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Description

The high-power high-isolation isolator (1064nm, 1030nm, 980nm, 915nm, 850nm, 808nm, 780nm) is a polarization-independent fiber component that allows all polarized light (not just the light polarized in a specific direction) to propagate in one direction but blocks it in the opposite direction. In many applications, we are unable to control the polarization of input light. In cases like this a polarization-independent optical fiber isolator (1064/1030/980/915nm/850/808/780 nm) is needed. It is a key component to protect lasers, amplifiers and ASE sources from spurious back-reflected light that produces instabilities.

Notes:

  • The high-power high-isolation isolator (1064nm, 1030nm, 980nm, 915nm, 850nm, 808nm, 780nm; polarization-independent) is customizable, and the above specifications are subject to change without notice.
  • For CW high-power optical interconnection, we recommend fusion splice without connectors.
  • For device with connectors, IL is 0.3dB higher, RL is 5.0dB lower.
  • Bare fiber should not support the weight of the connector. So that if any connectors needed, for the pigtail type it’s better to choose the 900μm loose tube jacket instead of the 250μm bare fiber.
  • For product customization or special requirements, please contact Lfiber’s sales department for availability.

High-Power High-Isolation Isolator

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Specifications

Type Of The Device: Isolator
Operating Wavelength: 780 nm
Max Power: 10 W
Min Isolation: 55 dB
Product Type: High-Power Dual-Stage Isolator
Polarization: Polarization-independent
Center Wavelengths: 1064 nm, 1030 nm, 980 nm, 915 nm, 850 nm, 808 nm, 780 nm
Operating Wavelength Range: ±5 nm
Typical Peak Isolation At 23℃: 65 dB
Minimum Isolation At 23℃: 55 dB
Typical Insertion Loss At 23℃: 0.8 dB
Maximum Insertion Loss At 23℃: 1.2 dB
Maximum Polarization Dependent Loss At 23℃: 0.2 dB
Minimum Return Loss (Input/Output): 45 dB
Maximum Average Optical Power (generic Spec): 20 W
Maximum Peak Power For Ns Pulse: 10 kW
Maximum Tensile Load: 5 N
Package Dimension: 150 x 28 x 26 mm
Operating Temperature: +10 to +50 ℃
Storage Temperature: 0 to +60 ℃
Fiber Types (examples): HI1060, SMF-28e
Pigtail Types: 250 μm bare fiber, 900 μm loose tube
Typical Fiber Length Options: 0.5 m, 0.8 m, 1.0 m
Connector Types: None, FC/UPC, FC/APC, SC/UPC, SC/APC, LC/UPC, LC/APC
Average Power (ordering Example, None Connector): 500 mW
Average Power (ordering Example, FC/UPC): 1 W
Average Power (ordering Example, FC/APC): 2 W
Average Power (ordering Example, SC/APC): 5 W
Average Power (ordering Example, LC/UPC): 10 W
Average Power (ordering Example, LC/APC): 20 W
Peak Power (ordering Examples): 10 kW, 20 kW

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Features

  • High-Power Dual-Stage Design – Dual-stage optical isolator structure delivers typical 65 dB isolation (≥55 dB min at 23°C), effectively blocking back-reflected light and protecting high‑power fiber laser systems and amplifiers.
  • Wide Wavelength Coverage – Optimized for multiple popular wavelengths in industrial, medical, and research lasers: 1064 nm, 1030 nm, 980 nm, 915 nm, 850 nm, 808 nm, and 780 nm, all in a single product family.
  • Polarization-Independent Operation – Polarization independent design with low PDL (≤0.2 dB typical at 23°C) ensures stable performance with randomly polarized or uncontrolled polarization states in fiber lasers and test setups.
  • Low Insertion Loss – Engineered for high system efficiency with typical insertion loss of 0.8 dB and ≤1.2 dB maximum at 23°C; ideal for power-sensitive fiber laser and amplifier applications.
  • High Power Handling Capability – Supports up to 20 W average optical power and up to 10 kW peak power for nanosecond pulses, suitable for modern high‑brightness CW and pulsed fiber lasers.
  • Excellent Return Loss – High return loss ≥45 dB (input/output) minimizes back‑reflections into the source, enhancing stability, beam quality, and protecting upstream components.
  • High Reliability & Stability – Robust construction and carefully selected materials provide high reliability under demanding operating conditions, with stable isolation and loss over temperature and power.
  • Optimized for Fiber Lasers and Amplifiers – Specifically designed for use in fiber lasers, MOPA fiber lasers, polarization maintaining fiber amplifiers, and precision testing instruments, where back‑reflection control is critical.
  • Compact Package – Space‑saving package with typical dimensions of 150 × 28 × 26 mm enables easy integration into OEM laser heads, optical modules, and lab systems.
  • Flexible Fiber and Pigtail Options – Available with common fiber types such as HI1060 and SMF‑28e, in multiple pigtail configurations (250 μm bare fiber or 900 μm loose tube) with standard lengths (0.5 m, 0.8 m, 1.0 m or specified).
  • Multiple Connector Configurations – Supports a full set of connector options for easy system integration, including FC/UPC, FC/APC, SC/UPC, SC/APC, LC/UPC, LC/APC, or connector‑less fusion‑splice ready ends to minimize insertion loss and maximize power handling.
  • CW and Pulsed Operation – Suitable for both continuous‑wave (CW) and nanosecond pulsed applications, providing stable isolation for high‑peak‑power laser machining, marking, and materials processing systems.
  • Broad Operating Temperature Range – Reliable performance over an operating temperature range of +10°C to +50°C and storage temperature range of 0°C to +60°C, matching typical laboratory and industrial environments.
  • Enhanced Performance with Fusion Splicing – Recommended fusion splicing for CW high‑power interconnects to minimize reflection and thermal effects; note that connectors add ~0.3 dB insertion loss and reduce return loss by ~5 dB.
  • Mechanical Robustness – Designed for maximum tensile load of 5 N on fiber pigtails, with guidelines to avoid loading on bare fiber and to use 900 μm loose tube when connectors are required.
  • Customizable Configurations – Highly customizable to match OEM and system‑level requirements: wavelength, fiber type, connector type, pigtail length, package style, and power rating can be specified on request.
  • Ideal for Industrial and Scientific Systems – Well suited for industrial fiber laser machining, medical laser sources, lab research setups, metrology, and precision test and measurement where high isolation and low loss are essential.
  • Consistent Performance Across Bands – Designed to provide uniform isolation, low insertion loss, and low PDL across the supported wavelengths, simplifying system design for product families covering multiple bands.
  • OEM and Volume Production Ready – Manufactured with tight process control to support consistent performance from unit to unit, making it suitable for volume deployment in commercial laser platforms.

Applications

Applications of High-Power Dual-Stage Fiber Optic Isolator
1064nm, 1030nm, 980nm, 915nm, 850nm, 808nm, 780nm; Polarization-Independent

The high-power dual-stage isolator from Lfiber is designed for demanding optical systems that require high isolation, low insertion loss, and excellent power handling across key industrial and scientific wavelengths. Typical applications, based on common use cases of similar products in the fiber optics industry and listings on platforms such as FindLight, include:

  • High-Power Fiber Laser Systems (CW and Pulsed)
    Used as a critical protection component in:
    • Industrial fiber lasers for cutting, welding, drilling, marking, and micromachining
    • 1030 nm and 1064 nm Yb-doped fiber lasers for precision material processing
    • 980 nm and 915 nm pump laser chains for high-power fiber amplifiers
    • 808 nm and 850 nm diode-pumped solid-state (DPSS) laser front-ends
    The dual-stage structure and high isolation (typ. 65 dB) efficiently suppress back-reflections that can destabilize or damage the laser source.
  • Pre-Amplifier and Power Amplifier Protection (MOPA)
    Integrated in:
    • MOPA fiber laser architectures to isolate seed lasers from power amplifier back-reflections
    • Ytterbium-doped power amplifiers around 1030 nm and 1064 nm
    • High-gain pre-amplifier stages that are sensitive to feedback and ASE buildup
    The polarization-independent design and low insertion loss make it ideal for multi-stage amplifier chains.
  • Polarization-Independent Fiber Amplifiers
    Suitable for:
    • Polarization-independent EDFA and YDFA stages in free-space and fiber-coupled systems
    • High-power amplification systems where input polarization is not well controlled
    • Optical amplifier modules used in research laboratories and OEM integration
    Low PDL (≤0.2 dB) ensures stable operation with random or varying input polarization states.
  • Optical Test and Measurement Instruments
    Installed in:
    • High-power optical test benches in R&D and production environments
    • Spectrum analyzers, optical power meters, and diagnostic setups requiring back-reflection control
    • Burn-in and life-test stations for laser diodes and fiber laser modules
    The isolator improves measurement accuracy and protects sensitive sources and detectors from reflected power.
  • Nonlinear Optics and Ultrafast Photonics
    Widely used in:
    • Nonlinear fiber optics experiments (supercontinuum generation, SRS, FWM)
    • Pulsed and nanosecond laser systems up to 10 kW peak power for 1064 nm, 1030 nm, and nearby bands
    • Mode-locked laser cavities where stable unidirectional operation and feedback suppression are required
    High peak power capability and robust isolation help maintain stable nonlinear interaction conditions.
  • Medical and Biomedical Laser Systems
    Applicable for:
    • Medical laser platforms based on 808 nm, 850 nm, 915 nm, 980 nm, or 1064 nm
    • Therapeutic and diagnostic systems requiring stable, feedback-free fiber delivery
    • Ophthalmic, dermatologic, and surgical fiber-coupled laser instruments
    The compact package (150 x 28 x 26 mm) supports integration into medical laser consoles and OEM modules.
  • Optical Sensing and LIDAR Subsystems
    Utilized in:
    • Fiber-based LIDAR transmit paths around 780 nm, 808 nm, 850 nm, 915 nm, and 1064 nm
    • Distributed fiber sensing (DTS, DAS, BOTDA/BOTDR) where backscattering and reflections can disturb the source laser
    • Long-reach fiber sensing systems where source protection and signal integrity are critical
    The isolator stabilizes the laser source and improves signal-to-noise ratio in demanding environments.
  • Telecom, Datacom, and Short-Reach Links (Special Wavelengths)
    Deployed in:
    • Specialty links and short-reach interconnects at 850 nm and 980 nm (VCSEL and MMF/SMF systems)
    • Lab setups for next-generation optical communication research using non-standard bands
    • Prototype modules where robust isolation is required despite varying polarization and reflections
    High return loss (≥45 dB) and low insertion loss support clean signal transmission in lab and field environments.
  • OEM Laser Modules and Integrated Photonic Subsystems
    Ideal for:
    • Integration inside OEM fiber laser heads, amplifier modules, and pump combiners
    • Custom optical engine designs where compact, high-reliability isolation is required
    • Ruggedized systems for industrial, field-deployed, or defense-related photonics

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a high-power dual-stage fiber optic isolator and what does polarization-independent mean?
A high-power dual-stage fiber optic isolator is a passive optical component that allows light to pass in one direction while strongly blocking reflected or back-propagating light. The “dual-stage” design uses two isolation stages in series to achieve much higher isolation than single-stage isolators, which is critical in high-power laser systems to protect laser diodes, fiber lasers, and amplifiers from damaging feedback. “Polarization-independent” means its performance (isolation and insertion loss) is nearly the same for any input polarization state. This makes it suitable for systems using standard single-mode fibers and unpolarized or randomly polarized sources, unlike polarization-maintaining (PM) isolators that require a specific polarization alignment.
For which wavelengths and applications is this dual-stage isolator typically used?
This dual-stage isolator is available for several near‑infrared wavelengths: 1064 nm, 1030 nm, 980 nm, 915 nm, 850 nm, 808 nm, and 780 nm, each with an operating range of ±5 nm. These cover key lines used in Yb‑doped fiber lasers and MOPA fiber lasers (1030/1064 nm), fiber amplifiers and EDF pumping (980 nm), high‑power diode and fiber‑coupled pump lasers (915 nm, 808 nm), and short‑wavelength sources and test instruments (850 nm, 780 nm). Typical applications include: protection of CW and pulsed fiber lasers, MOPA fiber lasers, and polarization‑maintaining fiber amplifiers from back‑reflections; integration in high‑power optical interconnects in research labs; and use in test and measurement setups where stable isolation and low insertion loss are required.
What are the key performance specifications of this high-power dual-stage isolator?
Key optical and power handling specifications are: - Center wavelengths: 1064, 1030, 980, 915, 850, 808, 780 nm (±5 nm range) - Typical peak isolation at 23 °C: 65 dB - Minimum isolation at 23 °C: 55 dB - Typical insertion loss at 23 °C: 0.8 dB - Maximum insertion loss at 23 °C: 1.2 dB - Maximum polarization dependent loss (PDL): 0.2 dB - Minimum return loss (input/output): 45 dB - Maximum average optical power (standard spec): 20 W - Maximum peak power for ns pulses: 10 kW - Operating temperature: +10 to +50 °C - Storage temperature: 0 to +60 °C These figures are in line with other high-power dual‑stage isolators on the market and make the device suitable for demanding fiber laser and amplifier systems.
How much power can this dual-stage isolator handle in CW and pulsed operation?
The standard high‑power dual‑stage isolator is designed for up to 20 W average optical power and up to 10 kW peak power for nanosecond pulses, which matches typical high‑power diode‑pumped and fiber laser systems in the 780–1064 nm range. The ordering example in the datasheet also shows typical power configurations such as 500 mW, 1 W, 2 W, 5 W, 10 W, and 20 W average power options depending on wavelength, connectorization, and fiber type. For operation close to or above 20 W average power, or for very high peak powers (e.g., sub‑nanosecond pulses, very high repetition rates), it is recommended to contact Lfiber to confirm a suitable custom configuration and ensure that fiber type, connector type, and thermal management are appropriate.
What fiber types, pigtail options, and connectors are available for this isolator?
The dual-stage isolator can be supplied with different fiber types and pigtail options to match your system: - Typical fiber types: HI1060, SMF‑28e, and other single‑mode fibers as specified for the chosen wavelength - Pigtail jacket: 250 µm bare fiber or 900 µm loose‑tube jacket - Standard pigtail lengths: 0.5 m, 0.8 m, 1.0 m (custom lengths are available) - Common connector options: FC/UPC, FC/APC, SC/UPC, SC/APC, LC/UPC, LC/APC; others available on request Lfiber strongly recommends 900 µm loose‑tube pigtails rather than bare 250 µm fiber if connectors are used, because bare fiber should not support the weight or mechanical stress of a connector. For high‑power CW use, fusion splicing to your system fiber (no connectors) is recommended to minimize insertion loss and avoid connector damage.
How do connectors affect insertion loss and return loss on this dual-stage isolator?
When connectors are added to the pigtails, the optical performance changes compared with bare‑fiber, fusion‑splice configurations. According to the datasheet, adding connectors increases the insertion loss (IL) by approximately 0.3 dB and decreases the return loss (RL) by about 5 dB. For example, if the bare‑fiber version has a typical IL of 0.8 dB and minimum RL of 45 dB, the connectorized version may exhibit around 1.1 dB IL and ~40 dB RL. This is consistent with behavior of other high‑power fiber isolators on the market. For applications that are highly sensitive to loss or back‑reflection, or that operate at high average power, fusion splicing is preferred over using connectors.
Is this dual-stage isolator customizable and how should it be integrated into a high-power fiber laser system?
The product is customizable in several aspects: center wavelength (within the supported range), fiber type (e.g., HI1060 vs. SMF‑28e), pigtail length and jacket (250 µm bare vs. 900 µm loose tube), connector type, and power rating. The manufacturer explicitly notes that specifications may change and encourages contacting their sales team for special requirements. For integration into a high‑power fiber laser or MOPA system, typical best practices include: placing the isolator close to the laser or amplifier output to suppress feedback; ensuring the correct propagation direction (input and output ports are clearly marked); fusion splicing the pigtails rather than using connectors for high‑power CW; managing fiber routing to avoid tight bends and mechanical stress, especially near the package; and operating within the stated temperature and power limits. For unusual pulse formats or very high‑power operation, users should consult Lfiber to verify suitability and possible custom designs.

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