Cleaning Information
Why is it important to clean optical devices?
136
Agilent
8169A
Polarization Controller, Second Edition
Why is it important to clean
optical devices?
Optical power levels above 100 mW applied to single mode
connectors can easily damage the connector if it is not perfectly
clean. Also, scratched or poorly cleaned connectors can destroy
optical connectors mechanically. Always make sure that your
optical connectors are properly cleaned and unscratched before
connection. However, Agilent Technologies Deutschland GmbH
assumes no responsibility in case of an operation that is not
compliace with the safety instructions as stated above.
In transmission links optical fiber cores are about 9 mm (0.00035")
in diameter. Dust and other particles, however, can range from
tenths to hundredths of microns in diameter. Their comparative size
means that they can cover a part of the end of a fiber core, and thus
degrade the transmission quality. This will reduce the performance
of your system.
Furthermore, the power density may burn dust into the fiber and
cause additional damage (for example, 0 dBm optical power in a
single mode fiber causes a power density of approximately 16
million W/m
2
). If this happens, measurements become inaccurate
and non-repeatable.
Cleaning is, therefore, an essential yet difficult task. Unfortunately,
when comparing most published cleaning recommendations, you
will discover that they contain several inconsistencies. In this
chapter, we want to suggest ways to help you clean your various
optical devices, and thus significantly improve the accuracy and
repeatability of your lightwave measurements.
C A U T I O N