Polarization-Maintaining Fiber Optic Circulators
- Non-Reciprocating, Unidirectional Operation
- Center Wavelengths: 1064 nm, 1310 nm, or 1550 nm
- Polarization-Maintaining Fiber Available with Bare Fiber,
FC/PC Connectors, or FC/APC Connectors - Fast Axis Blocking
OC-L-1550
CIR1310PM-FC
Port 2
Port 1
Port 3
Circulator
OVERVIEW
| Selection Guide for Circulators |
|---|
| SM Circulators |
| 1310 nm SM Circulator for OCT |
| PM Circulators |
| 1064 nm High Power Circulator |
| 1550 nm High Power Circulator |
Features
- Compact Inline Package
- Epoxy-Free Optical Path
- High-Power Options for 1064 and 1550 nm
Applications
- Add-Drop Multiplexing
- Fiber Sensors
- Bidirectional Pumping
- Bidirectional Signal Transmission Systems
- Coupling Inline Chromatic Dispersion Compensation Devices
Click to Enlarge
A PM Fiber Circulator Mounted in our BFCT Fiber Component Tray
Thorlabs’ Polarization-Maintaining (PM) Optic Circulators are non-reciprocating, unidirectional, three-port devices that are used in a wide range of optical setups. Available with a center wavelength of 1064, 1310 (O-Band), or 1550 nm (C-Band), these circulators are fast axis blocked and hence are designed to work with light that is launched into the slow axis. Offered are circulators with no connectors, FC/PC connectors, or FC/APC connectors. Thorlabs also offers Single Mode (SM) Fiber Optical Circulators.
Circulator used to drop an optical channel from a DWDM system using a Fiber Bragg Grating.
An optical circulator is analogous to an electronic circulator in that both perform similar functions. An optical circulator is a three-port device that allows light to travel in only one direction. A signal entering Port 1 will exit Port 2 with minimal loss, while a signal entering Port 2 will exit Port 3 with minimal loss. Light entering port 2 experiences a large amount of loss at port 1, and light entering port 3 experiences a large amount of loss at ports 2 and 1. Optical circulators are non-reciprocal devices. This means that any changes in the properties of the light caused by passing through the device are not reversed by traveling in the opposite direction.
Because of their high isolation and low insertion loss, optical circulators are widely used in advanced communication systems as add-drop multiplexers, bi-directional pumps, and chromatic dispersion compensation devices.
The example to the left depicts the use of a circulator to drop an optical channel from a DWDM system using a Fiber Bragg Grating (FBG). The input DWDM channels are coupled into Port 1 of the device with a FBG device connected to Port 2. The single wavelength reflected from the FBG then reenters the circulator in port 2 and is routed accordingly to Port 3. The remaining signals pass through the FBG and exit on the top fiber.
Circulators can also be used to send optical signal in two directions down a single fiber. A circulator is located at both ends of the fiber. Each circulator functions to add a signal in one direction while removing the signal in the other. See the example to the right.
For custom wavelength and connector options, please contact Technical Support.
SPECS
| Item # | CIR1064PMa | CIR1310PMa | CIR1550PMa | OC-L-1064 | OC-L-1550 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Optical Specifications | |||||
| Wavelength Range | 1059 - 1069 nm | 1280 – 1340 nm | 1520 - 1580 nm | 1053 – 1075 nm | 1530 – 1570 nm |
| Insertion Loss | ≤2.1 dB | ≤0.9 dB | ≤0.9 dB | 1.3 – 1.9 dB | 0.9 – 1.3 dB |
| Isolationb | ≥25 dB | ≥40 dB | ≥40 dB | 30 dB | 32 dB |
| Directivity (1-3) | ≥50 dB | ≥50 dB | ≥50 dB | 40 dB | 50 dB |
| Polarization Extinction Ratio | ≥20 dB | ≥22 dB | ≥22 dB | >20 dB | >20 dB |
| Return Loss | ≥50 dB | ≥50 dB | ≥50 dB | 50 dB | 55 db |
| Damage Threshold | 300 mW | 300 mW | 300 mW | 3 W | 5 W |
| Mechanical Specifications | |||||
| Package Dimensions | Ø5.5 mm x 35 mm | 32.6 x 44.5 x 63.5 mmc | 17.8 x 25.1 x 60.3 mmc | ||
| Fiber | SM98-PS-U25D | SM13-PS-U25D | SM15-PS-U25D | PM980-XP PANDA-Style PM Fiber, Hytrel®d Loose Tube, Light in Slow Axis |
PM1550-XP PANDA-Style PM Fiber, Hytrel® Loose Tube, Light in Slow Axis |
| Length | 1.0 +0.075/-0.0 m | 1.2 ± 0.2 m | 1.2 ± 0.2 m | ||
| Operating Temperature | -5 to 70 °C | 10 to 50 °C | 10 to 50 °C | ||
| Storage Temperature | -40 to 85 °C | -10 to 65 °C | -20 to 70 °C | ||
| Operating Relative Humidity | 20% - 80% | ||||
| Storage Relative Humidity | 20% - 80% | ||||
PM Optical Circulators, 1064 nm
- Center Wavelength 1064 nm
- Polarization-Maintaining Fiber With No Connectors, FC/PC Connectors, or FC/APC Connectors
- Damage Threshold of 300 mW (CIR1064PM) or 3 W (OC-L-1064)
- Fast Axis Blocking
Thorlabs' 1064 nm PM Fiber Optic Circulators are available unterminated, with FC/PC connectors, or with FC/APC connectors. The FC/PC and FC/APC connectors have a 2 mm narrow key. Our OC-L-1064 circulator is a high power circulator with a damage threshold of 3 W.
Part Number | Description | Price | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|
OC-L-1064 | High-Power PM Fiber Optic Circulator, 1053 – 1075 nm, No Connectors | $4,251.57 | Today |
CIR1064PM | PM Fiber Optic Circulator, 1059 - 1069 nm, No Connectors | $848.18 | Today |
CIR1064PM-FC | PM Fiber Optic Circulator, 1059 - 1069 nm FC/PC | $885.00 | Today |
CIR1064PM-APC | PM Fiber Optic Circulator, 1059 - 1069 nm, FC/APC | $921.84 | Today |
PM Optical Circulators, 1310 nm
- Center Wavelength 1310 nm
- Polarization-Maintaining Fiber With No Connectors, FC/PC Connectors, or FC/APC Connectors
- Damage Threshold of 300 mW
- Fast Axis Blocking
Thorlabs' 1310 nm PM Fiber Optic Circulators are available unterminated, with FC/PC connectors, or with FC/APC connectors. The FC/PC and FC/APC connectors have a 2 mm narrow key.
Part Number | Description | Price | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|
CIR1310PM | PM Fiber Optic Circulator, 1280 - 1340 nm, No Connectors | $472.79 | Today |
CIR1310PM-FC | PM Fiber Optic Circulator, 1280 - 1340 nm FC/PC | $509.62 | Today |
CIR1310PM-APC | PM Fiber Optic Circulator, 1280 - 1340 nm, FC/APC | $673.56 | Today |
PM Optical Circulators, 1550 nm
- Center Wavelength 1550 nm
- Polarization-Maintaining Fiber With No Connectors, FC/PC Connectors, or FC/APC Connectors
- Damage Threshold of 300 mW (CIR1550PM) or 5 W (OC-L-1550)
- Fast Axis Blocking
Thorlabs' 1550 nm PM Fiber Optic Circulators are available unterminated, with FC/PC connectors, or with FC/APC connectors. The FC/PC and FC/APC connectors have a 2 mm narrow key. Our OC-L-1550 circulator is a high power circulator with a damage threshold of 5 W.
Part Number | Description | Price | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|
OC-L-1550 | High-Power PM Fiber Optic Circulator, 1530 – 1570 nm, No Connectors | $3,170.56 | Today |
CIR1550PM | PM Fiber Optic Circulator, 1520 - 1580 nm, No Connectors | $593.97 | Today |
CIR1550PM-FC | PM Fiber Optic Circulator, 1520 - 1580 nm, PM Fiber, FC/PC | $630.80 | Today |
CIR1550PM-APC | PM Fiber Optic Circulator, 1520 - 1580 nm, FC/APC | $666.43 | Today |