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Multicore Fiber

Multicore fibers provide a platform for the next generation telecommunication devices and sensor systems.

  • Simultaneous transmission of different signals down different cores
  • Photosensitive core designs for FBG inscription
  • Custom designs possible - more cores, mismatched cores, different core positions

Typical Applications:

  • Temperature and strain sensors
  • Structural Health Monitoring (SHM)
  • Active Optical Cables (AOC)
  • Space Division Multiplexing (SDM) transmission cables
  • Silicon photonics
  • Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) (non-spun)
    Comparison
     SM-4C1500 (6.1/125) SM-4C1500 (8.0/125)/001SM-7C1250 (5.2/125)SM-7C1500 (6.1/125)SSM-7C1500 (6.1/125)
    Number of Cores44777
    Operating Wavelength (nm)1520-16501520-165013101520-16501520-1650
    Cut-Off Wavelength (nm)1300-15001300-15001190-13101300-15001300-1500
    Numerical Aperture0.20-0.220.14-0.17 0.20-0.220.20-0.220.20-0.22
    Mode Field Diameter (μm)5.7-6.5 @1550nm7.4-8.5 @1550nm 4.8-5.6 @1310nm 5.7-6.5 @1550nm5.7-6.5 @1550nm
    Attenuation (dB/km) ≤ 2.5 @1550nm≤ 2.5 @1550nm≤ 5 @1310nm≤ 2.5 @1550nm≤ 2.5 @1550nm
    Proof Test (%)1 (100 kpsi)1 (100 kpsi)1 (100 kpsi)1 (100 kpsi)1 (100 kpsi)
    Cladding Diameter (μm)125 ± 1125 ± 1125 ± 1125 ± 1125 ± 1
    Core Spacing (μm)35 (nominal)50 (nominal)35 (nominal)35 (nominal)35 (nominal)
    Core Position ShapeTriangle plus central coreSquareHexagon plus central coreHexagon plus central coreHexagon plus central core
    Coating Diameter (μm)245 ± 10245 ± 12245 ± 7245 ± 10200 ± 7
    Coating TypeDual AcrylateDual AcrylateDual AcrylateDual AcrylateDual Acrylate
    Operating Temperature (ºC)-55 to +85-55 to +85-55 to +85-55 to +85-55 to +85
    Product Variants Explained
    SM-4C1500(6.1/125) Four SM cores within a standard 125μm cladding diameter, designed for shape sensing applications
    SM-4C1500(8.0/125)/001 Four SM cores within a standard 125µm cladding diameter, designed for use at 1550nm in data cables and shape sensing probes.
    SM-7C1500(6.1/125) 7 core SM fiber with a 125µm cladding diameter, designed for 1550nm.
    SSM-7C1500(6.1/125) Spun 7 core SM fiber with a 125µm cladding diameter, designed for use at 1550nm in 3D shape sensing applications.
    Technical Bulletins