1430 nm 1x2 Single Mode Fused Fiber Optic Couplers / Taps
![](https://punchout.thorlabs.com/Images/GuideImages/9552_FiberOpticCouplers.jpg)
- 1430 nm 1x2 Couplers with ±100 nm Bandwidth
- Available with 50:50, 75:25, 90:10, or 99:1 Coupling Ratio
- Terminated with 2.0 mm Narrow Key FC/PC or FC/APC Connectors
Use for Splitting Signals
TW1430R5A1
50:50 Coupler with FC/APC Couplers
TW1430R1A1
99:1 Coupler with FC/PC Connectors
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1x2 SM Fiber Optic Couplers | |
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Center Wavelength | Bandwidth |
405 nm | ±5 nm |
470 nm | ±40 nm |
532 nm | ±15 nm |
560 nm | ±50 nm |
±15 nm | |
630 nm | ±50 nm |
632 nm | ±15 nm |
670 nm | ±75 nm |
±15 nm | |
785 nm | ±15 nm |
805 nm | ±75 nm |
808 nm | ±15 nm |
830 nm | ±15 nm |
850 nm | ±100 nm |
930 nm | ±100 nm |
980 nm | ±15 nm |
1064 nm | ±100 nm |
±15 nm | |
1300 nm |
±100 nm |
1310 nm | ±15 nm |
1310/1550 nm | ±40 nm |
1430 nm | ±100 nm |
1550 nm | ±100 nm |
±15 nm | |
1650 nm | ±100 nm |
2000 nm | ±200 nm |
![](https://punchout.thorlabs.com/images/tabimages/Wideband_1x2_Coupler_1430nm_A1-350.jpg)
Click for Details
Each coupler is engraved with the Item #, serial number, and key specifications for easy identification. The coupling ratios listed below correspond to the ratio of the measured output power from the white (signal output) port to the red (tap output) port.
![](https://punchout.thorlabs.com/images/Document_icon15px.png)
Features
- 1430 nm 1x2 Fiber Optic Couplers with ±100 nm Bandwidth
- 50:50, 75:25, 90:10, or 99:1 Split Ratios Available
- 2.0 mm Narrow Key FC/PC or FC/APC Connectors
- 0.8 m Long Fiber Leads with a Tolerance of +0.075 m / -0.0 m
- Individual Test Report Available for Each Coupler; Click Here for a Sample Test Report
- Contact Us for Custom Wavelength, Coupling Ratio, and Connector Options
Thorlabs' Single Mode 1x2 Fiber Optic Couplers, also known as taps, have a flat spectral response across the entire specified range. Wideband couplers that can be used at 1430 nm are featured below. These couplers are available with a ±100 nm bandwidth and a coupling ratio of 50:50, 75:25, 90:10, or 99:1. These couplers can handle a max power of 1 W with connectors or bare fiber and 5 W when spliced (see the Damage Threshold tab for more details).
1x2 couplers are manufactured using the same process as our 2x2 fiber optic couplers, but have only one input port for simplified use and cable management. These couplers are ideal for applications where light is split from the input port into two output ports at the specified coupling ratio; unlike WDMs, they are generally not recommended for beam combining applications. The unused port is internally terminated within the coupler housing in a manner that minimizes back reflections (please see the 1x2 Coupler Tutorial tab for details).
Thorlabs provides an individual test report for each coupler that includes coupling and performance data. Test reports include data within the designed bandwidth and extending outside of the specified bandwidth, covering the entire wavelength range where the coupling ratio meets the specified tolerance. A sample test report for our 1430 nm wideband couplers can be viewed here. Our couplers have undergone extensive testing to ensure they meet or surpass Telcordia requirements; please see the Reliability Testing tab for details.
These couplers are offered from stock with FC/PC or FC/APC connectors, as outlined in the tables below. Fiber leads are jacketed in Ø900 µm Hytrel®* tubing and the leads are 1.0 m long.
Custom and OEM Fiber Couplers
Our couplers are produced on-site in our North American manufacturing facilities and our design team is able to deliver custom solutions in as little as three weeks. Custom coupler configurations with other wavelengths, fiber types, coupling ratios, connectors, port configurations, or housing options are available, and each custom coupler includes an individualized test report. Please contact Tech Sales for inquiries or to discuss your application.
Our complete selection of 1x2 SM couplers is outlined in the table to the right and on the SM Coupler Guide tab. Thorlabs also offers fiber optic couplers for 1430 nm in a 2x2 configuration; they can be found here.
*Hytrel® is a registered trademark of DuPont Polymers, Inc.
Alternative Fiber Coupler & Splitter Options | ||||||||||
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Double-Clad Couplers | Single Mode Couplers | Single Mode PLC Splitters | Multimode Couplers | Polarization-Maintaining Couplers | Wavelength Division Multiplexers (WDM) |
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2x2 | 1x2 | 2x2 | 1x4 | 1x8 | 1x16 | 1x2 | 2x2 | 1x2 | 2x2 |
Definition of 1x2 Fused Fiber Optic Coupler Specifications
This tab provides a brief explanation of how we determine several key specifications for our 1x2 couplers. 1x2 couplers are manufactured using the same process as our 2x2 fiber optic couplers, except the second input port is internally terminated using a proprietary method that minimizes back reflections. For combining light of different wavelengths, Thorlabs offers a line of single mode wavelength division multiplexers (WDMs). The ports on our 1x2 couplers are configured as shown in the schematic below.
![1x2 CouplerPicture](https://punchout.thorlabs.com/images/TabImages/Fiber_Coupler_1x2_Definitions_D2-780.gif)
Excess Loss
Excess loss in dB is determined by the ratio of the total input power to the total output power:
Pport1 is the input power at port 1 and Pport2+Pport3 is the total output power from Ports 2 and 3. All powers are expressed in mW.
Polarization Dependent Loss (PDL)
The polarization dependent loss is defined as the ratio of the maximum and minimum transmissions due to polarization states in couplers. This specification pertains only to couplers not designed for maintaining polarization. PDL is always specified in decibels (dB), and can be calculated with the following equation:
where Pmax is the maximum power able to be transmitted through the coupler when scanning across all possible polarization states. Pmin is the minimum transmission across those same states.
Optical Return Loss (ORL) / Directivity
The directivity refers to the fraction of input light that is lost in the internally terminated fiber end within the coupler housing when port 1 is used as the input. It can be calculated in units of dB using the following equation:
where Pport1 and Pport1b are the optical powers (in mW) in port 1 and the internally terminated fiber, respectively. This output is the result of back reflection at the junction of the legs of the coupler and represents a loss in the total light output at ports 2 and 3. For a 50:50 coupler, the directivity is equal to the optical return loss (ORL).
Insertion Loss
The insertion loss is defined as the ratio of the input power to the output power at one of the output legs of the coupler (signal or tap). Insertion loss is always specified in decibels (dB). It is generally defined using the equation below:
where Pin and Pout are the input and output powers (in mW). For our 1x2 couplers, the insertion loss specification is provided for both signal and tap outputs; our specifications always list insertion loss for the signal output first. To define the insertion loss for a specific output (port 2 or port 3), the equation is rewritten as:
Insertion loss inherently includes both coupling (e.g., light transferred to the other output leg) and excess loss (e.g., light lost from the coupler) effects. The maximum allowed insertion loss for each output, signal and tap, are both specified. Because the insertion loss in each output is correlated to light coupled to the other output, no coupler will ever have the maximum insertion loss in both outputs simultaneously.
Calculating Insertion Loss using Power Expressed in dBm
Insertion loss can also be easily calculated with the power expressed in units of dBm. The equation below shows the relationship between power expressed in mW and dBm:
Then, the insertion loss in dB can be calculated as follows:
![](https://punchout.thorlabs.com/images/tabimages/Coupler_Manufacturing_Graphs_D3-450.gif)
Click to Enlarge
A graphical representation of the coupling ratio calculation.
Coupling Ratio
Insertion loss (in dB) is the ratio of the input power to the output power from each leg of the coupler as a function of wavelength. It captures both the coupling ratio and the excess loss. The coupling ratio is calculated from the measured insertion loss. Coupling ratio (in %) is the ratio of the optical power from each output port (ports 2 and 3) to the sum of the total power of both output ports as a function of wavelength. Path A represents light traveling from port 1 to port 2 while Path B represents light traveling from port 1 to port 3. It is not impacted by spectral features such as the water absorption region because both output legs are affected equally.
![](https://punchout.thorlabs.com/images/tabimages/Coupler_Manufacturing_Graphs_D2-450.gif)
Click to Enlarge
A graphical representation of the Uniformity calculation.
Uniformity
The uniformity is also calculated from the measured insertion loss. Uniformity is the variation (in dB) of the insertion loss over the bandwidth. It is a measure of how evenly the insertion loss is distributed over the spectral range. The uniformity of Path A is the difference between the value of highest insertion loss and the solid red insertion loss curve (in the Insertion Plot above). The uniformity of Path B is the difference between the solid blue insertion loss curve and the value of lowest insertion loss.
Fiber Coupler Testing and Verification Procedure
During Thorlabs' coupling manufacturing process, the coupling ratio and bandwidth of each coupler is monitored as the two branches are fused together. This ensures that each coupler meets the stated specifications over the bandwidth. Each coupler has an individualized test report available, providing a summary of the results of these tests. Click for a sample test report for our 1430 nm couplers here.
Step 1
The fiber to create the first branch (Path A) of the coupler is connected to a source on one side and a switch leading to an Optical Spectrum Analyzer (OSA) on the other.
Step 2
The spectrum of the source through the fiber and switch is measured using the OSA and zeroed.
Step 3
The fiber to form the second branch (Path B) of the coupler is connected to the source and to the second port of the switch leading to the OSA. The spectrum of the source through the fiber and switch is also measured and zeroed.
Step 4
The two fibers are fused on a manufacturing station to create the coupler structure. During the fusing process, the output from both legs of the coupler is monitored on the OSA. Coupler fusing stops once the coupler reaches the desired coupling ratio, excess loss, and insertion loss specifications.
For 1x2 couplers, one of the fiber ends is terminated within the coupler housing. The termination is done in a manner that minimizes back reflections from this output.
![](https://punchout.thorlabs.com/images/tabimages/Coupler_Manufacturing_Graphs_D3-450.gif)
Click to Enlarge
Insertion loss (in dB) is the ratio of the input power to the output power from each leg of the coupler as a function of wavelength. It captures both the coupling ratio and the excess loss. The coupling ratio is calculated from the measured insertion loss. Coupling ratio (in %) is the ratio of the optical power from each output port (A and B) to the sum of the total power of both output ports as a function of wavelength. It is not impacted by spectral features such as the water absorption region because both output legs are affected equally. Persistence plots showing the coupling ratio of our wideband couplers can be viewed by clicking on the blue info icons below.
![](https://punchout.thorlabs.com/images/tabimages/Coupler_Manufacturing_Graphs_D2-450.gif)
Click to Enlarge
The uniformity is also calculated from the measured insertion loss. Uniformity is the variation (in dB) of the insertion loss over the bandwidth. It is a measure of how evenly the insertion loss is distributed over the spectral range. The uniformity of Path A is the difference between the value of highest insertion loss and the solid red insertion loss curve (in the Insertion Plot above). The uniformity of Path B is the difference between the solid blue insertion loss curve and the value of lowest insertion loss. Persistence plots showing the uniformity of our wideband couplers can be viewed by clicking on the blue info icons below.
Requirement Limits | |
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Parameter | Limit |
Change in Insertion Loss (ΔIL) | ≤0.2 dB |
Coupling Ratio | ±1.5% |
GR-1221-CORE Testing
Our 2x2 1300 nm Single Mode Fused Fiber Optic Couplers have undergone a reliability testing program inspired by GR-1221-CORE (Generic Reliability Assurance Requirements for Passive Optical Components, Issue 2). The selected test conditions are for uncontrolled environments and are some of the most stringent test conditions for passive components. The results of this testing program qualify these couplers and their manufacturing process for volume production and use in uncontrolled environments. To download a PDF of this test report, please click here.
![WDM Mechanical Shock Testing Equipment](https://punchout.thorlabs.com/images/tabimages/WDM_Testing_Shock_A1-270.jpg)
Close-Up of Mechanical Shock Test Setup
![WDM Mechanical Shock Testing Equipment](https://punchout.thorlabs.com/images/tabimages/WDM_Testing_Shock_A2-150.jpg)
SM-105 Mechanical Shock
Test Machine
![WDM Vibration Setup](https://punchout.thorlabs.com/images/tabimages/VibrationTable_CBU-267.jpg)
Click To Enlarge
Vibration Test Setup
![WDM Temperature Testing Equipment](https://punchout.thorlabs.com/images/tabimages/WDM_Testing_DampHeat_A1-230.jpg)
Damp Heat Testing Setup
Testing Conditions
This test program consisted of five test groups with a sample size of 11 per group. Testing was conducted with a 1310 nm laser source input into 1310 tap couplers using a 1x16 waveguide coupler. The two outputs of every coupler were measured by a PM100USB power meter with an S154C sensor head.Testing Conditions | ||
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Mechanical Testing (Group 1) | ||
These fused couplers with a tap ratio of 10% underwent three mechanical tests; the mechanical shock and vibration tests were conducted by the NTS Environmental and Mechanical Testing Laboratory while the fiber side pull tests were performed in-house. In one test, the couplers were induced with mechanical shock using an Avex SM-105 mechanical shock test machine with a 3200B4 accelerometer. In another, they were induced with vibration using a Dynamic Solutions DS-2200VH/8-19 vibration system with a VT1436 vibration controller and a 356A01 accelerometer. The couplers also underwent a fiber side pull in two directions with a weight of 0.23 kg at 90° for 5 seconds. | ||
Test Parameter | Conditions | Reference |
Mechanical Shock | Acceleration: 500 g Pulse Width: 1 ms Pulse Shape: Half-Sine # of Directions: 6 # of Shocks/Direction: 5 |
MIL-STD-993 Method 2002 |
Vibration | Acceleration: 20 g Frequency Range: 20 Hz to 2000 Hz Duration: 4 min/cycle Number of Cycles/Axis: 4 Axes: X, Y, Z |
MIL-STD-883 Method 2007 Condition A |
Fiber Side Pull | 0.23 kg, 90°, 5 sec, 2 directions | GR-1209-CORE |
Click for Graphs:
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Damp Heat Storage (Group 2) | ||
The performance of these couplers was tested in damp heat at a Thorlabs facility. A Test Equity Model 115A Temperature Chamber was used to maintain an 85 °C ± 2 °C temperature with 85% ± 5% relative humidity for 2000 hours. | ||
Test Parameter | Conditions | Reference |
Damp Heat | 85 °C (±2 °C) 85% (±5%) Relative Humidity 2000 Hours |
MIL-STD-883 Method 103 |
Click for Graphs:
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High Temperature Storage (Group 3) | ||
The performance of these couplers was tested in dry high temperatures in a Thorlabs facility. A Test Equity Model 115A Temperature Chamber was used to maintain an 85 °C ± 2 °C temperature with <40% Relative Humidity for 2000 hours. | ||
Test Parameter | Conditions | Reference |
High Temperature Storage (Dry Heat) | 85 °C (±2 °C) <40% Relative Humidity 2000 Hours |
EIA/TIA-455-4A |
Click for Graphs:
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Low Temperature Storage (Group 4) | ||
The performance of these couplers was tested in low temperatures at a Thorlabs facility. A Test Equity Model 115A Temperature Chamber was used to maintain a -40 °C ± 5 °C temperature with uncontrolled relative humidity for 2000 hours. | ||
Test Parameter | Conditions | Reference |
Low Temperature Storage | -40 °C (±5 °C) Uncontrolled Relative Humidity 2000 Hours |
EIA/TIA-455-4A |
Click for Graphs:
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Temperature Cycling (Group 5) | ||
At a Thorlabs facility, the performance of these couplers was tested during temperature cycling of their environment. The temperature varied from -40 °C to 85 °C (±2 °C) through 400 cycles with a 10 minutes pause at room temperature at each cycle. | ||
Test Parameter | Conditions | Reference |
Temperature Cycling | -40 °C to 85 °C (±2 °C) 400 Cycles with 10 Minute Pause at Room Temperature |
MIL-STD-883 Method 1010 |
Click for Graphs:
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Quick Links |
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Damage at the Air / Glass Interface |
Intrinsic Damage Threshold |
Preparation and Handling of Optical Fibers |
Laser-Induced Damage in Silica Optical Fibers
The following tutorial details damage mechanisms relevant to unterminated (bare) fiber, terminated optical fiber, and other fiber components from laser light sources. These mechanisms include damage that occurs at the air / glass interface (when free-space coupling or when using connectors) and in the optical fiber itself. A fiber component, such as a bare fiber, patch cable, or fused coupler, may have multiple potential avenues for damage (e.g., connectors, fiber end faces, and the device itself). The maximum power that a fiber can handle will always be limited by the lowest limit of any of these damage mechanisms.
While the damage threshold can be estimated using scaling relations and general rules, absolute damage thresholds in optical fibers are very application dependent and user specific. Users can use this guide to estimate a safe power level that minimizes the risk of damage. Following all appropriate preparation and handling guidelines, users should be able to operate a fiber component up to the specified maximum power level; if no maximum is specified for a component, users should abide by the "practical safe level" described below for safe operation of the component. Factors that can reduce power handling and cause damage to a fiber component include, but are not limited to, misalignment during fiber coupling, contamination of the fiber end face, or imperfections in the fiber itself. For further discussion about an optical fiber’s power handling abilities for a specific application, please contact Thorlabs’ Tech Support.
![Power Handling Limitations Imposed by Optical Fiber](https://punchout.thorlabs.com/images/TabImages/Undamaged_Fiber_End-A1_150.jpg)
Click to Enlarge
Undamaged Fiber End
![Power Handling Limitations Imposed by Optical Fiber](https://punchout.thorlabs.com/images/TabImages/Damaged_Fiber_End-A1_150.jpg)
Click to Enlarge
Damaged Fiber End
Damage at the Air / Glass Interface
There are several potential damage mechanisms that can occur at the air / glass interface. Light is incident on this interface when free-space coupling or when two fibers are mated using optical connectors. High-intensity light can damage the end face leading to reduced power handling and permanent damage to the fiber. For fibers terminated with optical connectors where the connectors are fixed to the fiber ends using epoxy, the heat generated by high-intensity light can burn the epoxy and leave residues on the fiber facet directly in the beam path.
Estimated Optical Power Densities on Air / Glass Interfacea | ||
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Type | Theoretical Damage Thresholdb | Practical Safe Levelc |
CW (Average Power) |
~1 MW/cm2 | ~250 kW/cm2 |
10 ns Pulsed (Peak Power) |
~5 GW/cm2 | ~1 GW/cm2 |
Damage Mechanisms on the Bare Fiber End Face
Damage mechanisms on a fiber end face can be modeled similarly to bulk optics, and industry-standard damage thresholds for UV Fused Silica substrates can be applied to silica-based fiber. However, unlike bulk optics, the relevant surface areas and beam diameters involved at the air / glass interface of an optical fiber are very small, particularly for coupling into single mode (SM) fiber. therefore, for a given power density, the power incident on the fiber needs to be lower for a smaller beam diameter.
The table to the right lists two thresholds for optical power densities: a theoretical damage threshold and a "practical safe level". In general, the theoretical damage threshold represents the estimated maximum power density that can be incident on the fiber end face without risking damage with very good fiber end face and coupling conditions. The "practical safe level" power density represents minimal risk of fiber damage. Operating a fiber or component beyond the practical safe level is possible, but users must follow the appropriate handling instructions and verify performance at low powers prior to use.
Calculating the Effective Area for Single Mode Fibers
The effective area for single mode (SM) fiber is defined by the mode field diameter (MFD), which is the cross-sectional area through which light propagates in the fiber; this area includes the fiber core and also a portion of the cladding. To achieve good efficiency when coupling into a single mode fiber, the diameter of the input beam must match the MFD of the fiber.
As an example, SM400 single mode fiber has a mode field diameter (MFD) of ~Ø3 µm operating at 400 nm, while the MFD for SMF-28 Ultra single mode fiber operating at 1550 nm is Ø10.5 µm. The effective area for these fibers can be calculated as follows:
SM400 Fiber: Area = Pi x (MFD/2)2 = Pi x (1.5 µm)2 = 7.07 µm2 = 7.07 x 10-8 cm2
SMF-28 Ultra Fiber: Area = Pi x (MFD/2)2 = Pi x (5.25 µm)2 = 86.6 µm2 = 8.66 x 10-7 cm2
To estimate the power level that a fiber facet can handle, the power density is multiplied by the effective area. Please note that this calculation assumes a uniform intensity profile, but most laser beams exhibit a Gaussian-like shape within single mode fiber, resulting in a higher power density at the center of the beam compared to the edges. Therefore, these calculations will slightly overestimate the power corresponding to the damage threshold or the practical safe level. Using the estimated power densities assuming a CW light source, we can determine the corresponding power levels as:
SM400 Fiber: 7.07 x 10-8 cm2 x 1 MW/cm2 = 7.1 x 10-8 MW = 71 mW (Theoretical Damage Threshold)
7.07 x 10-8 cm2 x 250 kW/cm2 = 1.8 x 10-5 kW = 18 mW (Practical Safe Level)
SMF-28 Ultra Fiber: 8.66 x 10-7 cm2 x 1 MW/cm2 = 8.7 x 10-7 MW = 870 mW (Theoretical Damage Threshold)
8.66 x 10-7 cm2 x 250 kW/cm2 = 2.1 x 10-4 kW = 210 mW (Practical Safe Level)
Effective Area of Multimode Fibers
The effective area of a multimode (MM) fiber is defined by the core diameter, which is typically far larger than the MFD of an SM fiber. For optimal coupling, Thorlabs recommends focusing a beam to a spot roughly 70 - 80% of the core diameter. The larger effective area of MM fibers lowers the power density on the fiber end face, allowing higher optical powers (typically on the order of kilowatts) to be coupled into multimode fiber without damage.
Damage Mechanisms Related to Ferrule / Connector Termination
![](https://punchout.thorlabs.com/images/TabImages/Terminated_Fiber_Damage_Mechanisms_G3-400.gif)
Plot showing approximate input power that can be incident on a single mode silica optical fiber with a termination. Each line shows the estimated power level due to a specific damage mechanism. The maximum power handling is limited by the lowest power level from all relevant damage mechanisms (indicated by a solid line).
Fibers terminated with optical connectors have additional power handling considerations. Fiber is typically terminated using epoxy to bond the fiber to a ceramic or steel ferrule. When light is coupled into the fiber through a connector, light that does not enter the core and propagate down the fiber is scattered into the outer layers of the fiber, into the ferrule, and the epoxy used to hold the fiber in the ferrule. If the light is intense enough, it can burn the epoxy, causing it to vaporize and deposit a residue on the face of the connector. This results in localized absorption sites on the fiber end face that reduce coupling efficiency and increase scattering, causing further damage.
For several reasons, epoxy-related damage is dependent on the wavelength. In general, light scatters more strongly at short wavelengths than at longer wavelengths. Misalignment when coupling is also more likely due to the small MFD of short-wavelength SM fiber that also produces more scattered light.
To minimize the risk of burning the epoxy, fiber connectors can be constructed to have an epoxy-free air gap between the optical fiber and ferrule near the fiber end face. Our high-power multimode fiber patch cables use connectors with this design feature.
Determining Power Handling with Multiple Damage Mechanisms
When fiber cables or components have multiple avenues for damage (e.g., fiber patch cables), the maximum power handling is always limited by the lowest damage threshold that is relevant to the fiber component. In general, this represents the highest input power that can be incident on the patch cable end face and not the coupled output power.
As an illustrative example, the graph to the right shows an estimate of the power handling limitations of a single mode fiber patch cable due to damage to the fiber end face and damage via an optical connector. The total input power handling of a terminated fiber at a given wavelength is limited by the lower of the two limitations at any given wavelength (indicated by the solid lines). A single mode fiber operating at around 488 nm is primarily limited by damage to the fiber end face (blue solid line), but fibers operating at 1550 nm are limited by damage to the optical connector (red solid line).
In the case of a multimode fiber, the effective mode area is defined by the core diameter, which is larger than the effective mode area for SM fiber. This results in a lower power density on the fiber end face and allows higher optical powers (on the order of kilowatts) to be coupled into the fiber without damage (not shown in graph). However, the damage limit of the ferrule / connector termination remains unchanged and as a result, the maximum power handling for a multimode fiber is limited by the ferrule and connector termination.
Please note that these are rough estimates of power levels where damage is very unlikely with proper handling and alignment procedures. It is worth noting that optical fibers are frequently used at power levels above those described here. However, these applications typically require expert users and testing at lower powers first to minimize risk of damage. Even still, optical fiber components should be considered a consumable lab supply if used at high power levels.
Intrinsic Damage Threshold
In addition to damage mechanisms at the air / glass interface, optical fibers also display power handling limitations due to damage mechanisms within the optical fiber itself. These limitations will affect all fiber components as they are intrinsic to the fiber itself. Two categories of damage within the fiber are damage from bend losses and damage from photodarkening.
Bend Losses
Bend losses occur when a fiber is bent to a point where light traveling in the core is incident on the core/cladding interface at an angle higher than the critical angle, making total internal reflection impossible. Under these circumstances, light escapes the fiber, often in a localized area. The light escaping the fiber typically has a high power density, which burns the fiber coating as well as any surrounding furcation tubing.
A special category of optical fiber, called double-clad fiber, can reduce the risk of bend-loss damage by allowing the fiber’s cladding (2nd layer) to also function as a waveguide in addition to the core. By making the critical angle of the cladding/coating interface higher than the critical angle of the core/clad interface, light that escapes the core is loosely confined within the cladding. It will then leak out over a distance of centimeters or meters instead of at one localized spot within the fiber, minimizing the risk of damage. Thorlabs manufactures and sells 0.22 NA double-clad multimode fiber, which boasts very high, megawatt range power handling.
Photodarkening
A second damage mechanism, called photodarkening or solarization, can occur in fibers used with ultraviolet or short-wavelength visible light, particularly those with germanium-doped cores. Fibers used at these wavelengths will experience increased attenuation over time. The mechanism that causes photodarkening is largely unknown, but several fiber designs have been developed to mitigate it. For example, fibers with a very low hydroxyl ion (OH) content have been found to resist photodarkening and using other dopants, such as fluorine, can also reduce photodarkening.
Even with the above strategies in place, all fibers eventually experience photodarkening when used with UV or short-wavelength light, and thus, fibers used at these wavelengths should be considered consumables.
Preparation and Handling of Optical Fibers
General Cleaning and Operation Guidelines
These general cleaning and operation guidelines are recommended for all fiber optic products. Users should still follow specific guidelines for an individual product as outlined in the support documentation or manual. Damage threshold calculations only apply when all appropriate cleaning and handling procedures are followed.
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All light sources should be turned off prior to installing or integrating optical fibers (terminated or bare). This ensures that focused beams of light are not incident on fragile parts of the connector or fiber, which can possibly cause damage.
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The power-handling capability of an optical fiber is directly linked to the quality of the fiber/connector end face. Always inspect the fiber end prior to connecting the fiber to an optical system. The fiber end face should be clean and clear of dirt and other contaminants that can cause scattering of coupled light. Bare fiber should be cleaved prior to use and users should inspect the fiber end to ensure a good quality cleave is achieved.
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If an optical fiber is to be spliced into the optical system, users should first verify that the splice is of good quality at a low optical power prior to high-power use. Poor splice quality may increase light scattering at the splice interface, which can be a source of fiber damage.
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Users should use low power when aligning the system and optimizing coupling; this minimizes exposure of other parts of the fiber (other than the core) to light. Damage from scattered light can occur if a high power beam is focused on the cladding, coating, or connector.
Tips for Using Fiber at Higher Optical Power
Optical fibers and fiber components should generally be operated within safe power level limits, but under ideal conditions (very good optical alignment and very clean optical end faces), the power handling of a fiber component may be increased. Users must verify the performance and stability of a fiber component within their system prior to increasing input or output power and follow all necessary safety and operation instructions. The tips below are useful suggestions when considering increasing optical power in an optical fiber or component.
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Splicing a fiber component into a system using a fiber splicer can increase power handling as it minimizes possibility of air/fiber interface damage. Users should follow all appropriate guidelines to prepare and make a high-quality fiber splice. Poor splices can lead to scattering or regions of highly localized heat at the splice interface that can damage the fiber.
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After connecting the fiber or component, the system should be tested and aligned using a light source at low power. The system power can be ramped up slowly to the desired output power while periodically verifying all components are properly aligned and that coupling efficiency is not changing with respect to optical launch power.
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Bend losses that result from sharply bending a fiber can cause light to leak from the fiber in the stressed area. When operating at high power, the localized heating that can occur when a large amount of light escapes a small localized area (the stressed region) can damage the fiber. Avoid disturbing or accidently bending fibers during operation to minimize bend losses.
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Users should always choose the appropriate optical fiber for a given application. For example, large-mode-area fibers are a good alternative to standard single mode fibers in high-power applications as they provide good beam quality with a larger MFD, decreasing the power density on the air/fiber interface.
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Step-index silica single mode fibers are normally not used for ultraviolet light or high-peak-power pulsed applications due to the high spatial power densities associated with these applications.
Our 1x2 and 2x2 Single Mode Coupler offerings are outlined in the graphs below. Click on the colored bars to visit the web presentation for each coupler. Note that the 1020 nm ± 50 nm options (orange bars) are designed for high power applications up to 50 W.
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