Optical fiber, as the core component of modern communication technology, sensing technology and laser technology, its diameter is not only a key indicator of light-conducting ability, but also profoundly affects the transmission efficiency, the convenience of fusion splicing operation and the reliability of engineering applications. The diameter of optical fiber varies greatly, from micron to millimeter, each specification carries a specific application mission, the following is a popularization of several major types of optical fiber classified by diameter.
Micro/Nano Fiber
As the name implies, its diameter is very small, usually in the micron (μm) to hundred nanometer (nm) scale, close to or less than the wavelength of transmitted light. This characteristic gives it extremely high optical field confinement and remarkable swift wave transmission properties, making it a favorite in the field of sensing. In gas, angular velocity, biological and temperature sensing, micro-nano optical fibers show extraordinary sensitivity and precision. Meanwhile, it is also unique and has great potential application prospects in nanoscale optical near-field coupling, nonlinear optics, and atomic optics.
Micro-nano optical fiber and its applications
Fine diameter optical fiber ≤80μm
The diameter usually does not exceed 80μm, with excellent bending resistance, while being able to maintain high information transmission efficiency. In the pursuit of equipment densification and miniaturization, fine-diameter optical fibers are widely used in communication, sensing and medical fields. Whether it is high-density fiber optic cabling systems, fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) projects, fiber optic ring devices in miniaturized fiber optic gyroscopes, or even endoscopes and fiber optic scalpels in medical equipment, you can see its figure.
Fine diameter bias-preserving optical fiber and standard diameter optical fiber, mainly used in the field of communication and sensing
Standard Diameter Fiber 125μm
That is, optical fiber with cladding diameter of 125μm is the cornerstone of fiber optic communication field. It skillfully balances transmission efficiency, manufacturing costs and ease of installation, and is widely used to build large-scale fiber optic communication networks, supporting the spine of the Internet infrastructure. Whether it is long-distance communication across oceans or broadband access within cities, it meets the urgent needs of society for high-speed and high-quality data transmission with its efficient and stable performance.
Large Diameter Optical Fiber 125μm~500μm
Also known as large core diameter fiber, its core diameter is significantly larger than the standard optical fiber, effectively reducing the thermal and nonlinear effects of laser transmission, making it in need of high-power laser transmission or special optical imaging occasions to show their strengths. In the field of industrial laser processing, welding, with high-power laser, to achieve efficient and accurate processing operations; later, the market launched a square core, rectangular core, octagonal core and other special structure of the homogenization of the fiber, to achieve the spatial distribution of the light field control and homogenization, to solve the traditional large-core diameter optical fiber output beam energy is not uniform on the processing of the damage problem. In the medical field, large-core diameter optical fibers help endoscopes and microscopes to improve imaging quality and bring a clearer diagnostic field of view.
Various types of large-diameter optical fibers, mainly used in the field of laser energy transmission
Rod-shaped optical fiber >500μm
Its diameter far exceeds the traditional optical fiber category, up to several millimeters or even tens of millimeters, is a special fiber designed for high-power laser transmission. Its strong energy-carrying capacity ensures the quality and stability of the laser in the transmission process, and it has become an indispensable basic material for industrial laser processing and large-scale scientific research experiments. Currently, the ytterbium rod-shaped photonic crystal fiber produced in Europe and the United States has been embargoed on the domestic.
Early ytterbium-doped rod-shaped photonic crystal fiber, the outer diameter of 1.5mm, ytterbium-doped core of 60µm
The choice of fiber diameter is based on the specific application scenarios and needs of the results of careful consideration, with the progress of science and technology, fiber optic technology will continue to evolve, bringing more surprises and changes for human society.
