Fiber Collimator series 60FC-F

Fiber Collimator/Fiber Coupler with fine-focussing mechanism

Fiber coupler 60FC-F-4

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Features

The fiber collimators series 60FC-F with fine-focussing mechanism are designed for collimating radiation exiting from an optical fiber cable or used in reverse as a fiber coupler (fiber port) for coupling a beam into an optical fiber cable. The focus adjustment is done using a fine-threaded ring.

Focal lengths up to 18 mm
Choice of aspheres, achromats and apochromats
Various AR coatings for UV - IR
Choice of fiber receptacles: FC PC or FC APC (standard), many others available
Compact Ø 12 mm housing
Focus adjustment using a fine-threaded ring with 0.5 mm pitch

This product will be discontinued and replaced by Fiber Collimators of series 60FC-SF.

Discontinued
Has been discontinued. Similar product: 60FC-SF

Configurator

This product has been discontinued. Similar product:

Fiber Collimator series 60FC-SF

Fiber Collimator/Fiber Coupler with super-fine thread

This product has been discontinued. Similar product: 60FC-SF

Description

The fiber collimators series 60FC-F are designed for collimating radiation exiting optical fiber cables with high pointing stability. They can also be used in reverse-mode as fiber incouplers. They are suitable for single-mode and polarization-maintaining fiber cables leading to collimated beams with a Gaussian intensity profile.

An optics for each application
A large variety of collimating optics allows that the optimum focal length and the best lens type for a single wavelength (asphere, monochromat) or a wavelength range (achromat) can be selected for each application. All lenses are AR-coated. For an ideal Gaussian beam and standard fibers you can reach coupling efficiencies up to 80%.

Adjustment of focus
The distance between fiber end-face and collimating optics is adjusted using a fine-threaded ring. The lens in these fiber collimators is spring-loaded. The linear bearing ensures that the lens does not rotate when adjusting the focus. The final focus setting is locked by means of two radially arranged clamping screws.

Optimum lens performance
The angled polish of connectors of type APC is considered by a pre-angled mechanical coupling axis that compensates the beam deflection and you can use the lens centrically. This minimizes aberrations simply resulting from a non-ideal beam path through the lens.

Connector Type
The fiber collimator can be equipped with FC PC (wide key*), FC APC (wide key*) receptacles. Because of the spring loaded ferrule the fiber coupler has an additional grub screw to increase pointing stability. *Even though the fiber coupler has a wide key receptacle it still can be used with both narrow key and wide key fibers. More information can be found here.

Material
The fiber collimators are available in nickel silver.

Mounting
The collimator can be placed into a standard mirror mount using the corresponding adapters.

This product has been discontinued. Similar product: 60FC-SF

Technotes

This product has been discontinued. Similar product: 60FC-SF

FAQ

Fiber Receptacle
- FC PC and FC APC
  - How do I attach a fiber cable?
    To prevent damage to the sensitive fiber end-face, always insert the fiber connector`s ferrule at an angle, with the connector key properly aligned to the receptacle notch.
    When the ferrule tip is safely located in the inner cylinder of the receptacle, align the connector to the receptacle axis and carefully introduce the connector into the fiber coupler.
    Then, orient the connector key in a way that it is pressed gently onto the right-hand side of the receptacle notch ("right-hand orientation rule").
    Gently screw on the connector cap nut onto the receptacle until it is finger-tight.
    Gently tighten the fiber grub screw to reduce the free play of the ferrule in the receptacle.
  - What is the "right-hand orientation rule"?
    When the ferrule tip is safely located in the inner cylinder of the receptacle, align the connector to the receptacle axis and carefully introduce the connector into the fiber coupler.
    Then, orient the connector key in a way that it is pressed gently onto the right-hand side of the receptacle notch.
    The tightened grub screw and the "right-hand orientation rule" for the connector, ensure a high reproducibility in mode field position and angle, which is especially important for attaching and reattaching polarization-maintaining fibers reproducibly.
  - Can I attach a narrow key fiber cable to a fiber coupler with a wide key receptacle?
    Yes, you can- without any problem. Simply adhere to the "right-hand orientation rule".
    Generally, with any FC PC or FC APC type connector there is a freeplay when inserting the fiber into the fiber coupler. The free play in between the connector ferrule and receptacle is only a few microns, but necessary for inserting the ferrule without force. There is a difference between the receptable and key width for wide key (2.14 mm) and narrow key (2.0 mm) fibers. If you follow the so-called "right-hand orientation rule" you can reproducibly attach and reattach even PM fibers with narrow key receptacle to fiber couplers with wide key receptacle without difficulty.
    "Right-hand orientation rule":
    When the ferrule tip is safely located in the inner cylinder of the receptacle, align the connector to the receptacle axis and carefully introduce the connector into the fiber coupler. Then, orient the connector key in a way that it is pressed gently onto the right-hand side of the receptacle notch. The tightened grub screw and the "right-hand orientation rule" for the connector, ensure a high reproducibility in mode field position and angle, which is especially important for attaching and reattaching polarization-maintaining fibers reproducibly.
Troubleshooting FC PC and FC APC
- I can‘t collimate the radiation out of a coupler. Why?
  - Have you loosened the grub screws?
    The clamp screws have to be loosened before changing the focus setting, Please refer to the adjustment instructions of the individual couplers for more details.
  - Have you checked, if the fiber is correctly placed within the fiber receptacle of the coupler?
    The fiber connector might not be placed correctly within the receptacle of the coupler. In particular, please check the small grub screw holding the connector's ferrule (e.g. for FC PC and FC APC type couplers). It might be in the way. Please refer to the adjustment instructions of the individual couplers for more details.
  - Have you tried another eccentric key?
    Please check, if the eccentric key is damaged or broken.
    
    Please also check, if you are using the appropriate eccentric key. The eccentric key type 60EX-5 has a larger stroke compared to the key type 60EX-4. The 60EX-5 is used for couplers with focal length ≥ 12 mm. The 60EX-4 is used for focal lenghts < 12 mm.
    
    In some very, very rare cases the stroke of the original eccentric key may be too small for the coupler in your applictation. (See FAQ "Difference between 60EX-4 and 60EX-5"). Try using the 60EX-5 in this case.
  - Have you checked the eccentric key for damage?
    The eccentric key might be damaged or broken. If that is the case, try another eccentric key of the same type and (or) contact Schäfter+Kirchhoff for replacement.
- It says my coupler/collimator was "precollimated" but the collimation setting seems to not be alright. What might be the problem?
  - Are you using the same wavelength as the adjustment wavelength?
    Schäfter+ Kirchhoff ships all collimators prealigned and collimated for either a specific wavelength defined by the customer or a typical wavelength. The collimation is performed using professional collimating telescopes.
    
    The adjustment wavelength is given on the label for each collimator/coupler. If you are using another wavelength you need to change the focus setting. Please refer to the manual for more details.
  - Are you using the same fiber type as in the adjustment procedure?
    The fibers used in the standard adjustment procedure are all equipped with an end cap when aligning for wavelengths ≤ 520 nm. The adjustment wavelength is given on the label for each collimator/coupler. If a fiber with end cap was used it is marked by "EC".
    
    If you are not using a fiber with an end cap but the preadjustment at Schäfter+Kirchhoff was done using an end cap ("EC") or you are using a fiber with an end cap and the preadjustment at Schäfter+Kirchhoff was done without, you might need to change the focus setting. Please refer to the manual for more details.

This product has been discontinued. Similar product: 60FC-SF

Downloads

Adjustment_60FC-F.pdf (Manual)

Article_FibercouplingNAe2.pdf (Technote)

This downloads section only includes general downloads for the complete series.
Please access the individual product pages (using the product configurator, the product list, order options or the search button if you have a complete order code). Here you will find specific downloads including technical drawings or stepfiles.

This product has been discontinued. Similar product: 60FC-SF