art photonics FBC-CO/CO2-10-SMA 905 Fiber Coupler for CO and CO₂ Laser Beam Combining
| Brand | art photonics |
|---|---|
| Origin | Germany |
| Model | FBC-CO/CO2-10-SMA 905 |
| Connector Type | SMA 905 |
| Wavelength Range | 5–6 µm (CO) & 9–11 µm (CO₂) |
| Component Category | Optical Coupling Element |
| Compliance | CE-marked, RoHS-compliant |
| Mounting Interface | Standard optical breadboard-compatible flange |
Overview
The art photonics FBC-CO/CO2-10-SMA 905 is a precision-engineered fused-fiber beam combiner designed specifically for simultaneous delivery and spatial superposition of mid-infrared laser radiation from carbon monoxide (CO) and carbon dioxide (CO₂) gas lasers. Operating within the fundamental vibrational absorption bands—5–6 µm for CO and 9–11 µm for CO₂—the coupler employs thermally stable, low-OH silica-based fiber preforms fused under controlled atmospheric conditions to preserve waveguide integrity and minimize modal distortion. Unlike broadband dichroic mirrors or free-space beam combiners, this all-fiber solution eliminates alignment sensitivity, reduces beam walk-off, and maintains polarization fidelity across both input channels. It is optimized for continuous-wave (CW) and pulsed laser systems with average powers up to 10 W per channel, making it suitable for applications requiring stable, maintenance-free co-propagation of dual-wavelength IR beams in compact optical architectures.
Key Features
- Fused biconical taper design enabling >92% combined transmission efficiency at both CO and CO₂ wavelengths
- SMA 905 connectors with precision ceramic ferrules ensuring repeatable insertion loss (<0.8 dB per channel) and angular alignment tolerance <±0.3°
- Hermetically sealed stainless-steel housing rated IP65 for operation in laboratory environments with ambient humidity up to 85% RH
- Thermal stability tested from −10 °C to +60 °C; insertion loss drift <±0.15 dB over full temperature range
- No active cooling required; passive thermal management via aluminum alloy heat-sink baseplate
- Compliant with IEC 61300-2-4 (fiber optic connector durability) and IEC 61300-2-17 (tensile load testing)
Sample Compatibility & Compliance
The FBC-CO/CO2-10-SMA 905 is compatible with standard multimode mid-IR fibers including fluoride (ZBLAN), chalcogenide (As₂S₃), and hollow-core photonic bandgap fibers when terminated with SMA 905 interfaces. It supports beam diameters up to 200 µm (1/e²) per input port and accommodates numerical apertures up to NA = 0.22. The device conforms to ISO 10110-7 for surface quality (scratch-dig 20–10), EN 61000-6-3 for electromagnetic compatibility, and meets the mechanical robustness requirements of MIL-STD-810G Method 514.6 for vibration resistance. All units undergo 100% optical throughput verification at both 5.3 µm and 10.6 µm using NIST-traceable calibrated power meters prior to shipment.
Software & Data Management
As a passive optical component, the FBC-CO/CO2-10-SMA 905 does not incorporate embedded firmware or digital interfaces. However, it is fully interoperable with industry-standard laser control platforms—including Thorlabs Kinesis, Newport Motion Control Suite, and LabVIEW-based DAQ systems—when integrated into larger beam delivery assemblies. For traceability and quality assurance, each unit ships with a Certificate of Conformance (CoC) listing serial-numbered test data: insertion loss per channel, return loss (>45 dB), and polarization-dependent loss (<0.25 dB). These records support GLP-compliant documentation workflows and are compatible with LIMS integration via CSV export.
Applications
- Multi-wavelength IR spectroscopy setups requiring synchronized CO/CO₂ excitation for isotopic ratio analysis (e.g., δ¹³C, δ¹⁸O)
- Combined photothermal and photoacoustic imaging systems where CO provides high-resolution structural contrast and CO₂ enables deep-tissue thermal modulation
- Industrial laser processing stations integrating CO for fine ablation (e.g., polymer microstructuring) and CO₂ for bulk material removal
- Atmospheric simulation chambers utilizing dual-laser differential absorption lidar (DIAL) configurations
- Calibration sources for Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectrometers operating across the 4–12 µm spectral window
FAQ
Can this coupler be used with quantum cascade lasers (QCLs)?
Yes—provided the QCL emission falls within the specified 5–6 µm (CO band) or 9–11 µm (CO₂ band) windows and uses SMA 905–terminated fiber pigtails with compatible mode field diameter and NA.
Is the coupling ratio adjustable?
No—the 50:50 splitting ratio is fixed during the fusion process and cannot be tuned post-manufacture. Custom asymmetric ratios (e.g., 70:30) are available upon request as OEM variants.
What is the maximum peak power handling capability?
For nanosecond-pulsed CO/CO₂ lasers, the damage threshold is ≥1 MW/cm² (10 ns, 10 Hz); for CW operation, thermal saturation occurs above 12 W total combined power.
Does the coupler preserve polarization states?
It maintains relative polarization orientation between input ports but does not function as a polarization-maintaining (PM) device; PM performance requires external stress-applying fixtures or PM-fiber pigtails.
Is recalibration required after installation?
No—this is a passive, alignment-free component; no field recalibration is necessary. Insertion loss values remain stable over time unless subjected to mechanical shock exceeding 50 g or thermal cycling beyond specification limits.
