Fiber Bundle

FIBER OPTICS- Technical Information

Fiber Types

Multimode Fibers are available in a wide range of core diameters, numerical apertures (NA), and operating
wavelengths

Fiber	Wavelength Range (nm)	Relative Cost	Minimum Bend Radius (Long Term)	Numerical Aperture (Na)	Maximum Temperature (C)
Borosilicate	400-1600	$	50 X Cladding Diameter	0.55 Standard, 0.22, 0.25, 0.66, 0.87 Available	480
Plastic	400-1100	$	15 X Cladding Diameter	0.5 Standard	85
IR Fused Silica	350-2600	$$$	150 X Cladding Diameter	0.22 Standard, 0.12, 0.37 Available	400
IR Hard Clad Fused Silica	400-2200	$$	150 X Cladding Diameter	0.37, 0.48, Available	150
UV Fused Silica	180-1300	$$	150 X Cladding Diameter	0.22 Standard, 0.12, 0.28 Available	400
UV Non-Solarizing Fused Silica	180-1300	$$$	150 X Cladding Diameter	0.22 Standard, 0.12, 0.28 Available	400
UV Hard Clad Fused Silica	350-1200	$$$$	150 X Cladding Diameter	0.37, 0.48 Available	150

Jackets

Stainless Steel Interlock

Crush proof, not liquid-tight or MRI compatible.
Good to 850C.

PVC

Polyvinyl chloride – Very flexible, liquid-tight, MRI compatible, not autoclavable or crush-proof.
Good to 105C.

PVC Monocoil

PVC over a steel helical winding.
Semi-crush-proof, liquid-tight,
*Not autoclavable or MRI compatible.
Good to 105C.

Furcation Tubing

PVC over Kevlar over Teflon. Standard in the telecom industry because the kevlar members prevent stretching. Great for single fibers or bundles up to 1mm diameter.
MRI compatible and liquid-tight.
*Not crush-proof or autoclavable.
Good to 85C.

Silicone

MRI and Bio-compatible, autoclavable, flexible, liquid-tight.
*Not crush-proof
Good to 85C.

Corrugated

All plastic, semi-crush proof, liquid-tight, lightweight, MRI compatible.
Good to 85C.

Connectors

SMA905

Most popular Connector for bundles up to 2.5mm diameter
1/4 -36 threads

FC

Spring loaded ferrule for single mode or bundles up to 1.5mm diameter
1/4 -36 threads

Stepped Ferrule

Popular for larger bundles
Step acts as a precision stop

ST

1/8 turn bayonet type. Spring loaded
Single mode and for bundles up to 2mm

MTP

Used to connect up to 24 individual fibers
Quick disconnect

LC

Single mode, small footprint

Hypo

Hypodermic stainless steel tubing is available in numerous sizes down to .005″
Inexpensive, medical grade

ACMI

Medical connector for bundles up to 1/4″ diameter

Transmission Curves

Fused silica (also called quartz), has the highest transmission of any type of fiber from 200 to 2,200nm. It is more expensive than borosilicate, but you can’t beat the performance.