Apr-09
109
Avantes
www.avantes.com
5.2
Fiber optic cables
Fiber optic cables can be made in different lengths with different type of connectors, like SMA905,
ST or FC-PC connectors. The fibers are also available in different wavelength regions, like Deep UV
solarization resistant fibers, UV/VIS fibers and VIS/NIR fibers.
We offer different shielding, like Kevlar reinforced PVC sleeving with PTFE inner tubing (standard) or
metal shielding with silicon or PTFE inner tubing for higher temperature and more industrial
applications.
Depending on the intended wavelength range a UV/VIS (200-750 nm) or a VIS/NIR (500-1000 nm)
fiber is used. In the following table replace xx by respectively UV or IR. For deep UV use specify –SR
(solarization resistant).
5.2.1
Patch cords
Patch cords are standard delivered in 2m length with SMA-905 terminations. One side of each patch
cord fiber has an extended ferrule in order to allow easily connecting into the AvaSpec
spectrometers optical bench.
Please follow the next rules:
1.
Gently remove the plastic protection caps from the fiber SMA connectors.
2.
Inspect the fibers if light is transmitted, note that for small fiber diameters the transmitted light
energy may be low, so it is hard to see.
3.
Do not bend the fiber too tightly, the minimum recommended bending radius of a fiber is 600
times the core/cladding diameter (i.e. 12 cm for a 200µm fiber), further bending may induce
losses in optical transmittance. Bending the fiber below a radius of 200 times the fiber diameter
may cause irreversible damage.
4.
Keep connectors and tips protected by the plastic caps when not in use.
5.
When necessary the fiber end can be cleaned with soft tissue and alcohol or acetone, avoid
scratching.
6.
Do not exceed temperature specifications.
In our standard quality assurance procedure, each fiber optic assembly is labeled with a serial nr,
and some standard test are being carried out with a spectrometer and AvaLight-CAL Line source and
registered:
1.
Spectral attenuation at 253 nm for UV/VIS fibers, spectral attenuation at 763 nm for VIS/NIR
fibers.
2.
Symmetries of the connector for both sides; the maximal peak value is allowed to move as many
nm as the registered resolution of the fiber / spectrometer.
3.
Optical inspection of scratches on the surface.
4.
A Deep-UV burn-in of 8 hours to pre-solarize the -SR assemblies, the attenuation at 215nm is
registered.
5.
There is always a label attached to the fiber optic cable or assembly that will tell you the serial
nr, so the QA data can be retraced.
SMA-905
SMA-905
2 meter
