PM (Polarization Maintaining) variable optical attenuator (VOA) plays a vital role in fiber optic components and systems tests, reducing the output optical power and getting the power suitable. It provides polarization maintenance, low insertion loss and adjustment precision, and a high extinction ratio and return loss. Follow this article to learn more about PM VOA.
What is a PM Variable Optical Attenuator?
PM VOA is an optical passive device used to reduce the output of optical signal power and get the power suitable. All input and output fibers maintain the polarization state of the light. PM VOA is mainly used in fiber optics to debug optical power performance, optical instrument calibration correction, and fiber signal attenuation to ensure the optical power in a stable and desired level in the link without any changes on its original transmission wave. In addition, it is available in manual and screw types, with or without a connector, and the connector key is aligned to the slow axis.
How Does PM Variable Optical Attenuator Work?
PM VOA enables the user to manually vary the attenuation of the signal in the fiber as transmitted through the device. It precisely balances the power in fiber circuits or evaluates the dynamic range of measurement systems. Adjustment of the PM attenuation is acquired using the thumbscrew on the top of the housing module. In addition, it is collimator-based manual variable attenuation with PM fiber at input and output ports. It has an input fiber, collimating lens, blocking device, focusing lens, and output fiber. The blocking device is shifted into the beam path, blocking part of the free-space beam. Then, a second lens couples light into the output fiber. Thus, the coupling efficiency is changed until the desired attenuation is acquired.
Features and Benefits
PM VOA provides the following features and benefits:
1. Low insertion loss and polarization-dependent loss
2. Low original loss and cost
3. High isolation and precision
4. High extinction ratio and return loss
5. High reliability and stability
6. Compact size and wide attenuation range
7. In-line structure and collimator-based easily variable attenuation
8. Available in a variety of connector types and SM, MM, and PM fiber
9. Center wavelength available 532/630/780/850/980/1030/1064/1310/1480/1550/2000nm
Applications
PM VOA is used in in-line power control, fiber lasers, fiber optic sensing, fiber optic amplifiers, test and measurement, telecom network, data center, EDFA, CWDM/DWDM, OADM, CATV, LAN, optics laboratory, digital multimedia transmission systems, etc.
Conclusion
PM VOA provides high stability, reliability, and transmission speed, low insertion loss, compact size, and continuously adjustable optical attenuation while maintaining the polarization state of the input light. It finds widespread use in fiber optic communication systems, test and measurement, fiber optic sensing, and other applications.
Sun Telecom specializes in providing one-stop total fiber optic solutions for all fiber optic application industries worldwide. Contact us if you have any needs.
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