PM Optical Circulators: Technology used and Categorization

Since 1990, polarization maintaining optical circulator has become one of the essential components in advanced optical communication systems. Nowadays, its applications have expanded widely not only in telecommunication industry but also in medical and imaging fields. Here, we will discuss this indispensable component in detail. So, let’s start with the basics.

What is a PM Optical Circulator?
PM optical circulator is a three or four port non reciprocal passive component which functions similar to an isolator. It transmits the light wave from one port to next port with maximum intensity while maintaining polarization and blocking any light transmission from one port to the previous port. Thus, it is also featured as a unidirectional circulator.

Technology Used in PM Optical Circulators
Polarization Maintaining Optical Circulators are designed on the basis of nonreciprocal polarization rotation of the Faraday effect. As the working of optical circulators is based on several components such as Faraday rotator, birefringent crystal, waveplate and beam displacer, let’s take a quick look at each of them.

Faraday Effect:
It is a magneto-optical effect which explains the phenomenon in which polarization plane of electromagnetic wave (or light wave) is rotated inside a material under magnetic field applied in parallel to the direction of wave propagation. The unique aspect of this effect is that the direction of rotation is independent of the propagation direction of light wave, which implies that rotation is non-reciprocal.

Light Propagation in Birefringent Crystal:
Birefringent crystal is a common material used in the designing of optical circulators. The crystals used in optical circulators are typically anisotropic uniaxial which means they have two refractive indices with one optical axis. The function of this birefringent crystal depends on the propagation direction of light and its optic axis orientation (crystal cutting). The crystals which are generally used include quartz, rutile, YVO4, etc.

Waveplate:
Also called retardation plate, a waveplate is one of the applications of birefringent crystal. It is made by cutting a crystal into a particular orientation. Due to small birefringence, crystal quartz is broadly used for making waveplates.

Beam Displacer:
A birefringent crystal based beam displacer is used to split an incoming light beam into two beams with orthogonal polarization states.

Categorization of Optical Circulators
Optical circulators are mainly divided into two categories:
Polarization-dependent optical circulator
Polarization-independent optical circulator

The former type is only functional for a light wave with a particular polarization state and is only used in a few applications such as free space communications between satellites and crystal sensing.

On the other hand, the latter type is functionally independent of the polarization state of light. While in ordinary circulators, the polarization is not maintained but there are polarization maintaining optical circulators available in the market also. They are used in a large variety of applications.

According to their functionality, optical circulators can also be divided into two groups.
Full Circulator - light passes through all ports in a full circle
Quasi Circulator - light passes through all ports but the light from last port is lost

Fortunately, due to the advancement in technology, you can avail highly reliable and efficient Polarization Maintaining Optical circulators not only in standard specifications but in customized specifications too.

Want to Know What a PM Tap Coupler is? Read this

Instead of diving straight into complexities of polarization maintaining tap coupler, let’s first discuss what an optical coupler simply is. An optical coupler is a device which can join one or more optic fiber ends for transmitting light waves in multiple paths. It is capable of combining two or more inputs into a single output as well as dividing a single input into two or more outputs. If you compare it with a splice or a connector, you will find that with an optical coupler, the signals can be more attenuated as the input signal can be distributed among the output ports.

In general, fiber optic couplers can be divided into two categories: active and passive.

For active coupler, an external energy source is required. On the other hand, there is no requirement of power to operate passive couplers.

In the market, you will find different types of fiber optical couplers such as X coupler, combiner, splitter, stars and trees. This categorization is carried out on the basis of the number of input and output ports.

As the name implies, a combiner does the work of combining two signals and providing a single output. Similarly, a splitter does the functioning of dividing a single optical signal to facilitate two output signals. It can further be divided into Y couplers and T couplers. If we talk about star couplers, they distribute power from inputs to outputs. While some tree couplers take multiple input signals and provide one output signal, others take a single input and provide multiple output signals.

Fiber optic couplers are manufactured using a variety of technologies such as planar waveguide, fused-fiber and micro optics.

Now, let’s move to polarization maintaining optical couplers. They are the micro optic filter type devices which facilitate optical signal splitting while maintaining polarization with high extinction ratio. Being a coupler in the essence, they are capable of either splitting the light from an input polarization maintaining fiber between two output PM fibers or can join signals from two PM input fibers into a single PM output fiber.

By now, it is clear that what fiber optical couplers and PM optical couplers are. So, what exactly is a polarization maintaining tap coupler? It is a type of PM coupler which can split light waves with accurate tap ratio.

The polarization state can be aligned either with slow axis or fast axis of the polarization maintaining fibers. It is made from separate light crystals and the output port is also different from PM filter coupler. The benefit of using a PM tap coupler is that it can handle higher power and also has more precise coupling ratio than PM filter coupler. So, PM tap coupler is a better device with high optical performance and stability to be used for splitting high power linearly polarized light wave to provide multiple outputs while still preserving the polarization state.

This tap coupler can also be used as a power tap in a PM fiber system to monitor signal power without disturbing polarization state of the light traveling in PM fiber.

Applications of PM Tap Coupler

• Power sharing in polarization sensitive systems
• PM fiber interferometers
• Signal monitoring in PM fiber systems
• Coherent detection
• Fiber optic instruments
• Fiber sensors

Features of PM Tap Coupler

• Compact-in-line package
• Low insertion loss
• High extinction ratio
• Excellent reliability
• Superior stability
• Optimum optical performance
• Accurate tap ratio
• Can handle higher power
• Precise coupling ratio

If you have requirement of polarization maintaining tap couplers or another kind of PM coupler with custom specifications, contact one of the esteemed PM coupler manufacturers so that you can be sure of that you are investing your time and money at the right place.

Optical Fiber In-line Polarizer & its Fine Features

The significance and value of Optical fibers don’t need any explanations or specifications in the world of electronics and technology. These devices are no doubt the tiny part but are equally important as well as requisite for the effective / efficient working of the machinery and electronic. When we talk about optical fiber In-line polarizer these are the cogs which can never be overlooked.
Optical Fiber In-line Polarizer
Low cost optical fiber In-line polarizer is the device to convert unpolarized light into linearly polarized light. It encompasses both, input as well as output as one input of single mode fiber and one output with polarization maintaining fiber. It can easily be connected conveniently into the optical systems through pigtailed input / output connectors.

Now let’s discuss the fine features of In-line Polarizer:

• Low insertion loss: in telecommunications, the loss of signal power coming from the insertion of a device into the optical fiber is generally referred to as insertion cost. The insertion cost of the In-line polarization is stumpy and quite lesser than the other similar devices.
• High extinction ratio: the polarizer especially, the In-line polarizer usually have the high extinction ratio i.e. the ratio of the two optical power levels of a digital signal produced by an ocular source.
• High return loss: The optical fiber polarizer generates high return loss i.e. the loss of power in the signal reflected / returned by a discontinuity in a broadcast line or ocular fiber.
• Compactness and light weight: Yet another beneficial feature of an In-line Polarizer is that it is quite compact as well as light weighted. This helps in the placement and execution of the appliance. Its light weight helps it work easily and effortlessly.
• High stability and reliability: In-line polarizer is always recommended as it is quite stable as well as reliable. Unlike all other types of polarizers, the in-line polarizer has higher stability. This is the reason why companies and industries trust these.

Beyond all, the optical fiber In-line polarizer is available in market at low costs. There are several organizations which offer and sell the high quality optical fiber solutions at competitive prices and ensure you an effective as well as a durable working.
So, whenever you seek the high quality optical fiber In-line Polarizer, or decide to buy them, make sure you choose a copper-bottomed company to get the best products and high quality services as well as high class solutions at competitive prices!
DK Photonics – www.dkphotonics.com  Service to the factories, equipment manufacturers, operators and institutes who work for optical passive components, fiber communication, fiber sensing and high power laser applications, such as 1064nm High Power Isolator,1064nm High Power Circulator, Multimode Pump Combiner, Pump and Signal Combiner, Pump and PM Signal Combiner, Cladding Power Stripper, Polarization  Maintaining Optical Circulator, Polarization Maintaining Optical Isolator, Polarization Beam Combiner/Splitter, PM Filter WDM, Polarization Maintaining Filter Coupler, Polarization Maintaining Tap  Coupler, Polarization Maintaining Fused Coupler, Polarization Maintaining Fused WDM, In-line Polarizer.

10-Year Forecast – Fiber Optic Sensors

According to ElectroniCast, the combined use of Distributed and Point fiber optics sensors are forecast to reach $5.98 Billion in 2026…
 ElectroniCast Consultants, a leading market/technology forecast consultancy, today announced the release of their market forecast and analysis of the global consumption of Fiber Optic Sensors.
According to the study, the combined use of Distributed and Point (local) fiber optics sensors reached $3.38 Billion last year (2016), and the worldwide value is forecast to reach $5.98 Billion in 10-years (2026). Market forecast data in this study report refers to consumption (use) for a particular calendar year; therefore, this data is not cumulative data.
Both the American region and the EMEA region held similar market share in the overall (distributed- and point-types) fiber optic sensor value last year. The Europe, Middle East, Africa region (EMEA) held a very slight lead in relative market (value) share last year; however, the Asia Pacific region (APAC) is projected to take-over the leadership position during the forecast period.
The EMEA region is forecast to have a strong role in the use of distributed fiber optic systems, driven by the region’s use of systems in aviation, as well as in the
Petrochemical, Natural Resources, Energy/Utility application categories.
In terms of fiber optic point sensors, the American region is forecast to maintain the market share lead throughout the 1st-half of the forecast period (2016-2021), mostly led by the use of Fiber Optic Gyros (FOGs) in the Military/Aerospace application category. The consumption values are based on the end-user application and the end-user region.
FOGs held a 65 percent market share of the worldwide Point fiber optic sensor consumption value in 2016. “All regions, thanks mainly to increases in the use in aviation and military critical mission applications (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle/UAV and missile guidance, navigation, north finding/tracking, robotics, aviation and aeronautics and other) are forecast to show impressive increase consumption quantity (volumes) and values for the FOG systems,” said Stephen Montgomery, Director of the Fiber Optics Components group at ElectroniCast Consultants.
The market forecast of the Distributed Sensors is segmented by the following applications:

• Manufacturing Process/Factory
• Civil Engineering/Construction (buildings, bridges, tunnels, etc)
• Military/Aerospace/Security
• Petrochemical/Energy/Utilities/Natural Resources
• Biomedical/Science

The Fiber Optic Point Sensor Forecast further segmented by the following sensing/measuring quantity (measurand) types:

• Mechanical Strain
• Temperature
• Pressure
• Chemical, Gas, Liquid
• Vibration, Acoustic, Seismic
• Displacement, Acceleration, Proximity
• Electric, Current and Magnetic Field - Fiber Optic Sensors
• Rotation (such as Fiber Optic Gyroscopes: FOGs)

“ElectroniCast counts each Point fiber optic sensor as one unit; however, the volume/quantity (number of units) of Distributed fiber optic sensors is based on a complete optical fiber line/link, which we classify as a system. Since a distributed optical fiber line (system) may have 100s of sensing elements in a continuous-line, it is important to note that we count all of those sensing elements in a distributed system as one (system) unit – only. Distributed fiber optic sensor systems involve the optic fiber with the sensors embedded with the fiber; also included is the optoelectronic transmitter/receiver, connectors, optical fiber, cable (fiber jacket) the sensor elements, and other related components,” Montgomery added.
According to ElectroniCast, the combined use of Distributed and Point fiber optics sensors reached $3.38 Billion in 2016…

Continuous Distributed and Point Fiber Optic Sensor

Global Consumption ($3.38 Billion in 2016)

Source: ElectroniCast Consultants

Tags: CWDM Multiplexer, DWDM Multiplexer,19" rack mount chassis CWDM, CWDM MUX/DEMUX Module, LGX CWDM Module,8CH CWDM Module, 16CH CWDM Module, 100GHz DWDM Mux/Demux, 200GHz DWDM Mux/Demux
DK Photonics – www.dkphotonics.com  specializes in designing and manufacturing of high quality optical passive components mainly for telecommunication, fiber sensor and fiber laser applications,such as 1064nm High Power Isolator,1064nm Components, PM Components, (2+1)x1 Pump Combiner,Pump Laser Protector,Mini-size CWDM,100GHz DWDM,Optical Circulator,PM Circulator,PM Isolator,Fused Coupler,Mini Size Fused WDM.

Global Fiber Optic Components Market 2017-2021

About Fiber Optic Components
Fiber optic components are an integral part of the fiber optic infrastructure that is deployed across countries as well as continents to meet the increasing demand for the fiber optic communication. The global fiber optic communication market majorly consists of two segments that are fiber optic cables and fiber optic components.
Fiber optic cables use light as the carrier to transfer information between two places. They are used in fiber optic communication wherein they transmit these signals at long distances. They support higher bandwidth as compared to copper cables, which makes them a preferred choice for next-generation communication technologies such as 4G and 5G. Optical signals can resist electromagnetic interference. This results in a lower attenuation of the signal, and it becomes less prone to noise.
The analysts forecast the global fiber optic components market to grow at a CAGR of 10.37% during the period 2017-2021.
Commenting on the report, an analyst from the research team said: "The latest trend gaining momentum in the market is increasing long-haul and ultralong-haul networks. Long-haul optic networks are used for the transmission of information over optic fiber cables for long distances. Long-haul optics are used to connect countries and cities across the globe. Most of these networks range from hundreds to thousands of kilometers. They have mostly migrated to 10 Gbps-based DWDM systems with 32 channels or more."
According to the report, one of the major drivers for this market is Increasing migration from copper to optic fiber. The major driver for the growth of the fiber optic components market is the migration from copper cabling to optic fiber. Copper fiber uses electrical impulses to send information across long distances. This leads to large attenuations and distortion of data. Copper wires can easily be tapped, which can lead to security issues and challenges. Optic fibers are inexpensive, lightweight, and non-flammable, and can carry higher bandwidths than copper wires.
Further, the report states that one of the major factors hindering the growth of this market is High price of components and their installation. Fiber optic components are priced much higher than their copper counterparts. For instance, the price of a desktop computer network interface card for 10 or 100 Mbps Ethernet on Cat 5 ranges between $60 and $80. Whereas, the price of a fiber network interface card is $100-$400. The cost of fibers varies widely as they have numerous cable and connector styles. Each connector is priced from $1 to $15. The installation cost of a fiber optic line can go up to $30,000 for an entire building. If an ISP chooses to opt for an optic fiber connection, they would need to dig out the entire copper installation wiring and replace it with optical fibers. GoogleFiber, a provider of fiber to the premises, estimated that the cost of wiring a fiber network into a major American city would cost approximately $1 billion. This is an extremely expensive process as ISPs opt for upgrades rather than dig up the entire line.

  

Tags: CWDM Multiplexer, DWDM Multiplexer,19" rack mount chassis CWDM, CWDM MUX/DEMUX Module, LGX CWDM Module,8CH CWDM Module, 16CH CWDM Module, 100GHz DWDM Mux/Demux, 200GHz DWDM Mux/Demux

DK Photonics – www.dkphotonics.com  specializes in designing and manufacturing of high quality optical passive components mainly for telecommunication, fiber sensor and fiber laser applications,such as 1064nm High Power Isolator,1064nm Components, PM Components, (2+1)x1 Pump Combiner,Pump Laser Protector,Mini-size CWDM,100GHz DWDM,Optical Circulator,PM Circulator,PM Isolator,Fused Coupler,Mini Size Fused WDM.

CWDM Mux & DeMux - Features and Applications

The CWDM are by and large in view of thin coat channel innovation which is the type of item fall under the WDM class. There arrived in a total scope of Class-8 CWDM Mux-Demux and also OADM that stands for Optical Add Drop Multiplexer units with a specific end goal to meet a wide range of necessities and system arrangements.
Likewise, it has across the board applications that require the Channel CWDM. Some of them include: Gigabit and 10G Ethernet, Fiber Channel, ATM, ESCON, in Metro total, SDH/SONET, and CATV and so forth. Presently, we should talk about the accompanying components and utilizations of Channel CWDM that settle on it an ideal decision for all. The CWDM Mux / Demux items give up to 16-channel or even 18-channel Multiplexing on a solitary fiber. Standard CWDM Mux/Demux bundle sort include: ABS box bundle, LGX pakcage and 19" 1U rackmount.

Highlights

• The loss of insertion quality creates from the presentation of a gadget into the optical fiber is by and large lesser in CWDM than alternate gadgets; this produces short inclusion costs.
• Channel-8 CWDM is dependably very steady and solid in the meantime. Not at all like every other sort of WDM class, the Channel CWDM has higher dependability.
• The CWDM items are typically Epoxy free on optical way; this prompts better working and Epoxy free condition while the execution.
• In CWDM, the channel segregation is very high. This expanded seclusion prompts better and successful outcomes.

Applications
WDM and Access Organize: As these channel sorts are the piece of WDM class, these have their best application in the WDM and also Access systems.
Line Observing: These items have their incredible use in line checking. This guarantees there is no crash on a similar line of some other range or frequency.
Cellular Application: The CWDM channel arrangements have their utilizations and applications additionally in the Cellular area, and advances as the unequaled panacea for some different parts and ventures.
Telecommunication: The broadcast communications devours Channel-8 CWDM at an incredible rate. It needs to utilize these items for the straightforward transmission of signs and utilization of the filaments for the same.
Aside from every one of the elements and applications, the capacity of CWDM is additionally to unravel the deficiency of fiber and straightforward transmission of exchange while lessening the charges of system building. This is the motivation behind why the Channel CWDM and LGX CWDM Mux and DeMux Module have a matter of extraordinary heights in the realm of fiber optics, flag transmission and multiplexing and so forth.

Understanding the Use of Optical Fused Coupler, MUX & DEMUX WDM

In today’s high tech world, there is a desperate need for bandwidth.  The development of WDM (wavelength division multiplexing) technology has greatly helped us to expand the network capacity over a single fiber. A fiber optic coupler is a device used in fiber optic systems with input fibers (single or more) and output fibers (single or more). It is different from WDM devices.

The main benefits of Optical fused couplers are as follows:-

• Combining: This Fiber Optic Couplers combine two signals and yield single output.
• Splitting: The Splitters supply two outputs by using the single optical signal.

On the other hand, WDM multiplexer and demultiplexer divide the different wavelength fiber light into different channels. WDM is further divided into CWDM (coarse wavelength division multiplexing) and DWDM (dense wavelength division multiplexing). Generally, the WDM systems operate on 9µm single-mode fiber optical cables although it is not necessary.

If we specifically talk about the CWDM method, CWDM multiplexes multiple optical carrier signals on a single optical fiber. It uses different wavelengths/colors of laser light combined in a MUX in order to carry different signals. Mux/DeMux is one of the most important components of CWDM systems.

The LGX CWDM Mux and DeMux module comes with a 8 Channel (dual fiber) with 1U 19 Rack Mount Box that utilizes thin film coating technology and proprietary design of non-flux metal bonding micro optics packaging. It has been designed to provide optical networking support over a grid of CWDM optical wavelengths in high-speed Fibre Channel and Ethernet communication for metropolitan area networks (MAN).

The optical component is easy to operate with a reliable low-maintenance design. The MUX is passive and it does not use power supplies or electronics. It is capable of multiplexing and demultiplexing ITU-T G.694.2 wavelengths up to 8 channels in increments of 20nm from 1270 nm to 1610 nm. “ITU” specifies the exact center of 8CH CWDM Mux and Demux dual fiber 1U 19 Rack Mount Box wavelength such as 1531nm, 1591nm, 1611nm, etc.

The 8 Channel CWDM Mux and Demux dual fiber 1U 19 Rack Mount Box are protocol and rate transparent. They allow different services up to 10Gbps transported across the same fiber link. It works seamlessly with transceivers to optimize the link length, signal integrity, and overall network cost. It can be incorporated into a single rack-mount solution for a better design, power, and space efficiency.

As per the working principle, MUX and DEMUX can be used in various fields, such as communication systems, computer memories, telephone networks, etc. It is a cost saving method of connecting a multiplexer and a demultiplexer together over a single channel.

How to get the Optical Fused Couplers, Mux and DeMux WDM?

There are several leading companies in market that are considered masters at the designing and manufacturing of optical passive components for fiber laser, fiber sensor, and fiber optic telecommunication applications. One can contact these companies to avail high quality opticalcouplers, Mux and DeMux at affordable rates.

Contact a supplier today and get them.