Endlessly Single Mode, Large-Mode-Area-Fiber
OVERVIEW
Features
- Endlessly Single Mode Operation - No Higher Order Mode Cut-Off
- Polarization-Maintaining Versions Available
- Handles Very High Average Power
as well as High Peak Power - Low Nonlinearities
- Low Fiber Loss
- Mode Field Diameter is Wavelength Independent
- Available with Core Sizes from 5 to 35 μm
Applications
- Delivery of High-Power Broadband Radiation in a Single Spatial Mode
- Short Pulse Delivery
- Mode Filtering
- Laser Pigtailing
- Multiwavelength Guidance
- Sensors and Interferometers
Thorlabs offers a selection of Endlessly Single Mode (ESM), Large-Mode-Area (LMA) Photonic Crystal Fibers (PCFs), including Polarization-Maintaining (PM) versions. A conventional single mode fiber is actually multimode for wavelengths shorter than the second-mode cutoff wavelength, limiting the useful operating wavelength range in many applications. In contrast, Crystal Fibre's endlessly single mode PCFs are truly single mode at all wavelengths for which fused silica is transparent.
In practice, the useful operating wavelength range is limited only by bend loss. Although the cladding possesses six-fold symmetry, the mode profile is very similar to the quasi-Gaussian fundamental mode of a conventional, axially symmetric, step-index fiber, resulting in a form overlap that is >90%. Unlike conventional fibers, these fibers are fabricated from a single material - undoped, high-purity, fused silica glass. The combination of material and very large mode area enables high power levels to be transmitted through the fiber without material damage or the adverse effects caused by the fiber's nonlinear properties.
The fibers can be spliced to standard single mode fibers or directly connectorized with standard FC/PC connectors or SMA 905 high power connectors. They can also be offered with end sealing or connectors as a custom item. Please contact your local Tech Support office for details or to receive a quotation.
SPECS
Endlessly Single Mode, Large-Mode-Area, Single Mode, Photonic Crystal Fiber
| Item # | ESM-12B | LMA-20 | LMA-25 | LMA-35 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Optical Properties | ||||
| Mode Field Diameter* | 10 ± 1 µm | 15.0 ± 1.5 μm | 19.8 ± 2 μm | 26.0 ± 0.5μm |
| Attenuation** | <1 dBm/km @ 1550 nm <15 dBm/km @ 1384 nm <4 dBm/km @ 1060 nm | <0.007 dB/m @ 780 nm | <3.5 dB/km @ 1064 nm <1.5 dB/km @ 1550 nm | <0.01 dB/m @ 1550 nm |
| Numerical Aperture | 0.1 ± 0.05 @ 1550 nm | 0.041 ± 0.01 @ 780 nm 0.055 ± 0.01 @ 1064 nm | 0.04 ± 0.01 @ 1064 nm 0.046 ± 0.01 @ 1550 nm | 0.046 ± 0.01 @ 1550 nm |
| Mode Field Area | 80 ± 15 µm 2 | ~175 µm 2 | ~265 µm 2 | ~530 µm 2 |
| Physical Properties | ||||
| Signal Core Diameter | 12 ± 1 µm | 20.0 ± 0.4 μm | 25.2 ± 0.4 μm | 35.0 ± 0.5 μm |
| Outer Cladding Diameter, OD | 125 ± 3 µm | 229.5 ± 5 μm | 268 ± 5 μm | 283 ± 5 μm |
| Coating Diameter | 240 ± 15 µm | 340 ± 10 μm | 410 ± 10 μm | 426 ± 10 μm |
| Cladding Material | Pure Silica | |||
| Coating Material | Acrylate, Single Layer | |||
| Proof Test Level | 0.5% | - | ||
*Full width at points in the near field where intensity has dropped to 1/e of the peak value.
**Measured for a bend radius of 16 cm
Endlessly Single Mode, Large-Mode-Area, Polarization-Maintaining, Photonic Crystal Fiber
| Item # | LMA-PM-5 | LMA-PM-10 | LMA-PM-15 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Optical Properties | |||
| Mode Field Diameter* | 4.2 ± 0.5 μm | 8.0 ± 0.8 μm | 12.5 ± 0.5μm |
| Attenuation ** | <30 dB/km @ 470 nm <10 dB/km @ 800 nm | <30 dB/km @ 470 nm <5 dB/km @ 1060 nm <5 dB/km @ 1550 nm | <15 dB/km @ 1000 nm <10 dB/km @ 1550 nm <25 dB/km @ 800 nm |
| Numerical Aperture | 0.09 ± 0.01 @ 470 nm | 0.10 ± 0.05 @ 1060 nm | 0.09 ± 0.02 @ 1060 nm |
| Cut-off Wavelength | None | ||
| Physical Properties | |||
| Signal Core Diameter | 5.0 ± 0.5 μm | 10.0 ± 1 μm | 15.0 ± 0.5 μm |
| Outer Cladding Diameter, OD | 125 ± 3 μm | 230 ± 5 μm | 230 +1/-5 μm |
| Coating Diameter | 245 ± 10 μm | 350 ± 10 μm | 350 ± 10 μm |
| Cladding Material | Pure Silica | ||
| Coating Material | Acrylate, Single Layer | ||
| Proof Test Level | 0.5% | 10 N | |
*Full width at points in the near field where intensity has dropped to 1/e of the peak value.
**Measured for a bend radius of 16 cm
ATTENUATION
LMA-PM-5
LMA-PM-10
ESM-12B
LMA-PM-15
LMA-20
LMA-25
LMA-35
HANDLING
This application note addresses general handling of fibers from NKT Photonics, including how to strip the protective coating, how to cleave the fibers and tips for coupling light to and from the fibers. This is ideal for customers new to photonic crystal fibers.
The application note below addresses general advice about fusion splicing of photonic crystal fibers (PCFs). The note is limited to the work related directly to the fusion splicer, whereas guidelines for general handling of the PCFs can be found in the application note to the left.
Endlessly Single Mode, Large-Mode-Area, Single Mode, Photonic Crystal Fiber
Part Number |
Description |
Price |
Availability |
|---|---|---|---|
ESM-12B |
ESM Large Mode Area Photonic Crystal Fiber, Ø12 µm Core |
$147.00
Per Meter Volume Pricing Available |
Today |
LMA-20 |
ESM Large Mode Area Photonic Crystal Fiber, Ø20 µm Core |
$185.00
Per Meter Volume Pricing Available |
Today |
LMA-25 |
ESM Large Mode Area Photonic Crystal Fiber, Ø25 µm Core |
$189.00
Per Meter Volume Pricing Available |
Today |
LMA-35 |
ESM Large Mode Area Photonic Crystal Fiber, Ø35 µm Core |
$189.00
Per Meter Volume Pricing Available |
Today |
Endlessly Single Mode, Large-Mode-Area, Polarization-Maintaining, Photonic Crystal Fiber
Part Number |
Description |
Price |
Availability |
|---|---|---|---|
LMA-PM-5 |
ESM Large-Mode-Area Photonic Crystal Fiber, Ø5 µm Core |
$154.00
Per Meter Volume Pricing Available |
Today |
LMA-PM-10 |
ESM Large-Mode-Area Photonic Crystal Fiber, Ø10 µm Core |
$182.00
Per Meter Volume Pricing Available |
Today |
LMA-PM-15 |
ESM Large-Mode-Area Photonic Crystal Fiber, Ø15 µm Core |
$273.00
Per Meter Volume Pricing Available |
Today |