DKP’ 3-Paddle Fiber Polarization Controllers use stress-induced birefringence to create independent wave plates to alter the polarization of the transmitted light in single mode fiber. The three fractional wave plates are created by looping the fiber around three independent spools. For the polarization controllers preloaded with fiber, the three paddles are configured to approximate a quarter-wave, half-wave, and quarter-wave plate, in that order, when used at the design wavelength.

The 3PPC560 fiber polarization controller is empty, allowing customers to insert single mode fiber with a Ø900 µm jacket. Additionally, we have Ø900 µm jacketed FC/PC and FC/APC patch cables available from stock that are suitable for use with these controllers. The other four controllers come preloaded with fiber. The fibers in the preloaded controllers can also be removed and replaced by the user if the controllers are needed for a new application in the future. To ensure proper usage of the controllers, fiber cables must be long enough to achieve the recommended number of loops.

The fiber is secured around three spools and by a clamp at each end of the controller. The spool covers have knobs for easy loading and unloading and the clamps are held in place by screws. If needed, the top of the clamps can be completely removed to load terminated fibers. To secure the controller to the optical table, all 3-paddle controllers have three additional long slots along their base for more mounting options to both metric and imperial optical tables. Two slots at either end of the base accept M6 (1/4″-20) cap screws, while a centered slot accepts M3(4-40) cap screws.

ITEM P/N	3PPC560	3PPC 563	3PPC 564	3PPC 561	3PPC 562
Number of Paddles	3
Loop Diameter	56 mm (2.2″)
Paddle Rotation	±117.5°
Footprint (L x W)	273.5 mm x 25.0 mm in Narrowest Configuration 273.5 mm x 123.2 mm in Widest Configuration
Specifications for Preloaded Fiber
Fiber	None	780-HP	1060-XP	SMF-28e
Operating Wavelength Range	N/A	780 – 970 nm	980 – 1650 nm	1260 – 1625 nm, 2000nm
Design Wavelength	N/A	780 nm and 850 nm	980 nm and 1064 nm	1310nm and 1550nm,2000nm
Mode Field Diameter	N/A	5.0 ± 0.5 µm @ 850 nm	5.9 ± 0.3 µm @ 980 nm 6.2 ± 0.3 µm @ 1060 nm	9.2 ± 0.4 µm @ 1310 nm 10.4 ± 0.5 µm @ 1550 nm
Cladding Diameter	N/A	125 ± 1 µm	125 ± 0.5 µm	125 ± 0.7 µm
Coating Diameter	N/A	245 ± 15 µm	245 ±10 µm	242 ± 5 µm
Cutoff Wavelength	N/A	730 ± 30 nm	920 ± 50	<1260 nm
NA	N/A	0.13	0.14	0.14	0.14
Jacketing	N/A	Ø900 µm Hytrel Tubing	Ø900 µm Tight Buffer
Loop Configuration	N/A	2 Loops – 4 Loops – 2 Loops		3 Loops – 6 Loops – 3 Loops
Total Fiber Length	N/A	5 m		5 m
Fiber Lead Length	N/A	180 cm		145 cm
Connectors	N/A	FC/APC		FC/PC	FC/APC
Bend Loss	N/A	≤0.1 dB