Products
Fiber Optics
Why should we use a fiber-optic laser beam delivery system?
What are the other benefits of using fiber?
kineFLEX™
What is the available wavelength range?
Can you provide solutions outside of this range?
What is the guaranteed transmission efficiency?
If I buy a system for 633nm, over what wavelength range will it work?
What are the minimum and maximum fiber lengths?
How rugged is the fiber cable?
What is the minimum bend radius?
What are the recommended environmental operating conditions?
What is the polarisation of the output beam?
What is the output beam quality?
Can you provide the kineFLEX™ with focussed and/or elliptical output beams?
What connectors are available?
Why are multi-wavelength systems more expensive?
Are fiber systems available for pulsed lasers?
Is it true that fiber systems increase the noise of the laser? How have you overcome this?
Why are Point Source fibers more efficient?
Can we purchase a fiber delivery system without the 4-axis manipulator?
Can we purchase the 4-axis manipulator without the fiber delivery system?
Why should we buy a Point Source fiber instead of lower cost alternatives?
iFLEX2000™
What is the output power and what wavelengths are available?
Can you provide solutions outside of this range?
What are the minimum and maximum fiber lengths?
What is the output beam quality?
What is the coupling efficiency in a Point Source fiber-coupled laser diode?
Why do you recommend polarisation preserving fiber?
Can I choose singlemode fiber as a cheaper alternative?
What is the polarisation of the output beam?
Can you provide the iFLEX2000™ with focussed and/or elliptical output beams?
What connectors are available?
Can you wavelength-select devices or offer tolerances better than the standard specification?
What is the spectral linewidth of the laser?
What power supplies are recommended?
What is the lifetime of the system, what is the warranty period and what is covered?
What are the recommended environmental operating conditions?
Why are Point Source fiber-coupled lasers more efficient than lower cost alternatives?
Why should we buy Point Source systems instead of lower cost alternatives?
Why should we use a fiber-coupled laser diode rather than a lower cost collimated laser diode?
Doing Business with Point Source
What is the price and can we have a copy of your price list?
What information do you need from me before you can quote?
How can we return a product if faulty?
Why should we use a fiber-optic laser beam delivery system?
If you are happy with free space laser beam delivery there is no need to use a fiber-optic solution. However, implementing a fiber solution could provide a very superior technical solution in terms of performance as follows.
- A fiber can provide a truly co-linear beam for multiple laser lines combined at the fiber input. This removes the need for complex optomechanical design and beam adjustments.
- A fiber can act as spatial filter and eliminate laser beam astigmatism and poor mode quality. The resultant singlemode TEM00 beam profile is predictable and stable over time, making measurements reliable and repeatable.
- A fiber can de-couple the dynamic beam pointing instability of the laser from the application. Beam pointing instability of a fiber system is limited only by optomechanical design.
What are the other benefits of using fiber?
Other than technical performance benefits, fiber can add real value to instrument design in the follow ways.
- The optical alignment of the instrument can be factory set and fixed. During laser replacement only the laser to fiber coupling has to been realigned and not the whole optical beam train. This minimises the number of mechanical adjustments and optical surfaces that would otherwise have to be built into the instrument.
- The size of an instrument is often dictated by the lasers and associated electronics. Even with the advent of compact solid state lasers, heat sources are still considerable. Fiber can enable instrument footprint reduction by having lasers (and even detectors) external to the main application. Instruments can then be made modular for ease of manufacture, testing, shipping and installation.
What is the kineFLEX™?
The kineFLEX™ is an optical fiber beam delivery system that includes the following elements:
- An optical fiber cable
- Input coupling optics
- Output coupling optics or connector
- A 4-axis manipulator to align the fiber to the laser.
The kineFLEX™ is designed around your specific laser beam parameters. There is no need for you to understand fiber designs or types or calculate the appropriate optics for the couplers. Our engineers take care of the optical design, and what you get is a factory set fiber, mode-matched to your specified laser(s).
What is the available wavelength range?
We offer standard kineFLEX™ products at specified laser wavelengths from 405 to 830 nm. However custom OEM requirements are considered outside this range, see below.
Can you provide solutions outside of this range?
As a company we are committed to providing the widest possible range of fiber solutions for our customers. Therefore wavelengths not included in the 405nm to 830nm range of our standard products will be considered on a case by case basis by our dedicated engineering team. We need to know what wavelengths you are interested in, what the potential volumes are and what level of performance is required. This information is then communicated to the engineering team who will offer an indication on how we would meet your requirements.
What is the guaranteed transmission efficiency?
When the fiber is correctly aligned using the 4-axis manipulator and with the appropriate optical design the minimum guaranteed transmission is 65%. However, this is frequently as high as 75% with high quality (low M squared) lasers. All systems are 100% tested to ensure they meet the specified parameters and that when installed; you achieve the same levels of performance.
In order to guarantee this however, it is imperative that we are aware of the details of the laser system you are using.
If I buy a system for 633nm, over what wavelength range will it work?
Single wavelength systems are recommended for use only at the single specified wavelength. Either side
be a significant reduction in performance and reliability.
Multi-wavelength system will operate over a 150nm range with guaranteed transmission efficiency of 65%.
Broadband systems will operate over a 200nm range with guaranteed transmission efficiency of 65%.
What are the minimum and maximum fiber lengths?
One meter is the recommended minimum length for the fiber delivery system to ensure the best mode quality. 10 meters is the maximum fiber length. Requests for custom lengths will be submitted to the engineering team for an assessment of the manufacturing, performance and cost implications.
How rugged is the fiber cable?
5.0 mm flexible stainless steel protective jacket provides all round protection for the fiber and is by far the most commonly used configuration. It provides excellent protection to both crush and strain along the fiber length and prevents bending of the fiber below its recommended minimum bend radius.
3.0 mm flexible stainless steel jacket is also available where space is a consideration.
Non-magnetic alternatives are also available; please contact us for further details.
What is the minimum bend radius?
The minimum bend radius is 25 mm. At this radius, a strain of 0.25% (half the manufacturing proof strength) is exerted on the inside and outside surface of the fiber.
What are the recommended environmental operating conditions?
Fiber delivery systems are designed to operate in instrumentation compatible environments within a temperature range of 10 to 40 degrees C, at atmospheric pressure and non-condensing humidity.
What is the polarisation of the output beam?
In applications that require linear polarisation we use polarisation maintaining, singlemode fiber. The polarisation extinction is better than 100:1; however, because the fiber is a birefringent system and not a polarising element, the
output state of polarisation can vary by 3 degrees. In all applications of polarisation-maintaining fiber, the stable output polarisation state is only achieved when the input of the fiber is correctly aligned to the polarisation of the laser.
The mechanical and polarisation axes are featured on the fiber couplers by a key or datum for mechanical mounting.
What is the output beam quality?
Fundamentally the beam quality from a fiber is only limited by diffraction effects, and then the quality of the subsequent optics employed for beam control. The output beam from Point Source systems is diffraction-limited, typically better than lambda/4, however up to lambda/10 is available at additional cost in accordance with the customer's requirements. Specific measurements of wavefront quality, M-squared and Gaussian fit can also be incorporated into the specification as required.
Can you provide the kineFLEX™ with focussed and/or elliptical output beams?
Yes, we regularly provide fiber systems that focus the output beam (to as low as 16μm) and to elliptical output profiles. All the customer needs to do is to specify the relevant beam parameters and working distances from the output optic and this will be referred to our development team who will be happy to provide a quotation for the design and manufacture of a suitable system. The cost of the design study and non-recoverable engineering charges will depend on the optical complexity and the volume required.
What connectors are available?
We offer fiber connectors as output terminations where they are to be used in conjunction with free-space optical systems. There are four styles available;
- FC: FC connector for standard singlemode fiber systems. These connectors are FC/PC polished which can cause feedback into the laser.
- FC8: 8 degree polished FC connector for standard singlemode fibers. These connectors are flat polished at 8 degrees parallel to the connector key. This prevents optical feedback into the laser.
- FCP: FC/PC connector for polarisation-maintaining fiber systems. The connector key is actively aligned to the polarisation axis of the fiber. These connectors are FC/PC polished which can cause feedback into the laser.
- FCP8: 8 degree polished FC connector for polarisation-maintaining fibers. The connector key is actively aligned to the polarisation axis of the fiber. These connectors are flat polished at 8 degrees parallel to the connector key. This prevents optical feedback into the laser.
- APC: 8 degree polished FC connector for polarisation-maintaining fibers. The connector key is actively aligned to the polarisation axis of the fiber. These connectors are flat polished at 8 degrees perpendicular to the connector key. This prevents optical feedback into the laser.
Fiber connectors are designed specifically for larger core fibers and low power applications in telecommunications.
The use of these connectors may degrade the performance and reduce the lifetime of visible/near IR fiber systems through exposure to dirt and inappropriate handling and, as a result, are not recommended as standard options.
If you require connectors for fiber-to-fiber applications, we will discuss your requirements with our engineering team who will assess the technical viability of your proposed solution.
Why are multi-wavelength systems more expensive?
The optical components used in these systems are more expensive because they are corrected for chromatic aberrations. In addition, each system undergoes extensive testing across the specified spectral range to guarantee the multi-wavelength performance.
Are fiber systems available for pulsed lasers?
Singlemode fibers are not ideally suited to the high peak power and high power density of Q-switched lasers. Coupling solutions for pulsed lasers do not feature as part of our standard product range. However, such solutions are possible but require careful design considerations which our dedicated engineering team have provided in the past. Please contact us with your specific requirements.
Is it true that fiber systems increase the noise of the laser? How have you overcome this?
It is true that most fiber systems suffer from this problem if a fiber patchcord is used. Reflections from the fiber end faces form an external cavity and reflect back into the laser cavity and cause intensity fluctuation of up to 10%. Point Source fiber systems are designed for optimum system performance and use angle polished terminations that eliminate this effect altogether.
Why are Point Source fibers more efficient?
Point Source fibers have high efficiency because of the design configuration and quality of optical component employed. We also have a manufacturing quality system that ensures consistency in product performance from one unit to the next.
Can we purchase a fiber delivery system without the 4-axis manipulator?
Our fibers are specified and sold as part of the kineFLEX™ system, which includes the fiber optic cable, fiber couplers and the kineMATIX-P™ 4-axis manipulator. The performance of our fiber systems is not guaranteed without this kineMATIX-P™ manipulator. In order to maintain our high performance standards we do not sell the fibers on their own.
Can we purchase the 4-axis manipulator without the fiber delivery system?
These manipulators are designed specifically for our fiber optic cables and therefore there is no reason to purchase one without purchasing the fiber. However, some users employ the kineMATIX-P™ when fine adjustment is required at the output end of the fiber and in such cases fibers can be purchased with 2 manipulators.
Why should we buy a Point Source fiber instead of lower cost alternatives?
Point Source fibers consistently give
- Higher throughput
- Stable polarization
- Higher consistency and long term reliability
- Ease of use and installation
- Mechanical Stability
These parameters will equate to better value and real cost benefits compared to cheaper solutions.
What is the iFLEX2000™?
The iFLEX2000™ is a fiber-coupled laser module which delivers a singlemode TEM00 beam. The module incorporates the laser, drive electronics and thermoelectric temperature control module all in a compact OEM package.
What is the output power and what wavelengths are available?
We offer iFLEX2000™ laser systems in the range 375nm to 830nm with powers ranging from 1mW up to 50mW. Please see our products page for more information and please contact our sales engineering team who will advise you further.
The iFLEX2000™ range is offered at wavelengths from 375nm to 830nm.
Can you provide solutions outside of this range?
As a company we are committed to providing the widest possible range of fiber solutions for our customers. Therefore wavelengths not included in the 375nm to 830nm range of our standard laser products will be considered on a case by case basis by our dedicated engineering team.
We need to know what wavelengths you are interested in, what the potential volumes are and what level of performance is required. This information is then communicated to the engineering team who will offer an indication on the likelihood of us meeting your requirements.
What are the minimum and maximum fiber lengths?
One meter is the recommended minimum length for the fiber delivery system to ensure the best output mode quality. 10 meters is the maximum fiber length. Requests for other lengths will be submitted to the engineering team for an assessment of the manufacturing, performance and cost implications.
What is the output beam quality?
Fundamentally the beam quality from a fiber is only limited by diffraction effects, and then the quality of the subsequent optics employed for beam control. The output beam from Point Source systems is diffraction-limited, typically better than lambda/4, however up to lambda/10 is available at additional cost in accordance with the customer's requirements. Specific measurements of wavefront quality, M-squared and Gaussian fit can also be incorporated into the specification as required.
What is the coupling efficiency in a Point Source fiber-coupled laser diode?
We use a range of methods that deliver coupling efficiencies up to 80%. However, we do not quote the coupling efficiency for individual products. We will select the best combination of laser diode and coupling performance to achieve the most economical solution for the desired performance. Instead we will always guarantee a minimum power from the fiber output.
Why do you recommend polarisation preserving fiber?
It is firstly important to understand the difference between polarisation preserving and standard singlemode fiber. Polarisation maintaining fiber maintains a stable, linear state of polarisation at better than 50:1, the use of standard singlemode fiber will result in an ever changing linear/elliptical state.
Because most laser based instrumentation applications involve the reflection or refraction of light at some point in the system, and, as a result, are polarisation sensitive to some degree, standard singlemode may cause unwanted signal fluctuations.
Can I choose singlemode fiber as a cheaper alternative?
All our fiber-coupled laser systems come with singlemode polarisation maintaining fiber as standard. We no longer offer non-PM fiber as an alternative.
What is the polarisation of the output beam?
The polarisation extinction is better than 50:1 for standard products; however custom OEM requirements can involve higher specifications.
Can you provide the iFLEX2000™ with focussed and/or elliptical output beams?
Yes, we regularly provide fiber systems that focus the output beam (to as low as 16 μm) and to elliptical output profiles. All you need to do is to specify the relevant beam parameters and working distances from the output optic and this will be referred to our development team who will be happy to provide a quotation for the design and manufacture of a suitable system. The cost of the design study and non-recoverable engineering charges will depend on the optical complexity and the volume required.
What connectors are available?
We offer fiber connectors as output terminations where they are to be used in conjunction with free-space optical systems. There are four styles available;
- FC: FC connector for standard singlemode fiber systems. These connectors are FC/PC polished which can cause feedback into the laser.
- FC8: 8 degree polished FC connector for standard singlemode fibers. These connectors are flat polished at 8 degrees parallel to the connector key. This prevents optical feedback into the laser.
- FCP: FC/PC connector for polarisation-maintaining fiber systems. The connector key is actively aligned to the polarisation axis of the fiber. These connectors are FC/PC polished which can cause feedback into the laser.
- FCP8: 8 degree polished FC connector for polarisation-maintaining fibers. The connector key is actively aligned to the polarisation axis of the fiber. These connectors are flat polished at 8 degrees parallel to the connector key. This prevents optical feedback into the laser.
- APC: 8 degree polished FC connector for polarisation-maintaining fibers. The connector key is actively aligned to the polarisation axis of the fiber. These connectors are flat polished at 8 degrees perpendicular to the connector key. This prevents optical feedback into the laser.
Fiber connectors are designed specifically for larger core fibers and low power applications in telecommunications.
The use of these connectors may degrade the performance and reduce the lifetime of visible/near IR fiber systems through exposure to dirt and inappropriate handling and, as a result, are not recommended as standard options.
If you require connectors for fiber-to-fiber applications, we will discuss your requirements with our engineering team who will assess the technical viability of your proposed solution.
Can I modulate the laser?
Yes, we offer both digital and analog modulation options on all of our lasers.
Can you wavelength-select devices or offer tolerances better than the standard specification?
Our standard product offering is designed to ensure both regular and long term supply of devices to our customers. However, it is often possible to wavelength select devices on a case-by-case basis. Long-term future supply of such devices should be considered at the earliest opportunity prior to specification. Please ensure that you discuss your long term plans and expectations with us as soon as possible.
What is the spectral linewidth of the laser?
The spectral linewidth of the standard product range is less than 0.5nm. If you have particular requirements for spectral linewidth, discuss these with technical.support@point-source.com who will be pleased to advise you further.
What power supplies are recommended?
For the iFLEX-2000™ we recommend the Point Source OEM power supplies.
What is the lifetime of the system, what is the warranty period and what is covered?
Just like all precision optical instruments and laser components, the performance and reliability of the system is affected by many factors. For example, the way the system is handled and the environmental conditions in which it is used. There are two major causes of premature death in a laser; laser diode failure, due to ESD damage or optical degradation, and fiber breakage through mishandling.
For the iFLEX2000™, ESD protection is designed into the power supply and packaging and, as a result, no particular ESD precautions are required. Contact technical.support@point-source.com for an application note on ESD handling precautions.
Provided that ESD damage can be prevented, optical degradation of the device is the limiting factor to ultimate device lifetime. The mechanism is accelerated by increased temperature and operating current. The devices selected for the standard product range have been carefully selected to provide greater than 10,000 hours of trouble free operation when used as recommended.
The warranty period for all Point Source products is 12 months (18 months for the iFLEX2000™) and covers defective components and workmanship for products used as recommended.
What are the recommended environmental operating conditions?
The spectral linewidth of the standard product range is less than 0.5nm. If you have particular requirements for spectral linewidth, discuss these with technical.support@point-source.com who will be pleased to advise you further.
Why are Point Source fiber-coupled lasers more efficient than lower cost alternatives?
Point Source fiber-coupled laser diodes are manufactured to the highest standards using high quality opto-mechanics. Our dedicate team of engineers have developed, and continue to develop, new and leading edge techniques to suit a vast range of laser diodes.
Why should we buy Point Source systems instead of lower cost alternatives?
The spectral linewidth of the standard product range is less than 0.5nm. If you have particular requirements for spectral linewidth, discuss these with technical.support@point-source.com who will be pleased to advise you further.
Why should we use a fiber-coupled laser diode rather than a lower cost collimated laser diode?
There are three major benefits to using a fiber-coupled laser diode:
- The output beam is circular and Gaussian and easily focussed to very small spot sizes
- The laser can be remotely delivered into hostile or inaccessible locations
- The output beam shape and mechanical size can be easily customised to suit your particular requirements
What is the price and can we have a copy of your price list??
All of our products are built to order and the many different specification combinations mean that we do not have a definitive list of finished goods on offer. Therefore we do not have a price list for complete systems. Depending on individual requirements pricing is put together in ‘building-block’ format from an internal price structure. Please use the product options and code to ask for a quotation.
What information do you need from me before you can quote?
In order that we provide you with a system that both meets your requirements and performs to the highest possible standards, we need to ensure that we design the input of the fiber to match the output parameters of your laser. Therefore we require information on the make and model of the laser you are using, the output beam diameter, the beam divergence (or M2) and the output power. We also need to know what length of fiber you require and the output termination (collimated beam or FC connector).
How do we place an order?
Once we have determined what product best meets your needs we will issue you with a formal quotation for this part. All we then need from you is a Purchase Order. Due to legal requirements this PO must be issued in hard-copy format (either by fax, post or e-mail attachment) on headed paper, showing the part description, the part number (if applicable) and the price in the correct currency (as per the quotation). This PO must also bear an authorised signature.
Please note that we are unable to accept unsigned Purchase Orders.
What is the delivery time?
Point Source do not offer ‘off the shelf’ components; all systems are build to order. Delivery time will depend on the nature of the product, its complexity and manufacturing loading at the time of the order. For repeat orders call-off schedules are available upon request, offering you just-in-time delivery at no extra cost. Please discuss this with your appointed Sales Engineer.
How can we return a product if faulty?
In the unlikely event of a problem with your system it is advised that you contact someone in the Sales team to discuss the nature of the fault. They will advise the best way forward and if this means returning the product for repair then you will be issued with an RMA (Return Material Authorisation) number against which you can return the item. This number must be referenced on all paperwork.
Please note that we cannot accept systems for which no RMA has been issued.