Fiber Geometry System FGC-GS
A glass geometry measurement system for standard and specialty fiber up to 800 um in diameter, measuring core and cladding diameter, non-circularity and concentricity in under 10 seconds.
Technical overview
The FGC-GS images a prepared fiber end face using darkfield reflection and high-NA transmitted illumination at 525 nm, and returns core and cladding diameter, non-circularity and core-to-cladding concentricity. Arden states the current unit is around 25% smaller than previous models. Absolute calibration is held by the FGC-FCD125 golden-fiber artefact, traceable to the UK National Physical Laboratory, which users can apply in-house. A plug-in software architecture provides standardised routines for production consistency alongside manual tools for novel designs. The FGC-GS-D variant adds one-click dual-wavelength (525 and 850 nm) illumination.
Features
- User calibration with NPL-traceable artefact: in-house calibration using the FGC-FCD125 golden-fiber artefact
- Enhanced Optical System & Algorithm: redesigned software and hardware for better measurement performance in a smaller footprint
- One-click, dual-wavelength illumination (FGC-GS-D)
- Improved Manual Analysis Tool & Reporting: quick assessment of new fiber designs without setting up automated routines
- Around 25% smaller than previous models
- Software architecture supports fiber characterisation via standardised plugins
- Measures most fibers up to 800 um including Single Mode, PANDA PM, Active, Multi-core and Hollow Core (NANF and DNANF)
Specifications
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Field of view | 900 um |
| Fiber illumination - reflection (FGC-GS) | Darkfield illumination, 525 nm LED |
| Fiber illumination - reflection (FGC-GS-D) | Darkfield illumination, 525 & 850 nm Dual |
| Fiber illumination - transmission (FGC-GS) | High NA LED source, 525 nm |
| Fiber illumination - transmission (FGC-GS-D) | High NA LED source, 525 nm & 850 nm Dual |
| Core diameter repeatability, singlemode | <0.05 um |
| Core diameter repeatability, multimode | <0.08 um |
| Core diameter repeatability, 20/400 | <0.1 um |
| Cladding diameter repeatability, singlemode | <0.05 um |
| Cladding diameter repeatability, multimode | <0.05 um |
| Cladding diameter repeatability, 20/400 | <0.15 um |
| Core non-circularity repeatability, singlemode | <1.0 % |
| Core non-circularity repeatability, multimode | <0.5 % |
| Core non-circularity repeatability, 20/400 | <0.5 % |
| Cladding non-circularity repeatability, singlemode | <0.1 % |
| Cladding non-circularity repeatability, multimode | <0.1 % |
| Cladding non-circularity repeatability, 20/400 | <0.1 % |
| Core-to-cladding concentricity repeatability, singlemode | <0.06 um |
| Core-to-cladding concentricity repeatability, multimode | <0.05 um |
| Core-to-cladding concentricity repeatability, 20/400 | <0.15 um |
| Repeatability basis (singlemode/multimode columns) | Measured using a single 125 um fiber without removing it from the unit at 22 degC; applicable to OM1, OM2 and singlemode fibers only |
| Repeatability basis (20/400 column) | Measured using a single 20/400 um fiber without removing it from the unit at 22 degC |
| Measurement time | <10 seconds (excluding fiber prep) |
| Fiber diameter | up to 800 um |
| Special fibers | Dual clad, Non-circular, Octagonal, PM, Capillary, Multicore, etc. |
| Weight | 11 kg (with carry case 33 kg) |
| Size of FGC unit | 0.3 x 0.45 x 0.15 m |
| Total footprint (incl. fiber handling bench) | 0.7 x 0.45 x 0.15 m |
| Operating temperature | 10 - 30 degC |
| Computer requirements | All FGC systems are supplied with a computer running up-to-date Windows OS |
| Data interface | 1 x USB 3.0 (USB B to USB A: 1 m cable supplied) |
| Calibration artefact | FGC-FCD125 golden-fiber artefact, traceable to the National Physical Laboratory (NPL), United Kingdom |
Applications
- Dimensional measurement of standard and specialty fiber in production and R&D
- PM fiber, active fiber and multi-core fiber characterisation
- Hollow-core (NANF and DNANF) fiber characterisation
- Production quality control of drawn fiber geometry
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