New Broad Spectrum Fiber for Fiber Sensor and Spectroscopy Applications

John Shannon, Valery Khalilov and Rick Timmerman
Polymicro Technologies, a subsidiary of Molex Incorporated
18019 N. 25th Avenue
Phoenix, AZ, USA 85023
Tel: (602) 375-4100

Introduction

In the fields of fiber sensing and spectroscopy, many applications require the capability to measure optical signals across a very wide spectral range. Historically, optical fibers have been limited in their transmission spectral range. Fibers with high -OH content perform better at UV wavelengths. However, the -OH content creates very large absorption regions in the Near Infrared (NIR) wavelengths, particularly at 980, 1250 and 1383nm. Conversely, fibers with low -OH content can perform very well in the NIR region of the spectrum, but have very poor UV performance. Both types of traditional fibers transmit well in most of the visible spectrum.

A new silica-based fiber design has been developed at Polymicro Technologies which exhibits improved transmission properties over a very wide spectral range. This fiber is known as FBPI fiber and can be produced in core diameters from 50μm to 600μm. In the NIR wavelength region to beyond 2100nm, the attenuation of the new fiber is similar to standard low -OH fibers. Simultaneously, the fiber has excellent UV transmission down to 200nm comparable to standard high -OH fibers.

Another important characteristic of optical fibers is its resistance to solarization damage caused by exposure to high levels of UV illumination. In the case of the new FBPI fiber, the UV-defect concentrations have been reduced significantly, such that the solarization degradation properties are close to UV optimized high -OH fibers with high radiation resistance.

Source:  Polymicro Technologies 

Download White Paper:

http://www.polymicro.com/tech/whitepapers/Broad%20Spectrum%20Fiber%20FBPI%20Oct%202011.htm