Polarization beam combiner/splitter is a crucial component in optic sensor system, optic transmits system, high power EDFA, etc. It is used to combine light beams from two PM input fibers into a single output fiber or split the light beams from an input fiber into two output fibers of orthogonal polarization states.
Polarization beam combiner/splitter(s) have different capacity to handle power. For example, the 1550nm Polarization Beam Combiner/Splitter can handle powers range from 300mW to 10W.
Also the features may vary, from device to device. But all top polarization beam combiners/splitters should have these features:
- Low Insertion Loss
- High Extinction Ratio
- Compact In-Line Package
- High Stability and Reliability
Whatever your need – whether you want the one to be used in optic sensor system or optic transmit system or high power EDFA or polarization Demux, make the polarization beam combiner/splitter include those features as well as those that make it highly suitable for what you want to use it for.
There are performance specifications given on the product. You should go through them, as this will help you can understand how suitable the polarization beam combiner is for you. You should give attention to all parameters from wavelength, insertion loss, return loss, fiber type, operating temperature to operating bandwidth. If you are looking for 1550 wavelength combiner, make sure minimum extinction ration should not be below 22 dB and insertion loss should go beyond 0.6 dB. Typical insertion loss is 0.4 dB for grade P polarization beam combiner/splitter whereas it is 0.5 for grade A combiner.
If there is not enough information available on the product, you should discuss all those points with your supplier as he or she may have better knowledge of this.
Price should be also a factor, so it is advisable to compare various options. This way, you get to know about the features crucial to meeting your requirements. And the best of all, you do this within your budget.
While it is important to buy products with good quality assurance, it is also important that you buy from a leading manufacturer. Make sure the polarization beam combiner/splitter you want to buy comes with a solid post sale support so in case you have any problem with it, you can get it fixed. And there are many like DK Photonics that you rely on for polarization beam combiner/splitter that deliver better performance consistently. It also provides customized splitter especially designed to suit your needs.