As a kind of optical fiber connecting device, the combiner determines the power and beam quality of the fiber laser as well as guarantees the safe and stable operation of the laser. Based on coupling technology, the optical fiber combiner combines different pump lights into a single fiber to transmit, increasing the output power of the laser. This is why an optical fiber combiner is an important component in the laser fiber system.

In this post, we will look at other details of optical fiber combiner as well.

What are the classifications of optical fiber combiner?

Based on the functional classification, the optical fiber combiner is categorized into

  • Power combiner
  • Pump combiner

The use of a pump combiner is to combine multiple pump beams into an optical fiber for output, used mainly to improve the pump power. On the other hand, the use of a power combiner is to combine multiple single-mode lasers into an optical fiber for output to improve the output power of the laser.

Based on composition classification, the optical fiber combiner is categorized into

  • Nx1 optical fiber combiner without signal fiber
  • (N+1)x1 optical fiber combiner with signal fiber

The one fiber in the center of the (N+1)x1 finder combiner is the signal fiber combiner.

What do N and other composition classifications of optical fiber combiner mean?

During the manufacturing process, the N optical fibers are closely and symmetrically arranged around the signal optical fibers and the signal optical fibers in the middle are used for signal light input.

The combiner with Nx1 composition includes both a power combiner and a pump combiner.

Another major role of N-channel input fiber is that its model defines the functionality of the optical fiber combiner. For example, the single-mode fiber or large mode field fiber of the n-channel fiber can be directly connected with n lasers, improving the output power of the laser i.e. the power combiner. On the other hand, the multimode fibers of N-way fibers are connected with N pump sources to improve the pump power of the laser i.e. the pump combiner.

In the middle of the combiner, the single-mode fiber is the signal fiber for signal light transmission. And the N-channel multimode fiber that surrounds the combiner is the pump fiber for the pump light transmission.

The (N+1) x1 beam combiners are a bit specific. They are known as pump beam combiners and are widely used in optical fiber amplification systems.

Where can you get an optical fiber combiner?

By now, you very well know that an optical fiber combiner is an important component in the laser fiber system. So, you should look for a reputable manufacturer and supplier to get it. If the combiner is not right, the fiber laser system will not work.

DK Photonics is one reputable name that manufactures optical fiber combiners considering all the standards. Also, they manufacture customized products. You just have to mention your requirements keeping all your requirements in mind. You will get exactly what you want.