Month: December 2022

Polarization Extinction Ratio (PER) is a term used to define the attenuation of one polarization component of an optical signal as compared to the attenuation of another polarization component of the optical signal. It’s a performance indicator for various polarizing components and devices and plays a key role in fiber-optic communications.

To calculate the polarization extinction ratio, a light source with known polarization states is used, and the light that passes through the device being tested is analyzed. The results are generally denoted as a percentage or in dB. If you want to know more about how to analyze the PER by laser light, read on for a brief explanation of the process.

What is Polarization?

Polarization is a key property of light waves that tells us about the direction of the wave’s oscillation. When light waves are emitted from a source, they can be randomly polarized or unpolarized. However, when light waves reflect from a surface or pass through certain materials, they can become polarized.

When light becomes polarized, this means that the electric field component of the wave is restricted to vibration in a single plane. The plane of polarization is perpendicular to the direction of propagation of the wave. For example, if light waves are bouncing off of a horizontal surface, they will become vertically polarized.

The degree to which light becomes polarized after bouncing off of a surface or passing through a material is known as the extinction ratio. The extinction ratio is defined as the ratio of the intensity of the polarized light to the intensity of the unpolarized light. The higher the extinction ratio, the more effective the polarizing material is at transforming unpolarized light into polarized light.

What is extinction ratio?

Extinction ratio is an important metric of the polarization of light. It is defined as the ratio of the intensity of light that is transmitted through a polarizing filter to the intensity of light that is reflected by the filter.

Extinction ratio is used to quantify the degree to which a material can polarize light. The higher the extinction ratio, the more effective the material is at Polarization.

How to analyze the polarization extinction ratio by laser light?

The polarization extinction ratio (PER) is a key parameter to determine the performance of many optical systems. Hence, it is important to calculate the PER for optimal system performance. It measures the amount of light that is lost when two beams of light with different polarization states are combined. A high PER indicates the loss of light is less, while a low PER indicates that the loss of light is high.

Analyzing PER Using Laser Light and Polarization Beam Splitter

This approach estimates the absolute extinction ratio of the device under test (DUT) and not the extinction ratio of the light.

For analysis, we will need a linearly polarized light that has extinction ratio much higher than that of the device under test and also an optical power sensor. Then, to determine the PER of the DUT, you will need two optical power measurements.

P_max transmitted to the power sensor needs the DUT’s transmission axis to be oriented parallel to the polarization direction of the incident light.

P_min transmitted by the DUT needs the DUT’s transmission axis to be oriented perpendicular to the polarization direction of the incident light.

The estimated extinction ratio ER_est = (P_max/P_min) <= ER_DUT, whose value can be used to determine the DUT’s extinction ratio.

A 980nm inline polarizer is an optical component that is used to selectively reflect or transmit light of a particular polarization or convert non-polarized light into polarized light. The most common use for a 980nm inline polarizer is in devices that require high levels of light intensity, such as lasers and fiber-optic communication systems.

What is an inline optical polarizer?

An inline optical polarizer is a device that is used to control the polarization of light. This type of polarizer is designed of small pieces of cable placed in-line with the fiber which ultimately helps in polarizing the light passing through this component.

The inline optical polarizer can be used to control the polarization of light that is transmitted through it. This allows for precise control over the amount of light that is transmitted. The inline optical polarizer can also be used to change the polarization of light. The polarization of light can be changed from horizontal to vertical or vice versa.

How does an inline optical polarizer work?

An inline optical polarizer is a device that is used to control the polarization of light. It can be used to either reflect or transmit light depending on the desired effect. The main purpose of an inline optical polarizer is to create polarized light, which can then be used for various applications such as optical communications, microscopy, and more.

What are the uses of inline optical polarizers?

Inline optical polarizers are specifically designed to allow the light with specific polarization to pass through and block the light with orthogonal polarization. This greatly helps in the conversion of unpolarized light into polarized light with a high extinction ratio.

Some of the most popular uses of optical inline polarizers are:

• Analysis of polarization
• Monitoring polarization
• Control polarization
• Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR) monitoring
• Polarization mode dispersion monitoring
• Polarization extinction ratio monitoring
• Spectrum filtering, monitoring, and control
• Fiber laser mode-locking
• Polarization interferometry

What are the applications of inline polarizers?

Since inline polarizers can be used in multiple ways, they are used in a wide range of applications, including:

• Fiber amplifiers
• Fiber lasers
• Fiber sensor
• Test and measurement
• Communication systems and more

How to find the best inline polarizers for my application?

To select the most suitable inline polarizers for your application, you need to keep in mind some of the factors mentioned below:

Insertion loss – This is the key factor when buying inline polarizers because it determines the quality of light at the output end. Insertion loss is defined as the loss of light signals while passing through the polarizer. The lower the insertion loss, the higher the quality of life.

Bandwidth – Inline polarizers are available in varying bandwidths for different applications. So, you need to first find out which optical polarizer and fiber can accommodate your specific bandwidth.

Extinction Ratio – The next thing you must note when buying inline polarizers is the extinction ratio. It refers to the ratio of transmission of desired polarization to undesired polarization. Poor ER values can lead to Power Penalty.

Do you need 980nm inline polarizers, 1030nm inline polarizers, 1480nm inline polarizers, or inline polarizers with other specifications? Please connect with DK Photonics.

Optical isolators are passive optical components designed for optical feedback prevention, available with different wavelengths such as 780nm, 800nm, 980nm, 1064nm, and so on. Their wavelength specification helps determine which applications optical isolators are more suitable. For instance, a 780nm optical isolator is best suited for telecommunication applications because 780nm is the wavelength of CD-ROM lasers that can be increasingly used for short-distance data communication.

In this blog, we will discuss why fiber laser systems need optical isolators in detail.

What does feedback do to a fiber laser system?

Even a little feedback can be dangerous for fiber laser systems. As rare-earth doped optical fibers are becoming more popular for designing ultrafast laser systems, certain issues related to fiber-based oscillators and amplifiers are also emerging. A fiber is known to have a high gain medium, which means any light that is unintentionally or accidentally injected into the fiber oscillator or amplifier can adversely affect the system performance significantly. It can lead to instability in the best case and damage in the worst case, and neither of them is good for your fiber laser system.

Optical feedback is produced by back-reflections off of incoming optics or by amplified spontaneous emission from an amplifier. This optical feedback is amplified by a high gain in doped optical fibers, which is harmful to fiber laser systems. Small signal gains of ~20dB or more are more common in optical fibers than a lower gain of ~5dB in bulk-doped materials. This and the relatively smaller size of a beam at the fiber end compared to bulk gain material lead to the damage threshold in fiber systems at lower optical powers.

Hence, it is essential to prevent optical feedback from entering fiber laser oscillators and to safeguard the subsequent amplifiers in fiber laser systems. Fortunately, there is a solution to this problem and that is the use of optical isolators.

How does a Faraday optical isolator ensure feedback prevention in fiber lasers?

A Faraday optical isolator is a special optical passive component that allows the transmission of signal light in only a forward direction and blocks the light coming in a backward direction. The main component of an optical isolator is the Faraday rotator, which is a magneto-optic material. A Faraday rotator’s function is to rotate the plane of polarized light 45 degrees in the forward direction and rotate non-reciprocally an additional 45 degrees in the reverse direction while maintaining the polarization of the linearly polarized light.

When the Faraday rotator is placed between two crossed polarizers, a Faraday optical isolator is formed. This isolator protects laser oscillators and laser amplifiers from the harmful effects of back reflections. A good-quality optical isolator is made of low absorption and high-damage threshold optics and is ideally suitable for use with fiber laser systems.

DK Photonics is the leading supplier of optical isolators in different wavelengths, such as 780nm optical isolators, 980nm optical isolators, 1080nm optical isolators, and more. For any queries related to the order of optical isolators, please connect with us right away.

Fiber optic couplers are a critical component of fiber optic communication systems and networks. They allow two or more fiber optic cables to be connected, as well as split and combine signals. In this blog post, we will discuss how these devices work and their various benefits.

We will also explore the different types of optical fused couplers and when they should be used. By the end of this post, you will have a better understanding of how fused fiber optic couplers work and why they are so useful.

What are Fused Fiber Optic Couplers?

Optical fused couplers are special components used to join two optical fibers together, allowing for the transfer of data. In most cases, these couplers are made from fiber-reinforced plastic (FRP) and feature a small glass window, which is sealed with an adhesive.

Fused fiber optic couplers are an important component in optical communication networks, providing a way to connect two fibers or split a single fiber into multiple fibers. They are used in a variety of industries, including telecommunications, medical imaging, and data centers.

At the most basic level, a fused fiber optic coupler consists of two fibers that are connected together. The two fibers are heated and fused together, forming a single fiber optic connector. The fused connector has multiple channels, which allow light to pass from one fiber to the other.

What are the benefits?

There are several advantages of using fused fiber optic couplers over other types of connectors.

• They offer superior performance and reliability due to their low insertion loss and return loss. They offer high flexibility and scalability, allowing you to expand your system with additional connections as needed.

• Furthermore, because fused fiber optic couplers are so durable, they can stand up to extreme temperatures, as well as shock and vibration. This ensures that your connection remains consistent even when faced with challenging environmental conditions.

• Additionally, these couplers are designed to be low maintenance, requiring minimal upkeep over their long lifespan. This makes them a cost-effective option for businesses looking to optimize their networks.

• Finally, due to their small size and light weight, they are perfect for applications where space is at a premium, such as in mobile or satellite communications.

• For these reasons, fused fiber optic couplers can be an ideal choice for businesses seeking to take advantage of the latest in communication technology. They offer a reliable, cost-effective solution that can help ensure smooth and consistent data transmission in any environment

How do they work?

Fused fiber optic couplers are an important component in modern fiber optic communication systems. They are used to connect two or more optical fibers together, allowing them to transmit data simultaneously over a single transmission line.

The fibers are fused together using heat, which creates a strong connection that can last for many years. This type of coupling is widely used in both commercial and military applications.

Optical fused couplers work by allowing light from one fiber to travel through another. The coupling is created when two fibers are heated and then fused together.

As the fibers fuse, their cores become permanently linked, forming a secure and reliable connection between the two. The resulting connection allows data to travel between the two fibers, as well as be transmitted through multiple connected fibers.

When we talk about technology, it’s advancing with time and people are enjoying its benefits. In the list of technologies, one promising option that has been introduced many years ago is PM fiber components. From the time the technology has been introduced, it is being used widely, covering almost every industry. And the wide use of these components has influenced manufacturers to come up with many more advanced components. 

Primary uses of PM fiber components

Primarily, these components are used in communication. The introduction of PM fiber components has revolutionized the efficiency and bandwidth of the conventional communication medium. The components are much faster than the conventional medium, offering better performance in the organization. They are said to be the backbone of the communication industry. 

Other than this, the PM fiber components are widely used in the entertainment industry. They are basically used for optical illusion. As the technology is quite basic, everyone can afford it. You will understand the importance of these components only after using them. 

In the industrial sector, the applications of PM fiber components depend on the need. Just keep in mind that the cost and hassle of using components in a smaller office are minimal compared to a larger office. 

What are the common PM fiber components?

• Multimode/single mode couplers/taps- It’s a component that provides optical signal splitting while preserving polarization with a high extinction ratio. 

• Splitters- This component is used to split the signal power transmitted to the element’s input. 
• Isolators – A component that reduces back reflections in optical fibers and backscattering of light. 
• Wavelength Division Multiplexers- This component enables the use of multiple light wavelengths and sends data over the same medium. 

Other than these common PM fiber components, there are many more on the list. But, others are used depending on the application requirements. 

Every PM fiber component comes with unique features. It’s not easy for a layman to decide the right uses for these components. So, we recommend you connect with a person who is knowledgeable about the subject and possess the necessary skills. 

How are 125um and 80um PM Fiber Components different?

Discussion about PM fiber components is incomplete without mentioning 125um and 80um PM Fiber Components. These two are the commonly used components. 

Traditionally, 125um PM fiber components were in the picture. But, today, 80um PM Fiber Components are trending and there are many strong reasons for the same. 

The thin diameter of 80um PM Fiber Components has characteristics, such as no tension fused taper, online adjustment of main axes in polarization fibers, and high stability package. The performance of both the components is the same, but 80um offers low bend loss at small bend diameters. 

The 80um PM Fiber Components help users to reduce package sizes significantly, meeting the demands of all current and future applications. 

PM fiber components are important, especially in the communication and entertainment industry. If you belong to any of these industries, look for the right manufacturer of these components.