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Products HomeMid-Infrared Optical Fiber
- Multimode MIR Fiber, Transmissive from the UV to 5.5 µm
- Stable in Typical Lab Environments and Easy to Handle
- Return Loss Less than 4% per Face
Multimode MIR Bare Fiber
Application Idea
A multimode ZrF4 patch cable can be used to propagate MIR light into a sample chamber for gas-phase spectroscopy. Our Optical Spectrum Analyzers provide detection over 350 nm to 12.0 µm (i.e., down to 833 cm-1).
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Click below for our selection of in-stock MIR cables.
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ZrF4 fiber has flatter attenuation than InF3 fiber in the MIR, while the InF3 fiber is transparent to longer wavelengths. Silica fiber, typically used in patch cables, is not MIR-transparent. For information on run-to-run variations, please see the Graphs tab.
Capabilities
- Zirconium Fluoride (ZrF4) and Indium Fluoride (InF3) Fibers
- Bare Fiber with 50 to 600 µm Core Sizes
- Numerical Apertures of 0.20 or 0.26
- See Our Specialty Optical Fiber Manufacturing Page for More Details
- Single Mode MIR Fiber Available in Patch Cables
Thorlabs is pleased to extend its family of fiber products into the mid-infrared spectral region. Our IRphotonics® fibers, based upon zirconium fluoride (ZrF4) and indium fluoride (InF3) glasses, feature excellent mechanical flexibility, good environmental stability, and high transmission over the 285 nm - 4.5 µm spectral range or 310 nm - 5.5 µm spectral range, respectively. Like the rest of our fiber selection, fluoride fibers can be provided in a range of core diameters, cutoff wavelengths, and numerical apertures, suiting a variety of applications.
These fibers offer a flat attenuation curve in the MIR wavelength range (see the Graphs tab), aided by an extremely low hydroxyl ion (OH) content. They are fabricated using a proprietary technique that provides world-class purity, dimensional control, and strength. This technique gives us excellent control over the fibers' optical and mechanical properties, allowing a wide range of configurations to be drawn. The fluoride fiber is stable under typical environmental conditions and humidity.
Custom IRphotonics® MIR Fiber and Patch Cables
Several types of single mode and multimode fluoride patch cables are available from stock. We also offer bifurcated fiber bundles and reflection/backscatter proble bundles. Optical fibers with many other core sizes and configurations are currently under development.
| MIR Fluoride Fiber Selection Guide | |
|---|---|
| Single Mode Patch Cables | |
| Multimode Patch Cables | |
| Bifurcated Fiber Bundles | |
| Reflection/Backscatter Probe Bundles | |
| MIR Fiber Overview | |
If our standard offerings do not meet your needs, please contact Tech Support to discuss customization and potential fiber draws. Some of the many customization options we provide for MIR fibers and patch cables include:
- MIR Optical Fibers with Lower Loss
- MIR Optical Fibers with Increased Power Handling Abilities
- Custom Patch Cables: Choose Components from Our Wide Selection of Standard Optical Fibers, Packaging Options, Connectors, and AR Coatings
- Ruggedized Cabling Compatible with Harsh-Environment Applications
| Fiber Type | Operating Wavelengtha | Core Diameter | Attenuationb | NA | Bend Radius (Short Term / Long Term) |
Operating Temperature |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ZrF4 | 285 nm - 4.5 µm | 50 µm | ≤0.2 dB/m (for 2.0 - 3.6 µm) |
0.20 ± 0.02 | ≥20 mm / ≥40 mm | -55 to 90 °C |
| 100 µmc | ≥25 mm / ≥155 mm | |||||
| 200 µmc,d | ≥40 mm / ≥80 mm | |||||
| 450 µmc,e | ≥30 mm / ≥125 mm | |||||
| 600 µmc,e | ≤0.25 dB/m (for 2.0 - 3.6 µm) |
≥75 mm / ≥160 mm | ||||
| InF3 | 310 nm - 5.5 µm | 50 µm | ≤0.45 dB/m (for 2.0 - 4.6 µm) |
0.20 ± 0.02 | ≥20 mm / ≥40 mm | -55 to 90 °C |
| 100 µmc | 0.26 ± 0.02 | ≥15 mm / ≥155 mm |
| Additional Specifications | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fiber Type | ZrF4 | InF3 | |||||
| Core Diameter | 50 ± 2 µm | 100 ± 2 µm | 200 ± 10 µm | 450 ± 15 µm | 600 ± 20 µm | 50 ± 2 µm | 100 ± 2 µm |
| Cladding Diameter | 140 ± 2.5 µm | 192 ± 2.5 µm | 290 ± 10 µm | 540 ± 15 µm | 690 ± 20 µm | 160 ± 2 µm | 192 ± 2.5 µm |
| Coating Diameter | 270 ± 15 µm | 270 ± 15 µm | 355 ± 15 µm | 650 ± 25 µm | 770 ± 30 µm | 270 ± 15 µm | 287 ± 15 µm |
Multimode Fluoride Patch Cables
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This plot contains the measured attenuation from five independent draws of the Ø200 µm core ZrF4 fiber. This data is representative of our Ø100 µm, Ø200 µm, and Ø450 µm core fibers.
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This plot contains the measured attenuation from five independent draws of the Ø600 µm core ZrF4 fiber.
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Click for Raw Data
This plot contains the measured attenuation from six independent draws of the Ø100 µm core InF3 fiber.
| Posted Comments: | |
Poster:todd Posted Date:2017-03-03 11:36:46.65 What is the fluoride fiber buffer material? Is the buffer strippable? Once I know this I will figure out how much fiber I will need a quote for. Poster:tfrisch Posted Date:2017-03-13 02:41:45.0 Hello, thank you for contacting Thorlabs. The buffer is acrylate, and I will contact you directly on how the recommended handling differs from silica fibers. Poster:ilindsay Posted Date:2015-08-27 15:41:39.307 Hi.
Can you comment on the end preparation of your mid-IR (fluoride) fibers, e.g. differences from SiO2 fibers in terms of cleaving and polishing techniques in the case of applications where connectors are not appropriate? Poster:besembeson Posted Date:2015-09-29 08:59:55.0 Response from Bweh at Thorlabs USA: We recommend Thorlabs Vytran products, such as the LDC-400 (http://vytran.com/product/ldc-400) for cleaving bare fiber. Polishing is only relevant when terminating fiber with a connector and it is different with these mid-IR fibers. I will follow-up with you for further guidance with these if needed. |
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