Optical Fiber Environment Test System Built to test and measure optical fibers. Quantify fiber transmission, numerical aperture, losses due to bend radius and performance over various or changing temperatures. Easy to use, this system benefits industries that produce or specify optical fibers for communication and data transmission applications as well as those developing new or novel fiber materials. System control and acquisition modes include: · Continuous wavelength scans or "go to" wavelength for time based acquisition · Detector rotation from fiber axis ± 90° · Control of environmental chamber temperature, hold times and variable cycling or ramping rates · Plot features include attenuation vs. wavelength, attenuation vs. angle, attenuation vs. temperature and attenuation vs. time. Designed to accept fibers from 15 mm diameter down to the smallest sizes, fiber positioners and matching optics insure proper spectral input. Quantify wavelength and temperature dependent propagation characteristics. Test chamber permits fixturing to measure bend radius losses and transmittance at various temperatures (from minus 50° to 100°C). The detector rotates by ±90° relative to the fiber core allowing user's to measure changes in numerical aperture (with respect to wavelength) as well as related chromatic, refractive and thermal properties. Interactive computer control of test chamber temperature, spectrometer wavelength scans, detector position relative to fiber core and data acquisition makes this an easy to use system for fiber optic QC/QA and research applications.

Key Components Optical Fiber Environment Test System

The Optical Fiber Environment Test System is constructed from quality McPherson spectroscopy modules. Light sources are selected for wavelength range of interest. The monochromator is selected to best meet bandpass and spectral resolution requirements. The pictured system and data was collected with the 350-mm focal length Model 2035 monochromator for best trade off between source image size and throughput. Depending on the wavelength range high sensitivity UV Vis or Vis detectors are employed. The environmental chamber can be configured to suit the requirements of the analysis. Temperature, humidity, gas fill and many other environmental conditions can be simulated and controlled.

Light Source - Quartz Tungsten Halogen (QTH) light source with DC stabilized power supply for smooth continuum emission through the visible spectral region. Source module can easily be exchanged with UV or IR source modules.

Monochromator - High throughput, high resolution monochromator combines the best signal with bandpass selection for optimal signal to noise. With selected gratings the spectrometer can provide any wavelength provided by the source. General operation is via high resolution step motor drive for smooth wavelength scans or single, accurate monochromatic bands.

Environmental Chamber - Situated between the monochromator and the detector this chamber is designed to hold the fiber optic sample(s) under test. Its large (2 cubic feet) sample area permits testing of bulk or spooled fibers. Fiber test samples in the environmental chamber can be exposed to variations in temperature from -50 degrees C to +150 degrees C. System software permits the user to set temperature, set temperature ramps (delta C over time), or to set temperature cycles (C1 to C2 and back, etc.). Temperature ramps can be continuous or incremental, e.g. holding each 5 degrees C for 10 minutes.

Detector - A high sensitivity photomultiplier measures the light intensity emitting from the fiber. The detector is positioned at the fiber axis and can be rotated ± 90°. Detector rotation allows users to map acceptance angles or changes in emitted beam shape. Detector output signal and relative position (rotation) is stored by control software with temperature control information.