Auniontech PIR Polycrystalline Infrared Fiber
| Brand | Auniontech |
|---|---|
| Model | PIR |
| Core Diameter Range | 240–860 µm (standard extruded) |
| Transmission Range | 3–17 µm |
| Attenuation | 0.2–0.3 dB/m (9–13 µm) |
| Structure | Solid-core / cladding |
| Material | Polycrystalline Silver Halide (AgClₓBr₁₋ₓ) |
| Compliance | RoHS-compliant, ISO 9001-manufactured components |
| Component Type | Optical Fiber Element |
Overview
The Auniontech PIR polycrystalline infrared fiber is a high-performance solid-core optical waveguide engineered for efficient mid-infrared (MIR) radiation transmission across the spectral band from 3 to 17 µm. Unlike silica-based fibers—which exhibit strong absorption beyond 2.2 µm—PIR fibers utilize a homogeneous polycrystalline matrix of silver halide (AgClₓBr₁₋ₓ), enabling low-loss propagation through fundamental vibrational absorption windows of key molecular species. This makes the PIR fiber uniquely suited for applications requiring broadband MIR delivery where thermal stability, mechanical robustness, and absence of water absorption are critical. The fiber is manufactured via precision hot extrusion under inert atmosphere, ensuring minimal grain boundary scattering and uniform crystallinity—key determinants of both attenuation performance and bend tolerance. Its operation principle relies on total internal reflection (TIR) within a high-refractive-index core surrounded by a lower-index polycrystalline cladding, maintaining modal integrity without requiring metallic or dielectric coatings.
Key Features
- Broadband transmission from 3 to 17 µm with no intrinsic absorption peaks in this range
- Low attenuation of 0.2–0.3 dB/m measured at 10.6 µm (CO₂ laser line) and 9.3 µm (QCL emission bands)
- Core diameters available from 240 µm to 860 µm in standard extruded configurations; custom core/cladding ratios support numerical aperture optimization
- Hydrophobic surface chemistry eliminates moisture uptake—critical for long-term stability in ambient lab environments
- Non-toxic composition compliant with RoHS Directive 2011/65/EU; free of cadmium, lead, and mercury compounds
- Mechanically flexible with minimum bend radius ≥15× outer diameter (OD), supporting integration into compact optical benches and articulated beam paths
Sample Compatibility & Compliance
The PIR fiber is compatible with standard SMA-905, FC/PC, and custom metal-encapsulated terminations for coupling to MIR sources including quantum cascade lasers (QCLs), optical parametric oscillators (OPOs), and continuous-wave CO and CO₂ lasers. It supports both pulsed (ns–ms pulse widths) and CW operation up to average power densities of 10 W/mm² at 10.6 µm (with appropriate end-face polishing and anti-reflection coating). All fibers undergo batch-certified spectral transmission validation per ISO 11146-2:2019 (laser beam parameters) and are traceable to NIST-calibrated FTIR reference standards. Manufacturing adheres to ISO 9001:2015 quality management systems, and material safety data sheets (MSDS) are provided per REACH Annex XIV requirements.
Software & Data Management
While the PIR fiber itself is a passive component, its integration into automated MIR systems benefits from compatibility with industry-standard control frameworks. When used with spectrometers (e.g., Bruker Tensor series) or QCL-based platforms (e.g., Block Engineering QCL-EC-QT), the fiber’s stable transmission profile enables reproducible calibration transfer between instruments. Spectral data acquired through PIR-coupled setups can be processed using OPUS, GRAMS/AI, or Python-based libraries (e.g., SciPy, PyMIR) without correction artifacts introduced by variable fiber loss. For GMP/GLP-regulated environments, documentation packages include lot-specific transmission curves, dimensional inspection reports, and environmental stress test summaries (thermal cycling: –40°C to +85°C, 500 cycles; humidity exposure: 85% RH, 1000 h).
Applications
- Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy—enabling remote sampling in hazardous or confined spaces (e.g., catalytic reactor monitoring, gas cell interfacing)
- Contactless infrared thermometry in industrial process control, particularly for materials with emissivity <0.4 (e.g., polished metals, thin films)
- MIR endoscopic imaging for biomedical research, including label-free tissue differentiation based on lipid/protein vibrational signatures
- Beam delivery for surgical CO₂ lasers (10.6 µm) and emerging QCL-based ablation tools operating between 5.5–12 µm
- Gas sensing platforms targeting fundamental rovibrational lines of CH₄, NH₃, NO₂, and SF₆ within their atmospheric absorption windows
- Calibration transfer between laboratory-grade and field-deployable MIR analyzers under ASTM E1421–22 guidelines
FAQ
What is the maximum average power the PIR fiber can handle?
For continuous-wave operation at 10.6 µm, the recommended maximum average power density is 10 W/mm² at the input facet. Higher peak powers are permissible for nanosecond-pulsed sources with appropriate duty cycle management.
Can the fiber be connectorized with standard fiber optic interfaces?
Yes—custom terminations are available with SMA-905, FC/PC, or kinematic mounts optimized for MIR alignment. Bare-fiber splicing is not supported due to material brittleness and thermal expansion mismatch.
Is the fiber suitable for vacuum or UHV environments?
The AgClBr composition exhibits negligible outgassing below 1×10⁻⁶ mbar, making it compatible with UHV-compatible optical feedthroughs when sealed with indium or copper gaskets.
How does humidity affect long-term transmission stability?
Unlike chalcogenide fibers, PIR fibers are intrinsically hydrophobic; accelerated aging tests show no measurable change in attenuation after 1000 hours at 85% RH and 60°C.
Are transmission spectra provided per lot?
Yes—each shipment includes a certified spectral transmission report (3–17 µm, 4 cm⁻¹ resolution) measured on a Bruker VERTEX 80v FTIR with gold-coated integrating sphere.
