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.
  • Plastic fiber is inexpensive and useful in the visible, but cannot withstand temperatures over 80°
Click below to see pdf version of this chart.​
transmission_curve.pdf
File Size: 11 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File