New Test Platform Combines Cut-off Wavelength and Fiber Geometry Measurement Capability

At this year’s OFC 2015 exhibition, Photon Kinetics, the world’s leading provider of innovative measurement solutions for optical fiber and cable manufacturers, introduced the 2300 Fiber Analysis System, the first optical fiber test instrument able to perform both cut-off wavelength (spectral loss) and fiber geometry measurements.

Historically, these critical single-mode fiber measurements have been performed on two separate test systems, each requiring a short sample of fiber to be removed from the spool, cleaved, loaded and aligned. The set-up process at each system, together with transport of the fiber spool between them, typically requires more time than the measurement itself. With the ability to perform both cut-off and geometry measurements on the same fiber sample, the 2300 eliminates redundant fiber handling and preparation, allowing manufacturers to cut their overall measurement time and expense by 50% or more. The 2300 is also able to perform both measurements in significantly less time that its predecessors, the Photon Kinetics 2200 and 2400, delivering ever greater reductions in measurement time and cost.

“The 2300 represents the biggest technological leap forward that our company has ever made”, said Casey Shaar, Vice-President, Advanced Technology and CTO of Photon Kinetics. “With its release, we have an entirely new instrument platform that will not just enable our customers to reduce measurement time and expense, but will also allow them use and deploy our products in ways that were not possible before.” Mr. Shaar concluded, “We are very excited to once again lead the way in developing measurement solutions that can have an immediate and significant impact on our customer’s measurement costs and capability so they are better able to compete in today’s optical fiber market.”

The 2300 Fiber Analysis System is not only available in its groundbreaking, combined cut-off (spectral loss)/geometry configuration (2300AG), but can also be purchased in specialized spectral loss (2300A) or fiber geometry (2300G) configurations. New mode field diameter, coating geometry and fiber curl options provide more comprehensive measurement capability and are compatible with all three 2300 system configurations.

Since the new 2300 family configurations and options effectively replace all of the capability provided by the 2200 Fiber Analysis System, 2400 Fiber Geometry System, 2402 Coating Geometry System (2400-DFC Option) and 2411 Fiber Curl System (2400-CRL Option), current owners of these systems/options should be aware that as of March 24, 2015 these products will enter PK’s standard 5-year support period for discontinued products.