Fiber lasers and amplifiers are being used in a wide variety of applications. Their popularity is growing because of their great wall-plug efficiency and superior beam quality even at high power levels. Because their use in the business sector is rising, the reliability of these devices, as well as other components necessary in the system, is being prioritized.

To improve the dependability and robustness of all-fiber lasers and amplifiers at high power, unwanted light must be managed with extraordinary efficiency. This is when a cladding power stripper (CPS) comes into play.

When you can correctly regulate the unwanted light, you may considerably increase the system’s quality as well as the output light beam. The undesirable light propagates through the system’s chain of components, with each component performing a specialized function.

Tapered fused bundle (TFB) couplers, for example, are used to combine signal and pump light. They typically have low transmission loss but require backward traveling light shielding to perform safely at high power in a practical system. Cladding power strippers can be used here to ensure safe operation.

What Is A Cladding Power Stripper?

A cladding power stripper is a mode stripping device that removes any light that flows through the cladding, allowing measurements to be based solely on the effects of the core and not the cladding.

High stripping efficiency, minimal signal loss, low beam quality degradation, high extinction ratio, high-temperature stability, high power handling capabilities, and extreme reliability are all characteristics of an optimal cladding power stripper.

It assists you in ensuring that optical powers are absorbed over a wide region and that generated heat is securely dispersed without impacting or injuring the surrounding components.

What are the applications for a cladding power stripper?

Cladding power strippers are commonly used in:

  • Fiber amplifiers
  • Fiber laser systems
  • ASE Stripping
  • Life science and Imaging
  • Quantum optics
  • Telecommunication systems
  • Biomedical applications
  • Metrology field

Why Do I Need To Remove The Light From An Optical Fiber’s Cladding?

Unwanted light in the fiber cladding causes poor beam quality and erroneous measurements. When working with high-power systems, these impacts can be more pronounced. Aside from boosting beam quality, you may also wish to keep leftover light from accompanying the boosted signal or reaching the signal source. Excessive heat from unwanted light in the cladding might also harm the coating. As a result, cladding power strippers will be required to eliminate the unwanted light that goes through the cladding.

Some of the common steps to follow when using a Cladding Power Stripper:

  • Inspect the fiber for any damage or contaminants.
  • Adjust the tool to the appropriate setting for the type of fiber and cladding being stripped.
  • Gently clamp the fiber in the tool and activate the stripping mechanism.
  • Inspect the stripped fiber to ensure that the cladding has been removed cleanly and that the core is undamaged.

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