New: PCF Broadband Fiber Cables

Endlessly single-mode, optionally polarization-maintaining photonic crystal fibers series PCF with Gaussian intensity profile

900µm fiber with FC APC connector and end cap

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PM
PCF

Single-mode
PCF

RGBV

Features

Endlessly single-mode, optional polarization-maintaining photonic crystal fibers series PCF with Gaussian intensity profile and low-stress fiber connectors with end caps.

Broadband fiber with wavelength range 370 nm - 1550 nm
PCF fiber with 5 µm core, pure silica
End caps for a smaller power density at the fiber end-faces and a sealed microstructure
Measured values for fiber NA: NAe²
Mode-field diameter almost independent of wavelength
Fiber patch cable with Ø 900 µm buffer or as Ø 3 mm cable with Kevlar strain-relief
Connectors type FC with 0°-polish or 8°-polish
Choice of:

PM PCF fiber series PCF-P with polarization axis is indicated by connector index key (slow axis)
Single-mode PCF fiber series PCF-S

Optionally: Amagnetic titanium connectors for connectors of type FC PC or FC APC

Description

Endlessly single-mode, optionally polarization-maintaining photonic crystal fiber cables series PCF with Gaussian intensity profile and low-stress fiber connectors with end caps.

Fiber
The fibers are endlessly single-mode PCF fibers, they have a core diameter of 5 µm and are available as purely single-mode (series PCF-S) or as polarization-maintaining fibers (series PCF-P). The mode-field diameter MFD is almost independent of wavelength. The effective numerical NAe² is wavelength dependent and is measured for each connectorized fiber and various wavelengths by Schäfter+Kirchhoff. The special broadband fibers have an operational wavelength range of 370 nm to 1550 nm.

Fiber Connectors
For each fiber end the fiber connector type can be chosen (FC PC with 0°-polish or FC APC with 8°-polish).

End Caps
The fiber connectors of all PCF fiber cables are equipped with an end cap. This means that a short piece of coreless fiber (< 300 µm) is spliced onto the polarization-maintaining PCF fiber. The end cap seals the microstructure of the fiber and allows for an easy cleaning of the end-face. Additionally it also reduced the power density at the fiber end-face.

Amagnetic fiber connectors
For FC PC or FC APC type connectors amagnetic versions completely made of titanium can be selected. Those connectors have a ceramic ferrule.

Beam profile
Photonic crystal fibers have many unique properties due to their special microstructure. Of course, this is also visible in the beam profile (see figures on the right). The central spot (zero-order) is almost perfectly Gaussian. Its overlap integral with a 2D-Gaussian function is above 99 %. The hexagonal structure of the beam profile can therefore be neglected in most cases. The higher orders of the beam profile are strongly suppressed and remain below the 1 % level compared to the zero-order intensity. The approximation of a Gaussian like beam shape is therefore more than sufficient for most applications.

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Beam profile of a PCF fiber

Order Code	Core diameter	Wavelength range	Features
PCF-P	5 µm	370 nm - 1550 nm	polarization-maintaining, single-mode
PCF-S	5 µm	370 nm - 1550 nm	single-mode

FAQ

What are PCF fibers? What is the difference to a standard fiber?
- What is a large mode area PCF fiber?
  For single-mode fibers, there is a change in refractive indices between core and cladding.
  In large mode area PCF fibers the single-mode transport is introduced by microstructuring the fiber cladding. In our case the PCF fibers have a hexagonal structure of periodic holes that lead to a single-mode transport within the fiber. The fibers are categorized by their core diameter (e.g. 5 µm or 10 µm). Detailed calculations reveal that for this type of fibers the mode field diameter MFD is almost wavelength-independent. It is larger than the MFD of comparable standard fibers. In contrast, the numerical aperture has a significant wavelength-dependency. This is important to consider when collimating a beam for a large wavelength range.
- When should I use a PCF fiber instead of a standard single-mode fiber?
  Our PCF fibers are endlessly single-mode, (polarization-maintaining, only type PCF-P), specialized photonic crystal fiber cables with Gaussian intensity profile and low-stress fiber connectors with end caps. They have an operational wavelength range of 300 - 1200 nm and can be used for example for very broadband applications or with supercontinuum lasers.
  Standard (PM) fibers have a much more limited operational wavelength range and are no longer single-mode below the cut-off wavelength.
  
  If you need a broadband fiber, there are also special RGB fibers that are broadband and do cover a range of 400 - 680 nm.
  
  For standard applications standard fibers should be preferred over specialized PCF fibers.
- I want to couple a lot of power? Should I prefer a PCF over a standard fiber?
  The power that can be coupled into a fiber depends on two things. First on how much power the end-face can handle and second how much power the bulk fiber can handle. This is described in full detail here.
  
  As described for our standard fibers. End caps reduce the risk or torching the fiber end-face when coupling in high powers. These are also used in PCF fibers. In conclusion when considering the end-face alone, PCF fibers cannot handle more power.
  
  Brillouin scattering is a phenomenon of the bulk fiber. The Brillouin threshhold depends on the mode field diameter. PCF fibers have a higher Brioullin threshhold and can carry larger powers if their mode field is larger compared to the MFD of a standard fiber. This is true e.g. for a PCF-5 with 5µm core when used with wavelengths < 600 nm.
- What is the difference between a PCF fiber and a standard fiber?
  Single-mode fibers are primarily characterized by their numerical aperture (NA) and their cut-off wavelength λc₀. The mode field diameter MFD changes with wavelength and in first approximation the NA is considered to be constant. Detailed measurements however reveal that the NA is also wavelength dependent.
  
  In large mode area PCF fibers, the single-mode transport is introduced by microstructuring the fiber cladding. The fibers are categorized by their core diameter (e.g. 5 µm or 10 µm). Detailed calculations reveal that for this type of fibers the mode field diameter MFD is almost wavelength-independent. It is larger than the MFD of comparable standard fibers. In contrast, the numerical aperture has a significant wavelength-dependency. This is important to consider when collimating a beam for a large wavelength range.
- Why do all PCF fibers have an end cap?
  The fiber connectors of all PCF fiber cables are equipped with an end cap. This means that a short piece of coreless fiber (< 300 µm) is spliced onto the PCF fiber.
  
  The end cap seals the microstructre of the fiber and allows for an easy cleaning of the end-face. Additionally it also reduced the power density at the fiber end-face.
- How do the fiber end faces look like? Do you seal the microstructure?
  Yes, the microstructure is sealed.
  
  The fiber connectors of all PCF fiber cables are equipped with an end cap. This means that a short piece of coreless fiber (< 300 µm) is spliced onto the PCF fiber.
  
  The end cap seals the microstructre of the fiber and allows for an easy cleaning of the end-face. Additionally it also reduced the power density at the fiber end-face.
- Can I use PCF fibers with a mating sleeve?
  Since the radiation has already started to diverge within the end cap, a simple mating is no longer possible. Please use a fiber-to-fiber coupler in this case.
Connector Type FC PC and FC APC
- How do I attach a fiber cable?
  1. To prevent damage to the sensitive fiber end-face, always insert the fiber connector`s ferrule at an angle, with the connector key properly aligned to the receptacle notch.
  2. When the ferrule tip is safely located in the inner cylinder of the receptacle, align the connector to the receptacle axis and carefully introduce the connector into the fiber coupler.
  3. Then, orient the connector key in a way that it is pressed gently onto the right-hand side of the receptacle notch ("right-hand orientation rule").
  4. Gently screw on the connector cap nut onto the receptacle until it is finger-tight.
  5. Gently tighten the fiber grub screw to reduce the free play of the ferrule in the receptacle.
- What is the "right-hand orientation rule"?
  When the ferrule tip is safely located in the inner cylinder of the receptacle, align the connector to the receptacle axis and carefully introduce the connector into the fiber coupler.
  Then, orient the connector key in a way that it is pressed gently onto the right-hand side of the receptacle notch.
  The tightened grub screw and the "right-hand orientation rule" for the connector, ensure a high reproducibility in mode field position and angle, which is especially important for attaching and reattaching polarization-maintaining fibers reproducibly.
- Can I attach a narrow key fiber cable to a fiber coupler with a wide key receptacle?
  Yes, you can- without any problem. Simply adhere to the "right-hand orientation rule".
  Generally, with any FC PC or FC APC type connector there is a freeplay when inserting the fiber into the fiber coupler. The free play in between the connector ferrule and receptacle is only a few microns, but necessary for inserting the ferrule without force. There is a difference between the receptable and key width for wide key (2.14 mm) and narrow key (2.0 mm) fibers. If you follow the so-called "right-hand orientation rule" you can reproducibly attach and reattach even PM fibers with narrow key receptacle to fiber couplers with wide key receptacle without difficulty.
  "Right-hand orientation rule":
  When the ferrule tip is safely located in the inner cylinder of the receptacle, align the connector to the receptacle axis and carefully introduce the connector into the fiber coupler. Then, orient the connector key in a way that it is pressed gently onto the right-hand side of the receptacle notch. The tightened grub screw and the "right-hand orientation rule" for the connector, ensure a high reproducibility in mode field position and angle, which is especially important for attaching and reattaching polarization-maintaining fibers reproducibly.
- Can I use an end cap fiber with a mating sleeve?
  Since the radiation has already started to diverge within the end cap, a simple mating is no longer possible. Please use a fiber-to-fiber coupler in this case.

New: PCF Broadband Fiber Cables

Features

Description

Order options

Technotes

FAQ

Accessories

New: PCF Broadband Fiber Cables

Features

Description

Order options

Technotes

FAQ

Accessories

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