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X couplers carry out the function of a splitter and a combiner in one package. The X coupler combines and divides the optical power from the two input fibers between the two output fibers. Another name for the X coupler is 2 x 2 coupler.

Optical couplers can be either passive or active devices. Passive fiber optic couplers require no power for operation. The difference between passive and active couplers is that a passive coupler redistributes the optical signal without optical-to-electrical conversion. Active fiber optic couplers require an external power source. They are electronic devices that split or combine the signal electrically and use fiber optic detectors and sources for input and output. Most fiber optic couplers we’ve seen in optical links are passive devices, such as passive optical splitter and multiplexer (Mux) or de-multiplexer (Demux) in wavelength-division multiplexing (WDM) networks.

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AR Coatings ( Anti-Reflection coatings ) are deposited onto optical surfaces to reduce specular reflectivity. Anti-Reflection coatings are comprised of a single layer or multiple layers. These designs are optimized to create destructive interference with respect to the reflected light. This design approach will allow the maximum amount of light transmission without compromising image quality. Diagram 1 is an example of a typical multilayer Anti-Reflection coating.

A star coupler generally has several input and output port combinations, in which the optical power is distributed from more than two input ports among several output ports. The number of input and output ports may or may not be equal in star couplers such as 2×4, 4×4, 8×16, etc. However, in all possible input and output port combinations, the distribution of power among the output ports remains equal.

Optical couplers, optical splitter, and optical combiner are optical devices belonging to fiber optic couplers. Optical splitters are usually Y couplers, T couplers, or tree couplers that have only one input port and two or more output ports. On the contrary, optical combiners have only one output port and two or more input ports. So you can also see the numeral “1” in the descriptions of optic splitters and combiners, like 1x2 fiber optic splitters/combiners, 1x4 splitter/combiners, and 1 x 64 splitters. However, for optical couplers, they can be in any form we have mentioned above, such as star couplers, 2x2 couplers, 1x4 couplers, tree couplers, etc. Each device is designed for its purpose.

A basic fiber optic coupler has N input ports and M output ports. N and M typically range from 1 to 64. The number of input ports and output ports varies depending on the intended application for the coupler. Under different principles, fiber optic couplers can be categorized differently. The different types of optical couplers will be explored in the following part.

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Anti-Reflection Coatings can be optimized for narrow and broadband applications. The performance of an AR coating will vary depending on the bandwidth and angle of incidence (AOI). ECI can typically achieve front surface reflection less than 0.03% for a narrowband AR coating at near normal incidence. Anti-Reflection coatings optimized for wider bandwidths will display a higher maximum reflection. A typical Broadband Anti-Reflection coating on glass will have a maximum reflection of less than 0.5% with a typical average reflection of 0.25%. Figure 1 shows how reflection performance can vary with bandwidth.

In a star network topology, the stations branch off from a central hub, much like the spokes on a wheel. Each network device connected by the star coupler can communicate with each other. Besides, the star coupler makes it easy to expand the number of workstations. For example, changing from a 4 x 4 to 8 x 8 doubles the system capacity.

ECI has extensive experience coating polymers and other temperature sensitive substrates. ECI has been coating polymer optics for over 60 years. Our low temperature Anti-Reflection coatings are designed and deposited to ensure good adhesion and thermal stability on even the most challenging polymer substrates. ECI coats different types of substrate with low temperature Anti-Reflection coatings at process temperatures below 50°C. These substrates range from plastic windows and lenses to optical fibers and fiber optic assemblies/components including: Molded Polymer Optics, Polycarbonate, Acrylic, Zeonex®, Ultem®, Mylar®, CR39, COC, Fresnel Lenses, TO-Window Cans, MT Ferrules.

ECI deposits High Power Anti-Reflection coatings on several different types of substrates, including but not limited to Glass/Fused Silica windows, lenses and wafers, Fiber optic cables and assemblies, LBO, BBO, KTP, TGG, GGG, BiG, and Silicon wafers.

Bus architecture utilizes T couplers to connect a series of stations to a single backbone cable. In a typical bus network topology, the T coupler at each node splits off part of the power from the bus and carries it to the attached equipment.

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Anti-reflection coatings reduce first surface reflection losses, improve contrast and boost the transmission through your optical surface. Choose from a typical design below or ECI will design and deposit a custom anti-reflection (AR) coating for your specific application. If you are not sure how to specify your coating, our design team will work with you to identify the optimum design for your system.

Planar waveguides are more like a semiconductor. A planar wafer is used to make a waveguide coupler, and the reflections occur only in y-directions. Planar waveguides are more often used to make high port count couplers, such as 1 x 12 PLC splitter, 1 x 24 PLC splitter.

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Technologies used for constructing optical couplers can be complex and difficult to understand. Three major manufacturing techniques are micro-optics, fused-fiber, and planar waveguide.

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Fiber optic coupler is one type of fiber optic component that allows for the redistribution of optical signals. It covers a wide range of fiber optic devices such as optical splitters, optical combiners, and optical couplers. A fiber optic coupler is a device that can distribute the optical signal from one fiber among two or more fibers, or combine the optical signal from two or more fibers into a single fiber.

Tree couplers are typically used in cascaded PON architecture. The first tree coupler is directly connected to the optical line terminal (OLT) port in the central office, then each of the output fibers is routed to a tree coupler in other sites (outside enclosure/terminal box). If there’s a need to further divide the signal, more tree couplers can be added. Of course, other amplification or compensation modules are required to ensure the transmission.

Micro-optics couplers use individual optical elements such as prisms, lens, mirrors, etc. to construct an optical route. These elements divide the input optical signal into two or more separated light beams.

Evaporated Coatings Inc. offers anti-reflection coatings for a variety of substrate materials and configurations. Different coatings materials are selected depending on the substrate material, size, shape, and wavelength range of interest. In many cases, the choice of substrate material dictates the deposition temperature of the AR coating. For narrowband Anti-Reflection coatings, the optical performance is similar for both low and high temperature depositions. However, the performance of a broadband AR Coating will vary depending on the deposition temperature. Typically, broadband AR coatings deposited at higher temperatures will yield lower average reflection over a particular bandwidth. There are two primary reasons: 1). certain coating materials require deposition at elevated temperatures for sufficient durability and 2). the refractive indices of some materials decrease when deposited at lower temperatures. For example, a visible broadband AR coating on BK7 will have slightly better optical performance than a visible broadband AR coating deposited on Polycarbonate. Figure 2 shows the difference in performance between the two substrates mentioned above.

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Fused-fiber couplers used the most basic material–optical fiber. Two or more fiber cores are twisted, fused and tapered together in a length.

Typical values verified through independent test laboratories. Actual LDT performance is dependent on substrate selection, surface preparation, and system design.

A tree coupler is also a multiport coupler. It splits optical power from one input fiber to more than two output fibers. A tree coupler may also be used reversely to combine the optical signal from more than two input fibers to one output fiber.

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Unlike the Y coupler, a T coupler has an uneven power distribution. The power of one output signal is greater than the other output signal. Popular splitting ratios include 10:90 percent and 20:80 percent. This optical coupler is often used in small networks with less port counts.

ECI’s AR Coatings meet the reflection and environmental requirements of MIL-C-14806A and MIL-C-48497. Designs comply with military and telecommunication industry standards.

Anti-Reflection coatings are utilized in a variety of applications. It is very common for AR coatings to be used in laser applications. In such cases, Anti-Reflective coatings will need to meet or exceed certain LDT ( Laser Damage Threshold ) requirements. ECI primarily uses Ion Beam Sputtering ( IBS ) or Electron Beam ( E-Beam ) to deposit AR coatings that must withstand high power lasers.

A Y coupler resembles the letter Y. Y coupler also called optical tap coupler. The input signal is split into two output fibers. Sometimes, to meet users' specific applications, the power distribution ratio also can be controlled precisely.

In local area network (LAN) applications, fiber optic couplers are used in either bus architecture or star architecture.

ECI’s durable films on plastic and polymer molded optics are resistant to organic solvents and are an excellent choice for a wide variety of products.

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Usually, optical signals are attenuated more in an optical coupler than in a connector or a splice because the input signal is not directly transmitted from one fiber to another, but divided among the output ports. For instance, with a 1 x 2 fiber optic coupler, each output is less than one-half of the power of the input signal (over a 3dB loss).

If we see optical couplers by shape, there is Y coupler, T coupler, X coupler, star coupler and tree coupler, which split the optical signal based on the power.

ECI also deposits high temperature Anti-Reflection coatings on various substrates, including crown glasses, float glasses, Fused Silica, Sapphire, Silicon, CaF2, and others. ECI can deposit these coatings to cover any wavelength range between 200 – 2500nm. These coatings are designed and deposited to meet the durability requirements per MIL-C-675C. ECI deposits Anti-Reflection coatings on parts up to 400mm in diameter.

Bandwidth or Window is also a factor to consider when users choose the optical coupler types. Regardless of the port types used, fiber optic couplers can be designed for single window, dual wavelength or wideband transmissions.