Polycrystalline Infrared (PIR)

The development of speciality fibres for the Mid-Infrared region has resulted in a unique product - Core / Clad Polycrystalline Infra-Red (PIR) fibres. The PIR fibres are non-toxic, very flexible, transparent across a broad spectral region from 3 -18 µm and are capable of operating over the wide temperature range of 4K up to 420K. They are manufactured in a core/clad structure of superior quality from pure AgCl: AgBr solid solution crystals using an innovative vacuum extrusion method. They possess no ageing effect compared to an alternative bare core fibre. The range of PIR fibre cables are available with a durable PEEK polymer jacket and terminations using either an SMA - type connector with a Ti or polymer ferrule or a specialised one, manufactured on customer request. A wide variety of different optical coupling units can also be designed & fabricated for specialised customer requirements.

FEATURES:

  • high transmittance from 3 µm up to 18µm
  • high flexibility and no toxicity
  • suitable for CO2 - laser power delivery up to 50W
  • low Attenuation at 10.6µm (0.1-0.5 dB/m)
  • fibre diameters from 0.3 to 1.0mm
  • fibre lengths up to 20m (for 0.5mm diameter)
  • no ageing effect

FIBRE DESIGN AND PROPERTIES

FIBRE SPECIFICATIONS:

  • Fibre diameter (standard): 400/500, 630/700, 900/1000 µm
  • Transmission range: 4-18 µm
  • Attenuation at 10.6 µm: 0.1-0.5 dB/m
  • Refractive index: 2.15
  • Effective NA: 0.25
  • Laser Damage Threshold for cw CO2-laser: >12 kW/cm2
  • Melting point: 415°C
  • Tensile strength: >100 MPa
  • Minimum Bending Radius (fixed): 10x[Fibre Diameter]
  • Minimum Elastic Bending Radius: 100x[Fibre Diameter]

Standard fibre/cable diameters.

Other fibre diameters in 0.3 - 1.5mm range are also available upon the request for special fabrication.

Product code Core [µm] Clad [µm] Jacket's inner diameter [µm] Jacket's outer diameter [µm]
PIR 400/500 400 500 740 1590
PIR 630/700 630 700 1400 3175
PIR 900/1000 900 1000 1400 3175

Standard fibre/cable diameters.

Other fibre diameters in 0.3 - 1.5mm range are also available upon the request for special fabrication.

Product code Core [µm] Clad [µm] Jacket's inner diameter [µm] Jacket's outer diameter [µm]
PIR 400/500 S 400 500 740 1590
PIR 630/700 S 630 700 1400 3175
PIR 900/1000 S 900 1000 1400 3175

Protective Jacket

Core/clad PIR fibres are protected by a loose PEEK-jacket (PolyEtherEtherKetone) to provide stiff, flexible and hermetic protection against mechanical, photoinduced and chemical damage over a wide temperature range (up to 250°C)

PIR-fibre end-surface treatment

  • Cutting: low cost, high performance - standard
  • Polishing: for special application, including AR-coating - on request
  • SMART: for reduced reflection of high CO2-laser intensity - on request

OPTIONS

  • accessory kits for remote spectroscopy with FTIR, QCL and TDL-spectrometers
  • pig-tailing of IR-detectors: TE- & LN-cooled MCT, PbSe, thermopiles, etc.

Cable termination with a special Ti-ferrule SMA-connector:

  • for low power (spectroscopy & radiometry) applications
  • for high laser power delivery - free standing fibre end
  • standard cable length - 1m & 2m

APPLICATIONS

  • Flexible delivery system for CO and CO2 laser.
  • Flexible IR-imaging systems.
  • Remote non-contact pyrometry in the 100-600K range.
  • Fibre probes for remote in-line, in-vivo and process IR - spectroscopy.

PIR fibre Spectral Transmission (Standard & Spectral)

 

1 - PIR 400/500 after 2.5 year storing (red)
2 - PIR 600/700 after 2.5 year storing (purple)
3 - PIR 400/500 after 1 month storing (green)

Attenuation at 10.6µm in core/clad PIR fibres measured within 28 months storage after extrusion

For product availability and pricing contact:

sales@fibrephotonics.com
+44 (0) 845 557 6450