CuBALL fiber bundles
Bundles
There are many applications that require the measurement of very low levels of fluorescence. In some cases a flexible fiber bundle is also required. The traditional way of making a fiber bundle is to hold the fibers with epoxy but most epoxies have high levels of fluorescence, sometimes totally swamping the signal being measured. In addition the polymer coatings on conventional optical fibers can cause fluorescence problems. Fiber bundles using metal coated optical fibers and held in place with solder exhibit extremely low levels of fluorescence and also have a very small minimum bend radius.
The environmental properties of CuBALL coated fibers mean fiber bundles can now be used in applications that excluded fiber bundles previously. The thin metal coating ensures a good packing fraction.
CuBALL coated fibers soldered in a brass ferrule
Another use for metal-coated fiber bundles is for high power delivery. Most fiber bundles are limited in power delivery by the absorption of the epoxy surrounding the fiber. In a soldered fiber bundle the interstices that are solder filled can be polished to reflect many laser wavelengths thus avoiding overheating due to absorption.
CuBall optical fiber bundles are all made to order.
