219 Westbrook Rd, Ottawa, ON, Canada, K0A 1L0 Toll Free: 1-800-361-5415 Tel:(613) 831-0981 Fax:(613) 836-5089
E-mail: sales@[Link]
FIBER OPTIC CIRCULATORS
Features
Low insertion loss
Miniature packages
High power handling
Wide wavelength range
Low cross talk
Center wavelengths 1310,1480,1550 nm
Low return loss
High extinction ratio
High isolation
Singlemode and polarization maintaining fiber versions
available
In-line Fiber Optic Circulator
Applications
DWDM networks
Chromatic dispersion compensation
Optical add drop modules (OADM)
Fiber amplifiers
Fiber sensors
Product Description
Fiber optic circulators act as signal routers, transmitting light from
an input fiber to an output fiber, but directing light that returns
along that output fiber to a third port. They perform a similar
function as an isolator, protecting the input fiber from return
power, but also allowing the rejected light to be employed.
OZ Optics miniature inline circulators are ideal for OEM
applications. They are available with either singlemode or
polarization maintaining fiber. OZ Optics PM fiber optic circulators
are manufactured with polarization maintaining fibers, making
them ideal for polarization maintaining applications such as 40
Gbit systems or Raman pump applications. They are also used in
double pass amplifiers and in chromatic dispersion compensation
modules.
The standard PM fiber alignment is for all power to be
transmitted along the slow axis of each fiber (Fast axis
blocking). With OZ Optics modular design and custom
Cube Style High Power Circulator
manufacturing capabilities, any of the three ports can be aligned
for fast axis coupling. High extinction ratio connectors can also
be installed. Regardless of the state of polarization of the return
beam, the input fiber will still be isolated from reflected light.
For non-telecom wavelengths and high power applications, the
cube style circulator is offered. This design is well suited for
custom applications.
Additional connector and cable options and custom designs are
also available. Please forward a detailed description of your
application requirements to the OZ Optics Sales Department.
Figure 1: Inline Circulator Dimensions
DTS0070
10-JUN-2011
4-40 TAPPED
HOLES
x 0.340 DEEP
2 PLCS
0.87
(TYP)
0.87
(TYP)
PORT T
PORT 1
0.50
0.39
(TYP)
PORT R
Units are in inches
Figure 2: Cube Style Circulator Dimensions
Units
Value
Wavelengths1
Description
nm
1310, 1480, 1550
Extinction ratio
dB
20, 25, 30
Insertion loss, forward direction
dB
1.0 (40 dB return loss versions)
0.7 (55, 60 dB return loss versions)
Insertion loss, reverse direction
dB
1.0 (40 dB return loss versions)
1.0 (55, 60 dB return loss versions)
Peak isolation @ 23C
dB
>302, <403
Power handling4
mW
250 mW
Transmission axis
Slow (standard)
Fiber
Panda PM
Return loss
dB
Connector alignment
1
2
3
4
40, 50, 60
Slow axis to key
>780-1060nm wavelengths are also available on request
>30 for cube style version
>40 for miniature in-line version
>Higher power handling versions are available on request
Standard Parts
Bar Code
Part Number
Description
23570
Miniature polarization maintaining fiber optic circulator for 1310 nm with 55dB return loss, with
FOC-12N-111-7/125-PPP-1310-55-XXX-1-1
1 meter long, 1 mm OD cabled 7/125 PM fiber pigtails, with no connectors.
26306
FOC-12N-111-8/125-PPP-1550-55-XXX-1-1
Miniature polarization maintaining fiber optic circulator for 1550 nm with 55dB return loss, with
1 meter long, 1 mm OD cabled 8/125 PM fiber pigtails, with no connectors.
24777
FOC-12N-111-9/125-SSS-1310-55-XXX-1-1
Miniature inline fiber optic circulator for 1310 nm with 55dB return loss, with 1 meter long,
1 mm OD cabled Corning SMF-28 fiber pigtails, with no connectors.
28568
FOC-12N-111-9/125-SSS-1480-55-XXX-1-1
Miniature inline fiber optic circulator for 1480 nm with 55dB return loss, with 1 meter long,
1 mm OD cabled Corning SMF-28 fiber pigtails, with no connectors.
23069
FOC-12N-111-9/125-SSS-1550-55-XXX-1-1
Miniature inline fiber optic circulator for 1550 nm with 55dB return loss, with 1 meter long,
1 mm OD cabled Corning SMF-28 fiber pigtails, with no connectors.
Ordering Examples For Standard Parts
Example 1: A circulator is being used to route signals in an Erbium doped fiber amplifier, operating at 1550 nm. To optimize the amplifier
stability, polarization maintaining fiber is being used. All connections will be spliced.
Bar Code
Part Number
Description
26306
FOC-12N-111-8/125-PPP-1550-55-XXX-1-1
Polarization maintaining fiber optic circulator for 1550 nm with 55dB return loss, with
1 meter long, 1 mm OD cabled 8/125 PM fiber pigtails, with no connectors.
Example 2: Circulators are needed for the construction of a 1550 nm WDM demultiplexor system. The circulators will be fusion spliced
together with a series of Bragg gratings to demultiplex the signal (see the application notes for an example), so connectors are not
required. The wavelengths range from 1540 nm to 1560 nm. Based on this wavelength range, circulators designed for 1550 nm will work
well. Miniature style circulators are needed to minimize space. Low return losses are necessary for correct operation.
Bar Code
Part Number
Description
23069
FOC-12N-111-9/125-SSS-1550-55-XXX-1-1
Miniature inline fiber optic circulator for 1550 nm with 55dB return loss, with 1 meter
long, 1 mm OD cabled Corning SMF-28 fiber pigtails, with no connectors.
2
Ordering Information For Custom Parts
Questionnaire For Custom Parts
OZ Optics welcomes the opportunity to provide custom designed
products to meet your application needs. As with most
manufacturers, customized products do take additional effort, so
please expect some differences in the pricing compared to our
standard parts list. In particular, we will need additional time to
prepare a comprehensive quotation, and lead times will be longer
than normal. In most cases, non-recurring engineering (NRE)
charges, lot charges, and minimum order quantities will be
necessary. These points will be carefully explained in your
quotation, so your decision will be as well informed as posssible.
We strongly recommend buying our standard products.
1.
What is your operating wavelength, in nm?
2.
Do you prefer a standard or inline style package?
3.
Are you using singlemode or polarization maintaining fiber?
4.
What are the minimum return loss requirements?
5.
How long should the fibers be and what fiber type?
6.
Do you require connectors? If so, what type?
7.
How much power will be transmitted through the fiber?
Description
Part Number
Fiber Optic Circulator
FOC-12X-111-a/b-PPP-W-LB-XYZ-JD- L
Circulator Type:
X = P for cube style
N for miniature inline style
Fiber Length in meters
Fiber Jacket Type:
0.25 = 250 Micron OD acrylate jacket
1 = 900 micron OD hytrel jacket
3 = 3 mm OD Kevlar reinforced PVC cable
See Table 7 of the Standard Tables for
other jacket sizes
Fiber Core/Cladding Sizes, in microns
7/125 for 1300 nm polarization maintaining fiber
8/125 for 1550 nm polarization maintaining fiber
9/125 for 1300/1550 nm singlemode fiber
See Tables 1 and 2 of the Standard Tables for
other standard fiber sizes
Fiber Type:
S for singlemode
P for polarization maintaining
Connector Code:
Wavelength: Specify in nanometers
(Example: 1550 for 1550 nm)
Backreflection Level: 40, 55 or 60dB (55 dB is
standard for inline style)
3 = NTT - FC/PC
3S = Super NTT-FC/PC
3U = Ultra NTT-FC/PC
3A = Angled NTT-FC/PC
8 = AT&T-ST
SC = SC
SCA = Angled SC
See Table 6 of the Standard
Tables for other connectors.
Ordering Example For Custom Parts
A customer is building a fiber laser, and is using a circulator to direct the input light and amplified return signal. The operating wavelength
is 1480 nm, and uses polarization maintaining fiber. He wants a reconfigurable system, so he wants angled FC connectors on the fiber
ends. He also wants 3 mm cable on the fibers as he wants rugged units that can withstand repeated handling. One meter long fibers
are sufficient.
Part Number
Description
FOC-12P-111-8/125-PPP-1480-60-3A3A3A-3-1
Polarization maintaining fiber optic circulator for 1480 nm with 60dB return loss, with 1 meter
long, 3 mm OD cabled 8/125 PM fiber pigtails, with FC/APC connectors on all ends.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q. Can I use a polarization maintaining circulator with
singlemode fiber?
A. Not without seeing high insertion losses. The transmission
through polarization maintaining circulators is highly
polarization dependent. Only the return output port can be
made using singlemode fiber without affecting performance.
One alternative is to use an all-fiber polarization controller
on the inputs to control the polarization through the unit.
Otherwise, we recommend the miniature units.
Q. Why do I get high losses?
A. Check to see that you are launching light through the proper
polarization axis of the proper fiber port.
Q. Can I get a higher isolation or extinction ratio?
A. OZ Optics can supply circulators with 25dB and 30dB
extinction ratios and can make design modifications for
higher isolation values. Please forward you system
requirements for a proposal.
Q. What happens to light polarized along the wrong axis?
A. Fast axis light in port T is absorbed internally, as is fast axis
light returning into the circulator.
3
Application Notes:
Circulator
Circulators for Non-Standard Wavelengths: Due to limits in
rotator size, OZ Optics does not typically offer circulators for
wavelengths below 1300 nm. However, a Polarizing Fiber Optic
Beamsplitter and a Pigtailed Faraday Rotator can be connected
to accomplish the same function. Both devices are pigtailed with
PM fiber. The light along the slow axis is transmitted through the
beamsplitter and through the rotator. The output fiber from the
rotator is oriented at 45 degrees relative to the input fiber. When
light travels back along the slow axis of the fiber towards the
rotator, it is rotated an additional 45 degrees and now travels
through the fast axis towards the Beamsplitter. Fast axis light is
reflected through the third port of the Beamsplitter, which
accomplishes the same effect as a circulator without having to
design a custom assembly.
Circulator
Figure 3: Duplex Transmitter/Receiver System
Circulator
Application Examples:
Duplex Transmitter/Receiver System: Circulators can be used
to enable 2-way transmission along a single fiber. Transmitter 1
sends signal through Port 1 of Circulator 1 and through the fiber
to Port 2 of Circulator 2 so that it is directed to Receiver 2. The
signal from Transmitter 2 follows the opposite path to Receiver 1.
See Figure 3.
Double Pass Erbium Doped Amplifier: This technique allows
high gain amplification of a signal through an erbium doped fiber
amplifier. The signal passes through the circulator and amplifier,
returns from the Fiber Optic Reflector (also available from OZ
Optics) and passes through the amplifier again. This amplified
signal is directed through the return port. See Figure 4.
Figure 4: Double Pass Erbium Doped Amplifier
Chromatic Dispersion Compensator: Light that has become
chromatically dispersed after traveling through a system passes
through a circulator and enters a chirped Bragg grating. This
grating is made so that faster wavelengths are reflected at the far
end of the filter (therefore experiencing a longer optical path) and
slower wavelengths reflected at the near end of the filter (shorter
optical path). These path differences compress the signal back to
its original width.
Wave Division Multiplexing System: Circulators in conjunction
with Bragg gratings allow specific wavelengths to be reflected and
sent down different paths. See Figure 5.
Figure 5: WDM Demux System Using Circulators
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