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Products HomeFurcation Tubing, Sleeves, and Connector Caps
CAPF1
FC Metal Connector Cap
FTS61A
Stainless Steel Sleeve
for Ø6.1 mm Tubing
CAPF
Cap for Ø2.5 mm Ferrules,
Pack of 25
FT05SS
Ø5.0 mm
Stainless Steel Tubing
FT061PS
Ø6.1 mm Stainless Steel Tubing,
Best Choice for
Light-Sensitive Setups
CAPSM
Metal Threaded Cap
for SMA Connectors,
Pack of 4
- Tubing Protects Fiber and Provides Easy Identification
- Sleeves Join Stainless Steel Tubing to Connectors
- Fiber Connector Caps Protect Polished Faces of Fiber
FT023SS
Ø2.3 mm
Stainless Steel Tubing
CAPX1
FC Plastic Connector Cap
Please Wait
| Furcation Tubing Selection Guide | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Item # | Inner Diameter | Outer Diameter | Color |
| FT900Y | ≥400 µm | 900 µm | Yellow |
| FT900Ka | 425 µm | 900 µm | Yellow, Blue, or Black |
| FT020a | 900 µm | 2.0 mm | Orange, Yellow, or Black |
| FT023SS | 1.2 mm | 2.3 mm | Silver (Stainless Steel) |
| FT030a | 1.0 mm | 3.0 mm | Orange, Yellow, Blue, or Black |
| FT038a | 1.8 mm | 3.8 mm | Red or Black |
| FT05SS | 3.5 mm | 5.0 mm | Silver (Stainless Steel) |
| FT061PS | 3.5 mm | 6.1 mm | Black (Coated Stainless Steel) |
| FT080SS | 6.0 mm | 8.0 mm | Silver (Stainless Steel) |
Features
- Protect Fiber Optic Cables
- Colored Tubing for Quick Fiber Type Identification (See Color Choices in Table at Right)
- Black Furcation Tubing for Light-Sensitive Applications
- Stainless Steel Tubing Offers High Degree of Protection
- Sleeves Securely Join Stainless Steel Tubing to Fiber Connectors
- High-Temperature, Vacuum-Compatible Stainless Steel Sleeves Ideal for Use with Polyimide Fiber
- Connector Caps Keep Polished Fiber Tips Clean
Furcation Tubing
Furcation tubing, also commonly referred to as jacketing, is used to protect delicate optical fiber from damage. The color of tubing is typically chosen to represent the type of fiber patch cable. Yellow tubing is the industry standard for single mode fiber, orange designates multimode fiber, and blue is typically reserved for polarization-maintaining fiber. Black tubing prevents visible light from entering through the length of the fiber. For additional light blocking, FT020-BK and FT030-BK black tubing can be placed inside FT05SS or FT061PS stainless steel tubing.
When selecting furcation tubing, please note its inner diameter, as this dimension must be larger than the outer diameter of the fiber you are using. Custom colors for furcation tubing are available. Additionally, as an alternative to jacketing your own fiber, Thorlabs offers custom pre-made patch cables. Please contact Tech Support for further information about Thorlabs' custom jacketing capabilities.
Stainless Steel Furcation Tubing and Sleeves
Thorlabs offers several stainless steel furcation tubing options that provide high rigidity but with a larger bend radius. Generally, the smallest tubing that fits the fiber is ideal, but it is sometimes beneficial to use larger tubing to protect a fiber with a larger bend radius. Our stainless steel sleeves effectively serve the same function as a strain relief boot and shield the connection from dust, dirt, and other external contaminants. We also offer a 304 stainless steel sleeve that can withstand environments with temperatures up to 250 °C or vacuum down to 10-10 Torr. It is intended to be used with our high-temperature, vacuum-compatible SMA905 multimode connectors and polyimide-coated fiber without furcation tubing.
Fiber Connector Caps
Dirt on the fiber tip can result in permanent damage to the fiber connector. This can result in increased coupling losses or undesirable mode structure in the output light. To prevent damage to the fiber end face, clean the tip before each use and use a connector cap to protect the fiber end face when it is not in use (see our fiber optic cleaning products). Thorlabs offers caps for Ø1.25 mm, Ø2.5 mm, and Ø3.2 mm fiber connector ferrules; metal caps for FC and SMA connectors; metal caps for FC, SMA, or ST bulkheads and mating sleeves; and plastic caps for FC bulkheads and mating sleeves. See below for more information.
| Posted Comments: | |
Andreas Seifahrt
(posted 2019-07-30 16:00:32.107) FTS61B is listed as the correct sleeve for 30xxxxG3 type connectors. I think this is a typo in the table. The sleeve is much too large and in fact FTS50A is listed for the same connector. I tried and it fits much better. So I think FTS61A is the correct sleeve for 30xxxxG3. tcampbell
(posted 2019-08-01 12:56:44.0) Hello, thank you for contacting Thorlabs. You are correct, the 30xxxxG3 connectors should be used with FTSxxA sleeves. We have updated the tables accordingly. a.anderson
(posted 2017-05-22 13:20:11.07) Hi,
Can you please confirm the tooling needed to connect this part to the FT061PS tubing?
Thanks. nbayconich
(posted 2017-06-05 02:32:32.0) Thank you for contacting Thorlabs. The FT061PS tubing can be directly attached to the FTS61A mating sleeve using the F123 epoxy. Feed the connector/sleeve over the fiber, add a small amount of epoxy to the large inner diameter of the sleeve, then the furcation tubing. No crimping tools are needed to connect the FTS61A to the FT061PS tubing. A Techsupport representative will contact you directly. a1a
(posted 2015-11-05 11:55:42.477) Dear
I would like to know what is the attenuation of FT030 optical fiber to 710nm.
best
Andres Aragoneses besembeson
(posted 2015-11-05 01:28:57.0) Response from Bweh at Thorlabs USA: The FT030 is a furcation tubing or jacket used to protect delicate optical fiber. The It doesn't introduce any attenuation to the optical mode that propagates in the core of the fiber. It seems you would like to know the attenuation of a particular fiber at 710nm. I will follow-up with you to know which fiber you are referring to. marc-andre.lapointe
(posted 2013-11-01 14:44:42.367) The product FT030 from our last order is much different from our previous one. The inner tube is softer and it's much harder to feed the fiber in it. The color of the inner tube is not as white (not the same material?). Overall regidity is also lower. We are only able to feed a few meters of fiber in it. Cannot order anymore since we are not sure of what we will get.
Also, it would be useful to have a 25 pack of relief Boots and Crimp Sleeves for 3mm tubing like product 190066CP that already exist for 2mm tubing. pbui
(posted 2013-11-14 04:02:21.0) Response from Phong at Thorlabs: We are aware of the recent change to the characteristics of the inner tubing and are sorry to hear that you're experiencing some difficulty with it. Though this change has not impacted our usual production of patch cables, we will contact you directly to address your concerns regarding the inner tubing's rigidity. tilman.schmoll
(posted 2013-04-12 12:42:36.763) It would be nice, if you would also be offering splice sleeves.
Another product, which would be nice would be a plastic or metal box, with FC bulkhead connectors at one side. Similar to your interferometer housings but without the detectors and the interferometer inside. tcohen
(posted 2013-04-24 21:28:00.0) Response from Tim at Thorlabs: Thank you very much for your feedback! We will incorporate both of these suggestions into our catalog and I will contact you to keep you updated. klee
(posted 2009-10-29 17:48:40.0) A response from Ken at Thorlabs to qiangqiang.tai: FT030 is just the item number for the tubing and 973-579-7227 is actually our phone number in USA. There should be a white label on the cable with the item number of the cable itself on it. Please find out what that number is so we can determine which fiber you have. qiangqiang.tai
(posted 2009-10-29 10:42:02.0) Dear Ms. or Mr.
This is Philips Research Eindhoven. I am writing this letter for more information about your product FT030. The sery number of the fiber we are using is 973-579-7227 FT030.
1, Is this a single mode fiber which can maintain the states of polarization?
2, How many states of polarization would there be under the laser source of wavelength 780nm, linear polarized light?
3, What will be the alternative fiber for the purpose of getting linear polarized light regarding to the laser source we are using?
4, What would be the delievery time?
Best regards,
Qiangqiang Tai |
Zoom
| Item # | Inner Diameter |
Outer Diameter |
Kevlar® Threads |
Color | Material | Operating Temperature |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FT900Y | ≥400 µm | 900 µm | Not Included | Yellow | Hytrel® (UL 94 HB) |
-40 to 70 °C |
| FT900KY | 425 µm | Included | Yellow | |||
| FT900KB | Blue | |||||
| FT900KK | Black |
Thorlabs' offers a wide variety of Hytrel® furcation tubing with a 900 µm outer diameter. They are most commonly used as a jacket for single mode fiber because the inner diameter may be too small for many multimode fibers. Our FT900KY, FT900KB, and FT900KK tubing include Kevlar® threads to be used as a pull string when feeding optical fiber. The interior of the yellow FT900Y tubing is empty. The tubing can be removed after installation by using the AFS900 Adjustable Fiber Buffer and Jacket Stripping Tool.
Thorlabs also offers the 190044P and 190044B Strain Relief Boots for covering connector ends when using Ø900 µm furcation tubing.
Zoom| Item # | Inner Diameter |
Outer Diameter |
Color | Operating Temperature |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FT020 | 900 µm | 2.0 mm | Orange | -40 to 70 °C |
| FT020-Y | Yellow | |||
| FT020-BK | Black |
Our Ø2.0 mm protective tubing provides more protection than Ø900 µm tubing and fits optical fiber up to 900 µm in diameter. It has an internal structure similar to our Ø3.0 mm tubing pictured below, including a PVC outer jacket, Kevlar® threads, a polypropylene inner protective tube, and a pull string for fiber insertion. It is ideal for constructing patch cables for optogenetics or any other application where a lightweight, flexible, and durable patch cable is needed.
Feeding fiber through furcation tubing can be difficult, so the inner tube of the FT020(-BK) features a pull string to help guide the fiber. The furcation tubing can be removed from the fiber by using the AFS900 Adjustable Stripping Tool. We also offer connector boots and crimp sleeves to use Ø2.0 mm tubing with connectors. The 190066CP pack is for FC/PC-type connectors and the 190088CP pack is for SMA- or ST-type connectors. Our stock connectors do not include a boot compatible with Ø2.0 mm tubing. Please note that, due to the small size of this tubing, epoxy must be used after crimping a sleeve from the 190066CP or 190088CP packs to the tubing to ensure that it is properly secured to the tubing. For information on using this tubing with other connector styles, please contact Tech Support.
These furcation tubings can be used with MM (orange standard) and SM (yellow standard) fiber. Additionally, the FT020-BK black furcation tubing is especially useful for preventing ambient visible light from entering the patch cable. For additional light blocking, the FT020-BK tubing can be placed inside FT05SS or FT061PS stainless steel tubing.
Zoom| Item # | Inner Diameter | Outer Diameter | Min Bend Radiusa | Material | Color | Operating Temperatureb |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FT023SS | 1.2 ± 0.1 mm | 2.3 ± 0.1 mm | 23 mm | SUS304 | Silver | -60 to 527 °C (-76 to 981 °F) |
Click to Enlarge
Sleeve with Fiber Connector and Stainless Steel Tubing
Click to Enlarge
Sleeve Schematic
Thorlabs' FT23SS Stainless Steel Tubing and FTS23x Sleeves provide a high degree of fiber protection. This thin, lightweight stainless steel tubing provides added protection for more rigorous optogenetics experiments. Its all-metal jacket also prevents visible and IR light from entering through the length of the patch cable. The FTS23x sleeves effectively replace the strain relief boot used with our standard furcation tubing and shield the connection from dust, dirt, and other external contaminants. Please refer to the Compatibility Guide table below to ensure the proper match between the fiber connector and sleeve.
To create a fiber connection, our F112 or F123 Epoxy is used to secure the sleeve along the same central axis as the fiber connector, tubing, and bare fiber. Each sleeve is engraved with a part number ending in an A, B, or D that indicates the inner diameter of the connector side of the sleeve, as shown in the table below. When the fiber connector and tubing are fed into the sleeve, they each encounter a hard stop once they are completely inserted, making it easy to create reliable connections.
The bare fiber can be fed directly into the tubing, which does not contain an inner tube, Kevlar® threads, or a pull string.
Please note that the maximum continuous length we can provide for this tubing is 200 m.
| Compatibility Guide | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Item # | Inner Diameter of Fiber Connector Side |
FC/PC Connectors |
FC/APC Connectors |
SMA Connectors |
ST Connectors |
LC Connectorsa |
| FTS23A | 0.138" - 0.150" (3.50 - 3.81 mm) |
30126C3, 30128C3, 30126C9, 30xxxxG3 | 30126A3, 30126A9 | 1xxxxA | 30126B1 | - |
| FTS23B | 0.153" - 0.165" (3.89 - 4.19 mm) |
- | - | - | 10140G1 10127C |
- |
| FTS23D | 0.178" - 0.190" (4.52 - 4.83 mm) |
30xxxC1, 30125D2, 30126G2-xxxx, 30140E1 | 30080K2, 30127A3 | - | - | - |
Zoom
Click to Enlarge
Components of Furcation Tubing
| Item # | Inner Diameter | Outer Diameter | Color | Operating Temperature |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FT030 | 1.0 mm | 3.0 mm | Orange | -20 to 70 °C (-4 to 158 °F) |
| FT030-Y | Yellow | |||
| FT030-BLUE | Blue | |||
| FT030-BK | Black | |||
| FT038 | 1.8 mm | 3.8 mm | Red | |
| FT038-BK | Black |
Thorlabs' FT030 and FT038 Furcation Tubings consist of an outer PVC jacket, Kevlar® protective threads, a polypropylene inner fiber tube, and a pull string for fiber insertion, as shown in the photo to the right. The Kevlar® threads that surround the inner tube protect the fiber from damage by cushioning any impact incurred by the PVC outer jacket. Feeding fiber through furcation tubing can be difficult, so the inner tubes of the FT030 and FT038 feature a pull string to help guide the fiber. The tubing can be removed from the fiber by using the FTS3 Stripping Tool and the T186 Kevlar® Cutting Shears.
These furcation tubings can be used with SM (yellow standard), PM (blue standard), and MM (orange standard) fibers. Our FT030-BK and FT038-BK Black Furcation Tubing are especially useful for preventing ambient visible light from entering the patch cable. For additional light blocking, the FT030-BK tubing can be placed inside FT05SS or FT061PS stainless steel tubing.
Zoom| Item # | Inner Diameter | Outer Diameter | Min Bend Radiusa | Material | Color | Operating Temperatureb |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FT05SS | 3.5 mm | 5.0 ± 0.2 mm | 19 mm | SUS304 | Silver | -60 to 527 °C (-76 to 981 °F) |
Click to Enlarge
Sleeve with Fiber Connector and Stainless Steel Tubing
Click to Enlarge
Sleeve Schematic
Thorlabs' FT05SS Stainless Steel Tubing and FTS50x Sleeves provide a high degree of fiber protection. The FT05SS is the same tubing used in our SMA Fiber Bundles. Its all-metal jacket prevents visible and IR light from entering through the length of the patch cable. The FTS50x sleeves effectively replace the strain relief boot used with our standard furcation tubing and shield the connection from dust, dirt, and other external contaminants. Please refer to the Compatibility Guide table below to ensure the proper match between the fiber connector and sleeve.
To create a fiber connection, our F112 or F123 Epoxy is used to secure the sleeve along the same central axis as the fiber connector, tubing, and bare fiber. Each sleeve is engraved with an A, B, or D that corresponds to the suffix of the part number and indicates the inner diameter of the connector side of the sleeve, as shown in the table below. When the fiber connector and tubing are fed into the sleeve, they each encounter a hard stop once they are completely inserted, making it easy to create reliable connections.
The bare fiber can be fed directly into the tubing, which does not contain an inner tube, Kevlar® threads, or a pull string. If desired, the fiber can be fed into our FT030 tubing (which does feature a pull string) before being put into the stainless steel tubing for added convenience and protection.
Please note that the maximum continuous length we can provide for this tubing is 100 m.
| Compatibility Guide | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Item # | Inner Diameter of Fiber Connector Side |
FC/PC Connectors |
FC/APC Connectors |
SMA Connectors |
ST Connectors |
LC Connectors |
| FTS50A | 0.138" - 0.150" (3.50 - 3.81 mm) |
30126C3, 30128C3, 30126C9, 30xxxxG3 | 30126A3, 30126A9 | 1xxxxA | 30126B1 | 30126L9 |
| FTS50B | 0.153" - 0.165" (3.89 - 4.19 mm) |
- | - | - | 10140G1 10127C |
- |
| FTS50D | 0.178" - 0.190" (4.52 - 4.83 mm) |
30xxxC1, 30125D2, 30126G2-xxxx, 30140E1 | 30080K2, 30127A3 | - | - | - |
Zoom| Item # | Inner Diameter | Outer Diameter | Min Bend Radiusa | Color | Operating Temperatureb |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FT061PS | 3.5 mm | 6.1 mm | 19 mm | Black | -50 to 60 °C (-58 to 140 °F) |
Click to Enlarge
Sleeve with Fiber Connector and Stainless Steel Tubing
Click to Enlarge
Sleeve Schematic
Thorlabs' FT061PS Stainless Steel Tubing and FTS61x Sleeves provide a high degree of fiber protection. The FT061PS has a black plastic coating (olefin elastomer) that is lead-free, halogen-free, and provides chemical, water, and heat resistance. The black coating and all-metal jacket prevent visible and IR light from entering through the length of the patch cable. The FTS61x sleeves effectively replace the strain relief boot used with our standard furcation tubing and shield the connection from dust, dirt, and other external contaminants. Please refer to the Compatibility Guide table below to ensure the proper match between the fiber connector and sleeve.
To create a fiber connection, our F112 or F123 Epoxy is used to secure the sleeve along the same central axis as the fiber connector, tubing, and bare fiber. Each sleeve is engraved with an A, B, or D that corresponds to the suffix of the part number and indicates the inner diameter of the connector side of the sleeve, as shown in the table below. When the fiber connector and tubing are fed into the sleeve, they each encounter a hard stop once they are completely inserted, making it easy to create reliable connections.
The bare fiber can be fed directly into the tubing, which does not contain an inner tube, Kevlar® threads, or a pull string. If desired, the fiber can be fed into our FT030 tubing (which does feature a pull string) before being put into the stainless steel tubing for added convenience and protection.
Please note that the maximum continuous length we can provide for this tubing is 100 m.
| Compatibility Guide | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Item # | Inner Diameter of Fiber Connector Side |
FC/PC Connectors |
FC/APC Connectors |
SMA Connectors |
ST Connectors |
LC Connectors |
| FTS61A | 0.138" - 0.150" (3.50 - 3.81 mm) |
30126C3, 30128C3, 30126C9, 30xxxxG3 | 30126A3, 30126A9 | 1xxxxA | 30126B1 | 30126L9 |
| FTS61B | 0.153" - 0.165" (3.89 - 4.19 mm) |
- | - | - | 10140G1 10127C |
- |
| FTS61D | 0.178" - 0.190" (4.52 - 4.83 mm) |
30xxxC1, 30125D2, 30126G2-xxxx, 30140E1 | 30080K2, 30127A3 | - | - | - |
Zoom| Item # | Inner Diameter | Outer Diameter | Min Bend Radiusa | Material | Color | Operating Temperatureb |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FT080SS | 6.0 ± 0.2 mm | 8.0 ± 0.3 mm | 140 ± 30 mm | SUS304 | Silver | -60 to 527 °C (-76 to 981 °F) |
Click to Enlarge
Sleeve with Fiber Connector and Stainless Steel Tubing
Click to Enlarge
Sleeve Schematic
Thorlabs' FT080SS Stainless Steel Tubing and FTS80x Sleeves provide a high degree of fiber protection. The FT080SS is the same tubing used in our MZ6x series fluoride fiber patch cables. Its all-metal jacket prevents visible and IR light from entering through the length of the patch cable. The FTS80x sleeves effectively replace the strain relief boot used with our standard furcation tubing and shield the connection from dust, dirt, and other external contaminants. Please refer to the Compatibility Guide table below to ensure the proper match between the fiber connector and sleeve.
To create a fiber connection, our F112 or F123 Epoxy is used to secure the sleeve along the same central axis as the fiber connector, tubing, and bare fiber. Each sleeve is engraved with a part number ending in an A, B, or D that indicates the inner diameter of the connector side of the sleeve, as shown in the table below. When the fiber connector and tubing are fed into the sleeve, they each encounter a hard stop once they are completely inserted, making it easy to create reliable connections.
The bare fiber can be fed directly into the tubing, which does not contain an inner tube, Kevlar® threads, or a pull string. If desired, the fiber can be fed into our FT030 tubing (which does feature a pull string) before being put into the stainless steel tubing for added convenience and protection.
Please note that the maximum continuous length we can provide for this tubing is 10 m.
| Compatibility Guide | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Item # | Inner Diameter of Fiber Connector Side |
FC/PC Connectors |
FC/APC Connectors |
SMA Connectors |
ST Connectors |
LC Connectorsa |
| FTS80A | 0.138" - 0.150" (3.50 - 3.81 mm) |
30126C3, 30128C3, 30126C9, 30xxxxG3 | 30126A3, 30126A9 | 1xxxxA | 30126B1 | - |
| FTS80B | 0.153" - 0.165" (3.89 - 4.19 mm) |
- | - | - | 10140G1 10127C |
- |
| FTS80D | 0.178" - 0.190" (4.52 - 4.83 mm) |
30xxxC1, 30125D2, 30126G2-xxxx, 30140E1 | 30080K2, 30127A3 | - | - | - |
Zoom| Compatible SMA905 Connectors | |
|---|---|
| Item # | Bore Diameter |
| 10128V | 128 +5/-0 µm |
| 10145V | 145 +5/-0 µm |
| 10245V | 245 +10/-0 µm |
| 10380V | 380 +15/-0 µm |
| 10490V | 490 +15/-0 µm |
| 10720V | 720 +15/-0 µm |
- Stainless Steel Sleeve for Temperatures up to 250 °C or Vacuum up to 10-10 Torr
- Intended for Use with 353NDPK Epoxy and High-Temperature, Vacuum-Compatible SMA905 Multimode Connectors
- Ideal for Use with Polyimide-Coated Fiber
The FTSB1 Stainless Steel Sleeve fits fiber outer diameters up to 720 µm, such as polyimide-coated fiber. It is intended to be used with our high-temperature SMA905 multimode connectors and can withstand environments with temperatures up to 250 °C or vacuum down to 10-10 Torr.
Zoom- Cap Protects End Face of Fiber
- Options Available for LC, FC, ST, and SMA Connectors
- Plastic, Nickel-Plated Brass, and Rubber Versions Available
| Item # | Ferrule Size | Compatible Connector Types | Material | Number of Caps per Pack | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CAPL | Ø1.25 mma | LC | White Plastic | 25 | |
| CAPF | Ø2.5 mma | FC or ST | Clear Plastic | 25 | |
| CAPFM | Ø2.5 mm | FC (Narrow Key) | Nickel-Plated Brass | 4 | |
| CAPM | Ø3.2 mma | SMA | Black Rubber | 10 | |
| CAPSM | Ø3.2 mm | SMA | Nickel-Plated Brass | 4 | |
Zoom- Threaded Caps Protect Bulkheads and Mating Sleeves
- CAPX1: Plastic Caps for FC/PC and FC/APC Bulkheads and Mating Sleeves, Pack of 10
- CAPF1: Metal Cap and Chain for FC/PC and FC/APC Bulkheads and Mating Sleeves
- CAPN1: Metal Cap and Chain for SMA Bulkheads and Mating Sleeves
- CAPT1: Metal Cap and Chain for ST Bulkheads and Mating Sleeves
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