The optical splitter can be divided into a molten tapered type (FUSED FIBER SPLITTER / FBT SPLITTER) according to the splitting principle and planar waveguide type (PLC SPLITTER).

● Item Specifics:

Applications:

• LAN, WAN & Metro Networks
• Telecommunication Networks
• Passive Optical Networks
• FTT(X) Systems
• CATV

• Value Added Module

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Product Features:

• Singlemode PLC Splitters in a variety of package types and configurations
• Optical performance 100% factory tested
• UPC, and APC polish types available for connectorized products
• Low Insertion Loss, Back Reflection and PDL
• Telcordia GR-CORE 1221 certified

Product Specs:

• Operating Window: 1260~1600nm
• Polarization Stability (dB): „_ 0.50dB
• Port Configuration: 1x4, 1x8, 1x16, 1x32
• Back Reflection (dB): „_ -55 UPC „_ -65 APC
• Operating Temperature (†­C): -20~+70
• Storage Temperature (†­C): -40~+85
• Package size: 8 x 8.1 x 5.2 m

 Specification:

Table 2 – 2×N PLC Splitter

● Advantage Details:
(1) High Environmental Stability
► Low insertion loss, low polarization dependent loss, low back reflection, and good uniformity;
(2) Excellent Quality Chips
► Loss of light is not sensitive for wavelength, and it can meet the transmission needs of different wavelengths;
(3) Compact Structure
► Small size, it can be directly installed in a variety of transfer box and just take up little space;
(4) Exquisite Packaging
► The design and packaging is exquisite to ensure the product in good condition.

● PLC More Family Products:

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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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.

1x32 Fiber Optic PLC Splitter Definitions

This tab provides a brief explanation of how we determine several key specifications for our 1x16 planar waveguide splitters. These devices are fabricated waveguide splitters that split the input signal evenly among 16 outputs. These splitters are not recommended for light combining applications and should only be used to split light. For combining light of different wavelengths, Thorlabs offers a line of wavelength division multiplexers (WDMs).

Excess Loss

Excess loss in dB is determined by the ratio of the total input power to the total output power:

Pinput is the input power, and the Pport is the output power at each port; when summed across all ports, this represents the total output power. All powers are expressed in mW.

Insertion Loss

The insertion loss is defined as the ratio of the input power to the output power for a given port of the splitter. Insertion loss is always specified in decibels (dB). It is generally defined using the equation below:

where Pin and Pout are the input and output powers (in mW). For our 1x16 PLC splitters, the insertion loss specification is provided for each output port. To define the insertion loss for a specific output (e.g., port 1 or port 2), the equation is rewritten as:

Insertion loss inherently includes both coupling (e.g., light transferred to the other output legs) and excess loss (e.g., light lost from the splitter) effects. The maximum allowed insertion loss for each output is specified. Because the insertion loss in each output is correlated to light coupled to the other outputs, no splitter will ever have the maximum insertion loss in all outputs simultaneously.

Calculating Insertion Loss using Power Expressed in dBm
Insertion loss can also be easily calculated with the power expressed in units of dBm. The equation below shows the relationship between power expressed in mW and dBm:

Then, the insertion loss in dB can be calculated as follows:

Optical Return Loss (ORL)

Optical return loss (ORL) is the fraction of light that is reflected back into the input port of the component.

Coupling Ratio

Insertion loss (in dB) is the ratio of the input power to the output power from each leg of the splitter as a function of wavelength. It captures both the coupling ratio and the excess loss. The coupling ratio is calculated from the measured insertion loss. Coupling ratio (in %) is the ratio of the optical power from each output port to the sum of the total power of all output ports as a function of wavelength. It is not impacted by spectral features such as the water absorption region because all output legs are affected equally.

Uniformity

The uniformity is also calculated from the measured insertion loss. Uniformity is the variation (in dB) of the insertion loss over the bandwidth as a function of wavelength. It is a measure of how evenly the insertion loss is distributed over the spectral range. The uniformity is defined as the difference between the insertion loss in one output leg at a given wavelength and the highest or lowest value of insertion loss over the specified wavelength range in that same output leg.