First Automated Measurement System for Characterizing Multicore Optical Fibers
- The geometry, cut-off wavelength and mode field diameter of any multicore fiber (MCF) design
can now be measured with a new configuration of the industry-leading 2300 Fiber Analysis
System. - Fully-automated, sequential core alignment enables complete glass geometry and cut-off
wavelength measurement of a 12-core MCF fiber in less than 90 seconds.
Photon Kinetics is pleased to introduce the first in a line of automated test solutions for multicore optical fibers. The MCF 2300 Fiber Analysis System is capable of performing comprehensive characterization of
multicore fibers including complete fiber geometry, plus the cut-off wavelength (spectral loss), and mode
field diameter of each fiber core, all with fully automated fiber alignment, and simple preparation of fiber
ends using standard tools. Virtually any MCF design with any number of cores can be characterized,
including designs with or without reference markers, and MCF designs that have complex core structures
(e.g., trenches).
The MCF 2300 design is consistent with other Photon Kinetics test systems that provide production
measurement capability based on the length of the sample required for the measurement. Like the
industry-standard 2300, the MCF 2300 is essentially a “short sample” test system capable of performing
all the measurements commonly performed on fiber samples 2 meters long or shorter, such as fiber
geometry, cut-off wavelength, mode field diameter, and coating geometry. In the fiber production
environment, short sample measurement systems are typically complemented by systems such as the
Full-Length Station (FLS). The FLS is capable of measurements such as automated bi-directional OTDR,
MFD by OTDR, with options for chromatic dispersion and PMD, that are performed on multi-kilometer,
full-length fiber spools. The MCF version of the FLS will be covered in a future press release.
Short sample and full-length test platforms, each with the ability to automatically perform a suite of
essential measurements with minimal fiber handling revolutionized standard optical fiber production
testing in the previous decade, enabling significant improvement of overall testing efficiency. It is expected
that the MCF versions of these platforms will similarly transform the testing of the current new generation
of multicore fiber designs.
