Category: FTTX

This is the world of optics and photonics. And in this, one very essential component is filter because it allows manipulation of light. A filter plays a very important role because it controls the spectrum of light, isolates specific wavelengths and eliminates unwanted noise.

Due to popularity of filters, different types have been introduced in the industry. But, recently, the fiber bandpass filter has gained popularity because it offers unique advantages. As it has become an attractive choice for many applications, people have almost forgotten the traditional filters.

In this post, we will discuss differences between fiber bandpass filter and traditional filters so that it’s easy for you to switch or select.

About traditional filters

Traditional filters are typically constructed from a thin layer of material with specific optical properties that allow it to transmit certain wavelengths of light while reflecting or absorbing others. Widely, they are used in photography, spectroscopy, and telecommunications.

The different shapes of traditional filters that you will find in the market are circle, square and rectangle. If you want to achieve optical functions, use the filters in conjunction with other optical components. Other components can be lenses and mirrors.

About fiber bandpass filters

Fiber bandpass filters, on the other hand, are constructed from optical fibers that are specifically designed to transmit certain wavelengths of light while blocking others. A few applications of fiber bandpass filters are fiber-optic communications, optical sensing, and spectroscopy.

Because of the small size of the fiber bandpass filters, they are popular among optical engineers. The best part is that you can integrate these filters into existing fiber-optic  systems.

Fiber bandpass filters vs. Traditional filters

The method of manufacture is one of the primary distinctions between fiber bandpass filters and traditional filters. The size and shape of the filters are also different. Fiber bandpass filters are typically small and can be integrated into existing fiber-optic systems, whereas traditional filters can be made in a variety of shapes and sizes.

Finally, the efficiency of the filters varies. Fiber bandpass filters outperform in terms of wavelength selectivity, signal-to-noise ratio, and long-term stability. They are also more resistant to environmental factors like temperature and vibration.

What should you choose?

The application dictates whether fiber bandpass filters or traditional filters are used. If you want a filter for a traditional optical system, choose a traditional filter. Here, the traditional optical system means a camera or spectrometer.

On the other hand, if you want a filter for fiber-optics system, choose a fiber bandpass filter. The fiber-optic system means an optical communication system or a fiber-optic sensor.

Another reason to choose a fiber bandpass filter is that it offers a lot of advantages over traditional filters. The advantages are higher selectivity, a higher signal-to-noise ratio and improved long-term stability. Also, they are more compact.

Based on the specific application, the choice between fiber bandpass filters and traditional filters depends. The choice is difficult, so we recommend consulting an optical engineer or filter manufacturer and determine the best option for your needs.

Tap couplers, also known as beam splitters, are commonly used optical devices that are designed to split a single light beam into two different transmitted and reflected beams.

This device can reflect a specific percentage of an input beam, also called incidence light, over a broad wavelength with a specific angle of incidence. It is a widely used device for monitoring optical fiber traffic in telecom and other similar applications.

What makes PM tap couplers special?

It is important to note that while regular tap couplers are readily available in the market, special attention needs to be paid when ordering polarization-maintaining tap couplers.

A polarization-maintaining (PM) tap coupler is designed specifically to split the light coming from the input polarization-maintaining fiber and transmit the two light beams through two output PM fibers.

Conversely, a non-PM tap coupler is designed to work with normal, non-polarized light and fibers.

Does Quality of PM Tap Couplers Matter?

High-quality PM tap couplers, like those manufactured by DK Photonics, are designed with separate light crystals, which results in a more accurate coupling ratio and the ability to handle higher power than PM-filter couplers.

PM tap couplers can be used to split a polarized beam into different paths without disturbing the state of polarization, and as a power tap to monitor signal power in a polarization-maintaining fiber system without affecting the linear SOP.

They are also useful in applications such as PM fiber interferometers and power-sharing in polarization-sensitive systems.

How to find the best PM tap couplers?

When selecting a tap coupler beam splitter, it is important to consider certain key characteristics.

Flatness, which is measured in percentage, refers to the maximum variation that occurs during transmission or reflecting beam over the range of wavelength. The fewer the variations, the better the quality of the tap coupler.

Polarization-dependent loss (PDL) is represented by dB and refers to the maximum change found in transmittance or reflectance at a given wavelength when the light travels through all possible polarization states.

The substrate etalon ripple effect, also represented by dB, can vary depending on the reflectance of the two sides of the filter and the parallelism of the substrate. This effect can be reduced to a minimum by creating a sufficient wedge angle or by forming a quality AR coating on the secondary surface.

Custom polarization-maintaining tap couplers can also be designed with different wavelengths, tap ratios, and handling power of operation. When selecting an ideal PM tap coupler, it is important to focus on its features that determine its quality, such as low insertion loss and high extinction ratio, isolation, and stability.

In summary, tap coupler beam splitters are important optical devices that are widely used for monitoring optical fiber traffic in various applications. Polarization-maintaining tap couplers are specifically designed to work with polarization-maintaining fibers and can be used in applications such as PM fiber interferometers and power-sharing in polarization-sensitive systems.

When selecting a tap coupler, it is important to consider certain key characteristics such as flatness, polarization-dependent loss, and the substrate etalon ripple effect. Custom PM tap couplers can be designed with different specifications to suit specific needs. Contact DK Photonics to order polarization-maintaining tap couplers now.

Polarization-maintaining filter couplers are optical couplers that merge the light from two input PM fibers into one output PM fiber, without affecting the polarization state of the light. These couplers are designed to split high-power linearly polarized light into multiple paths, making them ideal for use in PM fiber systems.

Now that you know what polarization-maintaining filter couplers are, let’s dig in more about them, their configurations, coupling ratio, and selection process.

The Working of PM Filter Couplers

PM filter couplers can function both as a splitter and a coupler, and can split light typically into two ports. They support the light wave of each polarization and do not block any polarization, making them very useful in a variety of applications.

The different configurations of PM filter couplers available include 1×2, 2×2, 1×4, and 2×3. The division of power in a 1×2 PM filter coupler occurs with a fixed proportion, which is determined by the coupling ratio of the signals.

The Coupling Ratio: Why it matters?

PM filter coupler’s configuration plays a vital role in determining the coupling ratio of signals or splitting proportions. The coupling ratio refers to the ratio in which input optical signals are divided between different outputs. The most common coupling ratios include 50:50, 90:10, 80:20, and 70:30.

Selecting the Right Polarization-Maintaining Filter Couplers

To choose the right PM filter coupler, it is essential to know the desired coupling ratio and to check other parameters such as insertion losses, optical return loss (directivity), and excess loss. If an application involves differences in the polarization states, then the polarization-dependent loss should also be analyzed.

PM filter couplers are very useful in a variety of applications, such as PM fiber interferometers, power sharing in polarization-sensitive systems, signal monitoring in PM fiber systems, and fiber optic instruments. If you need polarization-maintaining filter couplers for your project, you can contact DK Photonics to find the right coupler for your needs.

In conclusion, polarization-maintaining filter couplers are optical couplers that play a critical role in PM fiber systems. They can function both as a splitter and a coupler, and can split high-power linearly polarized light into multiple paths without altering the state of polarization. The different configurations of PM filter couplers available offer flexibility and customization to suit the needs of different projects. If you need PM filter couplers for your project, it is important to consider the coupling ratio and other parameters to choose the right coupler for your application.

At DK Photonics, we have a wide range of optical passive components with different specifications to meet the needs of a variety of applications and projects. Even for PM filter couplers, we have a wide selection of couplers so that you can find the right coupler for your needs. For more information on PM filter couplers, please feel free to contact us right away.

Today, numerous industries, including aerospace, the production of medical devices, and the automobile industry, use laser cutting as a highly common technique for precision cutting. Intricate and sophisticated items that cannot be produced using conventional cutting techniques are created with this. And the precision and accuracy capabilities of laser cutting make this possible. But, 1064 nm high power isolators should be used if you wish to cut with the greatest degree of precision.

What is laser cutting?

The method of laser cutting involves directing the laser beam onto the material to be cut using several mirrors and lenses. However outside influences like temperature changes, vibrations, and dust particles can interfere with the laser beam. Due to the interference, the laser beam’s planned path is altered, which results in inaccurate cutting. High-power isolators are useful in this situation.

How does a high-power isolator work for laser cutting?

The laser beam can travel through a high-power isolator while any back-reflected light is blocked. The laser beam’s polarisation is rotated by 45 degrees as it travels through the isolator using a Faraday rotator. The device then uses a different polarisation to block the back-reflected light while allowing the laser beam to flow through. This guarantees that the laser beam will not be impacted by any outside interference, increasing cutting precision.

What are the benefits of using 1064 nm high-power isolators for high-precision laser cutting?

A 1064 nm high-power isolator is critical for high-precision laser cutting because it offers several advantages over other types of isolators.

Commonly used wavelength 

The wavelength of 1064 nm is the most often utilized wavelength for laser cutting applications. Metals, ceramics, and plastics are just a few of the materials that absorb light at the 1064 nm wavelength. It is therefore perfect for cutting a variety of materials. It ensures that the laser beam is not impacted by any interference, resulting in a more accurate cut, by utilizing an isolator that is tailored for this wavelength.

Compact and lightweight 

The compact and lightweight design of the 1064nm high power isolators makes it simple to integrate them into current laser cutting systems. They are also simple to maintain and, if necessary, replace, ensuring that the laser cutting system experiences the least amount of downtime possible.

Handle high-power laser beams

For applications such as industrial laser cutting, high-power isolators are essential because they can handle high-power laser beams. High power levels can be handled by these isolators without causing any harm to the gadget or the laser beam. This guarantees that even when using extremely powerful lasers, the laser beam will stay steady and precise throughout the cutting operation.

Conclusion

For high-precision laser cutting, the 1064 nm high-power isolators are essential because they make sure that the laser beam is not hampered by any outside interference. This results in a more accurate cut. They are perfect for industrial laser cutting applications since they are tailored for the 1064nm wavelength and built to handle high-intensity laser beams.

 To achieve the highest level of precision in your laser cutting process, using a 1064nm high power isolator is essential. And you can get the best 1064 nm high power isolators at DK Photonics. 

A three-port device that directs optical signals from one port to another in a specific order is known as a circulator.  The difference between a circulator and a high-power circulator is that the latter handles the high-power optical signals. The high-power circulators are used in the high-power handling applications. Such applications are laser systems, fiber amplifiers and optical communication systems.

Other than this, the high-power circulator separates the incoming and outgoing optical signals while reducing any signal loss. Also, it increases network performance and efficiency.

In modern optical networks, a high-power circulator is very crucial. But, people don’t use it as designed because they are aware of its technical specifications. In this post, we will discuss the technical specifications of a high power circulator, focusing on the 1064nm high-power circulator.

Most common wavelength 

As the most common wavelength for high-power circulators, 1064nm wavelength is in the near-infrared region. It is commonly used in optical fiber communication systems. The technical specifications of 1064nm high-power circulators are based on different factors, such as power handling, insertion loss and polarization dependence.

Power handling

One of the most critical technical specifications is power handling, which refers to the maximum power that the circulator can handle without experiencing damage. Typically, the power handling capacity of a circulator is measured in watts. As it’s about the 1064nm high power circulators, the power handling capacity can range from a few watts to several hundred watts. The exact power handling capacity depends on the design and construction of the circulator.

Insertion loss

Another critical technical specification of high-power circulators is Insertion loss. It refers to the amount of optical power lost when the signal passes through the circulator. Insertion loss is typically measured in decibels (dB), and lower insertion loss is always preferred as it leads to higher system efficiency. The insertion loss of 1064nm high-power circulators can vary depending on the specific design and construction of the circulator.

Polarization dependence 

An important technical specification of high-power circulators is polarization dependence. It refers to the sensitivity of the circulator to the polarization of the incoming signal. A circulator that is polarization dependent will have different insertion loss values for different polarizations of light. The polarization dependence of 1064nm high-power circulators can vary, but it is typically in the range of a few tenths of a dB.

Isolation between ports 

Isolation between ports is another critical technical specification of high-power circulators. Isolation is the measure of how much power is coupled from one port to another port. A high level of isolation between ports is desirable as it ensures that signals do not interfere with each other. The isolation of 1064nm high-power circulators can vary depending on the specific design and construction of the circulator.

Physical dimension

Last but not the least, the physical dimensions of the circulator are also important technical specifications. The size and weight of the circulator can have an impact on the overall design of the optical system. The physical dimensions of 1064nm high-power circulators can vary depending on the specific design and construction of the circulator.

The performance of optical systems depends on the technical specifications of 1064nm high-power circulators. Some of the most important technical specifications that need to be considered when selecting a high-power circulator are power handling, insertion loss, polarization dependence, isolation, and physical dimensions are.

The specific technical specifications of a circulator vary depending on the application and the requirements of the optical system. So, to ensure optimal performance and efficiency in optical systems, it is important to carefully consider the technical specifications of high-power circulators

If you are looking for 1064nm high-power circulators, come to DK Photonics.

In today’s fast-paced technological world, the data transmission is of utmost importance. So, the use of optical fibers has become ubiquitous. Compared to traditional copper wires, the optical fibers offer higher data transfer rates and a more reliable means of communication. But like any technology, there are challenges. One of the challenges is the polarization-dependent loss (PDL). Polarization Maintaining Optical Isolators (PMOIs) play an important role in minimizing PDL in optical fibers.

What do you understand with Polarization Dependent Loss (PDL)?

Polarization dependent loss (PDL) is a scientific approach that occurs the time when polarization of an incoming light signal changes while passes through an optical fiber. When the polarized incoming signal is orthogonal to the preferred polarization axis of the fiber, the transmission loss is higher. This happens because the signal energy couples to other modes that aren’t aligned with the fiber’s preferred polarization axis. Due to this loss, there is a significant impact on the overall performance of the optical fiber communication system, reducing its efficiency and reliability.

What is a Polarization Maintaining Optical Isolator?

A Polarization Maintaining Optical Isolator is an optical device, allowing light to pass in only one direction while isolating the back-reflected light. The isolator consists of a Faraday rotator, a polarizer, and an input/output fiber. The role of a Faraday rotator is to rotate the polarization of the incoming light signal by 45 degrees. Regarding a polarizer, it only allows light with the preferred polarization axis to pass through, while blocking the light with orthogonal polarization. As the backward reflected light is rotated by the Faraday rotator, its polarization is orthogonal to the preferred axis. So, it gets blocked by the polarizer. This is how Polarization Maintaining Optical Isolator protects optical fiber communication systems from PDL caused by back-reflected light.

What’s the importance of Polarization Maintaining Optical Isolators?

Polarization dependent loss is a significant problem, impacting the performance of optical fiber communication systems. This increases a bit error rates, reduces signal-to-noise ratio, and decreases transmission distance. Polarization Maintaining Optical Isolators are a crucial component in minimizing PDL, maintaining the efficiency and reliability of optical fiber communication systems.

Polarization Maintaining Optical Isolators are commonly used or integrated in applications that require high precision. These applications include a medical equipment, scientific research, and military communication systems. If there is any data loss in these applications, it becomes critical and has severe consequences. The isolators make sure that the data is transmitted accurately and with reliability, which make them an essential component of these systems.

Other than this, Polarization Maintaining Optical Isolators are used in fiber optic gyroscopes. The gyroscopes are used in navigation systems in airplanes, ships, and spacecraft. They require high precision and reliability as any errors can have severe consequences. Polarization Maintaining Optical Isolators minimize Polarization dependent loss. This improves the accuracy and reliability of fiber optic gyroscopes.

The use of optical fibers has become ubiquitous in today’s fast-paced technological world as they offer a more reliable means of communication than traditional copper wires. But, these optical fibers also pose challenges, including polarization-dependent loss (PDL).  This impacts the performance of optical fiber communication systems.

Polarization Maintaining Optical Isolators minimize polarization-dependent loss and ensure the efficiency and reliability of these systems. They are especially used in applications that require high precision and reliability, such as in medical equipment, scientific research, and military communication systems. Other than this, they are used in fiber optic gyroscopes, which are used in navigation systems in airplanes, ships, and spacecraft. Also, they ensure accurate and reliable data transmission. It’s expected that importance of Polarization Maintaining Optical Isolators will only increase with the growing use of optical fibers in various applications.

DWDM is an acronym for Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing. DWDM refers to a laser technology that combines certain optical wavelengths that can be transmitted over a single fiber. The use of DWDM technology helps in increasing the bandwidth of an existing fiber-optic network and allows the transmission of signals of several wavelengths simultaneously.

In any DWDM system, there are two important components called Mux (Multiplexer) and Demux (Demultiplexer). In this blog, we will help you understand the working of DWDM Mux/Demux by explaining how mux and demux work in a DWDM system.

What is a DWDM Mux/Demux?

To understand DWDM Mux/Demux, you will need to know what exactly DWDM is. To be precise, Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing (DWDM) is an optical wavelength multiplexing technology that allows you to expand the bandwidth capacity of an existing fiber optic network.

The data streams coming from different sources are combined or multiplexed together on an optical fiber, wherein each signal travels at the same speed on its own wavelength.

In a DWDM system, a multiplexer is a module located at the transmitter end where several data signals are combined and transmitted over a single fiber, while a demultiplexer is a module at the receiver end where combined data signals are split and each signal is passed through a separate channel to an optical receiver.

As a result, a DWDM Mux/Demux module is designed to multiplex several DWDM channels into one or two fibers. DWDM mux/demux systems not only extend the fiber optical network’s bandwidth but also lower the cost, making them an ideal network solution for data transmission.

How does DWDM Mux/Demux work? What is its working principle?

In DWDM network architecture, the structure starts with transceivers that accept data input from a range of traffic types and protocols. This transceiver or forwarder performs the mapping of input data to a separate DWDM wavelength. Each individual wavelength carrying different kinds of data is fed into a multiplexer. The multiplexer filters and combines multiple wavelengths onto a single output port for transmission via the main DWDM fiber.

At the receiving end, the combined wavelengths are isolated and restored to their original form with the help of a demultiplexer. Each wavelength is separated and passed onto a separate channel, which is then routed to the respective client-side output through additional wavelength-matched transponders or transceivers.

What are the different types of DWDM Mux/Demux?

DWDM Mux/Demux can be divided into two types:

• Active DWDM mux/demux
• Passive DWDM mux/demux

The DWDM mux/demux that needs a power supply is called an active DWDM mux/demux. However, the one that doesn’t need a power supply is called passive DWDM mux/demux.

Active DWDM Mux/Demux

An active DWDM mux/demux consists of a wavelength-adjustable laser, wavelength-adjustable filter, and wavelength-selective amplifier. It provides you more control over the optical network where you can dynamically re-tune wavelengths without dropping connections. It is mainly used in large-capacity optical transmission applications.

Passive DWDM Mux/Demux

A passive DWDM mux/demux is an unpowered, pure optical equipment that requires zero maintenance, upgrades, or power to function. It consists of a dispersion device, interference device, optical coupler, and more. It is simple to use and is typically used in the access layer of MAN, campus network, enterprise network, etc.

Are you looking for DWDM Mux/Demux for your application? If yes, connect with DK Photonics today.

The telecommunication industry has revolutionized. And the only thing that has led to this revolution is fused fiber optic products. They are very different from traditional transmission systems and methods. 

No matter how and where you use the products in the telecommunication industry, they will not degrade and keep functioning for a long period. The products are consistent in performance, ensuring premium data transfer speed. Other than this, the products are easy to use with affordability. 

What are the advantages of fused fiber optic products?

As the products are resistant to electromagnetic interference and have a low rate of bit error, the connection quality is good. Simply defined, Electromagnetic Interference is a disturbance that is caused by electromagnetic radiation from an external source. If there is a disturbance, it will affect the performance. 

As fused fiber optic products are easy to install and use, they are more scalable. You can turn on or off the wavelengths on your requirement, allowing easy provisioning of services and quick scaling for a growing business. 

If you are concerned about your business security, the fused fiber optic products are for you. As they don’t radiate signals, there is no voice issue during transmission. With these products, you can keep all pieces of equipment in location, making regulation and maintenance much simpler. 

Last and not least, fused fiber optic products provide long-term cost-effectiveness. Though the upfront cost of the products is expensive, their capacity for scalability long-term outweighs the initial investment. In other words, you will see a decrease in cost over time. 

What are the disadvantages of fused fiber optic products?

Compared to traditional transmission products, fused fiber optic products are delicate. So, the risk of physical damage is very high. They easily break by accidents during renovations or rewiring. Also, the products are too sensitive to be used in certain conditions. Some products are susceptible to radiation damage or chemical exposure as well. 

Though fused fiber optic products overweigh the initial investment with time, the implementation costs a pretty penny of the organization. Special pieces of equipment and specialized installers with skilled knowledge are required for the implementation of the products. Even for problem diagnosis, you need specialized tools, which are costly too. 

Sometimes, fused fiber optic products are susceptible to the environment where they are installed. They meet with an imperfection, destroying everything in a short amount of time.

Fused fiber optic products are a boon to the telecommunication industry. They make things easy for telecommunication owners. But, the thing is that the advantages and disadvantages of the products should be considered before using them. You should weigh the pros and cons before deciding.