Thumbnail of Polarization Maintaining (PM) Fiber Collimator photo 1

Description

LFIBER\'s polarization maintaining (PM) fiber optical collimator (450nm 460nm 630nm 632nm 650nm 780nm 850nm 980nm 1064nm 1310nm 1550nm 2000nm) is used to launch a beam of light from an optical fiber into free space and then to capture that light and refocus it into the same or another fiber. By using Panda polarization maintaining fiber (PMF), the PM fiber collimator can maintain a well-defined state of polarization (SOP) of the light signals. They meet most demands with good performance over a wide temperature range. LFIBER’s PM fiber optical collimators feature epoxy-free in the light path, low loss, high extinction ratio, high reliability qualification complying with GR-1221-Core standard.

Notes:

  • For polarization maintaining (PM) fiber collimator with connector, IL is 0.3 dB higher, RL is 5.0 dB lower, and ER
    will be 2.0 dB lower.
  • Insertion loss is measured through a PM optical collimator pair.
  • Unless otherwise specified, the slow axis of the PM fiber is aligned with the key of the connector.
  • Please specify the operating wavelength, working distance, extinction ratio requirements, housing type (package
    dimensions), fiber length, connector type, etc. in the orders. (See the ordering information section.)
  • This PM fiber collimator is customizable, and the above specifications are subject to change without notice.

Polarization Maintaining (PM) Fiber Collimator

Visit the Lfiber Optic Limited Store

Specifications

Center Wavelength: 450 nm
Bandwidth: 40 nm
Numerical Aperture: Not Specified
Effective Focal Length (EFL): Not Specified
Center Wavelength (model Dependent): 450, 460 630, 632, 650, 780, 850, 980, 1064, 1310, 1550, 2000 nm
Connector: None, FC/UPC, FC/APC ,SC/UPC, SC/APC, LC/UPC, LC/APC, Others
Extinction Ratio (model Dependent): ≥20, ≥25, ≥30, ≥35
Working Distance (model Dependent): 5, 10, 20, 50 mm, Others upon request
Fiber Type: Panda PM Fibers
Return Loss (dB): ≥55 (UPC), ≥60 (APC)
Housing Dimensions (mm): Φ3.20*L10 (metal housing, Φ1.8mm lens),Φ2.78*L9 (glass housing, Φ1.8mm lens),Φ1.80*L7 (metal housing, Φ1.0mm lens),Φ1.40*L7 (glass housing, Φ1.0mm lens)

Got questions about specs? Use the inquiry form to ask.

Document icon Download Data Sheet Download icon

Features

  • High-Performance Polarization Maintaining (PM) Design – Utilizes high-quality Panda PM fiber to maintain polarization state over long distances, ideal for precision optical systems, interferometers, and coherent communication setups.
  • Wide Wavelength Coverage – Available for key operating wavelengths including 460 nm, 630 nm, 780/830/850 nm, 980/1060/1064 nm, 1310/1550 nm, and 2000 nm, covering visible, NIR, telecom, and specialty bands for maximum application flexibility.
  • Low Insertion Loss – Optimized fiber termination and polishing deliver low insertion loss:
    • Max: 0.3–1.5 dB depending on wavelength
    • Typical: ≤0.2–1.2 dB for improved link budgets and higher system sensitivity
  • High Extinction Ratio (ER) – Stable polarization performance with:
    • Standard grade: ≥20 dB
    • Medium grade: ≥23 dB
    • High grade: ≥28 dB
    • Custom high ER: ≥30 dB available on request for demanding polarization-sensitive applications
  • Excellent Return Loss – Precision-polished connectors ensure:
    • UPC connectors: ≥50 dB return loss
    • APC connectors: ≥60 dB return loss
    This minimizes back reflection, critical for laser sources, interferometric systems, and high-speed communication links.
  • Industry-Standard Connector Options – Fully compatible with widely used connector formats for seamless integration:
    • FC/UPC, FC/APC
    • SC/UPC, SC/APC
    • LC/UPC, LC/APC
    • Custom connector types and ferrule terminations available upon request
  • Flexible Fiber Jacket and Cable Configurations – Offered in multiple constructions to suit laboratory, OEM, and field environments:
    • Ø250 μm bare fiber for compact integration
    • Ø900 μm loose tube for protection with high flexibility
    • Ø2.0 mm and Ø3.0 mm cable for robust, durable patch cords
  • Precise Key Orientation Control – Accurate polarization alignment for consistent system performance:
    • Slow axis aligned to connector key (default)
    • Fast axis alignment available on request
    • Polarization angle tolerance: ±3° (standard grade), ±1.5° (high grade)
  • Telcordia-Grade Reliability – Designed to meet relevant Telcordia specifications, ensuring long-term stability, low drift, and high reliability in telecom and industrial environments.
  • Broad Operating and Storage Temperature Range – Engineered for stable performance in varying conditions:
    • Operating temperature: -5 °C to +70 °C
    • Storage temperature: -40 °C to +85 °C
    Suitable for lab, rack-mounted, and controlled field deployments.
  • Customizable Length and Tolerances – Available in standard and custom lengths (e.g., 0.5 m, 0.8 m, 1.0 m, 1.5 m, 2.0 m, and beyond), with:
    • Length tolerance: ±0.1 m or 10% of length (whichever is larger)
    • Tighter length tolerances available for precision optical setups
  • High Stability for PM Sensing and Instrumentation – Optimized for:
    • PM fiber sensing systems
    • Polarization-sensitive measurement and test instruments
    • Quantum optics, interferometry, and coherent detection
    • Laser delivery and polarization-maintained beam delivery
  • Compatible with Laboratory and OEM Systems – Standard connector and fiber options ensure easy plug-and-play use with existing benchtop instruments, fiber optic modules, and telecom-grade equipment.
  • Low PDL and Stable Polarization State – Carefully controlled manufacturing and alignment processes provide low polarization dependent loss (PDL) and stable polarization across temperature and mechanical perturbations, which is critical for precision PM applications.
  • OEM and Special Build Options – Tailored solutions for system integrators and researchers:
    • Custom wavelengths and fiber types (other PM fibers on request)
    • Non-standard connector combinations (e.g., FC–LC, SC–LC, mixed APC/UPC)
    • Special jackets, colors, labeling, and fan-out assemblies
    • Enhanced extinction ratios ≥30

Applications

  • Polarization‑sensitive fiber optic sensing systems – Ideal for PM fiber sensing architectures that rely on stable polarization states, including interferometric fiber sensors, distributed fiber sensors, and coherent optical sensing setups.
  • Quantum optics and quantum communication experiments – Used to deliver well‑defined polarization states in quantum key distribution (QKD), entangled photon experiments, and single‑photon counting setups where high extinction ratio and low loss are critical.
  • Coherent communication testbeds – Suitable for coherent transmission systems, coherent detection schemes, and advanced modulation format experiments that demand precise polarization control and repeatable alignment.
  • Polarization‑maintaining interferometers – Enables stable operation of Mach‑Zehnder, Michelson, Sagnac, and other interferometric configurations used in metrology, fiber gyroscopes, and phase‑sensitive measurements.
  • Fiber optic gyroscopes (FOG) – Provides high stability, low insertion loss, and controlled polarization alignment necessary for high‑performance navigation‑grade gyroscopes and rotation sensing systems.
  • Optical coherence tomography (OCT) and biomedical imaging – Supports polarization‑sensitive OCT (PS‑OCT) and other imaging techniques requiring well‑defined polarization for tissue characterization and contrast enhancement.
  • Polarization‑sensitive test and measurement instruments – Used with optical spectrum analyzers, polarization analyzers, PM optical time‑domain reflectometers (OTDR), and vector network analyzers for accurate device characterization.
  • Laser delivery for PM fiber lasers and amplifiers – Ensures stable coupling and polarization preservation between seed lasers, PM fiber amplifiers, and downstream components in high‑power or narrow‑linewidth laser systems.
  • Integration with PM fiber couplers and splitters – Connects to PM couplers, PM WDMs, and PM taps to build robust polarization‑maintaining subsystems in research and industrial optical networks.
  • Polarization‑controlled pump delivery – Delivers pump light with controlled polarization into EDFAs, Raman amplifiers, and other fiber‑based gain media where polarization affects gain and noise performance.
  • Fiber‑based polarization controllers and scramblers – Serves as the interconnect in polarization control loops, polarization trackers, and scramblers used in R&D and system prototyping.
  • Metrology and precision optical alignment – Used in laboratories and calibration facilities where repeatable polarization alignment, high extinction ratio, and low drift are essential for reference measurements.
  • Telecom and datacom evaluation setups – Suitable for 1310 nm, 1550 nm, and 2000 nm PM links in R&D labs, system verification benches, and qualification of polarization‑sensitive telecom devices.
  • Nonlinear fiber optics experiments – Maintains defined polarization through highly nonlinear fibers, photonic crystal fibers, and specialty PM fibers used for supercontinuum generation and wavelength conversion.
  • Spectroscopy and microscopy requiring fixed polarization – Delivers stable polarization states in Raman spectroscopy, Brillouin spectroscopy, and polarization‑resolved microscopy.
  • Integrated photonics and chip‑to‑fiber coupling – Interfaces polarization‑sensitive photonic integrated circuits (PICs) with external equipment, ensuring consistent polarization at the chip facets.
  • R&D on PANDA and specialty PM fibers – Ideal for characterizing new PM fibers, testing different axis orientations (slow or fast axis aligned), and validating custom fiber designs.
  • Environmental and structural health monitoring – Applied in polarization‑based sensing networks deployed in civil infrastructure, aerospace, and energy systems where long‑term stability is important.
  • Educational and training laboratories – Used in university and training labs to demonstrate polarization‑maintaining behavior, extinction ratio measurements, and alignment techniques on PM fibers.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the purpose of LFIBER's polarization maintaining (PM) fiber optical collimator?
The PM fiber collimator is used to launch a beam of light from an optical fiber into free space and then to capture and refocus it into the same or another fiber.
What is the advantage of using Panda polarization maintaining fiber (PMF) in the PM fiber collimator?
By using Panda PMF, the collimator can maintain a well-defined state of polarization (SOP) of the light signals.
What are the key features of LFIBER's PM fiber optical collimators?
The key features include low insertion loss, high extinction ratio (ER), high return loss, and compliance with the GR-1221-Core standard.
What are the applications of the PM fiber collimator?
The collimator is used for fiber-optic collimation and focusing, as well as in optical communications systems and other PM fiber optical applications.
Are there any specifications or requirements that need to be specified when ordering the PM fiber collimator?
Yes, customers need to specify the operating wavelength, working distance, extinction ratio requirements, housing type (package dimensions), fiber length, and connector type, among other details.

Got more questions? Use the inquiry form to ask the supplier directly.

Similar Products

Request Quote