Fiber Rotators for Multi-Axis Flexure Stages

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Figure G1.2  Basic Structure of a Typical Optical Fiber

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Figure G1.1  Maximum Eccentricity of the HFR007 is ±5 µm When Rotated Over 360°

• 10 µm Maximum Eccentricity Over 360° Range
• Graduated Knob (5° Increments)
• Easy-to-Load V-Groove Design
• Swing Arm with Magnetic Clamping Force
• Clamps on Fiber Cladding to Minimize Offset Errors
• Accepts Fiber with Ø125 µm Cladding (with Buffer Removed)
• Locking Setscew

The HFR007 Fiber Rotator can rotate a single mode fiber about the center of the fiber core with a maximum eccentricity of 10 µm when rotated through 360º. Fibers are easily loaded into the V-groove on the fiber rotator and quickly secured by lowering the swing arm that is magnetically held in place. The force used to secure the fiber is adjustable so that the stress induced birefringence can be controlled. The precision fiber rotator allows for top loading of the fiber and provides smooth, continuous 360° rotation.

An engraved graduated knob with 5° increments allows the angular position to be set with an accuracy of ~2°. Once the position is set, a locking screw can be used to fix the angular position of the fiber core.

The precision fiber rotator is pre-adjusted for fibers with an outer cladding diameter of 125 µm (with the buffer coating removed). The coating, sometimes also referred to as a buffer, serves to protect the cladding of glass fibers from particulates that may land on the surface of the fiber, causing it to become brittle. The coating of certain specialized fibers can have optical properties that allow it to act as a second cladding layer. In these cases, the optical properties of the fiber should be considered before stripping off the coating layer.

The HFR007 has a 3 mm wide key on the base, making it compatible with our entire line of flexure stages, roll, pitch and yaw platforms, and fixed platforms and brackets. We also offer bare fiber clamps and chucks, as well as other Fiber Optomechanics. Flexure stage top plates have a central keyway along one or two axes of the stage. This keyway allows all the flexure stage accessories to be accurately placed along the central axis of the stage so that only fine adjustments need to be made to the optical alignment of the system when an accessory is removed and then replaced.

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Figure G1.3  HFR007 Clamping Bare Fiber (Left) and Showing Alignment V-Groove (Right)

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Figure G1.4  The HFR007 High Precision Bare Fiber Rotator Features an Engraved Graduated Knob

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Figure G1.5  The HFR007 Fiber Rotator in a Fiber Launch Setup Mounted on a MBT616D Flexure Stage

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View Imperial Product List

Item #	Qty	Description
MBT616D	1	3-Axis MicroBlock Compact Flexure Stage, Differential Micrometers, Imperial Taps
AMA009	1	Long, Fixed Mounting Bracket, 56 mm Long
HCS013	2	RMS-Threaded Flexure Stage Mount
RMS4X	1	4X Olympus Plan Achromat Objective, 0.10 NA, 18.5 mm WD
HFR001	1	1/4" Fiber Chuck Rotation Mount, RMS Threaded (0.800"-36)
HFC005	1	Standard Fiber Chuck for Ø200 µm Stripped Fiber
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View Metric Product List

Item #	Qty	Description
MBT616D/M	1	3-Axis MicroBlock Compact Flexure Stage, Differential Micrometers, Metric Taps
AMA009/M	1	Long, Fixed Mounting Bracket, 56 mm Long, Metric
HCS013	2	RMS-Threaded Flexure Stage Mount
RMS4X	1	4X Olympus Plan Achromat Objective, 0.10 NA, 18.5 mm WD
HFR001	1	1/4" Fiber Chuck Rotation Mount, RMS Threaded (0.800"-36)
HFC005	1	Standard Fiber Chuck for Ø200 µm Stripped Fiber
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Figure G2.1  HFR001 Fiber Chuck Rotator in a Fiber Launch Setup Mounted on a MBT616D Flexure Stage

• Smooth, Low-Friction Fiber Rotator
• Designed for 1/4" Fiber Chucks
• RMS-Threaded (0.800"-36) Mounting Feature Enables Incorporation into Existing Mounts
• Three M3 Nylon-Tipped Setscrews Secure the Fiber Chuck

The HFR001 Fiber Chuck Rotator rotates a standard 1/4" fiber chuck, such as the HFC005, continuously over 360°. The fiber chuck is secured by tightening the M3 nylon-tipped setscrews with a 1.5 mm hex key. The HFR001 has an external RMS thread, which when mounted in an HCS013 microscope objective mount, can be secured to the top plate of one of our multi-axis flexure stages or fixed brackets.

The phosphor-bronze and PTFE bearing in the fiber chuck rotator provides smooth, low-friction rotation for precise angular orientation of a polarization-maintaining fiber. The lateral offset during rotation is typically less than 20 µm; this relatively small offset allows a single mode fiber at Ø1.5 µm to be rotated by about 90° before requiring compensation with the Y and Z adjustments on the flexure stage. The HFR001 can also be used with the a roll/pitch platform (e.g., AMA027) to launch light into polarization-preserving fibers. This combination provides 360° of initial fiber rotation with 8° of fine rotation.

Figure G2.1 shows a typical application. The fiber chuck rotator holds the fiber, whose output is aligned with the microscope objective, which is threaded into the objective holder and mounted on a fixed bracket. The HFR001 is held in a HCS013 Objective Holder and mounted to an 3-Axis Flexure Stage.

Please note: the HFC007 fiber chuck should not be used with the HFR001 fiber rotator, as it does not provide sufficient clamping force to prevent rotation of the fiber once placed inside the rotator.

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Figure 210B  Accessories mounted in close proximity using the AMA110 Mounting Block.

Lockdown Clamps
Item #	AMA010	AMA010/M	AMA110	AMA110/M	AMA111
Included Hardware	6-32 Cap Screw (x15) M3.5 Washer (x15)	M3 Cap Screw (x15) M3 Washer (x15)	6-32 Nylon Tip Setscrew (x12) 6-32 Cap Screw (x4)	M3 Nylon Tip Setscrew (x12) M3 Cap Screw (x4)	6-32 Cap Screw (x2) M3 Cap Screw (x2) M3.5 Washer (x2) M3 Washer (x2) 7/64" Hex Key 2.5 mm Hex Key
Mechanical Diagram (Click for Details)

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Figure 210C  Close proximity mounting using the AMA010 Cleat and AMA111 Clamp.

• Secures Components to NanoMax, MicroBlock, or RollerBlock Stages
• Cleats for Mounting Single Components
• Mounting Blocks and Clamps for Close Proximity Mounting of Multiple Components

The AMA010(/M) Cleats have a flat milled along one side. To lock an accessory along the center alignment groove, rotate the cleat so that the flat is facing the groove. Place the accessory into the groove between the cleats, rotate the cleat so that the rounded edge covers the edge of the mount, and lock down the 6-32 (M3) locking screw and washer. The cleats can be rotated without needing to remove the locking screws. See Video 210A for details. The included screws are 5/16" (8 mm) long and are used with a 3/32" (2.5 mm) hex key.

For mounting multiple components in close proximity, we offer the AMA110 mounting blocks. These mounting blocks feature a line of nylon-tipped setscrews to secure components, and allow for easy repositioning and very close mounting. The blocks are secured via two holes and are supplied with either 6-32 or M3 cap screws.

The AMA111 Narrow Device Mounting Clamps offer an alternative solution when devices need to be mounted close together. They are secured using an M3.5 or M3 washer and a 6-32 or M3 cap screw, compatible with a 7/64" or 2.5 mm hex key, respectively.