FC Connectors

Fixed Connection (FC) style connectors are designed for use when vibration is a concern as they provide a very precise and solid connection. FC connectors are our best selling connectors.

SM
Our FC single mode connector features a pre-radiused (R20 mm) ceramic ferrule to help minimize back reflections. The single mode FC connector has a hole size tolerance of +1/-0 µm and a maximum concentricity of 1 µm.

PM
For Polarization-Maintaining (PM) fibers, we offer a FC connector with a continuously adjustable key to allow you to rotate the back of the connector to align to the slow or fast axis of the fiber. Once the connector is aligned, you can lock it in place with a drop of superglue. If you purchase a PM fiber cable that is aligned by us, the connector key will be aligned to your specification. At this time we are only able to align at 780, 980, 1060, 1310, and 1550 nm wavelengths.

MM
Our multimode FC connector has a 140 µm bore size with a hole size tolerance of +2/-0 µm and a maximum concentricity of 3 µm.

SMA Connectors

Our subminiature version A (SMA) connectors are used for large core, multimode fibers. We stock SMA connectors for 125 to 1550 µm cladding fibers.

ST Connectors

Straight Tip (ST) connectors have a bayonet style mount which allows for quick connects and disconnects, but does not seat the fiber as well as other connections.

SM
Our single mode ST connector features a ceramic ferrule with a pre-radiused tip (R20 mm) to minimize back reflections. The ST® connectors feature a concentricity of maximum 1 µm and a hole size tolerance of +1/-0 µm.

MM
We carry ST style connectors designed for multimode applications. These have a standard bore of 140 µm and the stainless steel ferrule connectors can be customized to fit fiber up to Ø1 mm. These connectors feature a hole size tolerance of +1/-0 µm and a maximum concentricity of 1 µm.

SC Connectors

Subscriber Connector (SC) connectors are snap-in connectors which are easy and quick to use. Out SC style connectors feature a pre-radiused (R20 mm) ceramic ferrule to help minimize back reflections. Our SC connectors feature a bore size of 125 µm.

LC Connectors

Lucent Connectors (LC) are similar to SC connectors, but contain ferrules that are half the size of the SC’s. We stock LC connectors for single mode fibers. Multimode LC connectors are available upon request. Due to their small size, they are ideal for situations where a large number of connectors are used in small space.

Flat Cleave

Our flat cleaving leaves a perfectly flat end to the fiber. A flat cleave is needed to splice fibers together.

Finishes

 The back reflection guideline for our finishes is as follows:

• FC/PC is about -40 to -45 dB
• Super polish (FC/SPC) is -45 to -50 dB
• Ultra polish (FC/UPC) is -50 to -55 dB
• All FC/APC connections will have minimum back reflection around -65 dB by the nature of the angle.

/PC
Physical Contact (PC) connections are usually used when you need fiber to fiber connections. They have ends with a convex polish perpendicular to the fiber.

/APC
Angled Physical Contact (APC) connections are used for fiber to air. When you need to collimate light out of a fiber or couple light in to a fiber, FC/APC connections are your best route. Polishing is done at an 8° angle.

Tubing

The industrial standard is to use 3 mm yellow tubing for single mode fibers to allow for quick identification. Thorlabs offers the following tubing types with our custom patch cables.