CeramOptec Optran MIR Silver Halide Fiber (4–16 µm)

Overview

CeramOptec Optran® MIR silver halide optical fiber is a single-material, polycrystalline infrared-transmitting fiber engineered for reliable and low-loss guidance in the mid-infrared (MIR) spectral region from 4 to 16 µm. Unlike silica or fluoride-based fibers, Optran MIR utilizes a solid-solution crystalline core composed of silver chloride and silver bromide (AgCl:AgBr), enabling transmission at wavelengths where conventional glasses are opaque—particularly critical for CO₂ laser delivery (10.6 µm), FT-IR spectroscopy, and thermal radiation sensing. Its operation relies on total internal reflection within a homogeneous crystalline structure, eliminating interfacial scattering losses common in multi-material waveguides. Designed for laboratory, industrial, and clinical environments demanding stable beam delivery beyond 4 µm, this fiber replaces articulated mirror arms and hollow waveguides with a flexible, alignment-free solution that maintains high spatial mode fidelity under bending and thermal cycling.

Key Features

• Optimized transmission for pulsed and continuous-wave CO and CO₂ lasers (especially 10.6 µm)
• Low intrinsic attenuation across 4–16 µm (typical < 0.2 dB/m at 10.6 µm under controlled conditions)
• Non-brittle mechanical behavior: high flexibility with minimum bend radius of R = 100 × fiber diameter
• Non-hygroscopic composition—resistant to ambient moisture absorption without hermetic coating
• High numerical aperture: NA ≈ 0.5 (bare core), 0.35–0.13 (core/clad variants depending on cladding thickness)
• Robust thermal stability: operational range from –60°C to +110°C; melting point at 412°C
• Compatible with standardized fiber termination and coupling hardware (e.g., SMA905, FC/PC, custom collimators)

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

Optran MIR fiber is compatible with standard optical mounts, kinematic stages, and laser launch systems used in ISO/IEC 17025-accredited laboratories. While the fiber itself is not certified to a specific regulatory standard, its material composition and performance characteristics align with requirements for Class 4 laser system integration per IEC 60825-1. In medical device applications (e.g., laser surgery or ablation catheters), it supports design verification under ISO 13485 and biocompatibility assessments per ISO 10993–5 when integrated into properly validated assemblies. The AgCl:AgBr core exhibits no outgassing in vacuum environments (<10⁻⁶ mbar), making it suitable for UHV-compatible FT-IR sampling interfaces.

Software & Data Management

Optran MIR fiber operates as a passive optical component and does not require embedded firmware or driver software. However, when integrated into automated FT-IR spectrometers (e.g., Bruker Tensor series, Thermo Nicolet iS50), it functions transparently within vendor-supplied acquisition platforms compliant with ASTM E1421 and ISO 17025 data integrity guidelines. For laser power monitoring setups, the fiber’s known reflective loss (~25% at 10.6 µm) must be factored into calibration routines traceable to NIST SRM 2211 or equivalent radiometric standards. All coupling configurations support audit-ready documentation per FDA 21 CFR Part 11 when deployed in GMP-regulated analytical workflows.

Applications

• CO₂ laser beam delivery for precision cutting, welding, and surface modification in semiconductor and biomedical manufacturing
• Remote sampling probes for Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy in hazardous or confined spaces (e.g., reactor monitoring, gas cell interfacing)
• Thermal radiation collection in non-contact temperature measurement systems operating in 3–14 µm bands
• Laser-based dermatology and dentistry devices requiring flexible, sterile-compatible beam delivery
• Infrared imaging illumination in multispectral inspection systems (e.g., food quality control, pharmaceutical tablet analysis)
• Power stabilization loops in high-energy laser systems using real-time feedback via integrated photodiodes

FAQ

What is the maximum continuous power density the fiber can handle at 10.6 µm?
The damage threshold is rated at 10 kW/cm² for CW CO₂ laser exposure under optimal coupling and cooling conditions. Actual limits depend on spot size, pulse duration, and thermal management.
Is the fiber compatible with standard fiber connectors?
Yes—Optran MIR is available with SMA905, FC/PC, or custom metalized terminations. Bare-core versions require specialized epoxy-free mounting due to thermal expansion mismatch.
Does humidity affect transmission performance?
No. Unlike chalcogenide or tellurite fibers, AgCl:AgBr is non-hygroscopic and requires no protective jacketing for ambient air operation.
Can it be spliced or connectorized in-house?
Splicing is not recommended due to crystalline grain boundary disruption. Termination must be performed by CeramOptec-certified facilities or authorized partners using diamond-lapped ferrules and index-matching techniques.
How does numerical aperture vary between bare-core and clad configurations?
Bare-core NA is ~0.5; core/clad variants offer NA values of 0.35, 0.25, or 0.13 depending on cladding thickness—selected to balance confinement efficiency against bend-induced loss.