PAF-X-18-B In Stock

The ThorLabs PAF-X-18-B is a FiberPort designed to provide a seamless platform for coupling and collimating light into and out of optical fibers. This six-degree-of-freedom fiber collimator and coupler with five axes is engineered to offer an easy-to-use, stable, and repeatable alignment mechanism that utilizes a moveable lens while holding the fiber stationary.

The PAF-X-18-B features a Magnetic Lens Cell (MLC) that is fixed to a tilt plate, a bulkhead with a fiber connector, and a solid body. The fiber bulkhead can be rotated freely by loosening the three flat head screws and the clamp plate that lock it onto the PAF-X-18-B body. The tilt plate, which can be adjusted in Z/q/j (Axial, Tip, Tilt), is adhered to the MLC and can be adjusted using the three socket head cap screws (SHCS), with counterforce provided by the plunger screws. The plunger screws provide a range of ± 0.4 mm for Z (optical axis) translation when in a specific position. Furthermore, the plunger screws enable the positive extreme of the travel range in the Z direction to be shifted over a course of 2 mm.

The PAF-X-18-B also comes with X-Y lens adjustment screws situated at the 3 and 12 o’clock positions on its outer diameter. The tilt plate is supported by three plunger screws that offer counterforce for the adjustment screws. The three SHCS provide the Z/q/j adjustments for the PAF-X-18-B and are used alongside the X-Y screws in aligning the FiberPort. However, if needed, the plunger screws can be used to adjust the tension on the tilt plate. The clamp plate and bulkhead are held in place by the three flat head screws located on the face of the PAF-X-18-B. Loosening these screws enables the bulkhead to rotate a full 360° and be secured at any angle for PM applications. Although this is a coarse adjustment, it provides users with the flexibility they need.

The PAF-X-18-B is compatible with AR-coated single mode, multimode, or polarization-maintaining fiber optic patch cables. On one fiber end of the cable there is an antireflective coating that provides an increased transmission and improved return loss at the fiber-to-free-space interface. The cables are available with an AR-coated FC/PC (SM and PM), FC/APC (SM and PM), or SMA (MM) connector. When using the PAF-X-18-B in the mid-infrared spectral region, it is recommended to use fluoride fiber patch cables.