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Application Note 4 Reliable Operation of LSProbe 1.2 Field Probes

LSProbe 1.2 field probe systems can launch up to 1 Watts of optical power into a 62.5 µm
optical fiber core. The resulting power density is more than a thousand times greater than
that of a typical hot plate.

3 Sacrificial Cable Kits for LSProbe 1.2 Field Probe Systems

The LSProbe 1.2 Field Probe System consists of a Field Probe and a Computer Interface,
connected by duplex fiber optic cables. Any Field Probe can be operated by any Computer
Interface, both are identified by separate serial numbers.

Sacrificial cable kits serve as connector savers for all FC/ST connectors. Sacrificial cable kits
are easily recognizable by their blue fiber jackets. As suggested by their name, sacrificial
cable kits are meant to be sacrificed, i.e., thrown away, in the event of an fiber connector
burn-in.

In a typically busy lab environment fiber cleaning as outlined in Section can be difficult
to enforce – human error can never be ruled out completely. Sacrificial cable kits introduce
an easy-to-use pair of E2000 connectors. E2000 connectors are significantly less prone to
contamination and thus to burn-in defects because of their integrated automatic shutters.
Consequently, E2000 connectors may be plugged without cleaning, consciously accepting
that contamination will accumulate with each plugging cycle and lead to a burn-in defect
eventually.

Once a burn-in defect has occurred, the complete sacrificial cable kit must be replaced, in-
cluding the E2000 coupler. Failing to replace one half of the sacrificial cable kit will inevitably
lead to the replacement cable’s burn-in.

Every LSProbe 1.2 System comes with a fiber extension cable and three sacrificial cable
kits: one connecting the Computer Interface and fiber extension cable, one connecting
fiber extension cable and Field Probe and one spare sacrificial cable kit.

ST-Coupler

FC-Coupler

E2000-Coupler

ST

ST

Sacrificial Cable Kit

Sacrificial Cable

Sacrificial Cable

FC

FC

ST

ST

FC

FC

ST

ST

E2000

E2000

ST-Coupler

FC-Coupler

E2000

E2000

Figure 4: Sacrificial cable kit, consisting of two sacrificial cables, one E2000 coupler, one FC cou-

pler and one ST coupler

The components of a connected sacrificial cable kit are shown in Fig. 4. A sacrificial cable kit
consists of a pair of short fiber cables with FC/ST connectors at one end and E2000 con-

November 23, 2020

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Summary of Contents for LSProbe 1.2

Page 1: ... Probes LUMILOOP GmbH support lumiloop de November 23 2020 Contents 1 Introduction 2 2 Fiber Failure Mechanism 3 3 Sacrificial Cable Kits for LSProbe 1 2 Field Probe Systems 4 4 Fiber Connector Cleaning Instructions 6 5 Replacing Sacrificial Cables 8 6 Fiber Handling Recommendations 9 ...

Page 2: ...ectors of Field Probe Computer Interface and extension cable They provide two defined and convenient points for disconnecting the Field Probe from the Computer Interface using the E2000 con nectors of the sacrificial cable kits Due to the integrated shutters burn in defects at the E2000 connectors are significantly less frequent However in the case of a burn in defect at an E2000 connector the sacrifi...

Page 3: ...C fiber connector pair which carries the optical power for the field probe suffered a burn in defect a Field Probe FC before after cleaning b Field Probe ST before after cleaning c Extension cable FC before after cleaning d Extension cable ST before after cleaning Figure 2 Example for contaminated FC power and ST data fiber connectors As suggested by the name burn in defects are caused by excessive he...

Page 4: ...tors are significantly less prone to contamination and thus to burn in defects because of their integrated automatic shutters Consequently E2000 connectors may be plugged without cleaning consciously accepting that contamination will accumulate with each plugging cycle and lead to a burn in defect eventually Once a burn in defect has occurred the complete sacrificial cable kit must be replaced in cl...

Page 5: ...al link should always be disconnected using E2000 connec tors Do not disconnect any FC ST connectors unless absolutely necessary When plugging FC ST connectors make sure to observe the cleaning instructions in Section 4 FC ST Coupler Field Probe Use E2000 Connectors Two Sacrificial Cable Kits incl E2000 Connectors and Coupler E2000 Fiber Coupler FC ST Fiber Coupler FC ST Fiber Coupler E2000 Fiber ...

Page 6: ...n inad vertently during fiber inspection Note that the focal plane for for E2000 and ST FC connectors differ and must thus be adjusted 2 Clean the connector end face 3 Reinspect the connector end face go back to step two if there is any contamination 4 Connect the fiber connectors do not put the connector down Do not apply dust caps between cleaning and connecting LUMILOOP s cleaning kit shown in Fig...

Page 7: ...rm Step 3 Moisten one corner of the cleaning wipe us ing the fiber optic cleaning pen or IPA pipette Step 4 Press the fiber end face flatly against the moist area of the wipe and slide it into the dry area of the wipe Step 5 Only for E2000 connectors remove the E2000 locking cap re clip the connector pair after cleaning both connectors Figure 8 FC ST E2000 fiber optic connector wet to dry cleaning met...

Page 8: ...or and connect it to the coupler d Repeat steps a through c for the ST connectors 4 Repeat step three for the second end of the sacrificial cable kit 5 Consider ordering a new spare sacrificial cable kit Fixing burned in FC ST connectors In case of a burn in defect at a ST or FC connector due to improper handling replacement is required There are three destinct cases In case of a burn in defect at a...

Page 9: ...g Avoid tensile strain on fiber optic cables Fiber optic cables shall not carry the weight of the connectors Always use two sacrificial cable kits one between Computer Interface and extension cable and one between extension cable and Field Probe Always disconnect the optical fiber connection using the E2000 connectors of the sacrificial cable kits Do not open any FC ST fiber connectors unless absolutel...

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