Fiber Optomechanics
- Beam Splitters and Combiners
- Collimators
- Fiber Adapters
- Fiber Bragg Grating
- Fiber Optic Couplers
- Fiber Mirrors
- Fiber Optic Attenuators
- Fiber Patch Cords
- Fiber Probes
- Power Shutter and Safety Interlock
- Fiber Tunable Filters
- Fiber Optic Gyroscopes
- Transmitters and Receivers
- Fiber Alignment Structures
- Fiber Coils
No parameters available.
Collimators
Frequently Asked Questions
A fiber collimator contains an objective lens that can focus the beam to a small spot or expand it. When the source is placed at the focal point of the lens, the lens will increase the diameter of the beam and the rays will come out parallel. On the other hand, if the incoming beam is already collimated, then the lens will focus it at the focal point.
Numerical aperture is a parameter related to the acceptance angle of a lens or a fiber. This angle is defined as the largest angle a lens, or a fiber can collect. This means that rays coming in at an angle larger than this angle will be clipped and will not couple into the fiber or be imaged by a lens. Numerical aperture is an important parameter in fiber collimators as it indicates how much a beam can be expanded and how much light gets collected.
Fiber collimators are generally comprised of an objective lens fused together with an optical fiber near its facet. Typically, this lens is a few millimeters in diameter or less. The fusion of the lens and the fiber eliminates air gaps and does not require the gluing using epoxies which makes it ideal for handling high power beams.
Divergence is a measure of how fast the diameter of a circular beam or ray of fans increases as we move out of the system. For Gaussian beam such as lasers, it is an angle defined as a function of wavelength and beam waist. Ideally, a perfectly collimated source would have a 0-divergence angle. However, even the best-collimated sources such as lasers still have some degree of divergence on the order of a few milliradians.
In addition to collimating rays of light, collimators can also serve as a positive lens that focuses the light emitted by a laser to a smaller spot that can be coupled into an optical fiber. Collimators can also realize coupling between 2 fibers and they provide control over the diameter of the beam. Using a collimator, one can make a beam expand a beam or focus it tightly.
Fiber collimators are often used as couplers that couple laser light into small optical fibers. They are widely for illumination by expanding the output beam of the fiber or for testing and inspection.
Fiber Optic Collimators: Precision Beam Control for Fiber-Coupled Systems
Fiber optic collimators are key components in photonics systems that transform the divergent light emerging from an optical fiber into a parallel (collimated) beam. These versatile devices are widely used in fiber optic communications, laser systems, spectroscopy, and sensing applications. On FindLight, you can explore a broad selection of high-precision fiber collimators designed for single-mode, multi-mode, and polarization-maintaining fibers, from trusted global suppliers.
What Are Fiber Optic Collimators?
A fiber collimator typically consists of a fiber connector aligned to a precision lens—often an aspheric or GRIN (graded-index) lens—housed within a rigid metal barrel. The lens focuses the diverging light emitted from the fiber core into a parallel beam, allowing for efficient free-space propagation, optical coupling, or interaction with other components.
Collimators are crucial when integrating fiber optics with bulk optics, such as mirrors, beam splitters, or interferometers. They’re also essential in minimizing signal loss and preserving beam quality in systems requiring free-space transmission over short distances.
Key Features and Benefits
-
Highly Collimated Output: Delivers parallel light beams with minimal divergence, essential for accurate optical alignment.
-
Low Insertion and Return Loss: Designed for optimal optical performance, ensuring efficient light coupling and minimal signal reflection.
-
Multiple Wavelength Options: Available for telecom wavelengths (1310 nm, 1550 nm), visible light, and even mid-IR applications.
-
Customizable Design: Offered in various lens types, working distances, beam diameters, and connector formats (FC, SC, LC, SMA, and more).
-
Robust Construction: Housed in precision-machined barrels for long-term reliability in laboratory and industrial settings.
Common Applications
Fiber optic collimators are used in a wide variety of optical systems, including:
-
Fiber-to-free-space coupling
-
Laser beam delivery systems
-
Wavelength division multiplexing (WDM)
-
Fiber optic sensing
-
Optical alignment and testing
-
Interferometry and spectroscopy
They are often employed as input/output ports for circulators, isolators, and other bulk optic devices requiring high alignment precision.
How to Choose the Right Collimator
Selecting the right fiber collimator depends on:
-
Wavelength Range: Ensure the lens and coating are optimized for your operating wavelength.
-
Beam Diameter: Choose a size based on how tightly or broadly you need to collimate the beam.
-
Working Distance: The optimal distance over which the beam remains collimated.
-
Connector Type: Match with your existing fiber connector (e.g., FC/APC for low back-reflection).
-
Fiber Type: Available for single-mode, multi-mode, and PM fiber configurations.
At FindLight, you can filter by these specifications to quickly identify the most suitable product.
Shop High-Performance Fiber Collimators on FindLight
FindLight connects you with manufacturers offering premium fiber optic collimators for any application—from telecom networks to high-end optical labs. With detailed product listings, downloadable datasheets, and direct RFQ options, finding the right component has never been easier.
Did You know?