Light to Fiber Couplers/Collimators

Product Portfolio
For collimation or focusing tasks, a very broad and complete line of fiber optic components is available for coupling light into and out of optical fibers. Depending on the fiber’s core and cladding diameter and the required optical performance, the user can choose from a wide range of sizes from micro to large beam versions.

Featuring low back reflection and diffraction-limited lenses, these fiber collimators, focusers and combiners exhibit high throughput and high optical performance, for example with focal spot sizes down to a few microns.

Laser Diode to Fiber Couplers
Receptacle style laser diode to fiber couplers have a female receptacle, such as NTT-FC or AT&T-ST, etc., at the output end of a small, rugged package, while pigtail style laser diode to fiber couplers with a fiber pigtail permanently fixed to the collimator provide higher coupling efficiencies and lower backreflection levels as well as better stability.

Both laser diode to fiber coupler series may be purchased pre-aligned, with the diode already in place, or as a kit that can be assembled by customers using their own diode. These tilt-adjustable laser diode source couplers work with MM, SM and PM ﬁber and are available in different diameters for a variety of diode case sizes and for diode wavelengths from 375 nm to greater than 2050 nm.

Laser diode power combiners (receptacle or pigtail style) are designed to combine two polarized laser diode outputs into a single SM, MM or PM output fiber. Additionally, these series includes fiber-to-fiber polarization combiners/splitters as well as laser diode to fiber couplers with a monitor photodiode that either measures the reference power from the laser diode or detects light returning from the fiber.

Fiber to Photodiode Couplers
Fiber to photodiode couplers are available for virtually any photodiode on the market, using either SM, MM or PM fiber. The coupler design is both rugged and flexible, allowing users to do their own alignment if desired. For OEM applications, miniature pigtail style fiber to photodiode couplers that do not use the tilt adjustment technique provide both a smaller size and lower cost.

Laser to Fiber Couplers
Receptacle style, non-contact style laser to fiber couplers feature an air gap between the fiber and the lens, allowing to adjust the distance between them. They are best suited for applications where either the input energy is higher than 400 mW, or when more than one wavelength is to be coupled into the fiber, or for input beams that have unusually large beam diameters or divergence angles.

Adjustable focus source laser to fiber couplers, available with a variety of lens types and fiber types, are ideal for situations where optical coupling efficiency is critical, such as in high-power applications. A special connector allows the spacing between the fiber and lens to be precisely controlled without rotating the fiber – ideal in polarization maintaining applications, as the polarization axis does not change.

Pigtail style laser to fiber couplers are recommended for permanent or semi-permanent situations. The permanently glued fiber-lens assembly is inserted into a tilt adjustment flange and held in place with two radial set screws. In these pigtail style couplers, the internal endface of the fiber is polished at an angle to reduce backreflection, which can further be improved by adding an AR coating to the inner fiber tip.

RGB (Red/Green/Blue) combiners and delivery systems efficiently combine three to five visible lasers into a common output port – providing a complete method to deliver full color laser light from a SM, PM or MM fiber. The RGB combiners can be provided as a pigtailed passive device or as a low profile RGB laser engine with or without built-in laser diode drivers.

You are looking for a special lens material, a particular optical fiber type or a certain fiber length? We would be pleased to specify and source a customized light to fiber coupling or collimating solution for you – please contact us!

Related Products
Our light to fiber couplers and collimators can be used with our broad range of optical fibers, patch cables, bundles and assemblies, driven by our various lasers and light sources.

Beyond light to fiber couplers and collimators, further fiber components are available like fiber receptacle collimators and focusers, fiber connectors, mating sleeves and adapters, fiber WDMs, combiners, splitters and couplers, fiber amplifiers, attenuators and polarization controllers, as well as fiber optic circulators, delay lines, filters, isolators, switches and other fiber optic assemblies.

Our portfolio of precision optics includes optical lenses, optics assemblies, optical filters, optical prisms, optical mirrors, optical beamsplitters, etalons, optical gratings, optical isolators and polarization optics as well as optical scanners and deflectors or optical modulators, q-switches and pockels cells.

For mounting, adjusting and moving our optical components with high precision, we carry an array of optomechanics and motion control such as optical mounts, rotary and translation stages plus motion controllers as well as optical tables, breadboards and platforms.

Definition
Light to fiber couplers and collimators can be used to couple light to/from lasers, laser diodes, acousto-optic devices, photodiodes and other fiber optic devices, and are additionally ideal for fiber packaging applications.

While pigtail style versions are firmly connected to the optical fiber by the manufacturer (so the fiber cannot be replaced without also replacing the coupling lens), receptacle style versions with plug terminals for a variety of optical connectors allow for a user-detachable fiber connection.

Pigtail style light to fiber couplers provide optimum coupling efficiency and output stability with minimum insertion loss and backreflection. In these couplers, the fiber tilt is pre-adjusted, and the fibers are pre-aligned and permanently glued to the focusing lens. The output fiber can be terminated with different output connectors.

Receptacle style, non-contact style light to fiber couplers always show an air gap between the fiber and the lens – with some models allowing for adjustment of the fiber/lens distance to compensate for changes in source wavelength or to intentionally defocus the light beam to prevent arcing in high-power laser to fiber applications. Non-contact style couplers also have superior polarization maintaining capabilities compared to physical contact style couplers. However, the backreflection level for the endface of the fiber is quite high because of the air gap – slant polishing both fiber ends to deflect the backreflected signal can help. Tilt adjustment capabilities allow for optimum alignment of optical paths.

Receptacle style fiber to photodiode couplers commonly consist of two baseplates (one holding the photodiode and the other one containing the focusing optics and the connector for the input fiber), separated by an O-ring. Tilt adjustment allows to achieve the maximum coupling efficiency. With pigtailed fiber to photodiode couplers, the fiber, lens and photodiode are glued into a single assembly without tilt adjustment – or the couplers use no lens at all, and the fiber is simply butted against the photodiode. Both of the latter designs are intended for OEM applications.

Laser diode power combiners are special devices for combining two or more laser diode outputs into a single fiber. Laser diode combiners/splitters utilize a beam splitter in reverse to act as a combiner. The laser diode outputs are collimated and attached onto the combiner and the combined beam is focused into the splitter/combiner output fiber. Rotating the collimated outputs helps maximizing the light output. These combiners can also be equipped with photodiodes that act either as a reference laser diode power monitor or as a detector for light returning from the fiber. Such a setup is also known as optical transceiver.

RGB combiners and delivery systems combine light from multiple different wavelength sources (most commonly red, green, and blue) to achieve output light in a single fiber that is white in appearance. A broad spectrum of colours can be generated by varying the relative intensities of the individual light sources.

Alternative Terms: Laser Diode to Fiber Coupler; Laser Diode to Fiber Collimator; Laser Diode to Fiber Combiner; Laser to Fiber Coupler, Laser to Fiber Collimator; Laser to Fiber Splitter; Laser to Fiber Combiner; RGB Combiner; RGB Delivery System; Photodiode to Fiber Coupler; Fiber to Photodiode Coupler

(P)FPD Fiber to Photodiode Couplers

Pigtail/Receptacle Versions; Fiber Type SM, MM or PM; Tilt Adjustment Feature for Many Couplers; Pigtail Versions Optional with Pre-configured Connectors (P)FPD fiber to photodiode couplers are available for virtually any photodiode on the market, using either SM, MM or PM fiber. The coupler design is both rugged and flexible, allowing customers to do their own alignment if desired. For OEM applications, miniature pigtail style fiber to photodiode couplers are available that do not use the tilt adjustment technique. These feature both a smaller size and lower cost.Our fiber to photodiode couplers come in three basic designs. The most common design consists of two baseplates (one holding the photodiode and the other one containing the focusing optics and the connector for the input fiber), separated by a resilient O-ring. OZ Optics’ patented tilt adjustment technique is used to achieve the maximum coupling efficiency (typical >80% for SM fibers, depending on fiber and photodiode characteristics) even for very small spot sizes of <10 µm. For the second design, the fiber, lens and photodiode are glued into a single assembly without the tilt adjustment technique. The third and final design uses no lens at all. The fiber is simply butted against the photodiode. Both of these designs are intended for OEM applications. For optimum coupling efficiency, stability, and minimum backreflection, we recommend using pigtail style fiber to photodiode couplers, available with a wide variety of fiber types and cable sizes, also preterminated with different types of connectors. Receptacle style versions are typically only available for multimode applications, or large active area photodiodes. AMS Technologies welcomes opportunities to fiber couple into your specific photodiode. Please contact us with details of the fiber required and the photodiode specifications, and we will determine the best, most cost effective method of fiber coupling. Key Features: High Coupling Efficiency Available in SM, PM and MM Versions Compact Housing InGaAs or Si Photodiodes Standard Contact us for Custom Specific Diodes Small Active Area Photodiodes for High Bandwidth Applications: Power Measurements; Optical Signal Measurements; Optical Power Control Devices; Fiber Optic Sensors; Data Transmission Systems

Product number: SW10516

Manufacturer: OZ Optics

HPUC Laser to Fiber Couplers

Receptacle Style; 180 to 2000 nm; Coupling Efficiency >60% to >80%; Backreflection -14 to -60 dB; Power Handling >1 to >100 W In OZ Optics' HPUC series of receptacle style, non-contact style laser to fiber couplers, an air gap exists between the fiber and the lens. This design is more flexible, allowing a wide range of lens types and focal lengths to be used. The distance between the fiber and the lens can be adjusted to compensate the changes in the source wavelengths or to intentionally defocus the laser beam to prevent arcing in high power laser to multimode fiber applications. Couplers using GRIN lenses, achromats, aspheres, fused silica, plano-convex, and biconvex lenses have all been made utilizing this design. Non-contact style couplers can handle input powers of up to 100 W CW, and even higher energies from pulsed sources. They are best suited for applications where either the input energy is higher than 400 mW, or when more than one wavelength is to be coupled into the fiber, or for input beams that have unusually large beam diameters or divergence angles. They also have superior polarization maintaining capabilities compared to physical contact style couplers. However because of the air gap between the fiber and the lens, the backreflection level for the endface of the fiber is about -14 dB. This can be reduced to -40 dB to -60 dB by slant polishing both fiber ends to deflect the backreflected signal. There is a significant variation in the endface geometries of angled PC (APC) connectors. This effects the spacing between the endface of the fiber and the lens. To minimize this variation, OZ Optics offers an angled flat (AFC) connector. This connector features a beveled endface where the fiber itself is angled but the ferrule tip is flat. This geometry provides optimum repeatability between connections. For users of SMA connectors, please note that standard SMA connectors and receptacles are constructed to rather loose tolerances, leading to poor repeatability. For core diameters of 100 µm or smaller, we recommend using SMA connectors with Zirconia ferrules and receptacles with Zirconia sleeves. This will give maximum repeatability. Better still, consider using FC connectors instead. Key Features: High Power Handling Wide Range of Lenses Excellent Polarization Maintaining Capabilities Different Connector Receptacle Versions Wide Wavelength Ranges Applications: Laser Shows/Entertainment; Spectroscopy; Interferometric Sensors; Fluorescence Measurements; Medical, Pharmaceutical & Chemical Sensors; OEM Laser Systems

Product number: SW10524

Manufacturer: OZ Optics

HPUC-2A Laser to Fiber Couplers

Adjustable Focus; 200 to 2100 nm; Power >5 to >100 W CW; Coupling Efficiency >70% to >90%; Fiber Type SM, MM or PM HPUC-2A adjustable focus source couplers are ideal for situations where optical coupling efficiency is critical, such as in high power applications. A special connector allows the spacing between the fiber and lens to be precisely controlled without rotating the fiber. This is ideal in polarization maintaining applications, as the polarization axis does not change. The adjustments allow to compensate for any change in wavelength or beam wave location, thus further optimizing the coupling efficiency. The optimized coupling efficiency leads to minimized heating of the fiber, especially important with high power. Adjustable focus couplers are available with a variety of lens types and fiber types. Internal surfaces are angle polished and/or AR coated to minimize backreflection. Typical backreflection levels are -40dB, with -60dB available for certain options. In our OZ Optics portfolio you also find fiber patchcords with adjustable FC/PC connectors only. For more information please see the patchcord section or contact us for further assistance. Key Features: Can handle power up to 100 W CW Patented connector designs for precise coupling with focus adjustment Excellent coupling efficiency up to 90% Operating wavelengths 200 nm to 2100 nm Fiber end caps with ±25 µm thickness tolerance Applications: Laser Marking, Cutting & Welding; Laser Shows & Entertainment; Materials Processing; High-power Spectroscopy; Non-linear Optics; Laser Surgery; LIDAR; Interferometric Sensors; Laboratory; Education & Training; Visual Laser Alignment for Manufacturing; Medical, Pharmaceutical & Chemical Sensors; Fluorescence Measurements; OEM Laser Systems

Product number: SW10523

Manufacturer: OZ Optics

HULD Laser Diode to Fiber Couplers

Receptacle Style; 375 to 2000 nm; Wavelength Accuracy ±5 to ±30 nm; Coupling Efficiency 10% to 75%; Fiber Type SM, MM or PM OZ Optics’ HULD series of receptacle style laser diode to fiber couplers is offering optimum coupling in a small, rugged package. The couplers may be purchased prealigned, with the diode already in place, or as a kit that can be assembled by the customer using their own diode. The complete assembly procedure is quite straightforward. An assembly and operating instruction video on a USB drive, showing the alignment process, is available. In addition, a complete alignment kit is available, which includes the laser diode collimation wrench, multimode ﬁber assembly, centering lens, and video instructions. Diode source couplers are available for a variety of diode case sizes, and for diode wavelengths from 375 nm to greater than 2000 nm. These source couplers work with MM, SM and PM ﬁber. HULD connector receptacle style couplers have a female receptacle, such as NTT-FC, or AT&T-ST, etc. at the output end. This allows the user to connect any optical ﬁber with a matching male connector to the diode. HULD laser diode to ﬁber couplers are available in different diameters from 0.79 inch to 1.3 inch. These tilt adjustable source couplers can be used over a temperature range of -25 °C to +60 °C and have been vibration tested. Higher temperature versions are available on request OZ Optics also offers special, low cost, miniature receptacle style laser diode to ﬁber couplers for OEM applications. These packages use just a single lens to couple light from the laser diode into the ﬁber. They do not use OZ Optics tilt adjustment technique. This package features a compact, rugged housing, at a lower cost. A variety of options like a built-in isolator, a blocking screw to attenuate the output beam as well as polarizers or polarization rotators in the middle are also available. Key Features: 375nm to 2000nm Variety of Standard Packaging Options SM, MM or PM fiber Rugged Design Custom Design for Diodes High-power Version Applications: Fiber Optic Communications; Optical Alignment Systems; Process Control; Optical Sensors; Medical Apparatus; Imaging Systems ; Test and Measurement Systems

Product number: SW10522

Manufacturer: OZ Optics

LDPC Laser Diode to Fiber Couplers

Pigtail Style; 375 to 2050 nm; Laser Diode Power 5 to 150 mW; Coupling Efficiency 25% to 55%; Fiber Type SM, MM or PM OZ Optics’ LDPC series of pigtail style laser diode to fiber couplers is offering optimum coupling in a small, rugged package. The couplers may be purchased prealigned, with the diode already in place, or as a kit that can be assembled by the customer using their own diode. The complete assembly procedure is quite straightforward and can be done in less than twenty minutes. A complete alignment kit, which includes tools and video instructions, is available separately. Laser diode source couplers are available for a variety of diode case sizes, and for diode wavelengths from 375 nm to greater than 2050 nm. These source couplers work with MM, SM and PM fiber. Pigtail style laser diode to fiber couplers provide higher coupling efficiencies and lower backreflection levels than receptacle style couplers, as well as better stability. The output fiber can be terminated with different output connectors, as desired. Laser diode to fiber couplers are available in different diameters from 0.5 inch to 1.3 inch. These tilt adjustable source couplers can be used over a temperature range of -25 °C to +60 °C and have been vibration tested. Higher temperature versions are available on request.OZ Optics also offers special, low cost, miniature pigtail style laser diode to fiber couplers for OEM applications. These packages use just a single lens to couple light from the laser diode into the fiber. They do not use OZ Optics tilt adjustment technique. This package features a compact, rugged housing, at a significantly lower cost. A variety of options like a built-in isolator, a blocking screw to attenuate the output beam as well as polarizers or polarization rotators in the middle are also available. Key Features: 375nm to 2050nm Variety of Standard Packaging Options SM, MM or PM fibe Rugged Design Applications: Fiber Optic Communications; Optical Alignment Systems; Process Control; Optical Sensors; Medical Apparatus; Imaging Systems ; Test and Measurement Systems; OCT Systems

Product number: SW10521

Manufacturer: OZ Optics

LPSC Laser to Fiber Couplers

Pigtail Style; 200 to 2100 nm; Coupling Efficiency >60% to >80%; Backreflection -35 to -60 dB; Power Handling >1 to > 100 W OZ Optics' LPSC pigtail style laser to fiber couplers are recommended for permanent or semi-permanent situations, where optimum coupling efficiency, output stability, and minimum backreflection are desired. In these couplers the fibers are permanently glued to the focusing lens. The fiber-lens assembly is then inserted into the tilt adjustment flange and held in place with two radial set screws. Because the fiber is permanently attached to the lens, the fiber cannot be replaced without also replacing the coupling lens. In pigtail style couplers the internal endface of the fiber is polished at an angle to reduce backreflection. This ensures <-40 dB backreflection. By adding an anti-reflection coating to the inner fiber tip, backreflection can be further improved to -60dB. Key Features: Wavelength Range 200 nm to 2100 nm Coupling Efficiency up to 90% Polarization Maintaining Capabilities up to 35 dB Rugged, Compact, Stable Design Low Backreflection Environmentally Stable Adjustable Output Power Applications: Interferometric Sensors; Medical, Pharmaceutical & Chemical Sensors; Fluorescence Measurements; Spectroscopy; Laser Shows/Entertainment; OEM Laser Systems

Product number: SW10525

Manufacturer: OZ Optics

RGB Combiners and Delivery Systems

For 3 to 5 Wavelengths; 400 to 660 nm; Return Loss 40 dB; Insertion Loss <1.5 to <2.8 dB; Fiber Type SM, MM or PM OZ Optics’ RGB (Red/Green/Blue) combiners and delivery systems use custom optics and dichroic filters to combine efficiently three to five visible lasers into a common output port – providing a complete method to deliver full color laser light from a SM, PM or MM fiber. The RGB combiner can be provided as a pigtailed passive device or as a low profile RGB laser engine with or without built-in laser diode drivers to combine light from three to five different wavelength sources (red, green, and blue are the most common) to generate output light that is white in appearance from a single fiber. By varying the relative intensities of the individual transmitted visible lasers, one can generate a spectrum of colors. The fiber is protected with a rugged, flexible cable. The light from the output fiber can be collimated using an optional achromatic collimator to give near ideal Gaussian beams ranging from 0.6 mm to 10 mm in diameter. Alternatively, achromatic focusers can be supplied to focus the light to spots only a few microns in diameter. Key Features: Combine up to five visible wavelengths (400 nm to 660 nm) Compact Footprint- MM, SM and PM Fiber Versions High Power Handling Low Insertion and Return Losses Applications: White Light Displays; Confocal Microscopy; Laser Spectroscopy; Fluorescence Microscopy; Color Holography and Imaging Systems; Flow Cytometry

Product number: SW10715

Manufacturer: OZ Optics

ULBS, TRBS, WDM Laser Diode to Fiber Couplers

Combines Two Polarized Laser Diode Outputs into Single Fiber; Coupling Efficiency 45% to 90%; Backreflection Level -25 to -60 dB; Pigtail/Receptacle Versions; Fiber Type SM, MM or PM OZ Optics' ULBS, TRBS and WDM laser diode power combiners are designed to combine two polarized laser diode outputs into a single fiber. The output fiber can be SM, MM or PM fiber. Fiber-to-fiber polarization combiners/splitters are also available. The device utilizes a beam splitter in reverse, to act as a combiner. The laser diode outputs are collimated, and then attached onto the combiner. The collimated laser diode outputs are rotated until the maximum light comes out of the splitter/combiner output. The combined beam is then focused into the output fiber using OZ Optics' patented tilt adjustment technique. Laser diode power combiners come in a small, rugged package and are available either with female receptacles to accept different connectors (NTT-FC, AT&T-ST, etc.), or pigtail style, with the fiber directly attached. Pigtail style combiners are recommended for optimum stability, minimum insertion losses, and low backreflection. Receptacle style systems are best suited for applications where the output coupler is used with a MM fiber.The coupling efficiency from each diode is about 75% to 90% for MM fibers and 45% to 55% for SM fibers. The typical backreflection level returning to the laser diode is -20 dB. Backreflection levels of -25 dB, -40 dB, and -60 dB are available for pigtail style combiners. OZ Optics also supplies laser diode to fiber couplers with photodiodes. They are available in two configurations. In one setup, the photodiode acts as a monitor photodiode, measuring the reference power from the laser diode. The second setup instead uses the photodiode to detect light returning from the fiber. Such a setup is also known as an optical transceiver.

Product number: SW10520

Manufacturer: OZ Optics