532–2000 nm Polarization-Maintaining Fiber Collimator: Solution for High-Precision Polarization Maintenance and Beam Collimation

The Polarization Maintaining Fiber Collimator (PM Fiber Collimator) is an optical component designed for efficient coupling between optical fibers and free-space optical systems. It is assembled by precisely positioning and packaging a polarization maintaining fiber pigtail with a focusing lens.

With a broad operating wavelength range of 532–2000 nm, the PM fiber collimator can be customized with different PM fibers, working distances, optical power levels, beam sizes, package dimensions, and connector configurations according to specific application requirements.

The collimator can convert divergent light from an optical fiber into a nearly parallel Gaussian beam, or focus an external collimated beam into the optical fiber.

What Is a Polarization Maintaining Fiber Collimator?

A conventional fiber collimator is mainly used to convert light between an optical fiber and a free-space optical path. A polarization maintaining fiber collimator provides the additional advantage of maintaining the polarization state of the transmitted light.

PM fiber helps maintain a stable linear polarization direction, making PM fiber collimators particularly suitable for optical systems where polarization stability and measurement accuracy are important.

Our PM fiber collimators provide an approximately φ1.8 mm clear aperture and can be customized for different beam sizes and working distances.

How Does a PM Fiber Collimator Work?

A polarization maintaining fiber collimator can be used individually or as a matched pair.

Single Collimator

When used individually, the collimator converts the light output from the fiber into a free-space collimated beam and produces the required beam size at a specified working distance.

Typical applications include:

• Free-space optical output
• Laser beam collimation
• Beam expansion
• Optical detection
• Fiber-to-free-space coupling
• Laboratory and research optical systems

Matched Pair

Two PM fiber collimators can be used as a pair to form a fiber-optic probe. Optical components such as filters, optical isolators, polarizers, or other optical elements can be placed between the two collimators.

This configuration provides greater flexibility for optical sensing, measurement, and free-space optical systems.

Why Use Polarization Maintaining Fiber?

In interferometric fiber sensors based on optical coherent detection, polarization stability can have an important influence on system performance.

Polarization maintaining fiber helps preserve the linear polarization direction of the optical signal and reduce the effects caused by polarization changes. This can improve the coherent signal-to-noise ratio and measurement stability of the optical system.

Therefore, PM fiber collimators are widely suitable for applications such as:

• Interferometric fiber sensors
• Coherent optical detection
• Fiber optic gyroscopes
• Polarization-sensitive measurements
• Fiber lasers
• LiDAR systems
• Infrared sensing
• Scientific research and laboratory equipment

Polarization Axis Alignment

Accurate polarization-axis alignment is important when using polarization maintaining fiber components.

During assembly and connection, the polarization axis can be aligned according to the requirements of the customer’s optical system. Slow-axis or fast-axis alignment can be provided for different optical configurations.

For applications using two PM fiber collimators as a matched pair, the polarization-axis orientation can also be configured according to the customer’s requirements.

Wide Wavelength Range from 532 to 2000 nm

Our PM fiber collimators support a broad wavelength range of 532–2000 nm. Different polarization maintaining fibers and optical lenses can be selected according to the operating wavelength and application.

Available PM fiber options include:

• PM460-HP
• PM630-HP
• PM780-HP
• PM980
• PM1300
• PM1550
• PM1950

Other fiber types can also be evaluated according to specific wavelength and application requirements.

The wide wavelength range makes these PM fiber collimators suitable for applications covering visible light, near-infrared, and selected short-wave infrared wavelengths.

High-Power and Long Working Distance Options

Different optical systems require different power handling capabilities and working distances. We provide multiple standard options as well as customized solutions.

Available configurations include:

• Working distance: 5 mm / 50 mm
• Optical power: 300 mW / 1 W / 5 W
• Different PM fiber types
• Different beam diameters
• Long working distance customization
• Customized package dimensions
• Customized connector configurations

For special working distances, beam sizes, or higher optical power requirements, customized solutions can be evaluated according to the customer’s optical system.

Gold-Plated Tube Package

The PM fiber collimator is provided with a Gold-Plated Tube Package, offering a compact and practical package structure for optical system integration.

The gold-plated tube package is suitable for applications including fiber lasers, fiber optic sensing systems, laboratory optical setups, and scientific research equipment.

The package dimensions can be customized according to the customer’s installation requirements.

Package Type: Gold-Plated Tube

Optional mechanical components such as bases, height-adjustable mounts, and lens holders can also be provided for optical system integration.

PM Fiber and Pigtail Options

Different polarization maintaining fibers can be selected according to the operating wavelength and system requirements.

Available pigtail lengths include:

• 0.8 m
• 1.0 m
• 1.5 m

Available pigtail configurations include:

• φ0.25 mm
• φ0.9 mm

Connector options include:

• FC/APC
• Other connectors upon request

Connector-free pigtail configurations can also be provided according to customer requirements.

Technical Specifications

Optional Mechanical Components

For convenient integration into optical benches and experimental equipment, matching mechanical components can be provided, including:

• Mounting bases
• Height-adjustable mounts
• Lens holders
• Other customized mounting components

These accessories can help simplify optical path alignment and mechanical installation.

Custom Polarization Maintaining Fiber Collimators

Different optical systems may require different collimator specifications. In addition to standard configurations, we can provide customized PM fiber collimator solutions based on specific application requirements.

Customization options include:

• Special operating wavelengths
• Customer-specified PM fiber
• Custom beam diameter
• Short working distance
• Long working distance
• Higher optical power
• Customized package dimensions
• Special connectors
• Fast-axis or slow-axis alignment
• Matched PM collimator pairs

If you already have an optical design, you can provide your optical path diagram, fiber type, operating wavelength, working distance, beam diameter, and optical power requirements. We can evaluate the requirements and recommend a suitable PM fiber collimator solution.

Applications

532–2000 nm polarization maintaining fiber collimators can be used in a wide range of optical and photonic applications.

Fiber Lasers

Used for laser beam output, free-space optical coupling, and beam collimation.

LiDAR

Suitable for optical systems requiring stable polarization and free-space beam transmission.

Fiber Optic Sensing

Used in interferometric fiber sensors and precision optical measurement systems.

Infrared Sensing

Suitable for near-infrared and selected short-wave infrared sensing applications.

Scientific Research

Used in laboratory optical setups, spectroscopy, polarization experiments, and scientific instruments.

Coherent Optical Systems

PM fiber helps maintain a stable polarization state, supporting improved optical system stability and measurement performance.

Conclusion

The 532–2000nm Polarization Maintaining Fiber Collimator combines the polarization-maintaining characteristics of PM fiber with the free-space beam conversion capability of a precision optical collimator.

With multiple PM fiber options, working distances, optical power levels, beam sizes, and a Gold-Plated Tube Package, the product can be adapted to a variety of applications including fiber lasers, LiDAR, fiber optic sensing, infrared sensing, coherent optical systems, and scientific research.