Supports >100x Larger Bandwidths than that of Standard Step-Index POFs
Thorlabs is pleased to offer a line of graded-index polymer optical fiber (GI-POF) from Chromis Fiberoptics. These multimode fibers are characterized by low attenuation and low material dispersion, thus allowing them to support high-speed Gigabit Ethernet or multigigabit applications up to 100 m or Fast Ethernet connectivity up to 200 m.
GI-POFs combine the ease of use associated with plastic optical fibers with the low loss, low dispersion, and good transmission characteristics typical of glass fibers at 850 nm and 1300 nm. Moreover, these fibers can sustain long-term bending radii as small as 5 mm, which exceeds the capabilities of glass fibers with the same core size.
GI-POF fiber is simple to terminate and the end face can be polished quickly to produce a low-loss connection. In addition, these fibers do not require special adapters in order to mate them with like core sized glass equivalent devices. Consequently, GI-POF is a direct drop-in glass fiber replacement alternative that offers a significant cost advantage.
Item #
GIPOF50
GIPOF62
GIPOF120
Transmission Characteristics
Attenuation at 850 nm
<60 dB/km
Attenuation at 1300 nm
<60 dB/km
Bandwidth at 850 nm
>300 MHz-km
Numerical Aperture
0.190 ± 0.015
0.190 ± 0.015
0.185 ± 0.015
Macrobend Loss*
≤0.25 dB
≤0.35 dB
≤0.60 dB
Zero Dispersion Wavelength
1200 - 1650 nm
Dispersion Slope
≤0.06 ps/nm2-km
Core Refractive Index
1.356 (Peak) to 1.342 (Min.)
Cladding Refractive Index
1.342
Physical Characteristics
Core Diameter
50 ± 5 μm
62.5 ± 5 μm
120 ± 10 μm
Cladding Diameter
490 ± 5 μm
Core-Cladding Concentricity
≤4 μm
≤5 μm
≤5 μm
Tensile Load
7.0 N
Bending Radius (Long Term)
5 mm
5 mm
10 mm
Environmental Performance
Temperature-Induced Attenuation at 850 nm (-20 to 70 oC)
≤5 dB/km
Temperature-Induced Attenuation at 850 nm (75 oC, 85% RH, 30 Day Cycle)
≤10 dB/km*
*Stated values are for 10 turns on a 25 mm radius quarter circle
Graded-Index Polymer Optical Fiber (GI-POF)
Perfluorinated graded-index polymer optical fibers (GI-POFs) are characterized by high data transmission rates and low attenuation in the commercially desirable 850 – 1300 nm range. These features combined with their ease of use and affordability make them an excellent choice for the installation of high performance fiber networks. Moreover, GI-POFs provide a higher transmission bandwidth than any other type of plastic optical fiber, and they can be used as a direct replacement, low cost alternative to traditional glass.
Until recently, all commercially available POFs have been fabricated from non-fluorinated polymers such as polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) and, as a result, have had a refractive index that changes in steps. Although inexpensive, these fibers exhibit large modal dispersion and typically operate at 530 nm or 650 nm, which is well outside of standard communication wavelengths (850 nm or 1300 nm) where high-speed transceivers are readily available. Due to the high attenuation in the near infrared, these fibers are restricted to low performance (<100 Mb/s), short range (<50 m) applications in the visible region.
With the advent of an amorphous perfluorinated polymer, polyperfluoro-butenylvinylether (commercially known as CYTOP®), the limitations presented by step-index POFs have been overcome. Perfluorinated fiber exhibits very low attenuation in the near infrared (~10dB/km) as shown in the figure above and to the right and can support transmission rates up to 10 Gb/s for distances up to 100 m. Moreover, since the perfluorinated optical fiber can be constructed with a graded refractive index, it is capable of supporting bandwidths that are 100 times larger than those provided by conventional POFs. This is due to the interplay between high mode coupling, low material dispersion, and differential mode attenuation.
Unlike conventional glass fibers, which suffer from high interconnection and receiver costs, perfluorinated GI-POFs are easy to install. To add a connector to a glass fiber, the fiber needs to be cleaved using an expensive, specialized tool. Then, epoxy is used to attach the fiber to the connector hardware. Finally, the assembled connector must be polished. In contrast, the GI-POF can be terminated using simple and inexpensive tools, connectors are crimped on, and polishing occurs in mere seconds, leading to a high quality optical link in a fraction of the time. Moreover, GI-POFs are compatible with standard multimode glass fiber transceivers.
Next-Generation GI-POFs: Thorlabs is pleased to offer a line of graded-index polymer optical fibers from Chromis Fiberoptics, a pioneer in plastic optical fiber technology and a world leader in perfluorinated GI-POFs. Unlike conventional preform-based manufacturing processes for GI-POFs, Chromis' patented manufacturing process extrudes fibers directly from bulk materials, resulting in high production rates at unmatched prices.
In order to produce GI-POFs with the properties necessary to meet the demands of high performance applications, two major hurdles needed to be overcome. First, a technique needed to be developed to produce a high-quality, graded-index structure consistently. Second, the high purity of the perfluorinated material needed to bemaintained during the extrusion process so that attenuation levels below 30 dB/m could be achieved. Chromis' extrusion technology continuously converts high purity bulk materials into concentric layers of melt streams. As the melt streams are extruded into fiber, the concentric layers fuse to form the graded-index fiber. By controlling the temperature, residence times, and relative flow rates of the core and clad materials, fibers with a wide variety of dimensions and refractive index structures can be formed. By altering the polymer material used in the melt, specialty fibers, such as those used in high temperature or flameretardant applications, can be produced using the same process.
Figure 1
Figure 2
Chromis Fiberoptics has successfully realized Gigabit Performance from their Graded-Index Polymer Optical Fiber (GI-POF) as demonstrated by the open eye diagrams shown above. Since perfluorinated fiber can be made with a graded refractive index, it can support bandwidths that are more than 100 times larger than conventional POF. In addition, this fiber exhibits very low attenuation in the near infrared, making it a viable choice for data transmission over hundreds of meters. Using this POF technology and commercially available transceivers, Gigabit Ethernet transmission rates of 1.25 Gb/s have been demonstrated for distances up to 300 meters (see Fig. 1 above). Moreover, 10 Gb/s links for distances up to 100 meters have also achievable (see Fig. 2). While material and waveguide dispersion increase with core size, modal dispersion is the dominating factor in determining bandwidth of multimode fiber. Additionally, the graded index profile of our GIPOF fibers is optimized to provide high bandwidth, regardless of core size. All of our GIPOF fibers are thus able to achieve the high-speed transmission rates mentioned above.
Chromis’ GI-POF represents a real breakthrough in fiber optic technology since the bandwidth and loss performance rivals that of multimode silica fiber, yet it also possesses the speed and interconnection simplicity associated with conventional plastic optical fiber. With all of these advantages, GI-POFs are a strong candidate for high-speed premise networks as well as short-reach telecom and computer interconnections.
The figure to the right shows the spectral attenuation of extruded perfluorinated GI-POF as a function of wavelength. The attenuation is 10 times lower than that associated with polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA)-based POF for both the visible and infrared spectral regions. The relatively flat spectrum is a direct result of the low dispersion associated with the perfluorinated polymer material. Such fiber is useful for applications at numerous wavelengths including 650 nm, 850 nm, 1310 nm, and 1490 nm.
Custom Patch Cable Service with Same Day Shipment
Thorlabs stocks the largest selection of single mode and multimode optical fibers in the photonics industry. Simply use the form below to receive a quote on a custom patch cable. Once filling out the quote request, a member of our Technical Support team will e-mail you a quote with a lead time.
Custom patch cables can be shipped the same day they are ordered provided the following criteria* are met:
Order Does Not Exceed 5 Cables
Each Cable Does Not Exceed 20 m in Length
Order is Placed Before 12:00 pm Eastern Standard Time
*Other restrictions may apply. Not available with PCF or PM fibers.
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Posted Comments:
Poster: Adam
Posted Date: 2010-05-17 09:26:10.0
A response from Adam at Thorlabs to eelzaiat: The core refractive index peaks at about 1.356 and the clad refractive index is 1.342. We currently do not have information on the index profile factor. I will contact you directly to see if you need more information.
Poster: eelzaiat
Posted Date: 2010-05-13 17:31:37.0
Dear sir;
Could you please tell me the refractive indices of both the core and cladding of this plastic fiber? What is the index profile factor?
Thank you in advance
Poster: Adam
Posted Date: 2010-05-05 09:02:57.0
A response from Adam at Thorlabs to marshabr: We can provide FC and ST connectors that are drilled out and connectorized to GIPOF fibers. Please note we always suggest connectorizing the GIPOFXXX-P fibers since we see higher losses when we connectorize the GIPOF fibers without the protective jacket. I will contact you directly to see if you are interseted in a quotation for the some custom patchcords or drilled connectors.
Poster: marshabr
Posted Date: 2010-05-04 17:52:58.0
Do you sell FC or ST connectors for GI-POF fibers?
Poster: Adam
Posted Date: 2010-04-07 17:21:35.0
A response from Adam at Thorlabs to florent: All sizes, 50um, 62.5um, and 120um, will exhibit 1.25Gb/s for 300m lengths and 10Gb/s for 100m lengths. The curves attached would be the same for each core size. The reason the curves would be the same for each core is that modal dispersion typically dominates in multimode fiber and so material and waveguide dispersion are of only minor importance. The graded index profile of our GigaPOF fibers is designed to maximize bandwidth for all core sizes.
Poster: florent.pellen
Posted Date: 2010-04-06 07:33:42.0
Hello,
In the tab "Performance" of Graded-Index Plastic Optical Fiber, there is two Figure:
#1: 1.25Gb/sec x 300m & #2: 10Gb/sec x 100m.
Those curve was made with an Grade-Index Plastic Optical Fiber. But what was the size of the diameter? 50µm, 62.5µm or 120µm?
Thank you for your answer.
Faithfully,
Florent Pelen
Poster: Adam
Posted Date: 2010-03-31 15:55:29.0
A response from Adam at Thorlabs to Florent: At this time we do not have information on the chromaticity dispersion. If your interested, we can provide you free samples for testing purposes. In regards to the modal dispersions, we can send you a research paper from Georgia Tech that documents modal dispersions in plastic optical fibers. They found that 62mm core Gi-POF is a reliable 10Gb/s-200m medium and has the potential for speeds as high as 40Gb/s.
Poster: florent.pellen
Posted Date: 2010-03-30 04:43:47.0
Hello,
There is no information about chromaticity dispersion (ps/(nm/km)) and about modal dispersion for thoses Graded-Index Plastic Fiber.
Is it possible to provide us those data?
Thank you for.
Poster: Laurie
Posted Date: 2008-11-19 08:00:23.0
Response from Laurie at Thorlabs to qiulion: Thank you for your interest in our Graded-Index polymer fiber. Someone from our technical support staff will be contacting you shortly concerning your request for a sample.
Poster: qiulion
Posted Date: 2008-11-18 19:04:46.0
Dear Thorlab officers, it is good to see that you are so kind to send out some samples! I am interested in the GiPOF120. Could you please also send me some samples (about 20cm)? Thanks a lot! Liang
Poster: Tyler
Posted Date: 2008-08-14 11:00:52.0
A response from Tyler at Thorlabs to popov: Chromis Fiberoptics has not provided us with the the index profile of the fiber core. If you are willing to measure this and report on your findings, please contact an application engineer to discuss the details.
Poster: popov
Posted Date: 2008-07-30 11:12:52.0
Dear officers of Thorlabs,
I am interested in GiPOF-120.
Could you please inform me about the exact refractive index profile of the fibers core. Could you please let me have that information by email?
Best regards,
Alexey.
Poster: Laurie
Posted Date: 2008-04-15 10:11:53.0
Response from Laurie at Thorlabs to ango1948: All pricing on this page is per meter of the product purchased.
Poster: ango1948
Posted Date: 2008-04-15 09:50:53.0
What is the manufacturings length of the PFGIPOF 50, 62 and 120 corresponding to the unit price mentionned on you web page?
Poster: Tyler
Posted Date: 2008-03-14 15:50:23.0
Response from Tyler at Thorlabs to Shalin: Thank you for your interest in our product. We will be in contact with you shortly in order to arrange for the delivery of the fiber samples you requested.
Poster: shalin.mehta
Posted Date: 2008-03-14 02:31:35.0
Dear Thorlabs staff,
I need to know exact refractive index profile of the fibers core. I am interested in GiPOF-62 and GiPOF-50. Could you please let me have that information by email? Is it possible for me to have samples of GiPOF-50 or GiPOF-62 (about 10cm long)?
Thank you
Best regards
Shalin
Poster: technicalmarketing
Posted Date: 2008-02-28 12:25:20.0
To stepniak: yes, the GI-POF filber can be purchased with FC/PC connectors. We would need to know what length you need in order to provide you with a formal quote. Such inquiries are generally handled by our tech support team (techsupport@thorlabs.com), and someone from that team will contact you shortly.
Poster: stepniak
Posted Date: 2008-02-28 09:54:39.0
Dear Sirs,
I would like to inquire if it is possilbe to get this GI-POF Cytop fiber of 120um core diameter with FC/PC connectors? Or only the SMA connectorization is available?
Best regards,
Grzegorz Stepniak
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GIPOF50
- Graded-Index Perfluorinated POF, 50 μm Core
