Thorlabs' Vytran® Optical Fiber Glass Processors are versatile platforms designed for fabricating splices, tapers, couplers, terminations, and combiners using optical fibers. The glass processors feature automated pre-splice alignment for the XY position of the fiber edge and rotational orientation of the fiber core. These systems are ideal for splicing applications involving polarization-maintaining fibers, photonic crystal fibers, and other specialty fibers with microstructured cores. The GPX3400 and GPX3480 glass processors are compatible with fibers up to Ø1.25 mm cladding, while the higher power GPX3600 glass processor can process fibers up to Ø1.7 mm cladding.
Image above: End-view images of fibers with internal structure that can be processed using GPX processors. Shown are a) photonic crystal fiber, b) image guide, c) 6+1 PM fiber combiner, and d) 37 to 1 fiber combiner.
Features
- Fabricate Splices, Tapers, Terminations, Couplers, and Combiners
- Automated XY and Rotation Alignment
- Compatible with Single Mode, Multimode, Double-Clad, Polarization-Maintaining, and Specialty Fibers (See Applications Tab for Examples)
- Create Low-Loss (~0.02 dB) Splices in Standard Glass Fibers (See Specs Tab for Details)
- Side-View/End-View Imaging Using True Core Imaging® Technology
- Cold View Imaging (Item # GPX3480 Only) and Hot Image Monitoring
- Software with Process Development GUI and Splice Process Library (See Software Tab for More Information)
These glass processors incorporate a filament-based furnace assembly that provides a uniform and precisely controlled, high-temperature heat source. Because filament material and size can be interchanged easily (ten different filament options are available below), a wide range of fiber cladding diameters and specialty fiber types can be accommodated using the same system. Precise control over fiber position and orientation enables a number of advanced fiber processing applications from low-loss splicing in dissimilar fibers to the creation of adiabatic fiber tapers, fiber terminations, or fused fiber couplers.
True Core Imaging
These fiber processing systems employ True Core Imaging to provide high-resolution images for fiber measurement and alignment. A digital CCD camera and mirror tower are integrated into the fiber processing workstation to allow for clear side-view and end-view images (see image above) of the fiber cladding and core. This imaging feature allows for automated measurement of fiber properties (core/cladding diameters, cleave angle, etc.) and provides feedback for the automated alignment system. A VHB00 or VHB05 top insert (two VHB05 top inserts included, additional inserts sold separately) is required in order to use automated end-view alignment.