CO2 Laser Glass Processing System
Published on : Tuesday 30-11--0001
The GPX4000LZ offers the most advanced glass shaping features of our Vytran® fiber processing workstations. Unlike our other glass processors, the furnace tower on the GPX4000LZ uses two user-exchangeable heat sources. The primary 40 W CO2 laser heat source enables the fabrication of advanced features such as large end caps (fuse directly to end caps up to Ø5 mm; see examples below) or complex terminations.
It also does not require purge gas or consumable filaments, which greatly reduces the maintenance needed. The laser optical head can be swapped for a standard filament fusion furnace that allows the use of existing filament-based recipes on the GPX4000LZ.
The combination of these two modes provides users the flexibility to develop fabrication recipes that best suit their application. Fully-automated XY and rotational alignment using our True Core Imaging technology is compatible with both heating modes.
The glass processing workstation, computer with process development and operation software, and power supply are integrated into a rolling cart for easy movement in the workspace.
When splicing, the laser forms an annular beam shape that uniformly heats the fiber ends and then the two fibers are carefully pushed together.
Features
- Glass Processor Workstation with Two Heating Modes
- Integrated 40 W, Air-Cooled CO2 Laser with Adjustable Annular Beam Output; No Consumables Needed
- Filament Furnace Heating via Filament Assemblies (Replacement Filament Assemblies Sold Separately Below)
- Create Low-Loss (~0.02 dB) Splices in Standard Glass Fibers (See Specs Tab for Details)
- Make Adiabatic Tapers in Single Mode, Multimode, Polarization-Maintaining, and Specialty Fibers
- Fabricate End-Cap Terminations up to Ø5 mm (For Larger End Caps; Contact Tech Support)
- Automated XY and Rotation Alignment
- Side-View / End-View Imaging and Splice Loss Determination using True Core Imaging® Technology
- Software with Process Development GUI and Splice Process Library (See Software Tab for More Information)
- Customizable with Fiber Holder Inserts and Additional Options (Click Here for List of Components)
Specifications:
Heating Mode |
CO2 Laser Mode |
Filament Mode |
---|---|---|
Heat Source Specifications |
||
Laser Wavelength |
10.55 µm (Minimum) |
N/A |
Laser Output Power |
40 Wa |
N/A |
Laser Safety Features |
Metal Cover with Interlock |
N/A |
Laser Beam Control |
Closed-Loop Feedback System |
N/A |
Filament Temperature Range |
N/A |
Room Temperature to 3000 °C |
Splicing Specifications |
||
Fiber Types (Non PM) |
Single Mode, Multimode, Photonic Crystal, Large Mode Area, Non-Circularb |
|
Fiber Types (PM) |
Panda, Elliptical, Bow-Tieb |
|
Accepted Fiber Diameters |
Splice: 250 µm Coating - 2 mm |
Splice: Up to 1.7 mm (Max) |
Splice Loss |
-d |
0.02 dB (Typical)e |
Splice Loss Estimation |
True Core Imaging® Technology |
|
Splice Strength |
>250 kpsi (Typical)f |
|
Strength Enhancement |
N/A |
Fire Polish |
Polarization Cross Talk |
Panda: >35 dB; Other Fiber Types: >30 dB |
|
Fiber Inspection Features |
||
Fiber Side Viewing |
True Core Imaging Technology |
|
Fiber End Viewing |
Facet Inspection and PM Core Alignment (VHB00 or VHB05 Top Insert Required) |
|
Core / Cladding / Fiber Diameter |
Automated Measurement |
|
End Face Inspection |
Inspection via GUI Display |
|
Cleave Angle |
Automated Measurement |
|
Fiber and End Face Alignment |
||
Furnace Z-Axis Travel |
85 mm (Max) |
180 mm (Max) |
Fiber Holding Block (FHB) Z-Axis Movement |
105 mm (Max) |
180 mm (Max) |
FHB Z-Axis Movement Resolution |
0.25 µm via Stepper Motor |
|
XY Axis Fiber Positioning Resolution |
0.2 µm via Stepper Motor |
|
Rotation Alignment |
Automated End-View Alignment: Panda, Bow Tie, Elliptical-Core Fibers |
|
Rotation Drive Resolution |
0.02° |
|
Rotation Travel |
190° |
|
Tapering |
||
Tapering Length |
Up to 140 mm (Max)g |
Up to 150 mm (Max)g |
Tapering Ratio (Max) |
Adiabatic Tapers up to 1:10 (Ratios Up to 1:150+ Possible) |
|
Tapering Speed |
1 mm/s (Typical)h |
|
Adiabatic Tapering Loss |
<0.2 dB (Typical for Sub-Micron Tapers) |
|
Computer and Software |
||
PC Computer |
Included |
|
Splice Files |
Built-In Library for Common Fibers and Processes |
|
Physical |
||
Size |
36.4" x 31.3" x 44.2" (925 mm x 795 mm x 1123 mm) |
|
Weight |
300 lbs (136 kg) |
|
Power Input |
100 - 240 VAC, 47 - 63 Hz, 14.7 A |
|
Gas Supplyf |
N/A |
Argon, >99.999% Purity at 12 psig (Not Included) |
Environmental |
||
Operating Temperature |
15 to 40 °C |
|
Altitude Range |
0 to 2000 m Above Sea Level |
|
Operating Humidity |
0 to 75% Relative Humidity (Non-Condensing) |
|
Storage Temperature |
-20 to 60 °C |
|
Storage Humidity | 0 to 90% Relative Humidity (Non-Condensing) |
It is used in Fiber Processing Industries.
Thorlabs, Inc (USA). Tel:1-973-300-3000, Email:[email protected]