Products HomeFiberBenches
- Building Blocks for Fiber-to-Fiber Coupling Systems
- Single-Axis and Multi-Axis FiberBenches Available
- Stable Platform for Easy Alignment
FT-114X149
Multi-Axis FiberBench
FB-51W
Single-Axis FiberBench
with Wall Plates
Application Idea
Variable Optical Attenuator made with
FB-51W FiberBench. For more details, please see the Application tab.
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Ever since Thorlabs acquired the versatile FiberBench product line from Optics For Research (OFR) in 2007, we have been fine tuning the overall design to offer more long-term stability and excellent coupling efficiency. These FiberBenches form the foundation of a nearly infinite array of miniature fiber optic systems that customers have been building for the last decade. When used with the FiberPort Collimators/Couplers, a complete optical circuit can be constructed.
The all-stainless steel construction offers the stability required when building fiber optic systems. Thorlabs offers Single-Axis and Multi-Axis FiberBenches, both of which are featured below. For basic systems that require only one input and one output path, the Single-Axis FiberBenches are ideal; for more complex systems that require multiple inputs and outputs, we recommend the use of the Multi-Axis FiberBenches.
One of the main advantages of building FiberBench systems is that all the components are aligned along common beam paths (14.3 mm above the deck) that are parallel to the base. Thus, they simplify setups that would normally require extensive alignment procedures. The equally sized and uniformly spaced mounting holes on the FiberBenches are designed to hold a wide array of FiberBench accessories. Except for some mounts that would go on the side of the FiberBenches, all the accessories have dowel pins that can be easily inserted into the FiberBenches. For more information or custom requests, please contact Tech Support.
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| FiberBench Accessories | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| FiberPorts | Optic Mounts | Alignment Tools | Polarizers |
| Beamsplitter Modules | Mirror Modules | Rotating Wave Plates | FiberBenches |
Multi-Axis FiberBenches: Optical Beam Diagrams
Variable Optical Attenuator Application
A continuously variable attenuator can be assembled using the FiberBench components listed in the table below. The FiberPort collimates the beam from a SM or PM fiber, and the collimated beam then goes through a calcite beam displacer where it is split into its respective horizontal and vertical components. The orientation of the wave plate controls how much energy is in the beam. It can be rotated to give the desired attenuation - zero, partial, or full. The signal then enters a reversed calcite beam displacer where it will be recombined or further separated. The only energy that will couple back into the output fiber is the signal on the central axis. The central beam will then be focused into the output fiber by the output PAF FiberPort.
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The RABH wave plate is rotated so that there is only one output beam; this also means that the input and output polarizations are the same.
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The RABH wave plate is rotated so that there are three output beams. The RABH orientation will control how much energy is in each beam. The only energy that will couple into the fiber is the energy in the central beam. The attenuation range is 1 to 40 dB with any value in between.
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The RABH wave plate is rotated so that there are two output beams, which will be displaced to the left and to the right of the center. In this position, there will be minimal coupling efficiency, resulting in a maximum attenuation of 40 dB.
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FB-38W Packaging
| Item # | % Weight Reduction | CO2-Equivalent Reductiona |
|---|---|---|
| FB-38W | 55.61% | 2.18 kg |
| FB-51W | 46.44% | 2.56 kg |
| FB-76W | 21.19% | 1.31 kg |
| FT-51X60 | 25.55% | 0.96 kg |
Smart Pack
- Reduce Weight of Packaging Materials
- Increase Usage of Recyclable Packing Materials
- Improve Packing Integrity
- Decrease Shipping Costs
Thorlabs' Smart Pack Initiative is aimed at waste minimization while still maintaining adequate protection for our products. By eliminating any unnecessary packaging, implementing packaging design changes, and utilizing eco-friendly packaging materials for our customers when possible, this initiative seeks to improve the environmental impact of our product packaging. Products listed above are now shipped in re-engineered packaging that minimizes the weight and the use of non-recyclable materials.b As we move through our product line, we will indicate re-engineered packages with our Smart Pack logo.
| Posted Comments: | |
Bo-Wei Huang
(posted 2024-01-18 15:00:13.787) I would like to inquire about the screws used in the FW-38W Wall Plates. (Mainly used for securing four screws for the fiber port) Are they metric screws, and if so, what is the size (M number)? If they are imperial screws, what is the screw type? Thank you very much. jdelia
(posted 2024-01-18 01:39:40.0) Thank you for contacting Thorlabs. The FB-38W uses 2-56 threaded imperial cap screws that are 1/4" in thread length. user
(posted 2023-09-27 13:22:22.007) Hi, I'd like to use the minimum bench for fiber to fiber coupling, I see you have wall plates which include SM1 threading, but not available as a set with the dust cover. Can the dust cover be sold separately so I can assemble an FB-38W with SM1 threads by getting HCA3-SM1 + FB-38? cdolbashian
(posted 2023-10-03 01:25:38.0) Thank you for reaching out to us with this inquiry. Thankfully for you all of the FB-XXW ports attached do indeed feature SM1 threaded apertures. There is no need for a workaround such as you are imagining. I have contacted you directly to discuss this. Dodd Gray
(posted 2023-07-06 09:22:53.38) How is the FT-114X149 multi-axis fiber bench meant to be mounted on an optical table/breadboard? Does it have any tapped holes on the underside or elsewhere for affixing in an optical setup? If not, it would be helpful to add some. jdelia
(posted 2023-07-06 04:14:17.0) Thank you for contacting Thorlabs. The FT-114X149 unfortunately does not have any mounting holes intended to interface with a table or breadboard. We would suggest using table clamps to fix it to your surface, such as the ones found here: Table Clamps (https://www.thorlabs.com/newgrouppage9.cfm?objectgroup_id=191). I have submitted your feedback to our design engineers through our internal suggestion forum for future consideration as a feature for this product. P. Kucirek
(posted 2022-07-28 08:29:30.58) Hi,
would you also sell the dovel pins necessary to mount custom parts to the fiber bench?
Best regards jgreschler
(posted 2022-08-02 02:33:51.0) Thank you for reaching out to Thorlabs. You can request a quote for any component part by emailing techsupport@thorlabs.com. I have reached out to you directly to set up a quote. Alexander.Zolot
(posted 2017-10-18 09:09:30.05) The FB-#W plates look very useful, but I'd like to use it to launch a beam (with a few optics on the bench) on a low profile setup. Can the black anodized base be removed? What thread is used to attach it to the fiber bench? nbayconich
(posted 2017-10-19 12:00:29.0) Thank you for contacting Thorlabs. Yes the base plate can be removed from the bottom of the fiber bench. The FB-38W for example has two 8-32 socket head cap screws that can be removed with a 9/64" ball driver. |
*Dust Cover Included but Not Shown
Please See the Additional Info Tab for Optical Beam Diagrams
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- Mounts to the Edge of Thorlabs' FiberBenches
- HCA3 and HCA3-SM1 Mount a FiberPort Collimator/Coupler
- HCA3-SM1 has an SM1-Threaded (1.035"-40) Port
These Wall Plates can be attached to the sides of a FiberBench using the two included 8-32 mounting screws. The HCA3 and HCA3-SM1 are used to mount FiberPorts to FiberBenches using the four included 2-56 screws (see photo to the right). The HCA3-SM1 is internally SM1 (1.035"-40) threaded for compatibility with our Ø1" Lens Tubes and other SM1-threaded devices such as Thorlabs' Photodetectors. Each wall plate includes screws for mounting to our FiberBenches and the SM-threaded wall plates each include one retaining ring.
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The HCA3-CP is used to combine a FiberBench and a 30 mm Cage System for a power sampling application. A beamsplitter picks off light to a detector and allows the rest of the signal to be coupled into a Fiber Patch Cable using a FiberPort. A polarizer between the beamsplitter and the detector allows the polarization state of light entering the fiber to be monitored.a
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The HCA3-CP FiberBench Adapter Plate accepts cage rods for 16 mm and 30 mm Cage Systems.
Click to Enlarge Output from a fiber passes through a
FiberBench-based polarization controller before entering a 16 mm cage system through the HCA3-CP.
Click to Enlarge FiberBench with FiberPort, HCA3-SM05 Wall Plate, 16 mm Cage System, and Ø1/2" Lens Tube
- Mounts to the Edge of Thorlabs' FiberBenches
- HCA3-CP is Compatible with Thorlabs' 16 mm and 30 mm Cage Systems
- HCA3-SM05 has 4-40 Taps to Accept Cage Rods from Thorlabs' 16 mm Cage System
- SM05 (0.535"-40) Thread for Compatibility with Ø1/2" Lens Tubes
These Wall Plates allow FiberBenches to be combined with Thorlabs' Cage Systems. They can be attached to the sides of a FiberBench using the two included 8-32 mounting screws. The HCA3-SM05 features four 4-40 taps and is internally SM05- threaded (0.535"-40) for compatibility with our 16 mm Cage System and Ø1/2" Lens Tubes, respectively (see photo to the right).
The HCA3-CP can accept cage rods for 30 mm and 16 mm cage systems either simultaneously or separately. Three #8 counterbores on the bottom of the plate allow it to be mounted to one of Thorlabs' FiberBenches. The plate accepts Ø4 mm or Ø6 mm cage rods for 16 mm or 30 mm cage systems, respectively. The Ø4 mm cage rods are held in place for by locking screws that accept a 0.05" (1.3 mm) hex key. The Ø6 mm cage rods are secured using a flexure mechanism that can be tightened by a single locking screw on each side of the mount that accepts 5/64" (2.0 mm) hex keys. The port through the center is SM05-threaded, allowing it to accept lens tubes or other threaded optical components.
When combining a FiberBench with a cage system, make sure that the FiberBench is properly supported to avoid applying excess torque to the cage rods. If the cage system is low enough, the FiberBench can rest directly on the optical table. For segments of the cage system that are elevated off of the optical table, the FiberBench can be supported using a Ø1" optical post threaded into the 8-32 or M4 tap in the base.
Each wall plate includes screws for mounting to our FiberBenches. The HCA3-SM05 ships with one SM05RR retaining ring to aid in securing SM05-threaded components, while the HCA3-CP ships with two retaining SM05RR rings to secure unmounted optics up to 0.21" (5.3 mm) thick, such as Thorlabs' Premium Hard-Coated Bandpass Filters.
Single-/Multi-Axis FiberBenches