Multicore Fiber Fanout

FromChiral Photonics, Inc.

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Multicore fiber (MCF) is increasingly of interest for applications ranging from 3D shape sensing to space division multiplexing to high density coupling for photonic integrated circuits and interconnects. Due to the tight channel spacing in multicore fiber, addressing each core individually is challenging. Chiral’s Multicore Fiber Fanout (MCFFO) enables addressing individual cores of these fibers with high precision and low loss. Fanouts are typically shipped in spliced pairs. This configuration enables full testing of insertion loss and crosstalk for each pair. MCF and pigtail lengths can be tailored to your needs. The fanout pigtails, the 7 fibers shown in the example above, are typically standard singlemode fibers. However, we have fabricated many custom fanouts with pigtail fibers tailored to meet specific customer needs. Fanouts can be fabricated to include connectorization and assembly with other components, as desired.

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We carry a number of multicore fibers in stock, in limited supply (see MCF Table below) and can supply both the fanouts and MCF. If preferred, we often work with customer-supplied MCF. To date, we have supplied fanouts for MCF with 2 to 22 channels in a variety of configurations (hexagonal, square, circular and others). Some exemplary MCF fibers for which we have fabricated fanouts are shown below, along with related citations. Please speak to us about your specific fanout needs.

Average insertion loss per channel: 0.5 dB
Average crosstalk per channel: < -40 dB
Metal cylindrical package: ~155 mm length x 3.4 mm OD, including protective boots

Shown below is a typical report for a pair of 7-channel MCF fanouts, showing the insertion loss for each channel (diagonal shaded in blue), through two fanouts, and core-to-core crosstalk data (cells shaded in yellow). A report containing this information is provided with all fanouts.

Fanouts are available as single fanouts or in pairs and can be customized to your specific needs. We can use your MCF or one of the fibers we stock. MCF and pigtail lengths can be adjusted. Jacketing, conectorization and ruggedization options are available to fit your specific needs. Below are examples of options available.

MCFFO-P-7/35-03-1550-SM-01-FC/APC-BB-0.05/0.05-02-XX-00

Multicore fiber fanout, pair, 7 channels

MCF: MCF-007_03, 7 channels, 35 µm pitch, 2 meters between fanouts, no jacket, no connector
1550 nm central wavelength
Pigtails (14): SMF28 fiber, 1 meter long, breakout box, color-coded jacketing, FC/APC connectors

MCFFO-S-4/50-04-1550-SM-1.5-SC/APC-00-00/00-01-CO-SC/UPC

Multicore fiber fanout, single, 4 channels

MCF: MCF-004_1, 4 channels, 50 µm pitch, 1 meter, no jacket, SC/UPC connector
1550 nm central wavelength
Pigtails (4): SMF28 fiber, 1.5 meters long, no jacket, SC/APC connectors

MCFFO-P-2/45-XX-1550-SM-02-00-00/00-05-XX-00:

Multicore fiber fanout, pair, 2 channels

MCF: customer-supplied, 2 channels, 45 µm pitch, 5 meters between fanouts, no jacket, no connector
1550 nm central wavelength
Pigtails (4): SMF28 fiber, 2 meters long, no jacket, no connectors

MCFFO-P-19/30-XX-1550-SM-01-LC/APC-00-00/00-01-XX-00:

Multicore fiber fanout, pair, 19 channels

MCF: Customer supplied, 19 channels, 30 µm pitch, 1 meter between fanouts, unjacketed, unconnectorized
1550 nm central wavelength
Pigtails (38): SMF28 fiber, 1 meter long, no jacket, LC/APC connectors

(Fanouts are available as single fanouts or in pairs)