Fiber types
Our multimode silica optical fibers have a pure silica core and doped silica cladding and have a wide range of applications including spectroscopy and laser delivery.
Conventional single mode fibers for telecom wavelengths are readily available. Many applications for single mode fibers require non-telecom wavelengths or higher temperature coatings. Our single mode optical fibers are available in a wide range of wavelengths, and a choice of coatings and alternative diameters. A special pure silica core radiation resistant single mode fiber is also available.
For transmission of polarized light we offer two types of fiber. Most people are familiar with the polarization preserving or high birefringence type of optical fiber. This type of optical fiber has a stressed core region that results in a fast and a slow axis preserving the state of linearly polarized light launched into the fiber. It is frequently used in optical fiber gyroscopes and many sensor designs.
When it is desired to transmit polarized light in any orientation or when the optical fiber itself is used as an intrinsic optical fiber sensor as in a Faraday current sensor, then a low birefringence optical fiber should be used.
Doped fibers are single mode fibers that have been doped with a rare earth element. They can be used for a variety of applications including fiber amplifiers and fiber lasers.
CuBALL Fiber
The type of coating used on silica fiber will determine the ruggedness of the fiber and its operating temperature range. Most fiber is coated with a polymer that restricts use to temperatures from -40 to +85 ºC. For higher temperatures and improved strength, metal coatings can be used. Our CuBALL metal-coated optical fibers are available in both singlemode and multimode configurations.
Patchcords
All our optical fibers are available as patchcords with a choice of jackets and connectors.
We also offer optical fiber bundles or light guides in a variety of configurations using silica-silica, glass or polymer optical fiber.
Because of their low cost and ease of use, silica fibers are usually chosen for wavelengths from 180 nm to 2 µm. However for longer wavelengths other materials are required. Chalcogenide is suitable for 1-6 µm.
For high power laser delivery, tapered optical fibers allow a large input core to be used with a smaller output core giving the advantage of a flexible pigtail for ease of handling.
