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Description

The High Power PM Isolator (1310nm / 1550nm) from Lfiber is a premium optical component designed to suppress unwanted back reflections and feedback in high-power fiber optic systems. Built for robustness and precision, this isolator ensures stable optical signal transmission in demanding applications such as PM fiber lasers, amplifiers, and high-precision sensor systems. Available in both single-stage and dual-stage designs, it delivers excellent performance with low insertion loss (as low as 0.4 dB) and high isolation (up to 58 dB).

The device supports both “slow axis working & fast axis blocked” or “both axis working” configurations and is equipped with Polarization Maintaining (PM) Panda fiber for maximum signal fidelity. Engineered for power handling up to 20W CW and peak powers up to 20 kW, it is well-suited for cutting-edge communication systems and testing environments. The isolator is offered with customizable pigtails, connector types, and package formats to meet specific integration needs.

Backed by Lfiber’s commitment to quality and innovation, this isolator combines high extinction ratio, excellent return loss, and superior reliability for mission-critical photonics applications.

High Power PM Optical Isolator

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Specifications

Type Of The Device: Isolator
Operating Wavelength: 1310 nm
Max Power: 20 W
Min Isolation: 28 dB
Stage: Single-stage, Dual-stage
Peak Power: 10kW, 20kW
Center Wavelength (nm): 1310 or 1550
Operating Wavelength Range: ±20 nm
Extinction Ratio At 23℃ (only For Both Axis Working) (dB): ≥20
Typical Insertion Loss @23°C: 0.4 dB
Maximum Insertion Loss @23°C: 0.55 dB
Extinction Ratio At 23℃ (only For Fast Axis Blocked) (dB): ≥25
Fiber Type: Panda Polarization-maintaining (PM) fiber
Return Loss: ≥50 dB
Connector: None, FC/UPC, FC/APC, SC/UPC, SC/APC, LC/UPC, LC/APC, Others
Max. Tensile Load: 5 N
Handling Power: 10W, 20W
Fiber Type: PM Panda Fiber
Operating Temperature: -5 to +70 °C
Storage Temperature: -40 to +85 °C
Power Handling (CW): Up to 10W
Peak Power Handling: Up to 10 kW
Typical Package Size: Φ5.5×35 mm
Pigtail Type: 250μm bare / 900μm loose
Connector Options: None / FC/UPC / SC/APC

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Features

  • High Power PM Isolator for 1310 nm & 1550 nm – Optimized for the most widely used telecom, sensing, and fiber laser wavelengths, this high power polarization maintaining (PM) isolator delivers reliable one‑way transmission at 1310 nm or 1550 nm for demanding CW and pulsed applications.
  • Up to 20 W Continuous Optical Power Handling – Engineered for robust operation in high power fiber laser and amplifier systems, with maximum CW optical power handling up to 10 W or 20 W (depending on configuration) and peak power ratings up to 10 kW / 20 kW for pulsed operation.
  • Polarization Maintaining Panda Fiber Design – Uses high‑quality PM Panda fiber to preserve polarization state over long runs, minimize polarization drift, and ensure stable performance in PM fiber lasers, coherent communication links, and precision PM sensing systems.
  • Single‑Stage and Dual‑Stage Isolation Options – Available in single‑stage and dual‑stage versions to meet different isolation and insertion loss trade‑offs, ensuring optimal performance for both low‑noise lab setups and high‑performance industrial fiber laser architectures.
  • Exceptional Isolation Performance – Provides typical peak isolation of ~42 dB (single‑stage) and ~58 dB (dual‑stage) at 23 °C, with guaranteed minimum isolation of 28 dB and 48 dB respectively, effectively suppressing back‑reflections and feedback that can destabilize or damage laser sources.
  • Low Insertion Loss for Higher System Efficiency – Typical insertion loss of 0.4 dB (single‑stage) and 0.5 dB (dual‑stage), with maximum values of just 0.55 dB and 0.65 dB at 23 °C, minimizing power loss and improving overall system efficiency in long‑haul links and high power laser setups.
  • High Extinction Ratio for Polarization‑Sensitive Systems – Delivers a high extinction ratio ≥20 dB when both axes are working and ≥25 dB when the fast axis is blocked, providing excellent polarization discrimination for PM fiber lasers, coherent receivers, interferometric sensors, and other polarization‑critical applications.
  • High Return Loss for Reduced Back‑Reflection – Return loss ≥50 dB significantly reduces unwanted reflections into the source, enhancing stability and reliability in narrow‑linewidth lasers, high power oscillators, and sensitive test and measurement equipment.
  • Configurable Axis Alignment Modes – Supports multiple operating modes including “slow axis working and fast axis blocked,” “fast axis working and slow axis blocked,” and “both axes working,” allowing you to match the isolator to your specific PM system design and polarization handling strategy.
  • Wide Operating Wavelength Range (±20 nm) – Each device is centered at 1310 nm or 1550 nm with a ±20 nm operating range, providing flexibility to work with slightly detuned or tunable laser sources while maintaining high isolation and low insertion loss.
  • Wide Operating & Storage Temperature Ranges – Designed for field and lab environments with an operating temperature range of -5 to +70 °C and storage from -40 to +85 °C, ensuring stable performance in telecom racks, industrial systems, and outdoor or uncontrolled environments.
  • Multiple Package Dimensions for Easy Integration – Compact cylindrical package (e.g., Φ5.5 x 35 mm) and rectangular package options (e.g., 70 x 12 x 8 mm) support flexible mechanical integration into fiber laser cavities, optical modules, test instruments, and OEM subsystems.
  • Flexible Pigtail and Fiber Jacket Options – Available with 250 µm bare fiber or 900 µm loose tube pigtails in standard lengths (0.5 m, 0.8 m, 1.0 m, 1.5 m) and custom lengths on request. For connectorized versions, a 900 µm jacket is recommended to protect the fiber and relieve stress.
  • Connector and Bare‑Fiber Configurations – Offered with bare fiber ends for low‑loss fusion splicing in CW high power systems, or with industry‑standard connectors such as FC/UPC, FC/APC, SC/UPC, SC/APC, LC/UPC, LC/APC, and others. Note: with connectors, IL increases by ~0.3 dB, RL decreases by ~5 dB, and ER decreases by ~2 dB.
  • Optimized for High Power PM Fiber Laser Systems – Ideal for protecting pump lasers, seed lasers, and amplifiers in PM fiber lasers at 1310 nm and 1550 nm by blocking harmful back‑reflections, improving output stability, and preventing feedback‑induced noise and damage.
  • Reliable Performance in PM Fiber Sensors & Instruments – Suited for PM fiber sensors, interferometers, gyroscopes, and high‑end test instruments, where stable polarization and high isolation are essential for measurement repeatability and low noise floors.

Applications

  • High Power PM Fiber Lasers at 1310 nm and 1550 nm
    Ideal for use as a back‑reflection protection component in high power polarization maintaining (PM) fiber laser systems operating around 1310 nm and 1550 nm. The isolator’s low insertion loss, high isolation, and high extinction ratio help maintain stable laser output power, protect gain media, and preserve polarization purity in CW and pulsed PM fiber lasers up to 20 W average power.
  • Polarization Maintaining Erbium‑Doped Fiber Amplifiers (PM EDFAs)
    Integrated in PM EDFA modules and line amplifiers as an input/output isolator to suppress back reflections and backward ASE. The device’s high isolation (up to 58 dB for dual‑stage) and high return loss minimize feedback into EDFA stages, improving noise figure, gain flatness, and overall system stability in C‑band and O‑band telecom and CATV links.
  • Optical Communication Systems and DWDM Networks
    Suitable for long‑haul, metro, and access networks that require polarization maintaining components at 1310 nm and 1550 nm. Used to protect transmitters, receivers, and in‑line amplifiers from reflections in dense WDM, CWDM, and single‑channel systems, while preserving the polarization state for advanced modulation formats and PM‑based coherent detection schemes.
  • PM Fiber Sensor Systems and Interferometric Sensors
    Applied in high‑precision fiber sensing setups, such as interferometric, gyroscopic, and current/strain/temperature sensors based on PM fibers. The high extinction ratio and defined axis alignment (slow axis working / fast axis blocked or both axes working) help maintain stable interference patterns, improve SNR, and prevent parasitic feedback in sensitive PM fiber sensor architectures.
  • Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) and Interferometry
    Used in OCT systems and interferometers operating near 1310 nm for biomedical imaging, industrial inspection, and metrology. The isolator protects swept sources and narrow‑linewidth lasers from sample and reference arm reflections, enhancing coherence length, reducing noise, and ensuring consistent axial resolution in PM fiber‑based OCT designs.
  • High Power CW and Pulsed Fiber Delivery Systems
    Integrated into high power PM fiber delivery lines for industrial, medical, and scientific laser delivery at 1.3 µm and 1.55 µm. By blocking back‑propagating light from process heads, optics, or nonlinear interfaces, the isolator safeguards seed lasers and amplifier chains in systems operating with up to 10 W or 20 W average power and kW‑level peak powers.
  • Nonlinear Optics and Frequency Conversion in PM Fibers
    Deployed in setups that exploit nonlinear effects (SRS, SBS, FWM, supercontinuum generation) in PM fibers at telecom wavelengths. High isolation and polarization control mitigate destabilizing feedback and polarization scrambling, enabling more efficient and repeatable nonlinear frequency conversion, spectral broadening, and parametric amplification in PM fiber platforms.
  • Optical Testing and Measurement Instruments
    Embedded in optical test equipment such as tunable laser sources, optical spectrum analyzers, interferometers, and polarization characterization benches. The isolator protects sensitive internal lasers and detectors from external reflections, and its stable performance over −5 °C to +70 °C ensures reliable measurements in R&D labs and production test environments.
  • Coherent Communication and Polarization‑Sensitive Modulation
    Employed in PM‑based coherent transmitter and receiver front‑ends for formats such as QPSK, QAM, and polarization‑division multiplexing (PDM). The isolator helps maintain well‑defined polarization states in PM fibers between the laser, I/Q modulators, and detection optics, while its high return loss and isolation prevent feedback that can broaden linewidths and degrade phase noise.
  • Fiber‑Based Gyroscopes and Rotation Sensing
    Utilized in PM fiber gyroscopes and other rotation sensing systems, where polarization stability is critical. By blocking back‑reflections and unwanted backward propagating light, the isolator enhances bias stability, reduces drift, and supports higher accuracy over temperature in navigation‑grade and industrial‑grade gyroscope designs.
  • Amplified Spontaneous Emission (ASE) Sources and Broadband Light Sources
    Incorporated into high power PM ASE sources and superluminescent diode (SLED) modules at 1310 nm and 1550 nm. The isolator protects active devices from cavity formation and spurious lasing, ensuring stable broadband emission and improving reliability in sensing, imaging, and testing applications that require well‑controlled polarization.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a high power PM isolator at 1310nm/1550nm and what does it do?
A high power polarization-maintaining (PM) isolator is a passive fiber optic component that allows light to pass in one direction while strongly attenuating light traveling in the reverse direction. This protects high power PM fiber lasers, amplifiers, and sensitive test equipment from back reflections and feedback that can destabilize the laser, cause noise, or even damage components. The Lfiber high power PM isolator is optimized for telecom and laser wavelengths of 1310 nm or 1550 nm, supports continuous-wave (CW) power handling up to 10 W or 20 W (with corresponding peak powers up to 10 kW or 20 kW), and uses PM Panda fiber to preserve polarization. Typical applications include PM fiber lasers, PM fiber sensors, communication systems, and precision test instruments where stable polarization and high isolation are required.
How do I choose between single‑stage and dual‑stage high power PM isolators?
The choice between single-stage and dual-stage PM isolators depends on how much isolation you need and how sensitive your system is to back reflections. Lfiber’s single-stage high power PM isolator offers typical peak isolation of about 42 dB (minimum 28 dB) at 23 °C with very low insertion loss (typically 0.4 dB, max 0.55 dB). The dual-stage version provides much higher isolation, with typical peak isolation around 58 dB (minimum 48 dB) at 23 °C, at the cost of slightly higher insertion loss (typically 0.5 dB, max 0.65 dB). For most high power PM fiber lasers and amplifiers, dual-stage isolators are preferred when you must strongly suppress feedback, operate near reflective components, or meet tight system isolation budgets. Single-stage isolators are often sufficient for less demanding links, basic protection in test setups, or where minimizing insertion loss is more critical than maximum isolation.
What does “slow axis working and fast axis blocked” mean for a PM fiber isolator?
Polarization-maintaining (PM) fibers have two orthogonal polarization axes: a slow axis and a fast axis. In Lfiber’s standard high power PM isolator configuration, “slow axis working and fast axis blocked” means that only light launched onto the slow axis is transmitted in the forward direction, while the fast-axis polarization is suppressed. This provides a high extinction ratio between the axes and maintains a well-defined linear polarization state. At 23 °C, the device offers ≥20 dB extinction ratio when both axes are used and ≥25 dB when the fast axis is blocked. By default, the slow axis is aligned with the key of the PM fiber connector unless otherwise specified. Custom versions can be ordered with fast axis working and slow axis blocked, or with both axes working, depending on your system’s polarization configuration.
What are the power handling capabilities and recommended connection methods?
Lfiber’s high power PM isolators at 1310 nm and 1550 nm are available in configurations rated for up to 10 W or 20 W continuous-wave (CW) optical power, with specified peak powers of up to 10 kW or 20 kW respectively (for pulsed operation, the actual limits depend on pulse width and duty cycle). For CW high power optical interconnection, Lfiber and other high power component manufacturers strongly recommend using fusion splicing rather than fiber connectors to minimize reflections and avoid connector end-face heating and contamination. If connectors are required, note that adding connectors will typically increase insertion loss by about 0.3 dB, reduce return loss by about 5 dB, and reduce extinction ratio by about 2 dB relative to bare‑fiber specifications. For high reliability, avoid letting bare fiber support the weight of a connector; choose 900 µm loose tube pigtails instead of 250 µm bare fiber when connectors are used.
How do insertion loss, isolation, extinction ratio, and return loss affect system performance?
In a high power PM isolator, several key optical parameters determine how it will impact your system: (1) Insertion loss (IL) is the forward attenuation introduced by the device; Lfiber’s isolators have very low IL (typically 0.4–0.5 dB at 23 °C), which helps maintain high output power and efficiency, especially important in high power PM fiber lasers. (2) Isolation is the attenuation provided to backward-propagating light; typical isolation is 42 dB (single-stage) or 58 dB (dual-stage) at 23 °C, which significantly reduces harmful feedback and stabilizes laser operation. (3) Extinction ratio (ER) describes how well the isolator maintains polarization between the two PM axes; values of ≥20–25 dB indicate strong polarization discrimination, which is critical for PM fiber lasers, interferometric sensors, and coherent systems. (4) Return loss (RL ≥ 50 dB) quantifies how much light is reflected back toward the source at each port; high RL minimizes parasitic reflections that can cause noise or mode hopping in lasers. Together, these parameters help ensure stable, low‑noise, and efficient high power PM fiber systems.
What fiber types, pigtail lengths, and connector options are available?
The Lfiber high power PM isolator uses PM Panda fiber as the standard fiber type, matched to 1310 nm or 1550 nm operation. Typical pigtail fiber lengths offered are 0.5 m, 0.8 m, 1.0 m, and 1.5 m, with other custom lengths available on request. For mechanical protection and handling, you can choose between 250 µm bare fiber pigtails or 900 µm loose tube jackets; 900 µm is recommended when connectors are used to avoid stressing bare fiber. Available connector options include FC/UPC, FC/APC, SC/UPC, SC/APC, LC/UPC, LC/APC, and others, or no connectors (bare fiber) for fusion splicing. By default, the PM fiber slow axis is aligned to the connector key, but alternative axis-key orientations can be specified. When ordering, you can also choose between standard cylindrical packages (e.g., φ5.5 × 35 mm) and rectangular packages (such as 70 × 12 × 8 mm) depending on stage count, power level, and integration needs.
What environmental conditions and mechanical limits should I consider when installing this isolator?
Lfiber’s high power PM isolators for 1310 nm and 1550 nm are designed for stable performance in typical laboratory and industrial environments. The specified operating temperature range is −5 °C to +70 °C, and the storage temperature range is −40 °C to +85 °C. Within the operating range, the device maintains its specified insertion loss, isolation, and extinction ratio, although exact values are characterized at 23 °C. The maximum rated tensile load on the fiber pigtails is 5 N, so care must be taken during installation not to exceed this by pulling on the fibers or connectors. Bare fibers should never be used to support the weight of connectors or routing hardware; instead, use 900 µm loose-tube pigtails or appropriate strain-relief fixtures. Ensure bend radii remain larger than the minimum bend radius of the PM Panda fiber and avoid contamination of connector end faces, especially in high power applications, to prevent localized heating and long-term damage.

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