Fibre Optic Switch

The FOS Series fibre optic switch provides a convenient way to connect up to eight lasers to a single fibre-coupled instrument, such as the wavelength meters and spectrum analysers also provided by Bristol Instruments. It allows a single wavelength meter or spectrum analyser to characterise multiple lasers automatically. Complex experiments and multiple users can be easily accommodated.

The FOS is a self-contained microelectromechanical (MEMS) switch that operates from 400 to 1700 nm (VIS) or from 1000 to 2600 nm (NIR2). The switch is USB powered and controlled using a simple and intuitive PC application. Switching can be done manually, with the user selecting an appropriate channel, or automatically by cycling through user specified channels.

Specifications	VIS	NIR2
Switch Type	1×4 or 1×8
Wavelength Range	400 – 1700 nm	1000 – 2600 nm
Internal Fibre Type	9 µm core diameter (singlemode over 1260 – 1625 nm)	7 µm core diameter (singlemode over 1850 – 2200 nm)
Connector Type	FC/UPC or FC/APC
Transmission ^[1],[2]	10 – 30% (400 – 600 nm) 30 – 40% (600 – 1700 nm)	20 – 40% (1000 – 1600 nm) 10 – 20% (1600 – 2600 nm)
Repeatability ^[2]	≥ 0.01 dB
Polarisation Dependent Loss ^[2]	≥ 0.1 dB
Return Loss ^[2]	≥ 40 dB
Crosstalk ^[2]	≤ -50 dB
Switching Time	≤ 5 ms
Switching Frequency	≤ 30 Hz
Lifetime	Earlier of 10⁸ cycles or two years
Maximum Input Power	0.05 mW (400 – 500 nm) 10 mW (500 – 600 nm) 100 mW (600 – 1700 nm)	100 mW (1000 – 2600 nm)
Dimensions (H x W x D)	64 x 140 x 229 mm
Weight	1.1 kg
Power	USB 2.0 / 500 mA
Instrument Interface	Windows-based application via USB 2.0 or greater

^[1] Achieved using an optical input fibre with a core diameter that matches the FOS internal fibre.
^[2] Characteristic performance, but non-warranted.

Bristol Fibre Optic Switch