December 22, 2008
Advanced Large Diameter
Fiber Fusion Splicer S183PMII
Furukawa Electric has developed a new fusion splicer. The S183PMII. This was launched in November 2008. The S183PMII can splice large diameter optical fibers up to 500 μm in cladding diameter, in addition to its capability of polarization maintaining fiber(Note 2) splicing and high-strength splicing.(Note 3)
To realize the S183PMII, we have thoroughly improved the S183PM splicer, a highly functional high-performance high-end machine based on the feedback from the R&D and manufacturing fields for optical components and devices. Thus the S183PMII has achieved, without changing the price, expansion of applicable fiber diameter by 2.5 times from 200 μm to 500 μm, in addition to performance upgrading in polarization maintaining fiber splicing and high-strength splicing.
This product is best suited for splicing of various optical fiber applications including fiber lasers.
Developmental Background
As the demand for large diameter optical fibers(Note 4) increases in the optical application fields other than communication fields, such as those for high power lasers and fiber sensors, there is a growing need for fusion splicers for large diameter fibers.
Hence Furukawa Electric has thoroughly improved the high-end splicer S183PM aimed at the R&D and manufacturing fields of optical components and devices. Key points in the improvement are:
- Expansion of applicable fiber diameters by incorporating a high-power discharge power supply.
- Shortening of fusion splicing time by increasing the system speed.
We already released the S177LDF in this May, a fusion splicer specially designed for large diameter fibers in the range of 125~400 μm. But the product lineup expansion here enables offering of diversified products to suit customers' application and budget.
Product Features
- Applicable Fiber
A wider range of fiber diameters can be covered from 80 μm to 500 μm, while that for the S183PM is from 80 μm to 200 μm. Splicing of polarization maintaining fibers is possible together with high-strength splicing where splicing is done based on cladding but not coming into contact thereon, let alone splicing of erbium-doped fibers and high Δ fibers. - RoHS Compliant
- High-Speed Splicing
The splicing is automatic and the time is fast at 15 sec. (20 sec. with S183PM) for single mode fibers, and 35 sec. (42 sec. with S183PM) for polarization maintaining fibers (PANDAs). - Twist Prevention Design
By means of its twist prevention design such that an optical fiber passes the center of the polarization plane rotation mechanism, the twisting of optical fiber during the alignment process of polarization plane is minimized while keeping the fiber straight and stable. This contributes to productivity improvement and reliability enhancement of equipment during optical devices manufacturing. - Automatic Setup
The S183PMII automatically adjusts for different setup conditions simply by selecting fiber’s coating diameter, cladding diameter and cutting length(Note 5) on the display, so that there is no need to exchange fiber clamps or V grooves.(Note 6) - Simple Operation
In addition to the simple fiber loading, there is no need for troublesome manual operations after splicing of polarization maintaining fibers as well. Spliced fibers can be easily taken out as they stand. - Intuitive Feeling of Operation
A graphical user interface (GUI) has been incorporated, just like conventional splicers, achieving mobile phone-like operability with its simple function keys and icons. - Large Easily-Viewable User-Friendly Monitor
A 6.5-in (5 in with S183PM) high-resolution LCD monitor has been incorporated. The location of the monitor can be switched either to the front of the equipment or to the rear, depending on the operational environment.
Main Specifications
| Item | Specifications |
|---|---|
| Applicable fiber | Single silica fiber |
| Applicable cladding diameter | 80 ~ 500 μm |
| Typical insertion loss | 0.02 dB (Furukawa 125 μm SM fiber) |
| Typical extinction ratio | 40 dB (PANDA fiber) |
| Splice time | 15 sec. (Furukawa 125 μm SM fiber) 35 sec. (PANDA fiber / Glass clamp) 55 sec. (PANDA fiber / Sheath clamp) |
| Typical heating time | 40 sec. (40-mm sleeve) / 51 sec. (60-mm sleeve) |
| Tensile strength | 300 kpsi (25 N) with high-strength splicing |
| Monitor | 6.5-in high-resolution LCD monitor |
| User interface | GUI |
| Mass / Dimensions | 8.5 kg / 350W x 197D x 154H (excluding protrusions) |
| Power source | AC 100~240 V, 50/60 Hz |
Glossary
(Note 1) Fusion splicing:
An optical fiber splicing technique in which fiber ends are fused together. The core and cladding of the optical fiber are aligned before splicing. In case of polarization maintaining fiber, the θ alignment, i.e., rotational alignment around the optical fiber axis is necessary to align the polarization planes of the fibers to be spliced.Back to Main Content
(Note 2)Polarization maintaining fiber:
In ordinary single-mode fibers, the polarization plane of propagating light randomly fluctuates as it travels along the fiber. In contrast, in polarization maintaining fibers this fluctuation is suppressed, so that the light travels with a constant plane of polarization. They come in several types such as PANDA and BOW-TIE, depending on their inner structure.Back to Main Content
(Note 3)High-strength splicing:
A splicing method of optical fibers, in which, without directly touching the fiber cladding, the fiber coating portion is fixed to effect positioning and alignment for splicing. By using special methods for removing the coating, as well as for cleaning and cutting, tensile strength after splicing can be increased, thereby enhancing the reliability of the splicing.Back to Main Content
(Note 4)Large diameter fiber (LDF):
An optical fiber having a diameter larger than that of communication-use optical fibers (125 μm). There is a growing need in the fields of high-power lasers and fiber sensors. Some of them exceed 1,000 μm in diameter, but those of around 400 μm constitute the mainstream.Back to Main Content
(Note 5)Cutting length:
The length of an optical fiber end where its coating is removed for splicing. Different cutting lengths are used for ordinary splicing and high-strength splicing.Back to Main Content
(Note 6)Fiber clamp and V groove:
These parts are used for fixing the optical fiber ends on to an alignment mechanism. The cladding of an optical fiber is fixed for ordinary splicing, while the coating is fixed for high-strength splicing. The S183PMII is designed to enable either method of fixing.Back to Main Content