Single Mode Fiber Optic Circulators
- Non-Reciprocating, Unidirectional Operation
- Wavelength Ranges Centered Around 1064 nm, 1310 nm, or 1550 nm
- Single Mode Fiber Available with Bare Fiber, FC/PC Connectors, or FC/APC Connectors
CIR1064-APC
CIR1310-APC
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 |
Applications
- Add-Drop Multiplexing
- Fiber Sensors
- Bidirectional Pumping
- Bidirectional Signal Transmission Systems
- Coupling In-Line Chromatic Dispersion Compensation Devices
Thorlabs’ Single Mode (SM) Optic Circulators are non-reciprocating, one directional, three-port devices that are used in a wide range of optical setups and for numerous applications. Our SM optical circulators have a center wavelength of 1064, 1310 (O-Band), or 1550 nm (C-Band). Additionally these SM optical circulators are available unterminated, with FC/PC connectors, or with FC/APC connectors. Thorlabs also offers Polarization-Maintaining (PM) 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 and both perform similar functions. An optical circulator is a three-port device that allows light to travel in only one direction. A signal entering to 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 its 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.
Circulators can be used to send optical signals through a single fiber in two directions.
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 Tech Support.
SPECS
| Item # Prefix | CIR1064a | CIR1310a | CIR-1310-50 | 6015-3a |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Optical Specifications | ||||
| Wavelength Range | 1050 nm - 1070 nm | 1280 nm - 1340 nm | 1280 nm - 1400 nm | 1525 nm - 1610 nm |
| Insertion Loss | 2.1 dB Maxb | 0.8 dBb | 1.6 Maxc,d | 0.8 dB Typical, 1.0 dB Max |
| Isolatione | ≥20 dBb | ≥40 dBb | 28 dB Minc | >40 dB Min |
| Directivity (1-3) | ≥45 dB | ≥50 dB | 50 dB Min | >50dB |
| Polarization Dependent Loss | ≤0.2 dB | ≤0.15 dB | 0.2 dB Max | ≤0.1 dB |
| Polarization Mode Dispersion | ≤0.05 ps | ≤0.1 ps | 0.05 ps Max | ≤0.05 ps |
| Chromatic Dispersion | - | - | 3 ps/nm Max | - |
| Return Loss | ≥50 dB | ≥50 dB | 45 dB Mind | ≥50 dB |
| Maximum Power Level (CW) | 300 mW | 300 mW | 500 mW | 500 mW |
| Mechanical Specifications | ||||
| Package Dimensions | 1.34" × 0.33" × 0.33" (34.0 mm x 8.4 mm x 8.4 mm) |
Ø0.22" × 1.97" (Ø5.5 mm x 50.0 mm) |
Ø0.22" x 1.50" (Ø5.5 mm x 38.0 mm) |
Ø0.22" x 1.99" (Ø5.5 mm x 50.5 mm) |
| Fiber | HI1060, 900 µm Loose Tube | SMF-28e+, 900 µm Loose Tube | SMF-28 Ultra, 900 µm Loose Tube | SMF-28 Ultra, 900 µm Loose Tube |
| Length | 1.0 m +0.075/-0.0 m | 1.0 m +0.075/-0.0 m | 1.0 ± 0.1 m | 1.0 m +0.075/-0.0 m |
| Operating Temperature | 0 to 70 °C | 0 to 70 °C | 0 to 70 °C | 0 to 70 °C |
| Storage Temperature | -40 to 85 °C | -40 to 85 °C | -40 to 85 °C | -40 to 85 °C |
| Operating Relative Humidity | 5% - 60% | 5% - 60% | 5% - 95% | 5% - 60% |
| Storage Relative Humidity | 5% - 85% | 5% - 85% | 5% - 95% | 5% - 85% |
SM Fiber Optical Circulators, 1064 nm
- Wavelength Range 1050 - 1070 nm
- Single Mode Fiber With No Connectors, FC/PC Connectors, or FC/APC Connectors
Thorlabs' 1064 nm SM Fiber Optic Circulators are available unterminated, with FC/PC connectors, or with FC/APC connectors. The FC/PC and FC/APC connectors have a 2.0 mm narrow key. These circulators have a maximum power handling of 300 mW (CW).
Part Number | Description | Price | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|
CIR1064 | Fiber Optic Circulator, 1050 - 1070 nm, SMF, No Connectors | $848.18 | Today |
CIR1064-FC | Fiber Optic Circulator, 1050 - 1070 nm, SMF, FC/PC | $885.00 | Today |
CIR1064-APC | Fiber Optic Circulator, 1050 - 1070 nm, SMF, FC/APC | $921.84 | Today |
SM Fiber Optical Circulators, 1310 nm
- Wavelength Range From 1280 - 1340 nm or 1280 - 1400 nm
- Single Mode Fiber With No Connectors, FC/PC Connectors, or FC/APC Connectors
Thorlabs' 1310 nm SM Fiber Optic Circulators are available unterminated, with FC/PC connectors, or with FC/APC connectors. The FC/PC and FC/APC connectors have a
2.0 mm narrow key. Our CIR1310, CIR1310-FC and CIR1310-APC circulators have a maximum power handling of 300 mW (CW).
The CIR-1310-50-APC broadband fiber optic circulator is specifically designed for OCT applications. This circulator boasts a broader wavelength range than our standard 1310 nm SM fiber optical circulator and has a maximum power handling of 500 mW (CW). For more information, please see our full presentation on our circulator for OCT.
Part Number | Description | Price | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|
CIR1310 | Fiber Optic Circulator, 1280 - 1340 nm, SMF, No Connectors | $472.79 | Today |
CIR1310-FC | Fiber Optic Circulator, 1280 - 1340 nm, SMF, FC/PC | $509.62 | Today |
CIR1310-APC | Fiber Optic Circulator, 1280 - 1340 nm, SMF, FC/APC | $545.27 | Today |
CIR-1310-50-APC | OCT Fiber Optic Circulator, 1280 - 1400 nm, SMF, FC/APC | $848.18 | Today |
SM Fiber Optical Circulators, 1550 nm
- Wavelength Range From 1525 - 1610 nm
- Single Mode Fiber With No Connectors, FC/PC Connectors, or FC/APC Connectors
Thorlabs' 1550 nm SM Fiber Optic Circulators are available unterminated, with FC/PC connectors, or with FC/APC connectors. The FC/PC and FC/APC connectors have a
2.0 mm narrow key. These circulators have a maximum power handling of 500 mW (CW).
Part Number | Description | Price | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|
6015-3 | Fiber Optic Circulator, 1525 - 1610 nm, SMF, No Connectors | $715.13 | Today |
6015-3-FC | Fiber Optic Circulator, 1525 - 1610 nm, SMF, FC/PC | $751.95 | Today |
6015-3-APC | Fiber Optic Circulator, 1525 - 1610 nm, SMF, FC/APC | $787.60 | Today |