APRIL 3, 2007 -- At last week's OFC/NFOEC 2007, Photon Kinetics (search for Photon Kinetics) demonstrated two new measurement systems designed specifically for characterizing specialty optical fibers.
Until now, the unique geometric and optical properties of these fibers have prevented them from being characterized by test instruments optimized for standard telecom fibers, say Photon Kinetics representatives. As a result, specialty fiber manufacturers have not been able to take advantage of the high-performance measurement technology that has enabled producers of standard fibers to significantly improve the performance of their fibers and reduce manufacturing cost. Photon Kinetics says its new systems, the 8000 OTDR (search for OTDR) and 2400-PM Fiber Geometry System, provide specialty fiber manufacturers with the state-of-the-art measurement technology they need to do both.
The 8000 Production and Laboratory OTDR, the industry-standard for production testing of conventional singlemode and multimode fibers, is now available in configurations optimized for testing large core, high NA silica fibers and also large core, low NA plastic optical fibers. Manufacturers of step index, polymer-clad silica (PCS) fibers and the new generation of graded-index plastic fibers (GI-POF) will be able to use the 8000 OTDR to obtain accurate fiber length, loss, and uniformity characterization in seconds, says the company.
The 2400-PM Fiber Geometry System provides the unique ability to measure not only conventional core and cladding dimensions of polarization maintaining fiber, but also the geometric properties of the embedded stress elements that give these fibers their polarizing properties. The 2400-PM takes advantage of many of the design features that made its predecessor, the 2400 Fiber Geometry System, the most widely used geometry measurement system in optical fiber production, ensuring dependable, high-speed, high- precision measurements, says Photon Kinetics.
"These new test systems are just two examples of our renewed focus on the unique measurement needs of specialty fiber manufacturers," reports Warren Hill, vice president of sales and marketing. "We believe that our experience in developing high-performance test systems for conventional telecom optical fibers will be invaluable in making these new products successful and serving in this increasingly important segment of the optical fiber market."
"These two products are really just samples of what we are able to accomplish," he adds. "We fully understand that there are diverse needs in the specialty fiber market, but we hope that after seeing these products, other manufacturers will be encouraged to contact us to discuss their unique measurement requirements."
Visit Photon Kinetics