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Multimode SMA Fiber Optic Patch Cables with Ferrule Ends


  • Ferrule Side Quickly Connects to Cannula
  • Lightweight Design with Ø105, Ø200, Ø300, or Ø400 µm Multimode Fiber
  • SMA905 Connector on One End
  • Choice of Ø1.25 mm or Ø2.5 mm Ceramic Ferrule

Ø2.5 mm Ceramic
Ferrule on One End

M58L005

Ø1.25 mm Ceramic
Ferrule on One End

Ø2.5 mm
Ceramic Ferrule

Ø1.25 mm
Ceramic Ferrule

M89L01

Related Items


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Item #
Prefix		 Core
Diameter		 NA Ferrule
Diameter		 Wavelength Range
(Click for Plot)		 Fiber Used
M63 105 µm ± 2% 0.22 1.25 mm 400 - 2400 nm FG105LCA
M87 200 ± 8 µm 0.22 1.25 mm 250 - 1200 nm FG200UCC
M89 200 ± 5 µm 0.39 1.25 mm 400 - 2200 nm FT200EMT
MR89 200 ± 5 µm 0.39 1.25 mm 400 - 2200 nm FT200EMT
M95 200 ± 5 µm 0.50 1.25 mm 300 - 1200 nm FP200URT
M98 400 ± 8 µm 0.39 1.25 mm 400 - 2200 nm FT400EMT
M125 400 ± 8 µm 0.50 1.25 mm 300 - 1200 nm FP400URT
M84 200 ± 8 µm 0.22 2.5 mm 250 - 1200 nm FG200UCC
M77 200 ± 5 µm 0.39 2.5 mm 400 - 2200 nm FT200EMT
MR77 200 ± 5 µm 0.39 2.5 mm 400 - 2200 nm FT200EMT
M106 200 ± 5 µm 0.50 2.5 mm 300 - 1200 nm FP200URT
M58 300 ± 6 µm 0.39 2.5 mm 400 - 2200 nm FT300EMT
M79 400 ± 8 µm 0.39 2.5 mm 400 - 2200 nm FT400EMT
M126 400 ± 8 µm 0.50 2.5 mm 300 - 1200 nm FP400URT
Fiber Optic Cannula and Interconnect
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Ferrule Patch Cables are Ideal for Connection to our Fiber Optic Cannulae
Ferrule Clamp
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FCM Clamp with Ø2.5 mm Ferrule-Connectorized Cable

Features

  • Ø105 µm, Ø200 µm, Ø300 µm, or Ø400 µm Core Multimode Fiber
  • Ø1.25 mm (LC) or Ø2.5 mm (FC) Ferrule End Integrates with our Fiber Optic Cannulae
  • Operating Wavelength Range Options (See the Fiber Specs Tab for Options)
    • 400 - 2400 nm (Ø105 µm, 0.22 NA)
    • 250 - 1200 nm (Ø200 µm, 0.22 NA)
    • 400 - 2200 nm (Ø200 - Ø400 µm, 0.39 NA) 
    • 300 - 1200 nm (Ø200 and Ø400 µm, 0.50 NA)
  • SMA905 Connector on One End
  • MR77L01and MR89L01 have Stainless Steel Tubing for Protection from the Specimen
  • Available Accessories Include Mating Sleeves, SM1 Adapters, and Post-Mountable Clamps
  • For Custom Requests Contact Technical Support or Use Our Patch Cable Configurator

These multimode patch cables are ideal for optogenetics use and any other application where a lightweight multimode patch cable with a slim connector is needed. Thorlabs offers these patch cables with Ø1.25 mm or Ø2.5 mm ceramic ferrule ends and provides matching mating sleeves (see below) for any Ø1.25 mm or Ø2.5 mm device. The thin Ø1.6 mm or Ø2 mm outer tubing protects the fiber and minimizes cable mass (as low as 7 g for a 0.5 m, Ø1.25 mm ferrule cable). Additionally, the Ø200 µm core, 0.39 NA fiber is also available with a Ø2.3 mm (0.09") flexible stainless steel jacket for added protection from the specimen.

Each patch cable includes two protective caps that shield the ferrule ends from dust and other hazards when not in use. Additional CAPF Caps for Ø2.5 mm ferrule ends, CAPL Caps for Ø1.25 mm ferrule ends, and CAPM Rubber Caps or CAPSM Metal Threaded Caps for the SMA905 connectors are also sold separately.

Thorlabs offers post-mounting or SM1-threaded (1.035"-40) adapter options for Ø2.5 mm ferrules below, as well as post-mounting adapters for Ø1.25 mm ferrules and SMA connectors.

Custom Cables
Thorlabs also manufactures custom fiber optic cables with same-day shipping. We offer our ferrule cables with many other fiber types, in any length, and many other custom features.

Custom Patch Cables
Item # Prefix Fiber Type Core
Diameter		 Cladding
Diameter		 Coating
Diameter		 NA Wavelength Range
(Click for Plot)		 Jacket Connectors
M63 FG105LCA 105 µm ± 2% 125 ± 1 µm 250 µm ± 4% 0.22 400 - 2400 nm Ø1.6 mm Heat-Shrink Tubing SMA905 to Ø1.25 mm Ferrule
M87 FG200UCC 200 ± 8 µm 240 ± 5 µm 260 ± 6 µm 0.22 250 - 1200 nm Ø1.6 mm Heat-Shrink Tubing SMA905 to Ø1.25 mm Ferrule
M89 FT200EMT 200 ± 5 µm 225 ± 5 µm 500 ± 30 µm 0.39 400 - 2200 nm Ø1.6 mm Heat-Shrink Tubing SMA905 to Ø1.25 mm Ferrule
MR89 FT200EMT 200 ± 5 µm 225 ± 5 µm 500 ± 30 µm 0.39 400 - 2200 nm Ø2.3 mm Stainless Steel Tubing SMA905 to Ø1.25 mm Ferrule
M95 FP200URT 200 ± 5 µm 225 ± 5 µm 500 ± 30 µm 0.50 300 - 1200 nm Ø1.6 mm Heat-Shrink Tubing SMA905 to Ø1.25 mm Ferrule
M98 FT400EMT 400 ± 8 µm 425 ± 10 µm 730 ± 30 µm 0.39 400 - 2200 nm Ø1.6 mm Heat-Shrink Tubing SMA905 to Ø1.25 mm Ferrule
M125 FP400URT 400 ± 8 µm 425 ± 10 µm 730 ± 30 µm 0.50 300 - 1200 nm Ø1.6 mm Heat-Shrink Tubing SMA905 to Ø1.25 mm Ferrule
M84 FG200UCC 200 ± 8 µm 240 ± 5 µm 260 ± 6 µm 0.22 250 - 1200 nm FT020 Furcation Tubing SMA905 to Ø2.5 mm Ferrule
M77 FT200EMT 200 ± 5 µm 225 ± 5 µm 500 ± 30 µm 0.39 400 - 2200 nm FT020 Furcation Tubing SMA905 to Ø2.5 mm Ferrule
MR77 FT200EMT 200 ± 5 µm 225 ± 5 µm 500 ± 30 µm 0.39 400 - 2200 nm Ø2.3 mm Stainless Steel Tubing SMA905 to Ø2.5 mm Ferrule
M106 FP200URT 200 ± 5 µm 225 ± 5 µm 500 ± 30 µm 0.50 300 - 1200 nm FT020 Furcation Tubing SMA905 to Ø2.5 mm Ferrule
M58 FT300EMT 300 ± 6 µm 325 ± 10 µm 650 ± 30 µm 0.39 400 - 2200 nm FT020 Furcation Tubing SMA905 to Ø2.5 mm Ferrule
M79 FT400EMT 400 ± 8 µm 425 ± 10 µm 730 ± 30 µm 0.39 400 - 2200 nm FT020 Furcation Tubing SMA905 to Ø2.5 mm Ferrule
M126 FP400URT 400 ± 8 µm 425 ± 10 µm 730 ± 30 µm 0.50 300 - 1200 nm FT020 Furcation Tubing SMA905 to Ø2.5 mm Ferrule

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Total Internal Reflection in an Optical Fiber

Guiding Light in an Optical Fiber

Optical fibers are part of a broader class of optical components known as waveguides that utilize total internal reflection (TIR) in order to confine and guide light within a solid or liquid structure. Optical fibers, in particular, are used in numerous applications; common examples include telecommunications, spectroscopy, illumination, and sensors.

One of the more common glass (silica) optical fibers uses a structure known as a step-index fiber, which is shown in the image to the right. Step-index fibers have an inner core made from a material with a refractive index that is higher than the surrounding cladding layer. Within the fiber, a critical angle of incidence exists such that light will reflect off the core/cladding interface rather than refract into the surrounding medium. To fulfill the conditions for TIR in the fiber, the angle of incidence of light launched into the fiber must be less than a certain angle, which is defined as the acceptance angle, θacc. Snell's law can be used to calculate this angle:

where ncore is the refractive index of the fiber core, nclad is the refractive index of the fiber cladding, n is the refractive index of the outside medium, θcrit is the critical angle, and θacc is the acceptance half-angle of the fiber. The numerical aperture (NA) is a dimensionless quantity used by fiber manufacturers to specify the acceptance angle of an optical fiber and is defined as:

In step-index fibers with a large core (multimode), the NA can be calculated directly using this equation. The NA can also be determined experimentally by tracing the far-field beam profile and measuring the angle between the center of the beam and the point at which the beam intensity is 5% of the maximum; however, calculating the NA directly provides the most accurate value.

 

Number of Modes in an Optical Fiber

Each potential path that light propagates through in an optical fiber is known as a guided mode of the fiber. Depending on the physical dimensions of the core/cladding regions, refractive index, and wavelength, anything from one to thousands of modes can be supported within a single optical fiber. The two most commonly manufactured variants are single mode fiber (which supports a single guided mode) and multimode fiber (which supports a large number of guided modes). In a multimode fiber, lower-order modes tend to confine light spatially in the core of the fiber; higher-order modes, on the other hand, tend to confine light spatially near the core/cladding interface.

Using a few simple calculations, it is possible to estimate the number of modes (single mode or multimode) supported by an optical fiber. The normalized optical frequency, also known as the V-number, is a dimensionless quantity that is proportional to the free space optical frequency but is normalized to guiding properties of an optical fiber. The V-number is defined as:

where V is the normalized frequency (V-number), a is the fiber core radius, and λ is the free space wavelength. Multimode fibers have very large V-numbers; for example, a Ø50 µm core, 0.39 NA multimode fiber at a wavelength of 1.5 µm has a V-number of 40.8.

For multimode fiber, which has a large V-number, the number of modes supported is approximated using the following relationship.

In the example above of the Ø50 µm core, 0.39 NA multimode fiber, it supports approximately 832 different guided modes that can all travel simultaneously through the fiber.

Single mode fibers are defined with a V-number cut-off of V < 2.405, which represents the point at which light is coupled only into the fiber's fundamental mode. To meet this condition, a single mode fiber has a much smaller core size and NA compared to a multimode fiber at the same wavelength. One example of this, SMF-28 Ultra single mode fiber, has a nominal NA of 0.14 and an Ø8.2 µm core at 1550 nm, which results in a V-number of 2.404.

 


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Attenuation Due to Macrobend Loss

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Attenuation Due to Microbend Loss

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Beam profile measurement of FT200EMT multimode fiber and a former generation M565F1 LED (replaced by the M565F3) showing light guided in the cladding rather than the core of the fiber.

Sources of Attenuation

Loss within an optical fiber, also referred to as attenuation, is characterized and quantified in order to predict the total transmitted power lost within a fiber optic setup. The sources of these losses are typically wavelength dependent and range from the material used in the fiber itself to bending of the fiber. Common sources of attenuation are detailed below:

Absorption
Because light in a standard optical fiber is guided via a solid material, there are losses due to absorption as light propagates through the fiber. Standard fibers are manufactured using fused silica and are optimized for transmission from 1300 nm to 1550 nm. At longer wavelengths (>2000 nm), multi-phonon interactions in fused silica cause significant absorption. Fluoride glasses such as ZrF4 and InF3 are used in manufacturing Mid-IR optical fibers primarily because they exhibit lower loss at these wavelengths. ZrF4 and InF3 fibers have a multi-phonon edge of ~3.6 µm and ~4.6 µm, respectively.

Contaminants in the fiber also contribute to the absorption loss. One example of an undesired impurity is water molecules that are trapped in the glass of the optical fiber, which will absorb light around 1300 nm and 2.94 µm. Since telecom signals and some lasers operate in that same region, any water molecules present in the fiber will attenuate the signal significantly.

The concentration of ions in the fiber glass is often controlled by manufacturers to tune the transmission/attenuation properties of a fiber. For example, hydroxyl ions (OH-) are naturally present in silica and absorb light in the NIR-IR spectrum. Therefore, fibers with low-OH content are preferred for transmission at telecom wavelengths. On the other hand, fibers with high-OH content typically exhibit increased transmission at UV wavelengths and thus may be preferred by users interested in applications such as fluorescence or UV-VIS spectroscopy. 

Scattering
For the majority of fiber optics applications, light scattering is a source of loss that occurs when light encounters a change in the refractive index of the medium. These changes can be extrinsic, caused by impurities, particulates, or bubbles; or intrinsic, caused by fluctuations in the glass density, composition, or phase state. Scattering is inversely related to the wavelength of light, so scattering loss becomes significant at shorter wavelengths such as the UV or blue regions of the spectrum. Using proper fiber cleaning, handling, and storage procedures may minimize the presence of impurities on tips of fibers that cause large scattering losses.

Bending Loss
Losses that occur due to changes in the external and internal geometry of an optical fiber are known as bending loss. These are usually separated into two categories: macrobending loss and microbending loss.

Macrobend loss is typically associated with the physical bending of an optical fiber; for example, rolling it in a tight coil. As shown in the image to the right, guided light is spatially distributed within the core and cladding regions of the fiber. When a fiber is bent at a radius, light near the outer radius of the bend cannot maintain the same spatial mode profile without exceeding the speed of light. Instead, the energy is lost to the surroundings as radiation. For a large bend radius, the losses associated with bending are small; however, at bend radii smaller than the recommended bend radius of a fiber, bend losses become very significant. For short periods of time, optical fibers can be operated at a small bend radius; however, for long-term storage, the bend radius should be larger than the recommended value. Use proper storage conditions (temperature and bend radius) to reduce the likelihood of permanently damaging the fiber; the FSR1 Fiber Storage Reel is designed to minimize high bend loss.

Microbend loss arises from changes in the internal geometry of the fiber, particularly the core and cladding layers. These random variations (i.e., bumps) in the fiber structure disturb the conditions needed for total internal reflection, causing propagating light to couple into a non-propagating mode that leaks from the fiber (see the image to the right for details). Unlike macrobend loss, which is controlled by the bend radius, microbend loss occurs due to permanent defects in the fiber that are created during fiber manufacturing.

Cladding Modes
While most light in a multimode fiber is guided via TIR within the core of the fiber, higher-order modes that guide light within both the core and cladding layer, because of TIR at the cladding and coating/buffer interface, can also exist. This results in what is known as a cladding mode. An example of this can be seen in the beam profile measurement to the right, which shows cladding modes with a higher intensity in the cladding than in the core of the fiber. These modes can be non-propagating (i.e., they do not fulfill the conditions for TIR) or they can propagate over a significant length of fiber. Because cladding modes are typically higher-order, they are a source of loss in the presence of fiber bending and microbending defects. Cladding modes are also lost when connecting two fibers via connectors as they cannot be easily coupled between optical fibers.

Cladding modes may be undesired for some applications (e.g., launching into free space) because of their effect on the beam spatial profile. Over long fiber lengths, these modes will naturally attenuate. For short fiber lengths (<10 m), one method for removing cladding modes from a fiber is to use a mandrel wrap at a radius that removes cladding modes while keeping the desired propagating modes.

 

Launch Conditions

Underfilled Launch Condition
For a large multimode fiber which accepts light over a wide NA, the condition of the light (e.g., source type, beam diameter, NA) coupled into the fiber can have a significant effect on performance. An underfilled launch condition occurs when the beam diameter and NA of light at the coupling interface are smaller than the core diameter and NA of the fiber. A common example of this is launching a laser source into a large multimode fiber. As seen in the diagram and beam profile measurement below, underfilled launches tend to concentrate light spatially in the center of the fiber, filling lower-order modes preferentially over higher-order modes. As a result, they are less sensitive to macrobend losses and do not have cladding modes. The measured insertion loss for an underfilled launch tends to be lower than typical, with a higher power density in the core of the fiber. 


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Diagram illustrating an underfilled launch condition (left) and a beam profile measurement using a FT200EMT multimode fiber (right).

Overfilled Launch Condition
Overfilled launches are defined by situations where the beam diameter and NA at the coupling interface are larger than the core diameter and NA of the fiber. One method to achieve this is by launching light from an LED source into a small multimode fiber. An overfilled launch completely exposes the fiber core and some of the cladding to light, enabling the filling of lower- and higher-order modes equally (as seen in the images below) and increasing the likelihood of coupling into cladding modes of the fiber. This increased percentage of higher-order modes means that overfilled fibers are more sensitive to bending loss. The measured insertion loss for an overfilled launch tends to be higher than typical, but results in an overall higher output power compared to an underfilled fiber launch. 


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Diagram illustrating an overfilled launch condition (left) and a beam profile measurement using a FT200EMT multimode fiber (right).

There are advantages and disadvantages to underfilled or overfilled launch conditions, depending on the needs of the intended application. For measuring the baseline performance of a multimode fiber, Thorlabs recommends using a launch condition where the beam diameter is 70-80% of the fiber core diameter. Over short distances, an overfilled fiber has more output power; however, over long distances (>10 - 20 m) the higher-order modes that more susceptible to attenuation will disappear. 

Quick Links
Damage at the Air / Glass Interface
Intrinsic Damage Threshold
Preparation and Handling of Optical Fibers

Laser-Induced Damage in Silica Optical Fibers

The following tutorial details damage mechanisms relevant to unterminated (bare) fiber, terminated optical fiber, and other fiber components from laser light sources. These mechanisms include damage that occurs at the air / glass interface (when free-space coupling or when using connectors) and in the optical fiber itself. A fiber component, such as a bare fiber, patch cable, or fused coupler, may have multiple potential avenues for damage (e.g., connectors, fiber end faces, and the device itself). The maximum power that a fiber can handle will always be limited by the lowest limit of any of these damage mechanisms.

While the damage threshold can be estimated using scaling relations and general rules, absolute damage thresholds in optical fibers are very application dependent and user specific. Users can use this guide to estimate a safe power level that minimizes the risk of damage. Following all appropriate preparation and handling guidelines, users should be able to operate a fiber component up to the specified maximum power level; if no maximum is specified for a component, users should abide by the "practical safe level" described below for safe operation of the component. Factors that can reduce power handling and cause damage to a fiber component include, but are not limited to, misalignment during fiber coupling, contamination of the fiber end face, or imperfections in the fiber itself. For further discussion about an optical fiber’s power handling abilities for a specific application, please contact Thorlabs’ Tech Support.

Power Handling Limitations Imposed by Optical Fiber
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Undamaged Fiber End
Power Handling Limitations Imposed by Optical Fiber
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Damaged Fiber End

Damage at the Air / Glass Interface

There are several potential damage mechanisms that can occur at the air / glass interface. Light is incident on this interface when free-space coupling or when two fibers are mated using optical connectors. High-intensity light can damage the end face leading to reduced power handling and permanent damage to the fiber. For fibers terminated with optical connectors where the connectors are fixed to the fiber ends using epoxy, the heat generated by high-intensity light can burn the epoxy and leave residues on the fiber facet directly in the beam path.

Estimated Optical Power Densities on Air / Glass Interfacea
Type Theoretical Damage Thresholdb Practical Safe Levelc
CW
(Average Power)		 ~1 MW/cm2 ~250 kW/cm2
10 ns Pulsed
(Peak Power)		 ~5 GW/cm2 ~1 GW/cm2
  • All values are specified for unterminated (bare) silica fiber and apply for free space coupling into a clean fiber end face.
  • This is an estimated maximum power density that can be incident on a fiber end face without risking damage. Verification of the performance and reliability of fiber components in the system before operating at high power must be done by the user, as it is highly system dependent.
  • This is the estimated safe optical power density that can be incident on a fiber end face without damaging the fiber under most operating conditions.

Damage Mechanisms on the Bare Fiber End Face

Damage mechanisms on a fiber end face can be modeled similarly to bulk optics, and industry-standard damage thresholds for UV Fused Silica substrates can be applied to silica-based fiber. However, unlike bulk optics, the relevant surface areas and beam diameters involved at the air / glass interface of an optical fiber are very small, particularly for coupling into single mode (SM) fiber. therefore, for a given power density, the power incident on the fiber needs to be lower for a smaller beam diameter.

The table to the right lists two thresholds for optical power densities: a theoretical damage threshold and a "practical safe level". In general, the theoretical damage threshold represents the estimated maximum power density that can be incident on the fiber end face without risking damage with very good fiber end face and coupling conditions. The "practical safe level" power density represents minimal risk of fiber damage. Operating a fiber or component beyond the practical safe level is possible, but users must follow the appropriate handling instructions and verify performance at low powers prior to use.

Calculating the Effective Area for Single Mode and Multimode Fibers
The effective area for single mode (SM) fiber is defined by the mode field diameter (MFD), which is the cross-sectional area through which light propagates in the fiber; this area includes the fiber core and also a portion of the cladding. To achieve good efficiency when coupling into a single mode fiber, the diameter of the input beam must match the MFD of the fiber.

As an example, SM400 single mode fiber has a mode field diameter (MFD) of ~Ø3 µm operating at 400 nm, while the MFD for SMF-28 Ultra single mode fiber operating at 1550 nm is Ø10.5 µm. The effective area for these fibers can be calculated as follows:

SM400 Fiber: Area = Pi x (MFD/2)2 = Pi x (1.5 µm)2 = 7.07 µm2 = 7.07 x 10-8 cm2

 SMF-28 Ultra Fiber: Area = Pi x (MFD/2)2 = Pi x (5.25 µm)2 = 86.6 µm2 = 8.66 x 10-7 cm2

To estimate the power level that a fiber facet can handle, the power density is multiplied by the effective area. Please note that this calculation assumes a uniform intensity profile, but most laser beams exhibit a Gaussian-like shape within single mode fiber, resulting in a higher power density at the center of the beam compared to the edges. Therefore, these calculations will slightly overestimate the power corresponding to the damage threshold or the practical safe level. Using the estimated power densities assuming a CW light source, we can determine the corresponding power levels as:

SM400 Fiber: 7.07 x 10-8 cm2 x 1 MW/cm2 = 7.1 x 10-8 MW = 71 mW (Theoretical Damage Threshold)
     7.07 x 10-8 cm2 x 250 kW/cm2 = 1.8 x 10-5 kW = 18 mW (Practical Safe Level)

SMF-28 Ultra Fiber: 8.66 x 10-7 cm2 x 1 MW/cm2 = 8.7 x 10-7 MW = 870 mW (Theoretical Damage Threshold)
           8.66 x 10-7 cm2 x 250 kW/cm2 = 2.1 x 10-4 kW = 210 mW (Practical Safe Level)

The effective area of a multimode (MM) fiber is defined by the core diameter, which is typically far larger than the MFD of an SM fiber. For optimal coupling, Thorlabs recommends focusing a beam to a spot roughly 70 - 80% of the core diameter. The larger effective area of MM fibers lowers the power density on the fiber end face, allowing higher optical powers (typically on the order of kilowatts) to be coupled into multimode fiber without damage.

Damage Mechanisms Related to Ferrule / Connector Termination


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Plot showing approximate input power that can be incident on a single mode silica optical fiber with a termination. Each line shows the estimated power level due to a specific damage mechanism. The maximum power handling is limited by the lowest power level from all relevant damage mechanisms (indicated by a solid line).

Fibers terminated with optical connectors have additional power handling considerations. Fiber is typically terminated using epoxy to bond the fiber to a ceramic or steel ferrule. When light is coupled into the fiber through a connector, light that does not enter the core and propagate down the fiber is scattered into the outer layers of the fiber, into the ferrule, and the epoxy used to hold the fiber in the ferrule. If the light is intense enough, it can burn the epoxy, causing it to vaporize and deposit a residue on the face of the connector. This results in localized absorption sites on the fiber end face that reduce coupling efficiency and increase scattering, causing further damage.

For several reasons, epoxy-related damage is dependent on the wavelength. In general, light scatters more strongly at short wavelengths than at longer wavelengths. Misalignment when coupling is also more likely due to the small MFD of short-wavelength SM fiber that also produces more scattered light.

To minimize the risk of burning the epoxy, fiber connectors can be constructed to have an epoxy-free air gap between the optical fiber and ferrule near the fiber end face. Our high-power multimode fiber patch cables use connectors with this design feature.

Determining Power Handling with Multiple Damage Mechanisms

When fiber cables or components have multiple avenues for damage (e.g., fiber patch cables), the maximum power handling is always limited by the lowest damage threshold that is relevant to the fiber component. In general, this represents the highest input power that can be incident on the patch cable end face and not the coupled output power.

As an illustrative example, the graph to the right shows an estimate of the power handling limitations of a single mode fiber patch cable due to damage to the fiber end face and damage via an optical connector. The total input power handling of a terminated fiber at a given wavelength is limited by the lower of the two limitations at any given wavelength (indicated by the solid lines). A single mode fiber operating at around 488 nm is primarily limited by damage to the fiber end face (blue solid line), but fibers operating at 1550 nm are limited by damage to the optical connector (red solid line).

In the case of a multimode fiber, the effective mode area is defined by the core diameter, which is larger than the effective mode area for SM fiber. This results in a lower power density on the fiber end face and allows higher optical powers (on the order of kilowatts) to be coupled into the fiber without damage (not shown in graph). However, the damage limit of the ferrule / connector termination remains unchanged and as a result, the maximum power handling for a multimode fiber is limited by the ferrule and connector termination. 

Please note that these are rough estimates of power levels where damage is very unlikely with proper handling and alignment procedures. It is worth noting that optical fibers are frequently used at power levels above those described here. However, these applications typically require expert users and testing at lower powers first to minimize risk of damage. Even still, optical fiber components should be considered a consumable lab supply if used at high power levels.

Intrinsic Damage Threshold

In addition to damage mechanisms at the air / glass interface, optical fibers also display power handling limitations due to damage mechanisms within the optical fiber itself. These limitations will affect all fiber components as they are intrinsic to the fiber itself. Two categories of damage within the fiber are damage from bend losses and damage from photodarkening. 

Bend Losses
Bend losses occur when a fiber is bent to a point where light traveling in the core is incident on the core/cladding interface at an angle higher than the critical angle, making total internal reflection impossible. Under these circumstances, light escapes the fiber, often in a localized area. The light escaping the fiber typically has a high power density, which burns the fiber coating as well as any surrounding furcation tubing.

A special category of optical fiber, called double-clad fiber, can reduce the risk of bend-loss damage by allowing the fiber’s cladding (2nd layer) to also function as a waveguide in addition to the core. By making the critical angle of the cladding/coating interface higher than the critical angle of the core/clad interface, light that escapes the core is loosely confined within the cladding. It will then leak out over a distance of centimeters or meters instead of at one localized spot within the fiber, minimizing the risk of damage. Thorlabs manufactures and sells 0.22 NA double-clad multimode fiber, which boasts very high, megawatt range power handling.

Photodarkening
A second damage mechanism, called photodarkening or solarization, can occur in fibers used with ultraviolet or short-wavelength visible light, particularly those with germanium-doped cores. Fibers used at these wavelengths will experience increased attenuation over time. The mechanism that causes photodarkening is largely unknown, but several fiber designs have been developed to mitigate it. For example, fibers with a very low hydroxyl ion (OH) content have been found to resist photodarkening and using other dopants, such as fluorine, can also reduce photodarkening.

Even with the above strategies in place, all fibers eventually experience photodarkening when used with UV or short-wavelength light, and thus, fibers used at these wavelengths should be considered consumables.

Preparation and Handling of Optical Fibers

General Cleaning and Operation Guidelines
These general cleaning and operation guidelines are recommended for all fiber optic products. Users should still follow specific guidelines for an individual product as outlined in the support documentation or manual. Damage threshold calculations only apply when all appropriate cleaning and handling procedures are followed.

  1. All light sources should be turned off prior to installing or integrating optical fibers (terminated or bare). This ensures that focused beams of light are not incident on fragile parts of the connector or fiber, which can possibly cause damage.

  2. The power-handling capability of an optical fiber is directly linked to the quality of the fiber/connector end face. Always inspect the fiber end prior to connecting the fiber to an optical system. The fiber end face should be clean and clear of dirt and other contaminants that can cause scattering of coupled light. Bare fiber should be cleaved prior to use and users should inspect the fiber end to ensure a good quality cleave is achieved.

  3. If an optical fiber is to be spliced into the optical system, users should first verify that the splice is of good quality at a low optical power prior to high-power use. Poor splice quality may increase light scattering at the splice interface, which can be a source of fiber damage.

  4. Users should use low power when aligning the system and optimizing coupling; this minimizes exposure of other parts of the fiber (other than the core) to light. Damage from scattered light can occur if a high power beam is focused on the cladding, coating, or connector.

Tips for Using Fiber at Higher Optical Power
Optical fibers and fiber components should generally be operated within safe power level limits, but under ideal conditions (very good optical alignment and very clean optical end faces), the power handling of a fiber component may be increased. Users must verify the performance and stability of a fiber component within their system prior to increasing input or output power and follow all necessary safety and operation instructions. The tips below are useful suggestions when considering increasing optical power in an optical fiber or component.

  1. Splicing a fiber component into a system using a fiber splicer can increase power handling as it minimizes possibility of air/fiber interface damage. Users should follow all appropriate guidelines to prepare and make a high-quality fiber splice. Poor splices can lead to scattering or regions of highly localized heat at the splice interface that can damage the fiber.

  2. After connecting the fiber or component, the system should be tested and aligned using a light source at low power. The system power can be ramped up slowly to the desired output power while periodically verifying all components are properly aligned and that coupling efficiency is not changing with respect to optical launch power.

  3. Bend losses that result from sharply bending a fiber can cause light to leak from the fiber in the stressed area. When operating at high power, the localized heating that can occur when a large amount of light escapes a small localized area (the stressed region) can damage the fiber. Avoid disturbing or accidently bending fibers during operation to minimize bend losses.

  4. Users should always choose the appropriate optical fiber for a given application. For example, large-mode-area fibers are a good alternative to standard single mode fibers in high-power applications as they provide good beam quality with a larger MFD, decreasing the power density on the air/fiber interface.

  5. Step-index silica single mode fibers are normally not used for ultraviolet light or high-peak-power pulsed applications due to the high spatial power densities associated with these applications.


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Ø105 µm Core, 0.22 NA SMA to Ferrule Patch Cable with Ø1.25 mm Ferrule, Heat-Shrink Tubing

  • Heat-Shrink Tubing Minimizes the Pressure on the Specimen
  • Patch Cable Length: 1 m 
Fiber Type Core
Diameter		 Cladding
Diameter		 Coating
Diameter		 Max Core
Offset		 NA Bend Radius
(Short Term /
Long Term)a		 LC
Ferrule
Diameter		 Tubing
Diameter		 LC
Ferrule
Material
FG105LCA 105 µm ± 2% 125 ± 1 µm 250 µm ± 4% 5 µm 0.22 ± 0.02 15 mm / 30 mm 1.25 mm 1.6 mm Ceramic
(Zirconia)
  • Limited by the Optical Fiber
Based on your currency / country selection, your order will ship from Newton, New Jersey  
+1 Qty Docs Part Number - Universal Price Available
M63L01 Support Documentation
M63L01Ø105 µm Core, 0.22 NA SMA905 to Ø1.25 mm Ferrule Patch Cable, 1 m Long
$100.64
Today

Ø200 µm Core, 0.22 NA SMA to Ferrule Patch Cable with Ø1.25 mm Ferrule, Heat-Shrink Tubing

  • Heat-Shrink Tubing Minimizes the Pressure on the Specimen
  • Patch Cable Length: 0.5 m or 1 m 
Fiber Type Core
Diameter		 Cladding
Diameter		 Coating
Diameter		 Max Core
Offset		 NA Bend Radius
(Short Term /
Long Term)a		 LC
Ferrule
Diameter		 Tubing
Diameter		 LC
Ferrule
Material
FG200UCC 200 ± 8 µm 240 ± 5 µm 260 ± 6 µm 5 µm 0.22 ± 0.02 12 mm / 24 mm 1.25 mm 1.6 mm Ceramic
(Zirconia)
  • Limited by the Optical Fiber
Based on your currency / country selection, your order will ship from Newton, New Jersey  
+1 Qty Docs Part Number - Universal Price Available
M87L005 Support Documentation
M87L005Customer Inspired! Ø200 µm Core, 0.22 NA SMA905 to Ø1.25 mm Ferrule Patch Cable, 0.5 m Long
$97.13
Today
M87L01 Support Documentation
M87L01Customer Inspired! Ø200 µm Core, 0.22 NA SMA905 to Ø1.25 mm Ferrule Patch Cable, 1 m Long
$100.64
Today

Ø200 µm Core, 0.39 NA SMA to Ferrule Patch Cable with Ø1.25 mm Ferrule, Heat-Shrink Tubing

  • Heat-Shrink Tubing Minimizes the Pressure on the Specimen
  • Patch Cable Length: 1 m 
Fiber Type Core
Diameter		 Cladding
Diameter		 Coating
Diameter		 Max Core
Offset		 NA Bend Radius
(Short Term /
Long Term)a		 LC
Ferrule
Diameter		 Tubing
Diameter		 LC
Ferrule
Material
FT200EMT 200 ± 5 µm 225 ± 5 µm 500 ± 30 µm 5 µm 0.39 9 mm / 18 mm 1.25 mm 1.6 mm Ceramic
(Zirconia)
  • Limited by the Optical Fiber
Based on your currency / country selection, your order will ship from Newton, New Jersey  
+1 Qty Docs Part Number - Universal Price Available
M89L01 Support Documentation
M89L01Ø200 µm Core, 0.39 NA SMA905 to Ø1.25 mm Ferrule Patch Cable, 1 m Long
$100.64
Today

Ø200 µm Core, 0.39 NA SMA to Ferrule Patch Cable with Ø1.25 mm Ferrule, Armored

  • Stainless Steel Tubing Provides Protection from the Specimen
  • Patch Cable Length: 1 m 
Fiber Type Core
Diameter		 Cladding
Diameter		 Coating
Diameter		 Max Core
Offset		 NA Bend Radius
(Short Term /
Long Term)a		 LC
Ferrule
Diameter		 Tubing
Diameter		 LC
Ferrule
Material
FT200EMT 200 ± 5 µm 225 ± 5 µm 500 ± 30 µm 5 µm 0.39 ± 0.02 23 mm / 23 mm 1.25 mm 1.6 mm Ceramic
(Zirconia)
  • Limited by the Tubing
Based on your currency / country selection, your order will ship from Newton, New Jersey  
+1 Qty Docs Part Number - Universal Price Available
MR89L01 Support Documentation
MR89L01Ø200 µm Core, 0.39 NA SMA905 to Ø1.25 mm Ferrule Patch Cable, Armored, 1 m Long
$134.18
Today

Ø200 µm Core, 0.50 NA SMA to Ferrule Patch Cable with Ø1.25 mm Ferrule, Heat-Shrink Tubing

  • Heat-Shrink Tubing Minimizes the Pressure on the Specimen
  • Patch Cable Length: 1 m 
Fiber Type Core
Diameter		 Cladding
Diameter		 Coating
Diameter		 Max Core
Offset		 NA Bend Radius
(Short Term /
Long Term)a		 LC
Ferrule
Diameter		 Tubing
Diameter		 LC
Ferrule
Material
FP200URT 200 ± 5 µm 225 ± 5 µm 500 ± 30 µm 5 µm 0.50 8 mm / 16 mm 1.25 mm 1.6 mm Ceramic
(Zirconia)
  • Limited by the Optical Fiber
Based on your currency / country selection, your order will ship from Newton, New Jersey  
+1 Qty Docs Part Number - Universal Price Available
M95L01 Support Documentation
M95L01Customer Inspired! Ø200 µm Core, 0.50 NA SMA905 to Ø1.25 mm Ferrule Patch Cable, 1 m Long
$100.64
Today

Ø400 µm Core, 0.39 NA SMA to Ferrule Patch Cable with Ø1.25 mm Ferrule, Heat-Shrink Tubing

  • Heat-Shrink Tubing Minimizes the Pressure on the Specimen
  • Patch Cable Length: 1 m 
Fiber Type Core
Diameter		 Cladding
Diameter		 Coating
Diameter		 Max Core
Offset		 NA Bend Radius
(Short Term /
Long Term)a		 LC
Ferrule
Diameter		 Tubing
Diameter		 LC
Ferrule
Material
FT400EMT 400 ± 8 µm 425 ± 10 µm 730 ± 30 µm 7 µm 0.39 20 mm / 40 mm 1.25 mm 1.6 mm Ceramic
(Zirconia)
  • Limited by the Optical Fiber
Based on your currency / country selection, your order will ship from Newton, New Jersey  
+1 Qty Docs Part Number - Universal Price Available
M98L01 Support Documentation
M98L01Ø400 µm Core, 0.39 NA SMA905 to Ø1.25 mm Ferrule Patch Cable, 1 m Long
$103.89
Today

Ø400 µm Core, 0.50 NA SMA to Ferrule Patch Cable with Ø1.25 mm Ferrule, Heat-Shrink Tubing

  • Heat-Shrink Tubing Minimizes the Pressure on the Specimen
  • Patch Cable Length: 1 m 
Fiber Type Core
Diameter		 Cladding
Diameter		 Coating
Diameter		 Max Core
Offset		 NA Bend Radius
(Short Term /
Long Term)a		 LC
Ferrule
Diameter		 Tubing
Diameter		 LC
Ferrule
Material
FP400URT 400 ± 8 µm 425 ± 10 µm 730 ± 30 µm 7 µm 0.50 16 mm / 32 mm 1.25 mm 1.6 mm Ceramic
(Zirconia)
  • Limited by the Optical Fiber
Based on your currency / country selection, your order will ship from Newton, New Jersey  
+1 Qty Docs Part Number - Universal Price Available
M125L01 Support Documentation
M125L01Ø400 µm Core, 0.50 NA SMA905 to Ø1.25 mm Ferrule Patch Cable, 1 m Long
$104.39
Today

Ø200 µm Core, 0.22 NA SMA to Ferrule Patch Cable with Ø2.5 mm Ferrule, PVC Jacket

  • PVC Jacket 
  • Patch Cable Length: 0.5 m or 1 m 
Fiber Type Core
Diameter		 Cladding
Diameter		 Coating
Diameter		 Max Core
Offset		 NA Bend Radius
(Short Term /
Long Term)a		 FC
Ferrule
Diameter		 Tubing
Diameter		 FC
Ferrule
Material
FG200UCC 200 ± 8 µm 240 ± 5 µm 260 ± 6 µm 5 µm 0.22 ± 0.02 12 mm / 24 mm 2.5 mm 2.0 mm Ceramic
(Zirconia)
  • Limited by the Optical Fiber
Based on your currency / country selection, your order will ship from Newton, New Jersey  
+1 Qty Docs Part Number - Universal Price Available
M84L005 Support Documentation
M84L005Customer Inspired! Ø200 µm Core, 0.22 NA SMA905 to Ø2.5 mm Ferrule Patch Cable, 0.5 m Long
$76.83
Today
M84L01 Support Documentation
M84L01Customer Inspired! Ø200 µm Core, 0.22 NA SMA905 to Ø2.5 mm Ferrule Patch Cable, 1 m Long
$80.35
Today

Ø200 µm Core, 0.39 NA SMA to Ferrule Patch Cables with Ø2.5 mm Ferrules, PVC Jacket

  • PVC Jacket 
  • Patch Cable Length: 0.5 m or 1 m 
Fiber Type Core
Diameter		 Cladding
Diameter		 Coating
Diameter		 Max Core
Offset		 NA Bend Radius
(Short Term /
Long Term)a		 FC
Ferrule
Diameter		 Tubing
Diameter		 FC
Ferrule
Material
FT200EMT 200 ± 5 µm 225 ± 5 µm 500 ± 30 µm 5 µm 0.39 9 mm / 18 mm 2.5 mm 2.0 mm Ceramic
(Zirconia)
  • Limited by the Optical Fiber
Based on your currency / country selection, your order will ship from Newton, New Jersey  
+1 Qty Docs Part Number - Universal Price Available
M77L005 Support Documentation
M77L005Customer Inspired! Ø200 µm Core, 0.39 NA, SMA905 to Ø2.5 mm Ferrule Patch Cable, 0.5 m Long
$76.83
Today
M77L01 Support Documentation
M77L01Customer Inspired! Ø200 µm Core, 0.39 NA, SMA905 to Ø2.5 mm Ferrule Patch Cable, 1 m Long
$80.35
Today

Ø200 µm Core, 0.39 NA SMA to Ferrule Patch Cables with Ø2.5 mm Ferrules, Armored

  • Stainless Steel Tubing Provides Protection from the Specimen
  • Patch Cable Length: 1 m 
Fiber Type Core
Diameter		 Cladding
Diameter		 Coating
Diameter		 Max Core
Offset		 NA Bend Radius
(Short Term /
Long Term)a		 FC
Ferrule
Diameter		 Tubing
Diameter		 FC
Ferrule
Material
FT200EMT 200 ± 5 µm 225 ± 5 µm 500 ± 30 µm 5 µm 0.39 ± 0.02 23 mm / 23 mm 2.5 mm 2.0 mm Ceramic
(Zirconia)
  • Limited by the Tubing
Based on your currency / country selection, your order will ship from Newton, New Jersey  
+1 Qty Docs Part Number - Universal Price Available
MR77L01 Support Documentation
MR77L01Ø200 µm Core, 0.39 NA, SMA905 to Ø2.5 mm Ferrule Patch Cable, Armored, 1 m Long
$134.18
Today

Ø200 µm Core, 0.50 NA, SMA to Ferrule Patch Cable with Ø2.5 mm Ferrules, PVC Jacket

  • PVC Jacket
  • Patch Cable Length: 1 m 
Fiber Type Core
Diameter		 Cladding
Diameter		 Coating
Diameter		 Max Core
Offset		 NA Bend Radius
(Short Term /
Long Term)a		 FC
Ferrule
Diameter		 Tubing
Diameter		 FC
Ferrule
Material
FP200URT 200 ± 5 µm 225 ± 5 µm 500 ± 30 µm 5 µm 0.50 8 mm / 16 mm 2.5 mm 2.0 mm Ceramic
(Zirconia)
  • Limited by the Tubing
Based on your currency / country selection, your order will ship from Newton, New Jersey  
+1 Qty Docs Part Number - Universal Price Available
M106L01 Support Documentation
M106L01Ø200 µm Core, 0.50 NA, SMA905 to Ø2.5 mm Ferrule Patch Cable, 1 m Long
$100.64
Today

Ø300 µm Core, 0.39 NA SMA to Ferrule Patch Cables with Ø2.5 mm Ferrules, PVC Jacket

  • PVC Jacket 
  • Patch Cable Length: 0.5 m or 1 m 
Fiber Type Core
Diameter		 Cladding
Diameter		 Coating
Diameter		 Max Core
Offset		 NA Bend Radius
(Short Term /
Long Term)a		 FC
Ferrule
Diameter		 Tubing
Diameter		 FC
Ferrule
Material
FT300EMT 300 ± 6 µm 325 ± 10 µm 650 ± 30 µm 5 µm 0.39 11 mm / 22 mm 2.5 mm 2.0 mm Ceramic
(Zirconia)
  • Limited by the Optical Fiber
Based on your currency / country selection, your order will ship from Newton, New Jersey  
+1 Qty Docs Part Number - Universal Price Available
M58L005 Support Documentation
M58L005Customer Inspired! Ø300 µm Core, 0.39 NA, SMA905 to Ø2.5 mm Ferrule Patch Cable, 0.5 m Long
$76.83
Today
M58L01 Support Documentation
M58L01Customer Inspired! Ø300 µm Core, 0.39 NA, SMA905 to Ø2.5 mm Ferrule Patch Cable, 1 m Long
$80.35
Today

Ø400 µm Core, 0.39 NA SMA to Ferrule Patch Cables with Ø2.5 mm Ferrules, PVC Jacket

  • PVC Jacket 
  • Patch Cable Length: 0.5 m or 1 m 
Fiber Type Core
Diameter		 Cladding
Diameter		 Coating
Diameter		 Max Core
Offset		 NA Bend Radius
(Short Term /
Long Term)a		 FC
Ferrule
Diameter		 Tubing
Diameter		 FC
Ferrule
Material
FT400EMT 400 ± 8 µm 425 ± 10 µm 730 ± 30 µm 7 µm 0.39 20 mm / 40 mm 2.5 mm 2.0 mm Ceramic
(Zirconia)
  • Limited by the Optical Fiber
Based on your currency / country selection, your order will ship from Newton, New Jersey  
+1 Qty Docs Part Number - Universal Price Available
M79L005 Support Documentation
M79L005Customer Inspired! Ø400 µm Core, 0.39 NA, SMA905 to Ø2.5 mm Ferrule Patch Cable, 0.5 m Long
$90.09
Today
M79L01 Support Documentation
M79L01Customer Inspired! Ø400 µm Core, 0.39 NA, SMA905 to Ø2.5 mm Ferrule Patch Cable, 1 m Long
$93.61
Today

Ø400 µm Core, 0.50 NA SMA to Ferrule Patch Cables with Ø2.5 mm Ferrules, PVC Jacket

  • PVC Jacket 
  • Patch Cable Length: 1 m 
Fiber Type Core
Diameter		 Cladding
Diameter		 Coating
Diameter		 Max Core
Offset		 NA Bend Radius
(Short Term /
Long Term)a		 FC
Ferrule
Diameter		 Tubing
Diameter		 FC
Ferrule
Material
FP400URT 400 ± 8 µm 425 ± 10 µm 730 ± 30 µm 7 µm 0.50 16 mm / 32 mm 2.5 mm 2.0 mm Ceramic
(Zirconia)
  • Limited by the Optical Fiber
Based on your currency / country selection, your order will ship from Newton, New Jersey  
+1 Qty Docs Part Number - Universal Price Available
M126L01 Support Documentation
M126L01Ø400 µm Core, 0.50 NA, SMA905 to Ø2.5 mm Ferrule Patch Cable, 1 m Long
$101.00
Today

Ferrule Mating Sleeves

Fiber Mating Sleeve
Click to Enlarge
ADAF1 Mating Sleeve Connecting Two Fiber Patch Cables
  • Mate Any Fiber with Ø1.25 mm or Ø2.5 mm Ferrules
  • Sold Individually or in Packs of 5

Thorlabs Ferrule Mating Sleeves are designed for use with any terminated fiber with a Ø2.5 mm ferrule, such as FC/PC, ST®/PC, or SC/PC connectors, or with a Ø1.25 mm ferrule, such as LC/PC or MU/PC connectors. These split sleeves can be used to create a temporary, quick-release connection between two cables, as shown in the photo to the right. They are compatible with both ceramic and stainless steel ferrule connectors. They are also compatible with our optogenetics fiber optic cannulae, optogenetics patch cables, and empty ceramic ferrules.

Ceramic mating sleeves are available individually or in packages of five. Phosphor bronze mating sleeves are also available in packs of five. Ceramic can be easily cleaned in an autoclave, while phosphor bronze is slightly malleable and can be disconnected with less force as shown in the graphs below.

Item # Prefix Compatible Ferrule Size Insertion Loss Length Disconnect Force Comparison Graphs Material
ADAL1 1.25 mm Outer Diameter <0.5 dB Typical (SM)a
<1.0 dB Typical (MM)b		 6.8 mm 14.5 N (3.3 lbf) Typicalc
Comparison Icon
Ceramic Ferrule
Comparison Icon
Stainless Steel Ferrule
 Ceramic (Zirconia)
ADAL4 7.1 N (1.6 lbf) Typicalc Phosphor Bronze
ADAF1 2.5 mm Outer Diameter <0.2 dB Typical (SM)d
<1.0 dB Typical (MM)e		 11.4 mm 15.8 N (3.5 lbf) Typicalf
Comparison Icon
Ceramic Ferrule
Comparison Icon
Stainless Steel Ferrule
 Ceramic (Zirconia)
ADAF4 14.4 N (3.2 lbf) Typicalf Phosphor Bronze
  • Tested using SM600 fiber at 635 nm with LC/PC connectors.
  • Tested using Ø200 µm core, 0.39 NA multimode fiber with LC/PC connectors and an LED source at 617 nm.
  • Tested using an LC/PC-type ferrule.
  • Tested using SMF28 fiber at 1550 nm with FC/PC connectors.
  • Tested using Ø200 µm core, 0.39 NA multimode fiber with FC/PC connectors and an LED source at 617 nm.
  • Tested using an FC/PC-type ferrule.
Based on your currency / country selection, your order will ship from Newton, New Jersey  
+1 Qty Docs Part Number - Universal Price Available
ADAL1 Support Documentation
ADAL1Ceramic Split Mating Sleeve for Ø1.25 mm (LC/PC) Ferrules
$4.96
Today
ADAL1-5 Support Documentation
ADAL1-5Ceramic Split Mating Sleeves for Ø1.25 mm (LC/PC) Ferrules, 5 Pack
$19.87
Today
ADAL4-5 Support Documentation
ADAL4-5NEW!Customer Inspired! Phosphor Bronze Split Mating Sleeves for Ø1.25 mm (LC/PC) Ferrules, 5 Pack
$13.00
Today
ADAF1 Support Documentation
ADAF1Ceramic Split Mating Sleeve for Ø2.5 mm (FC/PC, ST®/PC, or SC/PC) Ferrules
$5.52
Today
ADAF1-5 Support Documentation
ADAF1-5Ceramic Split Mating Sleeves for Ø2.5 mm (FC/PC, ST®/PC, or SC/PC) Ferrules, 5 Pack
$22.07
Today
ADAF4-5 Support Documentation
ADAF4-5NEW!Customer Inspired! Phosphor Bronze Split Mating Sleeves for Ø2.5 mm (FC/PC, ST®/PC, or SC/PC) Ferrules, 5 Pack
$11.00
Today

Externally SM1-Threaded Adapters for Fiber Patch Cables with Ferrule Ends

Ferrule Clamp
Click to Enlarge
An SM1LCM Adapter Shown in a KM100T SM1-Threaded Kinematic Mount with Ferrule-Terminated Patch Cable

These Adapter Plates allow our patch cables with a Ø1.25 mm or Ø2.5 mm ferrule end to be mounted within SM1-threaded (1.035"-40) systems. A flexure clamp is used to secure the ferrule end of the patch cable; the SM1FCM clamps on a Ø2.5 mm bare ferrule while the SM1LCM clamps on the delrin sleeve of the Ø1.25 mm ferrule-terminated patch cables (see photo to the right).  

The flexure clamp on each adapter is secured with a 3-48 cap screw, which is tightened using a 5/64" (2 mm) balldriver or hex key. Approximately 1.25 in-lbs (0.14 N·m) of torque is sufficient to secure the ferrule. When the ferrule is correctly positioned, the distance from the fiber end face to the adapter face is 0.01" (0.3 mm). 

The disks are externally SM1-threaded (1.035"-40) and have four dimples, two in the front surface and two in the back surface, that allow it to be tightened from either side using an SPW909 or SPW801 Spanner Wrench. These dimples do not pass through the disk, ensuring the ferrule adapters are light-tight when used with SM1-threaded (1.035"-40) lens tubes. Once the adapter is in the desired position, use an SM1RR retaining ring to secure it in place.

Based on your currency / country selection, your order will ship from Newton, New Jersey  
+1 Qty Docs Part Number - Universal Price Available
SM1LCM Support Documentation
SM1LCMCustomer Inspired! Ø1.25 mm Ferrule Adapter Plate with External SM1 (1.035"-40) Threads
$33.28
Today
SM1FCM Support Documentation
SM1FCMCustomer Inspired! Ø2.5 mm Ferrule Adapter Plate with External SM1 (1.035"-40) Threads
$33.28
Today

Post-Mountable Ferrule Clamps

Ferrule Clamp
Click to Enlarge
FCM Clamp with Ø2.5 mm Ceramic Ferrule
Ferrule Clamp
Click to Enlarge
FCM32 Clamp with SMA Connector
  • Compact Flexure Clamps for Ø1.25 mm, Ø2.5 mm, or Ø3.2 mm Ferrules
  • 8-32 (M4) Tapped Mounting Hole
  • Compatible with Ø1/2" Optical Posts

These Post-Mountable Ferrule Clamps allow fiber connectors to be mounted securely and compactly within an experimental setup. See the table below for compatible ferrule diameters and fiber connectors for each clamp. The fiber ferrule is clamped into the flexure mount using a 5/64" (2 mm) hex key. An 8-32 (M4) tapped hole on the bottom of the mount provides compatibility with our Ø1/2" optical posts.

Item # Compatible Component Diameter Compatible Components
FCM13(/M) 1.25 mm (0.05") Ø1.25 mm Ferrules
FCM(/M) 2.5 mm (0.10") Ø2.5 mm Ferrules,
FC/PC, FC/APC, SC/PC, and ST/PC Connectors
FCM32(/M) 3.2 mm (0.13") SMA Connectors
Based on your currency / country selection, your order will ship from Newton, New Jersey  
+1 Qty Docs Part Number - Imperial Price Available
FCM13 Support Documentation
FCM13Post-Mountable Ø1.25 mm Ferrule Clamp, 8-32 Tap
$24.02
Today
FCM Support Documentation
FCMPost-Mountable Ø2.5 mm Ferrule Clamp, 8-32 Tap
$20.89
Today
FCM32 Support Documentation
FCM32Post-Mountable Ø3.2 mm Ferrule Clamp, 8-32 Tap
$24.02
Today
+1 Qty Docs Part Number - Metric Price Available
FCM13/M Support Documentation
FCM13/MPost-Mountable Ø1.25 mm Ferrule Clamp, M4 Tap
$24.02
Today
FCM/M Support Documentation
FCM/MPost-Mountable Ø2.5 mm Ferrule Clamp, M4 Tap
$20.89
Today
FCM32/M Support Documentation
FCM32/MPost-Mountable Ø3.2 mm Ferrule Clamp, M4 Tap
$24.02
Today
Additional Multimode Fiber Optic Patch Cables
  • FC/PC Step-Index Patch Cables

  • Hybrid Step-Index Patch Cables

  • Square-Core, Step-Index Patch Cables

  • Mid-IR Multimode Patch Cables

  • SMA Step-Index Patch Cables

  • AR-Coated Step-Index Patch Cables

  • High-Power Step-Index Patch Cables

  • UHV, High-Temp. Step-Index Patch Cables

  • FC/PC Graded Index Patch Cables

  • FC/PC or SMA to Bare Fiber Step-Index Patch Cables

  • Lightweight MM SMA Patch Cables

  • Lightweight MM FC/PC Patch Cables

  • Rotary Joint Patch Cables

  • Solarization-Resistant Step-Index Patch Cables

  • Low-Autofluorescence Patch Cables

  • Armored Step-Index Patch Cables

  • Partial Reflector Patch Cables

  • Retroreflector Patch Cables

  • Multimode Fiber Bundles

  • Custom Fiber Patch Cables

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