mission was to commercialize the pioneering specialty fiber innovations developed by the University - low birefringence fibers in 1982, polarization maintaining in 1983, neodymium in 1987, erbium in This continued with the development of the all-glass cladding pump fiber in 1999 for our parent company (finally introduced to the marketplace in 2008) and even more recently with our new polarizing HiBi fiber and pure-silica singlemode fiber. It continues this year with the development of more HiBi fibers and an LMA version of the long-awaited CP1500Y. At all times the core of the business has been specialty fiber - not any one market, application or geographic region. This key strategy of diversity has been instrumental in the Company's success enabling Fibercore to prosper during the years after 2001 that proved so difficult for the Telecommunications Industry and, even more recently, expand during the global economic problems of the last two years. Many will be aware of Fibercore s other key Milestones: our certification to ISO9001 in 1994, the move to our purpose-built, state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in 2003, the achievement of ISO14001 in 2004 and numerous business accolades including the UK's Most Successful Manufacturer (Experian 2001) and no fewer than four Queen's Award ( two for International Trade, one for Innovation and one for Sustainable Development, making Fibercore the only company ever to have won the UK's highest business honour in all three categories). Ultimately no Company is judged by honours or awards, but by the Quality and performance of its products and the strength, value and endurance of the partnerships that it builds with its customers and we are confident in saying that we probably ship more polarization maintaining (PM), erbium-doped and bend-insensitive singlemode fiber, to more customers, in more places, than any other company - literally hundreds of kilometres, every week. Our HB-G series of PM fibers is the clear market-leader in fiber optic gyroscopes, whilst IsoGain erbium-doped, SM bend-insensitive singlemode and CP cladding-pump fibers hold commanding positions in EDFA, acoustic sensor and high power FTTx amplifier applications. Dr Chris Emslie Managing Director Page 1

4 Contents Section Subject Page Fiber Terminology Inside front Message from Fibercore Limited 1 1 Hi-Bi Bow-Tie Polarization Maintaining Fiber 4 HB Polarization Maintaining Fiber: Bend Insensitive Fiber for Sensor and Research Applications HB-P: Polarization Maintaining Fiber for Embedded and High Temperature Applications HB-G Reduced-Clad PM Fiber : The World s Number One Fiber for Fiber Optic Gyroscopes HB-T Splice-Compatible PM Fiber for EDFA Pump, and Telecommunications 8 Applications HB-C Coupler Fiber for Fabricating HiBi Fused Taper Couplers 9 HB-Z Zing Fiber : Bow-Tie Single Polarization Fiber for use at ~ 1064 nm 10 2 Specialty Singlemode Optical Fibers 11 SM-SC Pure Silica Core Singlemode Fibers for UV to Visible Light Delivery in 12 Biotechnology, Fluorescence Spectroscopy and LDA Applications Specialty Singlemode Optical Fiber for Transmission from ~ 450 nm to 1750 nm 13 3 Cables, Connectors, Cleavers and Other Complementary Products 15 LT3 Ruggedized Fiber Cable 16 LT3 Fiber Sleeving 16 Pigtails and Patchcords for Specialty Singlemode Fiber and Polarization 17 Maintaining Fibers 80 μm Fused-Taper Components 19 Fibercore Fiber Cleavers HS Series and FAC Fiber Cleavers 20 4 Photosensitive Optical Fiber 21 Photosensitive Optical Fiber - Intrinsically Photosensitive for Grating Fabrication 22 High Germania Specialty Singlemode Optical Fibers - Intrinsically Photosensitive for Grating Fabrication Page 2

5 Contents Section Subject Page 5 Erbium Doped Fibers and EDFA Products 24 IsoGain Erbium Doped Fiber for High Channel-Count DWDM Systems 25 MetroGain Erbium Doped Fiber for Low Cost Metro EDFAs 26 DHB1500 Polarization Maintaining Erbium Doped Fiber 27 GainMaster Simulation Tool - Erbium Doped Fiber Amplifier Simulation 28 Software 6 Other Rare-Earth Fibers Doped Fibers 29 DF1000 Neodymium Doped Fiber 30 DF1100 Singlemode Core-Pump Ytterbium Doped Laser Fiber 31 DF1500Y Erbium/Ytterbium Co-Doped Fiber 32 7 Cladding Pump Fibers and Passive Components 33 CP1500Y All-Glass Erbium/Ytterbium Co-Doped Dual-Clad Fiber 34 SMM900 Dual-Clad Component Fiber 35 MM105 Multimode Component Fiber 36 CP-IWDM Isolating Wavelength Division Multiplexer 37 CP1100 Ytrterbium Doped Cladding-Pump Laser Fiber 38 8 Test, Measurement and Other Laboratory Services 39 Qualification and Reliability Testing 40 Fiber Test and Measurement 42 Fusion Splicing for Polarization Maintaining and Rare-Earth Doped Fibers 43 9 Development Projects and Custom Fiber 44 Preforms and Custom Fiber Development 45 Custom and Multi-Fiber Cables 46 New Products Quality and The Environment 48 Fiber Specification Notes 49 Page 3

6 Section 1 HB Polarization Maintaining Fibers HiBi Bow-Tie Polarization Maintaining Fiber 60 million metres in service worldwide More than 1,000,000 m shipped every month HiBi is a singlemode, polarization-maintaining optical fiber designed for high-performance interferometric and polarimetric sensors, integrated optics and coherent communications. The characteristic Bow-Tie stress applying parts, or SAPs, act like opposing wedges to generate the optimum stress distribution within the fiber. This time-proven design gives the very best in both performance and handling maximum birefringence, maximum performance with minimum stress breakout when cleaved, connectorised or polished. There are now six application-specific variants: HB: 125/250 μm, bend-insensitive fiber for sensor and research applications between 488 nm and 1550 nm HB-P: 125/145 μm, polyimide-coated fiber for high-temperature embedded sensor and medical applications at 800 nm or 1550 nm HB-G: 80/175 μm, broad-temperature range, dual-coated fiber for Fiber Optic Gyro applications at 800 nm, 1300 nm or 1550 nm HB-T: 125/400 μm, 9 μm (nominal) MFD fiber for telecommunications and EDFA applications at wavelengths between 980 nm and 1550 nm HB-C: 80/170 μm fiber optimised for the fabrication of fused taper couplers HB-Z: 125/245 μm, short beat-length fiber for high-performance, all-fiber polarizers All Fibercore Limited HiBi Polarization Maintaining Fibers are licensed under UK patent EPC patent EP and US patent 4,4478,489 Page 4

7 Section 1 HB Polarization Maintaining Fibers HB Polarization Maintaining Fiber Bend-Insensitive Fiber for Sensor & Research Applications Seven standard wavelengths, 488 nm to 1550 nm, usually available ex-stock Maximum birefringence Minimum stress With applications for PM fibers growing at an ever-increasing rate, Fibercore Limited s HB is the natural high-performance choice for fundamental research and product development. Offering maximum choice and versatility, HB is available in no less than seven standard wavelength ranges from below 488 nm to beyond 1550 nm. A standard NA of 0.16 for all but the HB450 guarantees excellent resistance to bend-induced losses when packing and coiling the fiber, and the highly efficient Bow-Tie SAPs provide exceptional polarization maintaining ability with excellent handling characteristics. Specifications HB450 1 HB600 HB750 HB800 HB1000 HB1250 HB1500 Design Wavelength 2 (nm) Cut-off Wavelength (nm) Numerical Aperture Mode Field Diameter 4 (μm) (nominal) Attenuation 6 (db/km) < Beat Length 7 (mm) Proof Test (%) 2 mm 1 (100kpsi) Fiber Diameter (μm) 125 ± 1 Core Cladding Concentricity (μm) 1.0 Coating Diameter (μm) 245 ± 5% Notes 1, 2, 4, 6 + 7: See Fiber Specification Notes on inside Back Cover Page 5

8 Section 1 HB Polarization Maintaining Fibers HB-P Polarization Maintaining Fiber For Embedded & High-Temperature Applications Survives composite embedding temperatures Maintains composite material strength when embedded Survives sterilization temperatures Conventional acrylate coatings have a temperature ceiling of around 85 o C and must be applied to thicknesses of at least 40 μm to provide adequate mechanical protection. HB-P is coated with a 20 μm layer of polyimide a high performance polymer used throughout the electronics industry. The result is a fiber of significantly reduced cross-sectional area ( Low Profile ) which can withstand temperatures as high as 400 o C (300 o C continuous) sufficient to survive both medical sterilization and the curing temperatures of even the highest performance laminates. HB-P is particularly suited to embedded Smart Skin type applications because of its low-profile, which helps to maintain composite strength through reductions in the area of the Resin Rich Zone (RRZ). Specifications HB800P HB1250P Design Wavelength 2 (nm) Cut-off Wavelength (nm) Numerical Aperture Mode Field Diameter 4 (μm) (nominal) Attenuation 6 (db/km) 5 2 Beat Length 7 (mm) 2 Proof Test (%) 1 (100 kpsi) Fiber Diameter (μm) 125 ± 1 Core Cladding Concentricity (μm) Coating type Maximum Temperature ( C) 1.0 Polyimide 300 long term / 400 short term Coating Diameter (μm) 140 ± 5 % Notes 2, 4, 6 + 7: See Fiber Specification Notes on inside Back Cover Page 6

9 Section 1 HB Polarization Maintaining Fibers HB-G Reduced-Clad PM Fiber The World s Number One Fiber for Fiber Optic Gyroscopes High polarization extinction in coiled applications -55 C to +85 C in-coil operating range Silicone-free, mode-stripping dual coating 80 μm OD saves space and enhances lifetime Radiation Tolerant for Space Applications With service environments ranging from the Arctic through to the desert and even into outerspace, all of the components of a high-grade FOG must continue to deliver their best performance over the broadest possible temperature range. HB-G has a unique, dual-layer, acrylate coating which provides all the low-temperature performance of a conventional, silicone-rubber coating plus the additional benefits of optical mode-stripping and total freedom from crumbing during mechanical removal. Test coils have demonstrated extinction rations of better than -27 db over the entire temperature range of -55 C to 85 C. Thanks to the enhanced, static fatigue resistance intrinsic to 80 μm fibers enabling 25+ year lifetimes to be predicted, even for the smallest FOG coils. Specifications HB800G HB800G-SB Short Beatlength HB1250G HB1500G HB1500G- RT Radiation Tolerant Design Wavelength 2 (nm) HB1500G- HI High Index Cut-off Wavelength (nm) Numerical Aperture Mode Field Diameter 4 (μm) (nominal) Attenuation 6 (db/km) Beat Length 7 (mm) Proof Test (%) 1 (100kpsi) Fiber Diameter (μm) 80 ± 1 Core Cladding Concentricity (μm) Coating Type Page 7 < 1.0 Dual-Layer Acrylate Application optimized coating packages available, please enquire Coating Diameter (μm) 170 ± 5% 170 ± 2% 155 ± 5% Notes 2, 4, 6 + 7: See Fiber Specification Notes on inside Back Cover

10 Section 1 HB Polarization Maintaining Fibers HB-T Splice Compatible PM Fiber For EDFA Pump, & Telecommunications Applications Splice-compatible with both standard SM fibers and other PM fibers used in telecommunications Cost-Effective Tested in accordance with Telecordia G-20-CORE Procedures The introduction of Erbium Doped Fiber Amplifiers and the increased use of externally modulated lasers have generated a keen demand for PM fibers that combine telecommunications-compatibility with low cost. The HB980T and HB1480T have been designed specifically for the polarization maintaining of EDFA pump diodes, and the HB1250T and HB1500T, with their nominal MFDs of 9.0 μm and 10.5 μm respectively and optional 400 μm, dual-layer acrylate buffer, are ideal for both laser and integrated optic chip pigtailing. With advanced photonic devices incorporating PM fibers now in volume production, multi-sourcing has become a fact of life. All HB-T fibers are designed to be highly compatible with other manufacturers PM fibers, with splice losses and extinction ratios of better than 0.1 db and 30 db, respectively, achieved routinely. Specifications HB980T HB1250T (245) HB1250T (400) HB1480T (245) HB1480T (400) HB1500T (245) HB1500T (400) Design Wavelength 2 (nm) Cut-off Wavelength (nm) Numerical Aperture Mode Field Diameter (μm) (nominal) Attenuation 6 (db/km) < 3 < 2 Beat Length 7 (mm) 2.0 Proof Test (%) 1 or 2 (100 kpsi or 200 kpsi) Fiber Diameter (μm) 125 ± 1 Core-Cladding Concentricity (μm) Coating Type Coating Diameter (μm) 245 ± 5% Notes 2, 4, 6 + 7: See Fiber Specification Notes on inside Back Cover Page Dual-layer Acrylate 245± 5% 400 ± 5% 245± 5% 400 ± 5% 245± 5% 400 ± 5%

11 Section 1 HB Polarization Maintaining Fibers HB-C Coupler Fiber For Fabricating HiBi Fused Taper Couplers Specifically designed for fused taper coupler devices Consistently low loss and stable coupling with high PER 80 μm format to complement HB-G in gyroscope applications HB-C is a new design of bow-tie HiBi fiber with the stress-applying-part (SAP) geometry optimised for the fabrication of fused taper couplers. FAST axis Index Profile Index Profile HB-G gyro fiber FAST axis Specifications Singlemode Core Bow-tie SAPs Silica Cladding SLOW axis HB-C coupler fiber FAST axis SLOW axis Fibercore Limited have moved the bow-tie SAPs further away from the core and changed their composition to reduce their index contrast with the cladding. As a result the evanescent field moves smoothly across the SAP ensuring low loss and stable coupling. The stress leverage of the bow-tie design is the best of any HiBi geometry and, combined with the enhanced composition of the HB-C bow-tie, enables birefringence to be maintained for excellent PER in devices even though the bows are further away from the core. HB800C HB1500C Design Wavelength 2 (nm) Cut-off Wavelength (nm) Numerical Aperture Mode Field Diameter 4 (μm) (nominal) Attenuation 6 (db/km) 5 2 Beat Length 7 (mm) 4 Proof Test (%) 1 (100 kpsi) Fiber Diameter (μm) 80 ± 1 Core Cladding Concentricity (μm) 1 Coating Diameter (μm) 170 ± 5 % Notes 2, 4, 6 + 7: See Fiber Specification Notes on inside Back Cover Page 9

12 Section 1 HB Polarization Maintaining Fibers HB-Z Zing Fiber Bow-Tie Single Polarization Fiber for use at ~1064 nm Wide and stable polarizing window with a range of coil diameters Consistently low loss and high PER of 30 db+ HB-Z Zing bow-tie HiBi fiber exhibits single polarization guidance over a wide polarizing window achieved with birefringence values approaching the best ever reported. A wide polarizing bandwidth around the design operating wavelength ensures that the fiber offers a large and stable PER over a range of deployed diameters, making it practical and reliable to use. Single polarization fibers are required in many applications, including Faraday-effect sensors, single-polarization gain lasers, gyroscopes and many sensing or polarization controlled architectures. Specifications HB1060Z Design Wavelength 2 (nm) 1064 Cut-off Wavelength (nm) db short 89 mm coil Ø 1014 nm 1 db long 89 mm coil Ø 1105 nm Numerical Aperture Mode Field Diameter 4 (μm) (nominal) Attenuation 6 slow axis 20 Beat Length 7 (mm) 0.8 Proof Test (%) 1 (100 kpsi) Fiber Diameter (μm) 125 ± 1 Core Cladding Concentricity (μm) 0.75 Coating Diameter (μm) 245 ± 5 % Notes 2, 4, 6 + 7: See Fiber Specification Notes on inside Back Cover Development commitment to create full HB-Z Zing range of fibers Other HB-Z Zing available from our Development Library including fibers for different design wavelength and 80 μm fibers Page 10

13 Specialty Singlemode Optical Fibers For Ultraviolet, Visible, & Near IR Transmission, EDFA Pigtailing, Sensors & Tethered Platforms Section 2 Specialty Singlemode Fibers Fibercore s Specialty Singlemode Optical Fibers have been designed to perform in a wide range of challenging applications. Already offering wavelengths between 488 nm and 1550 nm, the recent development of the SM-SC pure silica core fibers extends this range well into the UV, with minimal photodarkening when compared with conventional germanosilicate cored fibers. The SM1500 series fibers are also offered with a range of numerical apertures from 0.20 to The high NA of these fibers reduces the bendinduced loss to levels far below standard telecommunication fibers allowing them to be used in diameters of 10 mm or smaller. The high Germania content of these fibers also considerably enhances their photosensitivity, making them ideally suited to the fabrication of certain types of fiber bragg gratings. There are now two ranges of specialty singlemode optical fibers: SM-SC Singlemode Fibers: Pure Silica Core Singlemode Fibers offering Singlemode UV, Short Wavelength Visible Light Delivery for Biotechnology, Fluorescence Spectroscopy and LDA Singlemode Optical Fiber: For Visible and Near IR Transmission, EDFA Pigtailing, Acoustic Sensors and De-polarised FOGs Page 11

14 Section 2 Specialty Singlemode Fibers SM-SC Pure-Silica Core Singlemode Fibers Pure-Silica Core Singlemode Fiber for UV to Visible Light Delivery in Biotechnology, Fluorescence Spectroscopy & LDA Applications Fibercore Limited has developed a new pure-silica Core SM-SC Fiber Range for use in the UV and at the shorter visible wavelengths without the intrinsic photodarkening problems associated with more conventional Germania-doped singlemode fibers. The SM-SC fibers have un-doped pure-silica cores, surrounded by a depressed fluorine-doped cladding and contain no germania. This means that the electronic defects and consequent colorcenters associated with the Ge-O bond (the prime cause of photodarkening at short wavelengths) are avoided resulting in increased power handling capacity. SM300-SC is singlemoded right down to 305 nm with attenuation of less than 70 db/km at 350 nm, whilst the SM400-SC is singlemoded up to 532 nm with attenuation of less than 70 db/km at 430 nm. Specifications SM300-SC SM400-SC Design Wavelength 2 (nm) Cut-off Wavelength (nm) < Numerical Aperture Mode Field Diameter 4 (μm) (nominal) Attenuation 6 (db/km) Proof Test (%) < 70 (350 nm) < 100 (450 nm) 1 (100 kpsi) Fiber Diameter (μm) 125 ± 5 % Core Cladding Concentricity (μm) 1.0 Coating Diameter (μm) 245 ± 5 % Coating Type Notes 2, 4 + 6: See Fiber Specification Notes on inside Back Cover Dual Acrylate <50 (430 nm) <30 (532 nm) SM300 Silica Core, fluorinated cladding Conventional Fiber Ge-doped core, silica cladding Page 12

15 Specialty Singlemode Optical Fiber Singlemode Transmission from Around 450 nm to 1750 nm Section 2 Specialty Singlemode Fibers Visible and NIR: 125/245 μm fibers for singlemode transmission from 476 nm to nm Telecommunications: 80/170 μm and 125/245 μm fibers for high reliability, small form-factor components and EDFA pigtailing. Sensors: 50/110 μm, 80/170 μm and 125/245 μm ultra-low and low profile, bend-insensitive fibers for de-polarized FOGs, acoustic sensors and small formfactor components. Designed for wavelengths ranging from 488 nm to nm, our specialty singlemode fibers are engineered to work in applications ranging from biotechnology, medical and laser delivery, through telecommunications, to sensors and tethered/payout applications. The Numerical Apertures of of the fibers in the visible and near infrared range provide resistance to bend induced loss similar to that of conventional, telecommunications type fibers, whilst the high NAs of the fibers operating within the standard telecommunications ranges of 980 nm, 1250 nm and 1550 nm, offer enhanced bend-insensitivity and reduced splice loss and compatibility with standard EDFs and component fibers. Finally, with an NA of 0.30, the SM1500(4.2/ ) series of fibers provide exceptional resistance to bend-induced attenuation and reduced nonlinear threshold whilst the high germania content enhances the intrinsic photosensitivity enabling the fabrication of fiber bragg gratings without hydrogenation. The added advantage of the availability of these fibers in 80 μm and even 50 μm diameter improves the lifetime/reliability in miniature and typical coiled applications even further. Page 13

16 Section 2 Specialty Singlemode Fibers Specifications 125 μm diameter SM Specialty Fiber Design Wavelength 2 (nm) Cut-off Wavelength (nm) SM450 1 SM600 SM SM800 (5.6/125) Numerical Aperture Mode Field Diameter 4 (μm) SM980 (5.8/125) SM980 (4.5/125) Attenuation 6 (db/km) Proof Test (%) 1, 2 or 3 (100, 200 or 300 kpsi) Fiber Diameter (μm) 125 ± 1 Core Cladding Concentricity (μm) Coating Diameter (μm) 245 ± 5% Coating Type Dual Acrylate b SM1500 (4.2/125) Reduced diameter SM Specialty Fiber Design Wavelength 2 (nm) Cut-off Wavelength (nm) Numerical Aperture Mode Field Diameter 4 (μm) SM800 (4.2/80) SM980 (4.5/80) SM1250 (9/80) SM1250 (5.4/80) SM1500 (5.3/80) SM1500 (6.4/80) 1550 SM1500 (4.2/80) SM1500 (4.2/50) Attenuation 6 (db/km) Proof Test (%) 1, 2 or 3 (100, 200 or 300 kpsi) Fiber Diameter (μm) 80 ± 1 50 ± 1 Core Cladding Concentricity (μm) 0.50 Coating Diameter (μm) 170 ± 5% 110 ± 5% Coating Type Dual Acrylate b Single Acrylate Notes 1, 2, 4 + 6: See Fiber Specification Notes on inside Back Cover Page 14

17 Section 3 Cables, Connectors, Cleavers & Other Complementary Products Cables, Connectors, Cleavers & Other Complementary Products At Fibercore Ltd, we understand that there are occasions when you may need something extra to make life a little easier. With this in mind we have put together a range of complementary products to enhance the specialty fibers that we offer. If you need something else, just ask and we will see what we can do! There are five ranges of complementary products: LT3 Ruggedised Fiber Cable: A range of cabling options to ruggedize our specialty fibers for use in different environments. LT3 Fiber Sleeving: Fiber sleeving for you to ruggedize your own fiber, available in two size options. Pigtails and Patchcords: All our fibers are available ruggedized and connectorized if required. Whether you wish to use PM or SM fibers, we can supply them as patchcords or pigtails to your specified length. 80 μm Fused-Taper Components: A range of couplers, fully comptabile with our SM800(4.2/80) and SM1500(6.4/80) singlemode fibers for use in FOG, Hydrophone and Telecom applications. HS Series Fiber Cleaver: High Strength cleavers for use with both reduced-clad and 125 μm fibers offering both perpendicular and angled cleaves. Page 15

18 Section 3 Cables, Connectors, Cleavers & Other Complementary Products LT3 Ruggedized Fiber Cable Protects Valuable Fiber Options available from 900 μm upbuffer to 3 mm diameter cable When your work environment calls for something more than the standard 250 μm primary coating, Fibercore Limited s optical fibers are available as ruggedized cables. The standard LT3 design has a 3.0 mm diameter blue (for PM fibers) or yellow (for non-pm singlemode fibers) PVC outer jacket, surrounding aramid yarn strength members. Other colors are available upon request, subject to conditions. The fiber itself is contained within the inner, polypropylene loose-tube of 1.8 mm in diameter. LT3 provides essential protection for valuable fibers in all indoor and light outdoor applications and is fully compatible with the Fibercore Limited range of connectors. The first choice when looking to provide extra protection for fiber against abrasion and other mechanical damage is to tight-jacket the fiber with Hytrel, which is just as flexible and strippable as the standard and modified acrylate packages used in Fibercore s products. Specifications LT3(900) PVC Sheath diameter [mm] 3.0 Fiber containment 900 μm Hytrel upbuffer Tensile Strength a [N] 100 Temperature Range ( C) -20 to + 65 Please note that LT3(900) or LT3(0.5/0.9) are the recommended options when connectorizing. Custom fabrication means we require a minimum order length of 100m for ruggedized fibers. LT3 Fiber Sleeving Enables rapid fabrication of short custom cables Fiber Sleeving LT3 is also available without the fiber as a reinforced sleeving-tube, complete with a nylon pull-cord. With this product you can fabricate your own ruggedized cables from virtually any fiber just cement it to the pull-cord and pull! Specifications LT3 (0.5/0.9) LT3 (1.0/1.8) PVC Sheath diameter [mm] 3.0 Loose tube diameter [mm] 0.9 (0.5 bore) 1.8 (1.0 bore) Tensile Strength a [N] 100 Temperature Range ( C) -20 to + 65 Notes a: Tensile strength indicated is under correct use, with strength members isolating fiber and sheath from load. Page 16

19 Pigtails and Patchcords For Specialty Singlemode Fiber and Polarization Maintaining Fibers Section 3 Cables, Connectors, Cleavers & Other Complementary Products All of Fibercore s singlemode and polarization maintaining fibers may be supplied as pigtails or patchcords. Simply by providing a reliable, demountable connection, these products make our fibers much easier to use in a wide range of applications including IO devices, instrumentation, antenna remoting and sensor probes. Two different grades of Polarization Maintaining connectors are available offering different levels of precision and performance our premium range for those applications where polarization extinction and insertion loss are required to be the best possible, and a generic range where the specifications, although still high quality, are not required to be quite so high. Connector Specifications Type Singlemode Connectors Polarization Maintaining Connectors Premium Generic End Face angle Insertion Loss (db) 0.2 typical (0.4 Max) 0.2 typical (0.4 Max) 0.2 typical (0.3 Max) 0.2 typical (0.5 max) Return Loss (db) Repeatability (db) ± 0.2 ± 0.1 Service Life (cycles) Extinction Ratio (db) Not applicable 28 typical (23 min) Temperature Range ( C) - 40 to typical (20 min) 22 typical (20 min) Connector Types FC, ST, SC (Other styles on request ) Keyway Size Narrow (2.0 mm), Wide (2.15 mm) Note: Typical performance figures indicated are for fibers at nm wavelengths. With all connectors performance may vary slightly between fibers due to parameters such as wavelength or core diameter. Mode-field mismatch can also lead to elevated insertion loss between dissimilar fibers. Additional information for specific combinations is available on request. Page 17

20 Section 3 Cables, Connectors, Cleavers & Other Complementary Products Ordering Specialty Fiber Pigtails & Patchcords To order pigtails or patchcords (jumpers), please use part numbers in this format: (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7) (8) (9) (10) (11) (12) (1) Connector Type (End 1) FC, DIN, SC, E2000 (2) Polish PC or APC (3) Keyway size N or W (4) Fiber Range - HB, SM, DF, etc (5) Fiber Type 450, 600, 800(4.2/80), 1500(4.2/125), etc (6) Fiber length in metres (7) Jacket LT3 or 900 (900 μm loose-tube) (8) Jacket length - FS (full sleeve) or EO (Ends Only) (9) Connector Type (End 2) FC, DIN, SC, E2000 (10) Polish PC or APC (11) Keyway size N or W (12) Patchcord Type Prm (Premium) or Gen (Generic) For example: FC-APC-W-HB LT3-FS-FC-APC-W-Prm would be a HB600 patchcord, 10 metres in length, fully jacketed with LT3 (3 mm ID, aramid-yarn reinforced PVC sheath) and terminated with a Wide (2.15 mm) Premium, FC connector at each end with 8 APC polish to give - 70 db return loss. If you just need a pigtail, simply omit the second connector (9-11). Page 18

21 80 μm Components From FEASA Ltd Section 3 Cables, Connectors, Cleavers & Other Complementary Products A long-established standard in the demanding fiber optic gyroscope (FOG) industry, 80 μm fibers can demonstrate clear superiority over their more conventional 125 μm counterparts in a wide variety of applications in both telecommunications and sensing. Lower intrinsic bending stress reduces susceptibility to static fatigue and enhances lifetime in coiled applications (see Section 1, HB-G Fibers). Smaller physical volume saves space an increasingly scarce commodity within the instrument racks of today s multi-channel, DWDM systems. Despite these strengths, the lack of compatible ancillary products has limited general acceptance of 80 μm fibers. Now, high performance components fabricated from our 80 μm SM800 and SM1500 fibers are available from Feasa Enterprises, Fused Taper and High NA Interferometric Couplers Manufactured from high NA, bend-insensitive, 80 μm fibers, these components are suitable for applications where fiber needs to be tightly coiled or is subject to sharp bends or twists. The High NA fused taper couplers, with their low insertion loss, environmental stability, compact design and long term reliability, are suitable for FOGs, Telecommunications, Fiber Sensors, and FTIL LAN CATV PONs. The Interferometric couplers have the added advantage of high reflectivity, and are designed for hydrophone, acoustic emission sensors and temperature sensors, strain gauges and sonar applications. 1475/1550 nm and 1480/1550 nm WDM Couplers Using our SM μm fibers, Feasa offer standard 1475/1550 nm and 1480/1550 nm WDM couplers (custom wavelengths are available on request). These couplers benefit from low insertion loss and low return loss, low PDL, excellent environmental stability and high isolation and are designed for FOGs, telecommunication, and fiber sensors applications. Custom wavelengths are also available. Page 19

22 Section 3 Cables, Connectors, Cleavers & Other Complementary Products Fibercore Fiber Cleavers HS Series and FAC Fiber Cleavers Typical cleave angle of 0.40 o High Precision Cleaving Cleaves singlemode and PM optical fiber Suitable for 80 μm and 125 μm fiber Whether you are preparing fibers for fusion splicing, QA measurement or experimentation, the HS series of cleavers will give you a perfect, mirror-smooth cleave good splices and consistent measurements, every time. Precision cleaving could not be simpler - load the fiber in, then press. No more complex sequences, clamps, tensioners, batteries or slides just two simple steps, just like a stapler. Every Fibercore HS cleaver has a built-in scale for accurate measurement of cleave lengths, a multi-position diamond blade for long-life operation and comes complete with a rugged travel case. In addition, we now offer the new FAC-08 cleaver, primarily designed for use in field applications to provide a low-reflection termination for inserting into the back of pre-polished angled connectors for field mechanical splices. It is designed to eliminate the need for fusion splicing and angle-cleaves 125 μm fiber to give back-reflection of -60 db. With a single stapler-like action and a 10 position diamond blade for extended tool life, this rugged cleaver allows operation in all environments. Specifications Fiber Diameter Perpendicular Cleavers HSTC- 2001/ μm HSTC- 2001/ μm and 140 μm End Angle < 0.3 < 0.3 Min Cleave Length Blade Life Dimensions HSAFC- 20xx/080 Angled Cleavers HSAFC- 20xx/125 FAC μm 125 μm 125μm SM or PM 4, 6, 8, 10 or 12 available 3 mm 25 mm 2 mm > 10,000 Cleaves (estimated) > 20,000 Cleaves (estimated) 72 mm x 78 mm x 90 mm (3 x 3 x 3.5 inches) 8 8mm minimum set by fiber holder 10,000 estimated 57mm x 29mm x 80mm (2.25 x 1.14 x 3.15 inches) Weight 500 g (1.1 lbs) 200g (0.44 lbs) Page 20

23 Section 4 Photosensitive Fiber Photosensitive Optical Fiber Fiber Bragg Gratings (FBGs) have quickly established themselves as one of the key enabling technologies behind the DWDM Revolution. Fibercore s PS series of fibers has a high-germania and boron co-doped core composition that enables highreflectivity gratings to be written without the need to hydrogen-load. The Mode Field Diameters of these fibers have also been engineered so that gratings may be spliced into standard telecommunications or pigtailing fibers with minimal excess loss. Fibercore Ltd also offers a series of high-germania SM1500 singlemode fibers for distributed sensors and splice-free sensor elements. The cores of these fibers contain more than 5X the germania content of standard telecommunications fibers, enabling gratings to be written with or without hydrogen loading, whilst maintaining low attenuation around 1550 nm. There are two ranges in this group: PS Fiber: Intrinsically photosensitive fiber for Bragg Grating fabrication SM1500(4.2/ ): High NA singlemode fiber in three different fiber diameters for writing FBGs with or without hydrogenation Page 21

24 Section 4 Photosensitive Fiber Photosensitive Optical Fiber Intrinsically Photosensitive for Grating Fabrication Rapid Formation of High Reflectivity FBGs Without Hydrogenation Fiber Bragg Gratings (FBGs) have quickly established themselves as one of the key enabling technologies behind the DWDM Revolution. EDFA gainequalising filters, WDMs and add-drop multiplexers, created as periodic variations in the refractive index of the core of the fiber itself, have all played their part in delivering almost unlimited bandwidth and in accelerating the transition of the entire telecommunications industry from a digital electronic to a digital photonic world. Fibercore s PS Series of fibers has a high-germania and boron co-doped core composition that enables high-reflectivity gratings to be written without the need to hydrogen-load. The removal of the need to saturate the fiber with hydrogen greatly streamlines and simplifies the grating fabrication process. Fibers may be used straight from the shelf and deliver a strong and consistent degree of photosensitivity indefinitely, enhancing production-line safety and saving both time and money. The Fibercore PS-series are matched to those of standard telecommunications or pigtailing fibers to enable splicing with minimal excess loss. Fibercore Ltd also offer a series of high-germania SM1500 singlemode fibers for distributed sensors and splice-free sensor elements. The cores of these fibers contain more than 5X the germania content of standard telecommunications fibers, enabling gratings to be written with or without hydrogen loading, whilst maintaining low attenuation around 1550 nm. Specifications PS750 PS980 PS1250/1500 Design Wavelength 2 (nm) Cut-off Wavelength (nm) Numerical Aperture Mode Field Diameter 4 (μm) ~ 1310 nm nm Attenuation 6 (db/km) 30 typical 20 Fiber Diameter (μm) 125 ± 1 Coating Diameter (μm) 245 ± 5% Proof Test (%) Notes 2, 4 + 6: See Fiber Specification Notes on inside Back Cover 1 (100 kpsi), 2 (200 kpsi) to special order nm nm Page 22

25 Section 4 Photosensitive Fiber High Germania Specialty Singlemode Optical Fibers Intrinsically Photosensitive for Grating Fabrication Beyond the Telecoms revolution, Fiber Bragg Gratings (FBGs) are a key enabling technology for distributed strain and temperature sensors. These sensor systems are typically used for structural health monitoring of buildings, bridges, wind turbine blades, sub-sea umbilical cords, downhole applications and unstable hillsides. These high germania singlemode fibers give a significantly higher photosensitivity than standard singlemode fibers without the high attenuation of a boron-germania co-doped fiber, allowing long arrays to be written with or without hydrogen loading. Specifications Design Wavelength 2 (nm) SM1500(4.2/125) SM1500(4.2/80) SM1500(4.2/50) 1550 nm Cut-off Wavelength (nm) Numerical Aperture Mode Field Diameter 4 (μm) 4.2 Attenuation 6 (db/km) 3 2 Proof Test (%) 1, 2 or 3 (100, 200 or 300 kpsi) Fiber Diameter (μm) 125 ± 1 80 ± 1 50 ± 1 Core Cladding Concentricity (μm) 0.50 Coating Diameter (μm) 245 ± 5% 170 ± 5% 110 ± 5% Coating Type Dual Acrylate Single Acrylate Notes 2, 4 + 6: See Fiber Specification Notes on inside Back Cover Page 23

26 Section 5 Erbium Doped Fibers & EDFA Products Erbium Doped Fibers & EDFA Products Fibercore Limited offers a number of different erbium doped fibers for various C and L amplifier configurations and ASE applications, all supported by our GainMaster simulation software to help you design even the most complex EDFAs. There are four products in this range: IsoGain TM : Erbium doped fibers for high channel-count DWDM systems MetroGain TM; Erbium doped fibers for low-cost Metro type EDFAs DHB1500: Polarization Maintaining erbium doped fiber GainMaster : EDFA simulation software to help design complex EDFAs using the Fibercore range of erbium doped fibers Page 24

27 Section 5 Erbium Doped Fibers & EDFA Products IsoGain Erbium Doped Fiber for High Channel-Count DWDM Systems IsoGain has a core composition optimized especially for EDFAs deployed in high channel-count DWDM systems. Head-to-head evaluations performed both at Fibercore Limited s own laboratories and a third-party s test sites have confirmed IsoGain s class leading performance. Specifications I-4 (980/125) I-6 (980/125) I-25 (980/125) Cut-off Wavelength (nm) Numerical Aperture Mode Field Diameter 4 (μm) 980 nm 1550 nm Absorption at Pump Wavelength (980 nm) (db/m) Absorption at Peak Wavelength (1530 nm) (db/m) Proof Test (%) (Nominal) 1 or 2 (100 kpsi or 200 kpsi) Background Loss 8 (db/km) < 10 Polarization Mode Dispersion (ps/m) < Fiber Diameter (μm) 125 ± 1 Core Cladding Concentricity (μm) Coating Diameter (μm) 245 ± 5% Coating Type Dual Acrylate Notes 4 + 8: See Fiber Specification Notes on inside Back Cover Page 25

28 Section 5 Erbium Doped Fibers & EDFA Products MetroGain Erbium Doped Fiber for Low-Cost Metro EDFAs High Conversion efficiency Short or ultra-short gain-lengths Excellent L-band capabilities with MetroGain 12 Broad spectrum ideal for ASE sources Not all EDFAs are complex, multi-stage, high channel-count DWDM units that demand the flat, broad spectrum and extensive pre-qualification of Fibercore s IsoGain product. Many designs just need a simple and low-cost fiber that provides consistent and efficient gain in single-stage, few channel-count designs MetroGain offers just this. Based on Fibercore s original, tried-and-tested DF1500F fiber design, MetroGain is available in three variants, optimized for 980 nm or 1480 nm pumping and each offering specific benefits in different Metro-style EDFA configurations. Specifications M-3 (1480/125) M-5 M-12 (980/125) (980/125) (980/80) Cut-off Wavelength (nm) Numerical Aperture Mode Field Diameter 4 (μm) 1480 nm 1550 nm 980 nm 1550 nm 980 nm 1550 nm Absorption at Pump Wavelength (db/m) 1480 nm 980 nm 980 nm Absorption at Peak Wavelength (1530 nm) (db/m) Proof-Test (%) 9 (nominal) (nominal) 1 or 2 (100 kpsi or 200 kpsi) Background Loss 8 (db/km) 10 < 20 Polarization Mode Dispersion (ps/m) < Fiber Diameter (μm) 125 ± 1 80 ± 1 Core Cladding Concentricity (μm) 0.3 Coating Diameter (μm) 245 ± 5% 170 ± 5% Coating Type Dual Acrylate Notes 4 + 8: See Fiber Specification Notes on inside Back Cover Page 26

29 Section 5 Erbium Doped Fibers & EDFA Products DHB1500 Polarization Maintaining Erbium Doped Fiber DHB1500 combines the core composition of MetroGain with the bow-tie geometry of the HB range of fibers. It is invaluable in modelocked fiber lasers or in any specialized EDFAs that demand polarization maintenance. The standard specification enables polarization extinction ratios of up to -30 db to be achieved over typical gain lengths of 8 14 metres under normal packaging conditions with amplifier performance closely matching that of MetroGain M-5. DHB1500 is designed for 980 nm pumping. Specifications DHB1500 Cut-off Wavelength (nm) Numerical Aperture Mode Field Diameter 4 (μm) Absorption at Pump Wavelength (980 nm) (db/m) 980 nm 1550nm 10 (nominal) Absorption at Peak Wavelength (1530 nm) (db/m) Beat-Length 7 (mm) 4 Proof Test (%) 1 (100kpsi) Background Loss 8 (db/km) 20 Fiber Diameter (μm) Core Cladding Concentricity (μm) < 1 Coating Diameter (μm) 245 ± 5% Coating Type Notes 4, 7 + 8: See Fiber Specification Notes on inside Back Cover Dual Acrylate Page 27

30 Section 5 Erbium Doped Fibers & EDFA Products GainMaster Simulation Tool Erbium Doped Fiber Amplifier Simulation Accurate, Versatile & Fast User Friendly AND Free! GainMaster enables EDFA designers (or anyone with an interest in EDFA functionality) to model amplifier designs accurately, quickly and simply. True System Representation - Starting with a blank worksheet, EDFA designs can be realized using GainMaster s drag and drop component interface. Full Parameter Control - Double clicking on the individual components enables users to define component characteristics, which can be saved for future use. Detailed Analysis - Once the model has been run, results can be viewed within GainMaster and exported for use in other applications. Drill down to system performance at a component level by double-clicking the relevant component. Iteration Function GainMaster s iteration function allows simultaneous modelling of component variables. Simply specify the value range of a parameter within the amplifier design, and view the variation in EDFA performance graphically. This enables rapid identification of optimum system parameters. And Results You Can Trust! GainMaster has been designed to provide you with useable, accurate data. We all know that any simulation software must do as it says, simulate, and live system results have confirmed the excellent agreement between GainMaster s simulated results and the results obtained in EDFA builds but don t take our word for it, find out for yourself! GainMaster is available free of charge from the Fibercore Tech Center just sign in to the registered section and download the program and modelling files from the list on the right. To download Gainmaster for free, go to our website, and register in our Tech Center Page 28

31 Section 6 Other Rare -Earth Doped Fibers Other Rare-Earth Doped Fibers Three more rare-earth doped fibers complete the standard Fibercore single-clad range. DF Neodymium Doped Fiber: DF Ytterbium Doped Fiber: Pump range nm 830 nm Output range around 1088 nm Wide availability of low cost pump diodes make DF1000 ideal for student lab classes Pump range 900 nm 1064 nm Output range 1075 nm 1100 nm Ideal for low-power fiber lasers DF1500Y Erbium/Ytterbium Co-Doped Fiber: Designed for 1050 nm pump-band and fieldproven in commercial CATV systems Page 29

32 Section 6 Other Rare-Earth Doped Fibers DF1000 Neodymium Doped Fiber The advent of the fiber laser has demanded the greatest change in our perception of the laser since the invention of semiconductor devices. Fiber lasers are compact and, in some cases, may be spliced directly onto conventional optical fibers with minimum insertion loss. Their Q-switched performance makes them ideally suited to high-resolution OTDR for fault location in telecommunications links or distributed sensors. In addition, some designs display the low temporal coherence and excellent temperature stability required for a number of fiberoptic sensors, including the gyroscope. Fibercore Limited s DF1000 is the ideal introduction to fiber laser technology neodymium doped fiber offering a very low lasing threshold even when pumped with low-cost compact disk type laser diodes. Output wavelength depends on configuration, with peak transmission at 1064 nm to 1088 nm. Specifications DF1000 Design Wavelength 2 (nm) 1085 Cut-off Wavelength (nm) Numerical Aperture Mode Field Diameter 4 (nominal) ( m) 4.5 Typical 780 nm 810 nm 830 nm (db/m) Attenuation 1085 nm (db/km) 20 Proof Test (%) 1 (100kpsi) Fiber Diameter (μm) Core Cladding Concentricity (μm) < 0.5 Coating Type Dual acrylate Coating Diameter (μm) 245 5% Notes 2, 4, + 6: See Fiber Specification Notes on inside Back Cover Page 30

33 Section 6 Other Rare -Earth Doped Fibers DF1100 Singlemode Core-Pump Ytterbium Doped Laser Fiber High 900 db Peak Absorption at 977 nm Broad Pump Range 900 nm 1064 nm DF1100 is a singlemode fiber with an Ytterbium doped core designed specifically for core-pump laser systems. Its broad range of 900 nm 1047 nm enables a wide choice of suitable sources and exceptional conversion efficiency. Just like any three-level laser system, the central output wavelength of a laser incorporating DF1100 is determined by the cavity length providing tenability simply by changing the amount of fiber used. Specifications DF1100 Design Wavelength 2 (nm) Cut-off Wavelength (nm) Numerical Aperture Mode Field Diameter 4 (nominal) ( m) 4.4 Typical 910 nm 977 nm 1060 nm (db/m) Attenuation 1200nm (db/km) 50 Proof Test (%) 1 (100kpsi) Fiber Diameter (μm) Core Cladding Concentricity (μm) < 0.5 Coating Type Dual acrylate Coating Diameter (μm) 245 5% Notes 2, 4 + 6: See Fiber Specification Notes on inside Back Cover Page 31

34 Section 6 Other Rare-Earth Doped Fibers DF1500Y Erbium/Ytterbium Co-Doped Fiber Core-Pumped Amplifier and Laser Fiber DF1500Y has been used in amplifiers for the Cable TV Industry since These 'YEDFAs' have delivered output powers as high as +30 dbm and have been deployed in quantity throughout the USA, Europe and the Far East. DF1500Y is a fully commercial product, manufactured to a tried-and-tested commercial design. The key features of DF1500Y are its exceptionally high ytterbium concentration (~ 1000 db/m at 975 nm) and its patented, phosphorus-doped core. The ytterbium level creates a very broad and intense pump-band enabling the use of a wide range of high power pump sources. The phosphate host-glass of the core facilitates efficient energy transfer from the ytterbium ions to the erbium ions to produce the desired output within the 1550 nm window. The indirect nature of this pumping process means that optical-optical conversion efficiencies can never approach those of more conventional, erbium-doped fibers, but in practical, commercial applications, this relative inefficiency has been by far outweighed by the pump power available at alternative wavelengths. Two-stage YEDFAs pumped at 1047 nm by micro-ylf lasers have delivered +30 db/m reliably indicating optical-optical conversion efficiencies of around 35% Specifications DF1500Y Design Wavelength 2 (nm) 1550 Cut-off Wavelength 3 (nm) Numerical Aperture Mode Field Diameter 4 (nominal) ( m) 5.9 Absorption nm 1047nm 1532nm (db/m) ~ Attenuation 1200nm (db/km) 200 Proof Test (%) 1 (100kpsi) Fiber Diameter (μm) Core Cladding Concentricity (μm) < 0.50 Coating Type Dual-acrylate Coating Diameter (μm) 245 5% Notes 2-6: See Fiber Specification Notes on inside Back Cover. Page 32

35 Section 7 Cladding Pump Fiber & Passive Components Cladding Pump Fibers & Passive Components Developed in 1999 for the sole use of our parent Company, Scientific Atlanta (and now Cisco), our all-glass cladding-pump fiber has been deployed in thousands of CATV and FTTx systems around the World. Since then Fibercore Ltd has developed a range of fibers and products to complement this revolutionary fiber. There are five products in this range: CP1500Y: All silica Erbium/Ytterbium co-doped double-clad fiber for CATV and FTTx systems SMM900: Dual-clad component fiber designed for use with CP1100 and CP1500Y MM105: Designed for pump power delivery in CP1500Y cladding-pump amplifier systems CP-IWDM: Isolating Wavelength Division Multiplexer designed for Cladding-Pump applications with CP1500Y CP1100: Ytterbium doped cladding-pump laser fiber Page 33

36 Section 7 Cladding Pump Fiber & Passive Components CP1500Y All-Glass Erbium/Ytterbium Co-Doped Dual-Clad Fiber A major breakthrough in high power laser and amplifier technology, CP1500Y was initially developed in 1999 for the exclusive use of our parent company, Scientific Atlanta (and more recently Cisco), and was the World s first all-glass, erbium/ytterbium co-doped, double-clad fiber and now this field-proven fiber is available for unrestricted sale to the open market. CP1500Y is the only all-silica dual-clad fiber optimized for efficient energy transfer that fits standard ferrules, can be cleaved and spliced with standard equipment and delivers the same level of reliability as a standard fiber. Specifications CP1500Y Laser Core Composition Phosphosilicate with ytterbium and erbium Design output wavelength (nm) Numerical Aperture Cut-off wavelength 3 (nm) nominal 1400 Mode Field Diameter nm nominal (db/km) 200 General Pump Guide Absorption (db/m) 18.7 Composition Pure silica with F-doped silica cladding Numerical Aperture Mean Core Diameter (μm) Absorption 940nm (db/m) 1 Proof Test (%) 1 (100 kpsi) Coating Type Dual Layer Acrylate Fiber Diameter (μm) Coating Diameter (μm) 245 ± 5% Note 3-4: See Fiber Specification Notes on inside Back Cover Page 34

37 Section 7 Cladding Pump Fiber & Passive Components SMM900 Dual-clad component fiber Designed for use with CP1100 and CP1500Y Developed to complement the technology leading CP1500Y and CP1100 fibers and to enable you to utilise these fibers to their full potential, SMM900 is a circularly symmetric, 'dual-clad' fiber that combines both singlemode and multimode characteristics. With a multimode core to complement the CP fibers, it has a singlemode NA of 0.19 to match their doped cores compatible also with SM980(4.5/125) and other 900/1500 nm dualwavelength fibers. SMM900 is ideal for the manufacture of WDM devices for pump and signal combination in high power, cladding-pump lasers and amplifiers Specifications SMM900 Singlemode Core Pump Guide Numerical Aperture Cut-off Wavelength 3 (nm) Background 1550 nm (db/km) 4 (typical) Core Concentricity (μm) 0.75 Diameter (μm) NA General Fiber Diameter (μm) 125 ± 1 Coating Diameter (μm) 245 ± 5% Proof Test (%) 1 (100 kpsi) Coating Type Dual layer acrylate Note 3: See Fiber Specification Notes on inside Back Cover Page 35

38 Section 7 Cladding Pump Fiber & Passive Components MM105 Multimode Component Fiber Fully compatible across the entire Fibercore Cladding Pump (CP) product range Suitable for WDM and pumpsignal combiner components MM105 is designed specifically to complement Fibercore s CP product range. An essential component in pump-signal combiners, the 105 μm silica core of MM105 enables the efficient delivery of pump-light into the gain-fiber. The matching of NAs and MM core diameters throughout the Fibercore CP, SMM and MM fibers enhances system efficiency by minimizing interconnection losses. Specifications MM105 Core Diameter (μm) nominal 105 Numerical Aperture nominal 0.24 Proof test (%) 1 Attenuation 6 (db/km) 5 Cladding Diameter (μm) Coating Diameter (μm) 245 5% Note 6: See Fiber Specification Notes on inside Back Cover Page 36

39 CP-IWDM Isolating Wavelength Division Multiplexer Designed For Cladding-Pump Applications with CP1500Y Section 7 Cladding Pump Fiber & Passive Components Fibercore s CP-IWDM is an integrated isolator and wavelength division multiplexer designed to combine two inputs, high power multimode pump and singlemode signal, to a single output, SMM900 dual-clad pump-signal fiber. With SMM900 the signal is carried in the singlemode core while pump energy is confined within the 105 μm multimode guide. CP-IWDM provides multiplexing and isolation in one small pckage, thereby simplifying system design and construction. The Fibercore CP-IWDM is designed specifically as a partner for Fibercore s cladding-pump amplifier fiber, CP1500Y, and is ideally suited to systems incorporating Fibercore s other cladding pump component fibers. Specifications General Mechanical General Optical S Singlemode input P Multimode input C Dual-clad output Package diameter (mm) 5.5 Package length (mm) 35 Fiber length (m) 1 Fiber diameter (μm) nominal 125 Operating temperature (ºC) -20 to 70 Storage temperature (ºC) -40 to 85 Max. tensile load (N) 5 Min. Directivity, S P (db) 40 PMD, S C (ps) 0.3 Max. PDL, S C (db) 0.1 Isolation C 23ºC (db) typical 35 Min. 23ºC (db) 28 Fiber diameter (μm) 125 Design wavelength (nm) 1550 NA nominal 0.12 Max 1550nm (mw) 300 Fiber diameter (μm ) 125 Pump guide diameter (μm) nominal 105 NA nominal 0.22 Max 970nm (mw) typical 5000 Max. insertion loss, P C (db) 0.5 Singlemode cut-off wavelength (nm) Singlemode NA Pump guide diameter (μm) nominal 105 Pump Guide NA nominal 0.22 Page 37

40 Section 7 Cladding Pump Fiber & Passive Components CP1100 Ytterbium Doped, Cladding-Pump Laser Fiber Cladding-Pump is perhaps the most significant innovation yet in the field of active fiber devices. By harnessing the high power outputs of multimode pump diodes, cladding-pump fibers have made the goal of multi-watt lasers and amplifiers a reality. CP1100 employs Fibercore Limited s QPS (quasi polygonal sinusoidal) fabrication technology (US patent B1). The multi-lobed, pure-silica, pump core of CP1100 ensures that pump energy is transferred efficiently into the central, ytterbium-doped laser core whilst the circular cross section enhances compatibility with conventional optical fibers and components. Unlike competitors cladding-pump technologies, which employ a silicone rubber or low refractive index resin, CP1100 has a doped silica outer cladding. This unique construction dramatically improves and simplifies the handling characteristics of cladding-pump fibers and can only increase both reliability and power-handling capabilities. CP1100 can be mounted with standard ferrules, cleaved and fusionspliced like any other optical fiber. Slope efficiencies are equivalent to those of more conventional, core-pumped fibers and, just like any three-level laser system, the central output wavelength of CP1100 is determined by the cavity length. Specifications Laser Core Pump Guide General Composition CP1100 Aluminosilicate with ytterbium Design output wavelength (nm) Numerical Aperture Cut-off wavelength 3 (nm) nominal 900 Mode Field Diameter nm nominal nm (db/km) 40 Composition Pure silica with F-doped silica cladding Numerical Aperture Mean Core Diameter (μm) Absorption 975nm (db/m) 2 Proof Test (%) Coating Type 1 (100 kpsi) Dual Layer Acrylate Fiber Diameter (μm) Coating Diameter (μm) 245 ± 5% Note 3-4: See Fiber Specification Notes on inside Back Cover Page 38

41 Section 8 Test, Measurement & Other Laboratory Services Test, Measurement & Other Laboratory Services As a leading manufacturer of specialty fibers, Fibercore Limited maintains a State-of-the-Art Test and Measurement Laboratory. Combined with almost 30 years experience in the Industry and an unsurpassed reputation for technical expertise and service, this facility enamels us to provide a variety of consultancy services to our customers. There are three options in this group: Qualification and Reliability Testing: Full testing facilities available from our highly skilled team of experts using our dedicated T&M laboratory. Fiber Test and Measurement: Detailed test facilities in accordance with ISO (BS5781) and our BS EN ISO9001(2008) Quality System, undertaken by our team of experts. Fusion Splicing: for PM and Rare-Earth Doped Fibers Page 39

42 Section 8 Test, Measurement & Other Laboratory Services Qualification & Reliability Testing Fibercore Limited has a dedicated laboratory solely for reliability and qualification testing. It contains state-of-theart test equipment to test according to industry standard conditions and beyond and has been operating on both internally and externally generated projects since With 25 years experience in the Industry, Fibercore Limited offers the unmatched, in-depth knowledge of Specialty Fibers that is essential to ensure that test conditions accurately reflect the service environment the fiber will encounter in your application. We know from experience that accepted standards were developed for standard applications. So, when you are using our Specialty Fibers in your Specialty Applications our engineers will work with you to develop the custom test program that you really need. TEST EQUIPMENT: Lloyd Tensometer integrated with pc for data capture and control Custom fixture for coating strip-force measurement Custom fixture for static fatigue Environmental test chambers covering temperature range -55 C to > +120 C Climatic chamber with -30 C to > +120 C capability and humidity control from 0 to 100% relative humidity An array of optical sources and detectors for optical monitoring during tests A purpose built extinction ratio measurement system for measuring h-parameter or extinction ratio change as a function of temperature Coating integrity under reduced pressure and temperature Photon Kinetics 2500 test bench for attenuation monitoring across a wavelength range Leica microscope with integral camera and video for inspection at up to 500x STANDARD TEST PROTOCOLS: GR-20-CORE Telcordia Generic Requirements for Passive Optical Components TIA/EIA (FOTP-28) Measuring Dynamic Strength and Fatigue Parameters of Optical Fibers by Tension TIA/EIA (FOTP-31) Proof Testing Optical Fibers by Tension TIA/EIA (FOTP-48) Measurement of Optical Fiber Cladding Diameter using Laser Based Instruments TIA/EIA (FOTP-62) Optical Fiber Macrobend Attenuation TIA/EIA (FOTP-76) Method for Measuring Dynamic Fatigue of Optical Fibers by Tension TIA/EIA (FOTP-78) Spectral-Attenuation Cutback Measurement for Singlemode Optical Fibers TIA/EIA (FOTP-80) Measurement of Cut-off Wavelength of Singlemode Fiber by Transmitted Power Page 40

43 Section 8 Test, Measurement & Other Laboratory Services TIA/EIA Polarization-Mode Dispersion Measurement for Singlemode Optical Fibers by Interferometry TIA/EIA (FOTP-164) Singlemode Fiber, Measurement of Mode Field Diameter by Farfield Scanning TIA/EIA (FOTP-167) Mode Field Diameter Measurement Variable Aperture Method in the Farfield TIA/EIA (FOTP-173) Coating Geometry Measurement for Optical Fiber Side-View Method TIA/EIA (FOTP-176) Method for Measuring Optical Fiber Cross-Sectional Geometry by Automated Grey-Scale Analysis TIA/EIA A (FOTP-178) Measurements of Strip Force for Mechanically Removing Coatings from Optical Fibers TIA/EIA (FOTP-192) H-Parameter Test Method for Polarization-Maintaining Optical Fiber TR-NWT Generic Requirements for Optical Fiber Cleavers TR-NWT Generic Requirements for Single and Multi-Fiber Strippers So the next time you need to guarantee reliability in a Specialty Project, get in touch with Fibercore Ltd we can help Page 41

44 Section 8 Test, Measurement & Other Laboratory Services Fiber Test and Measurement A Comprehensive Facility Maintained to International Standards If you are in the field, troubleshooting a fiber network or cable, in the laboratory and unsure of the precise fiber parameters you are working with, or just need some additional QA Fibercore Limited can provide the answers, with turn-around times to suit your deadline and your budget. Detailed printouts of refractive index profile, fiber and coating geometry and concentricity errors, high-resolution spectral attenuation scans, etc, are invaluable in tracing the root cause of many fiber system problems. Fibercore Limited has the facilities to make these measurements on your behalf, and support them with detailed reports, compiled by experienced, specialist fiber engineers. All Test and Measurement equipment is maintained and calibrated in full accordance with the International Standard ISO (BS5781) and all work is carried out and reported according to the strict guidelines laid down by Fibercore Limited s BS EN ISO9001 (2008) Quality System. Page 42

45 Section 8 Test, Measurement & Other Laboratory Services Fusion Splicing For Polarization Maintaining and Rare-Earth Doped Fibers Special fibers demand special equipment and special skills with Fibercore Limited s fusion splicing service, you get access to both. PM splices may be aligned at zero, or 45 and mode-field expansion techniques are employed for rareearth doped fibers to minimise both loss and back-reflection. The specification table below gives an indication of the typical splice performance offered by this service. Please note: These results are examples provided for general guidance only. Actual results will be dependent on the precise fiber types used. Typical Splice Performance Fiber Types Insertion Loss Extinction Ratio HB1250 / HB db -30 db HB1250 / SMF db N/A MetroGain M-5 / 1550 nm Singlemode 0.20 db N/A MetroGain M-5 / 980 nm Singlemode 0.10 db N/A Page 43

46 Section 9 Development Projects & Custom Fiber Development Projects & Custom Fiber With almost 30 years experience working on specialty optical fibers and continuous development ingrained in Fibercore s culture, we are World-Class experts in what we do. So, if your project demands a fiber that is even more special give us a call. Fibercore experts are on hand to help! Preforms & Custom Fiber Development: If the success of your project relies on the availability of a custom singlemode optical fiber, provided that it is based on silica-glass, Fibercore Limited has the capability to develop that fiber on your behalf. Custom and Multi-Fiber Cables: Fibercore can supply any of its range of specialty singlemode fibers, custom-cabled to suit highly complex deployments and demanding environments. New Products: With specialty fibers now established in different industries, the demand for more complex fibers is continually with us and our Development Team is busy working on the next generation of fibers. Page 44

47 Section 9 Development Projects & Custom Fiber Preforms and Custom Fiber Development Such is the speed and diversity of technological advancement that not even the broadest range of optical fibers can ever hope to fulfil every possible application. If the success of your project relies on the availability of a custom singlemode optical fiber, provided that it is based on silica-glass, Fibercore Limited has the capability to develop that fiber on your behalf. Being one of the very few companies within the Optical Fiber Industry to have gained ISO certification for Development and Engineering (ISO9001), each and every step of the development of a custom fiber, performed by Fibercore Limited, is fully documented and traceable an invaluable consideration when your project enters series production. Alternatively, you may have access to your own fiber drawing and specialised coating facilities. In these cases, preforms to generate either standard (HB, SM or DF) or custom fibers are available. Each Fibercore Limited preform is supplied complete with certificated fiber from a test draw and critical tower and furnace set-up parameters. Page 45

48 Section 9 Development Projects & Custom Fiber Custom and Multi-Fiber Cables The Cable for Your Application Sometimes only a purpose-designed cable will do multifiber, armoured, zero memory... Fibercore can supply any of its range of specialty singlemode fibers, custom-cabled to suit highly complex deployments and demanding environments. Page 46

49 Section 9 Development Projects & Custom Fiber New Products Since our beginnings in 1982 as a spin-out from the World-renowned Optical Fiber Group at the University of Southampton, UK, Fibercore Ltd have been instrumental in developing specialty optical fibers and introducing them to commercial applications. From low birefringence fibers in 1982, polarization maintaining fibers in 1983, erbium fibers in 1988, and the cladding pump fibers in 1999 we have continued this investment into new technologies and industries with the recent introduction of the new HB-C and HB- Z HiBi PM fibers and the pure-silica SM-SC singlemode fibers. With specialty fibers now established in different industries and their potential fully recognized, the demand for more complex fibers is continually with us, and our Development Team are already working on the fibers that our customers have asked for. With the expansion of the Team to include a new Principal Development Engineer, Fibercore Ltd are developing an LMA version of our CP1500Y all-glass dual-clad cladding pump fiber as well as continuing the work on the HB-Z Zing fiber to include fibers operating at 830 nm and 1550 nm. All this whilst still working with our customers to enhance our fibers for special requirements and developing their custom fibers for special applications. Page 47

50 Section 10 Quality & The Environment Fibercore Ltd s commitment to Quality: ISO 9001:2008 Fibercore Limited is dedicated to supplying customers with exceptional quality products, service, and support. Based on and certified to ISO9001:2008, Fibercore product is fully traceable through the serial numbers and associated documentation. At Fibercore each fiber is individually tested to ensure that each length of fiber received is fully characterised and through verification testing - ideally matched to your process. Environment: ISO 14001:2004 Fibercore Limited is committed to reducing its environmental impact, be this through the prevention of pollution or the reduction of resource and energy use. An ISO14001 certified management system was installed by in-house staff to manage all aspects of Fibercore s Environmental Management including the IPPC permit under which Fibercore Operates. Health & Safety: OHSAS 18001:2007 Fibercore Limited continues its commitment to quality by the addition of a new Occupational Health & Safety Management System to our procedures. RoSH and REACH Our products all comply with RoSH requirements and with REACH. Copies of these certificates, as well as our OHSAS 18001:2007 certificate and procedures, can be downloaded from our website at or contact us at info@fibercore.com. Page 48

51 Notes Fiber Specification Notes FIBER SPECIFICATION NOTES: The speed of development of specialty fiber technology is such that the specifications of our fibers are subject to continuous review. Please contact Fibercore Limited for exact details of current specifications. 1. Color center generation can affect power handling capability at short wavelengths. For more information on this, please request a copy of our Technote on Power Handling. 2. The Design Wavelength is the wavelength (or wavelengths) at which the fiber is typically used. In practice, the fiber will transmit the single mode at wavelengths of up to approximately 200 nm longer than the cut-off wavelength. 3. The Cut-off Wavelength in CP1500Y, SMM900 and CP1100 is calculated and in DF1500Y if too close to the very high ytterbium peak to measure. It may be possible to offer DF1500Y with other cut-off wavelengths. 4. The Mode Field Diameter is a nominal, calculated value, estimated at the operating wavelength(s) using typical values for numerical aperture and cut-off wavelength. 5. Enquire for absorptions of DF1500Y at other pump wavelengths. 6. Attenuation is a worst-case value, quoted for the shortest design wavelength. In MM105, it is the typical attenuation at nm excluding OH peak at 1400 nm (~10 db/km). 7. Beat length is measured at 633 nm for all HB fiber types. To a first approximation, beat-length scales directly with operating wavelength. 8. Background loss is quoted at the minimum point of the spectrum (typically 1100 nm to 1200 nm for the Er-Doped fibers). For more information on our products, contact us at: Page 49

52 Global Science Instruments Co Ltd 6F, No 07-2 Sec 3 Beixin Rd Xindian City, Taipei Hsien Taiwan Contact: Mr Rick Tsao t: F: e: Gs12@globalsi.com.tw Version: