THORLABS IO-F-SLD100-1064, IO-F-SLD100-840 User Manual

IO-F-SLD100-1064
Fiber Isolator for
Broadband SLDs

User Guide

1064 nm Fiber Isolator for Broadband SLD’s

TTN046826-D02, Rev B Sept. 14, 2018

Table of Contents

Chapter 1 Safety ................................................................................. 2

Chapter 2 Setup .................................................................................. 3

2.1. Unpacking .................................................................... 3

2.2. Installation Procedure ................................................... 3

Chapter 3 Description ........................................................................ 4

3.1. Polarization Independent Optical Path Schematic .......... 5

Chapter 4 Operation........................................................................... 6

4.1. Forward Mode .............................................................. 6

4.2. Reverse Mode ............................................................... 6

Chapter 5 Warranty ............................................................................ 6

Chapter 6 Specifications ................................................................... 7

Chapter 7 Drawing ............................................................................. 8

Chapter 8 Regulatory ......................................................................... 9

Chapter 9 Thorlabs Worldwide Contacts....................................... 10

1064 nm Fiber Isolator for Broadband SLD’s Chapter 1: Safety

Page 2 Sept. 14, 2018

Chapter 1 Safety

WARNING

This isolator contains a powerful permanent magnet. Keep all steel objects

and anything affected by a magnetic field at a minimum distance of 2"

(50 mm) from the isolator.

WARNING

Do NOT attempt to disassemble this isolator. The isolator must remain

contained by the isolator body. Any disassembly of the isolator voids the

warranty and can be unsafe.

1064 nm Fiber Isolator for Broadband SLD’s

TTN046826-D02, Rev B Sept. 14, 2018

Chapter 2 Setup

2.1. Unpacking

Note: Thorlabs aligns the isolator with unpolarized light. This unit is fusion

spliced with the laser source fiber and individually tested. See the included test
report for details.

2.2. Installation Procedure

1) Carefully remove the unit from the box by removing the pins holding the
input and output fibers. Be wary of damaging the fiber when removing
the unit from the box.

2) Place the isolator into your fiber optic system.

3) Secure the base of the isolator to the table via the 4-40 (M3) mounting
slot.

4) Orient the isolator according to the engraving on the lid.

5) Splice the fiber to the source via fusion (recommended) or mechanical
splice.

6) Turn on the power source within the isolator wavelength range (±50 nm
of the center wavelength).

7) Ensure you apply only the maximum rated power of the isolator as
indicated on this spec sheet.

1064 nm Fiber Isolator for Broadband SLD’s Chapter 3: Description

Page 4 Sept. 14, 2018

Chapter 3 Description

Fiber isolators protect light sources from back reflections and signals that can
cause intensity noise and optical damage. Optical isolators, also known as
Faraday isolators, are magneto-optic devices that preferentially transmit light in
the forward direction while absorbing or displacing light propagating in the
reverse direction.

The IO-F-SLD Series Polarization-Independent Broadband Fiber Isolators are

specifically designed for use with superluminescent diodes (SLD’s). Typical fiber

isolators have a narrow isolating wavelength range with a peak isolation of about
33dB. These isolators are designed for flat isolation over a broad wavelength
range of either 100nm or 150nm depending on the model but have a lower
isolation of 23 to 32dB. This makes them an ideal choice for broad-spectrum
devices like SLD’s.

There is 0.8 m to 1.0 m of SM fiber built in to each side of the isolator, and an
arrow engraved on the body indicating the transmission direction. In addition,
each unit is tested before shipment to ensure compliance with our specifications
and a complete test report comes with every serialized part.

The main body of the isolator contains the Faraday rotator, polarizers and
retarder. The outer aluminum sleeves protect the input and output ports
containing the collimating lens and fiber ferrule.

This isolator is mounted on a baseplate with two 4-40 (M3) counterbored slots for
securing the unit to a breadboard or optical table. This base may be removed by
the user if desired. However, do not remove the lid as this is considered
disassembling and will void the warranty.

Part Number

The part number consists of the following:

 IO (The Isolator Code)
 Letter

o Polarization dependence (F/K – Independent; J/L – Dependent)
o Maximum Power Level (F/J – 2W CW max; K/L - 10W CW max)

 SLD1XX (indicates broadband wavelength range in nm)
 Center Wavelength (nm)

Example: The IO-F-SLD100-1064 isolator is a polarization independent fiber
isolator with a max power level of 2 W (CW), wavelength range of 100nm
(1064 ± 50nm) and a center wavelength of 1064 nm.

1064 nm Fiber Isolator for Broadband SLD’s

TTN046826-D02, Rev B Sept. 14, 2018

3.1. Polarization Independent Optical Path Schematic

1064 nm Fiber Isolator for Broadband SLD’s Chapter 4: Operation

Page 6 Sept. 14, 2018

Chapter 4 Operation

4.1. Forward Mode

Laser light enters the isolator via the input single mode fiber. A lens collimates
the light and splits it as it goes through a birefringent beam displacer polarizer.
The light then enters the rotator, which rotates its plane of polarization 45°. It
then passes through a quartz rotator and second displacer polarizer. Finally, it
exits via another collimating lens coupling into output fiber.

4.2. Reverse Mode

Some random beam reflections will be reflected back through the fiber towards
the laser. This feedback enters the isolator and is split by the output beam
displacer. The two beams are rotated 45 by the quartz rotator and another 45
by the faraday rotator. The two beams are now oriented 90 as compared to the
forward beams and walk off a second time instead of being recombined. These
beams do not couple into the input fiber and are absorbed inside the isolator
housing. The laser is now isolated from downstream reflections.

Chapter 5 Warranty

All Thorlabs fiber isolators are covered by Thorlabs’ six-month warranty against
defects in materials and workmanship.

WARNING

Do not attempt to disassemble the isolator.

Disassembly of the isolator voids the warranty and can be unsafe.

Please contact technical support if you have questions regarding performance or
operations. See page 10 for contact information by region.

1064 nm Fiber Isolator for Broadband SLD’s

TTN046826-D02, Rev B Sept. 14, 2018

Chapter 6 Specifications

Item #

IO-F-SLD100-1064

Polarization

Independent

Fiber Type

Single Mode (SM), HI1060

Center Wavelength

1064 nm

Operating Range

1014 - 1114 nm

Weight

0.20 kg

Optical Specifications

Isolation

≥ 25 dB @ 1064 nm

Max Powera

2.0 W (CW)

Insertion Loss (Without Connectors)

≤ 1.5 dB

Polarization Dependent Loss (PDL)

≤ 0.25 dB

Return Loss

≥ 50 dB

a) The maximum power specification represents the maximum power for

the combined forward and reverse directions. Therefore, the sum of the
powers in the forward and reverse directions cannot exceed the
maximum power specification.

1064 nm Fiber Isolator for Broadband SLD’s Chapter 7: Drawing

Page 8 Sept. 14, 2018

Chapter 7 Drawing

1064 nm Fiber Isolator for Broadband SLD’s

TTN046826-D02, Rev B Sept. 14, 2018

s

Chapter 8 Regulatory

As required by the WEEE (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive)
of the European Community and the corresponding national laws, Thorlabs offers

all end users in the EC the possibility to return “end of life” units without incurring

disposal charges.

 This offer is valid for Thorlabs electrical and electronic equipment:
 Sold after August 13, 2005
 Marked correspondingly with the crossed out

“wheelie bin” logo (see right)

 Sold to a company or institute within the EC
 Currently owned by a company or institute

within the EC

 Still complete, not disassembled and not

contaminated

As the WEEE directive applies to self-contained
operational electrical and electronic products, this end of
life take back service does not refer to other Thorlabs products, such as:

 Pure OEM products, that means assemblies to be built into a unit by the

user (e.g. OEM laser driver cards)

 Components
 Mechanics and optics
 Left over parts of units disassembled by the user (PCB’s, housings etc.).

If you wish to return a Thorlabs unit for waste recovery, please contact Thorlabs
or your nearest dealer for further information.

Waste Treatment is Your Own Responsibility

If you do not return an “end of life” unit to Thorlabs, you must hand it to a

company specialized in waste recovery. Do not dispose of the unit in a litter bin
or at a public waste disposal site.

Ecological Background

It is well known that WEEE pollutes the environment by releasing toxic products
during decomposition. The aim of the European RoHS directive is to reduce the
content of toxic substances in electronic products in the future.

The intent of the WEEE directive is to enforce the recycling of WEEE. A
controlled recycling of end of life products will thereby avoid negative impacts on
the environment.

Wheelie Bin Logo

1064 nm Fiber Isolator for Broadband SLD’s Chapter 9: Thorlabs Worldwide Contacts

Page 10 Sept. 14, 2018

Chapter 9 Thorlabs Worldwide Contacts

USA, Canada, and South America

Thorlabs, Inc.
56 Sparta Avenue
Newton, NJ 07860
USA
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
www.thorlabs.com
www.thorlabs.us (West Coast)

Email: [e-mail]
Support: [e-mail]

UK and Ireland

Thorlabs Ltd.
1 Saint Thomas Place
Ely CB7 4EX
Great Britain
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
www.thorlabs.com

Email: [e-mail]
Support: [e-mail]

Europe

Thorlabs GmbH
Hans-Böckler-Str. 6
85221 Dachau / Munich
Germany
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
www.thorlabs.de

Email: [e-mail]

Scandinavia

Thorlabs Sweden AB
Bergfotsgatan 7
431 35 Mölndal
Sweden
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
www.thorlabs.com

Email: [e-mail]

France

Thorlabs SAS
109, rue des Côtes
78600 Maisons-Laffitte
France
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
www.thorlabs.com

Email: [e-mail]

Brazil
Thorlabs Vendas de Fotônicos Ltda.
Rua Riachuelo, 171
São Carlos, SP 13560-110
Brazil
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
www.thorlabs.com

Email: [e-mail]

Japan

Thorlabs Japan, Inc.
3-6-3, Kitamachi,
Nerima-ku, Tokyo 179-0081
Japan
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
www.thorlabs.co.jp

Email: [e-mail]

China
Thorlabs China
Room A101, No. 100, Lane 2891,
South Qilianshan Road
Putuo District
Shanghai 200331
China
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
www.thorlabschina.cn

Email: [e-mail]

www.thorlabs.com