Reliability of low-index polymer coated double-clad fibers used in fiber lasers and amplifiers

Kanishka Tankala; Douglas P. Guertin; Jaroslaw Abramczyk; Nils Jacobson

doi:10.1117/1.3615653

1 November 2011 Reliability of low-index polymer coated double-clad fibers used in fiber lasers and amplifiers

Kanishka Tankala, Douglas P. Guertin, Jaroslaw Abramczyk, Nils Jacobson

Author Affiliations +

Optical Engineering, Vol. 50, Issue 11, 111607 (November 2011). https://doi.org/10.1117/1.3615653

Abstract

The reliability of low-index polymer coated double-clad (DC) fibers used in the manufacture of fiber lasers and amplifiers has not received adequate attention. This paper evaluates the mechanical reliability of fibers, using standard fiber optic test procedures, and compares the performance of the DC fibers to the GR-20-CORE standard adopted by the industry. An 85°C hot water soak test is proposed as an accelerated test to evaluate a low-index polymer coated DC fiber performance with prolonged exposure to temperature and humidity conditions experienced during storage and operation of fiber lasers. The test is used to evaluate DC fibers with three different coatings, including a specially engineered coating, and benchmark fibers from competitors. The data in this paper demonstrate that a dual acrylate coated DC fiber, using the specially engineered coating, has median failure stress values of over 700 kpsi and an average stress corrosion parameter of 21, well exceeding the recommended industry minimum values of 550 kpsi and 18, respectively. The accelerated temperature and humidity aging test clearly demonstrates that DC fibers with specially engineered coatings have 2 to 3 orders of magnitude better optical reliability. Such remarkable optical and mechanical performance significantly alleviates long term reliability concerns of fiber lasers and amplifiers.

©(2011) Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers (SPIE)

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Kanishka Tankala, Douglas P. Guertin, Jaroslaw Abramczyk, and Nils Jacobson "Reliability of low-index polymer coated double-clad fibers used in fiber lasers and amplifiers," Optical Engineering 50(11), 111607 (1 November 2011). https://doi.org/10.1117/1.3615653

Published: 1 November 2011

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