Can an Optical Splitter be Used as a Combiner?

It can be challenging to tell the difference between a Combiner and a Splitter because they have similar appearances. Furthermore, some splitters and combiners might be passive or active, powered or unpowered, adding to the confusion.

Let’s look at the combiner and splitter to see what they’re for.

A Combiner

A combiner is a device that combines multiple input signals of varying frequencies into a single output signal for feeding a single antenna. A combiner basically takes all of the signals and combines them, which is useful when the signals are meant to be combined.

A Splitter

On one end, splitters have a single connection and numerous connections on the other. A splitter receives one signal and splits it into two.

While signal splitting may appear to be the most convenient approach to adding more outlets, keep in mind that each time a signal is split, its power is halved. When you split the transmission, you’re sending half as much signal through each line.

You may think you have a good signal now, but if you divide it too many times, it won’t accomplish the job. Before deciding to split the signal, you need carefully assess whether you have a strong enough signal.

It is frequently recommended that two antennas be used instead of a splitter in places where the signal is extremely weak. The signal will always be divided, whether or not two devices are connected to the splitter.

Polarization Beam Combiner/Splitter

This device can function as a polarization beam combiner, combining light beams from two PM input fibers into a single output fiber, or as a polarization beam splitter, splitting the light from one input fiber into two orthogonal polarization states output fibers.

Polarization Beam Splitter/Combiner

Polarization division multiplexing or demultiplexing in optical systems to boost transmission capacity is an important application of this device. Furthermore, as a pump combiner in optical amplifiers, the device efficiently combines the output from two pump lasers into a single fiber, increasing the optical amplifier’s saturation power and reducing its polarization sensitivity.

The device’s wide operation bandwidth and strong power-handling capacity make it ideal for next-generation amplifier systems. Finally, this compact device has a durable stainless steel package built for strong optical performance and stability, and it has low excess insertion loss, low back reflection, and a high extinction ratio that are comparable to or better than others on the market.

Features:

  • Compact size
  • Low insertion loss
  • High-capacity handling
  • Rugged design

Applications:

  • Mux/DeMux polarisation division
  • Raman amplifiers and EDFA
  • Laser Fiber Systems
  • Fiber Sensor Systems
  • Instruments
  • R&D Laboratories

Polarization Beam Splitter/Combiner is available from DK Photonics, a reputable optical passive component manufacturer based in China. Contact us if you are interested in purchasing Polarization Beam Splitter/Combiner.