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Nufern Introduces PM Gyroscope Fiber Capabilities - Panda-Type Design for High-Performance and Tight Specifications for Precision Coiling

January 28, 2003

SAN JOSE, California - January 28, 2003 - Nufern Introduces PM Gyroscope Fiber Capabilities - Panda-Type Design for High-Performance and Tight Specifications for Precision Coiling. Nufern, the largest independent manufacturer of application-specific optical fiber, introduces panda-type polarization maintaining (PM), fiber for gyroscope applications. Nufern 80 mm gyroscope fibers are designed to provide high birefringence and exceptionally tight dimensional controls, critical for the manufacture of high-precision, high-performance gyro-coils. These fibers are optimized for operation at the 830, 1300 and 1550 nm wavelengths.

“ Growth in the fiber optic gyroscope market has been hampered by a limited availability of high-performance gyroscope optical fibers,” says Nufern Senior Engineer, Doug Guertin. “Our scientists’ understanding of the entire process starting from the role of glass composition, through modeling of the various optical parameters, to the careful control of the critical steps in the manufacturing process has made it possible for us to design and deliver panda-type PM gyroscope fibers that meet the stringent requirements set by the military.”

Of particular interest is the increased birefringence achieved with panda-type PM gyroscope fibers in comparison to telecom PM products. Guertin continues, “Our work has shown that the dual circular PM fiber design is preferred over bow-tie and elliptical clad configurations because of its advantages in uniformity, repeatability and scalability.

In addition, coating diameter control and lot-to-lot consistency are essential for precision gyro-coiling. Our extensive characterization labs and statistical process control allow us to manufacture gyroscope fibers to extremely tight geometrical specifications, essential for our customers to produce their precision coils.”
Each lot of Nufern’s PM Gyroscope fiber is furnished with extensive lot-specific characterization data.

About Nufern
Nufern is the largest independent manufacturer of highly engineered, application-specific optical fiber (ASOF) for components and systems serving the telecommunications, industrial, medical, and aerospace industries. With manufacturing facilities located at its headquarters in East Granby, Connecticut, USA, Nufern is able to engineer, make, support, and deliver large volumes of commercial-grade ASOF to customers around the world. Nufern products include erbium-doped fiber, polarization maintaining fiber, planar waveguide fiber, metalized fibertails, select cut-off single-mode fiber, photosensitive fiber, RGB fiber, ultra-high numerical aperture fiber, as well as, double-clad, PM gyroscope, and specialty multimode fiber capabilities. For more information, call toll-free, (866) 466-0214, or visit www.nufern.com.

Editors’ Note: An electronic image of this product is available here.