Arden Refractive Index Profiler nPA-600
A bench instrument that measures the full 2D refractive index distribution of an optical fiber end face, for fibers from 40 um to 600 um in diameter.
Technical overview
The nPA-600 uses a modified refracted near-field technique on a prepared fiber end face to recover the complete 2D refractive index distribution, rather than assuming circular symmetry. This lets it handle PM, octagonal, and multi-core fibers as well as conventional designs. A 2D measurement takes under 10 seconds averaging 5 images, with sample preparation and measurement together achievable in under 2 minutes. The instrument ships with nPA v4.0 software and an API for integration, and optional plug-ins add singlemode, PM, multi-core and bend-insensitive multimode geometry measurements. Field re-calibration is possible using a calibration tool and an optional calibration fiber certified by the UK National Physical Laboratory.
Features
- Measure fibers up to 600 um in diameter
- Prepare and measure a fiber sample in under 2 minutes (2D measurement in seconds)
- Measure circularly symmetric fibers and non-circularly symmetric fibers - good for PM, octagonal, multi-core fibers
- Preinstalled with production-ready nPA v4.0 software
- Various measurement options (refractive index scales, measurement areas) and output options (e.g. PDF measurement reports)
- Faster measurement of smaller fibers
- Customisable measurement template for easy comparison vs target values
- API facilitates user customisation and integration with other systems
- Optional software plug-ins enabling new functionalities
- In-field traceable re-calibration via the calibration tool and optional NPL-certified calibration fiber
Specifications
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Refractive index repeatability | 0.0002 |
| Repeatability basis | Measured on a 125 um MM fiber sample without removing from the measurement cell |
| Fiber diameter | 40 to 600 um |
| Fiber material | Silica glass |
| 2D measurement time | <10 (averaging 5 images) s |
| Measurement range | +/- 0.025 (around reference fluid index) |
| Measurement wavelength | 630 nm |
| Maximum field of view | 830 um |
| Weight | 6 kg |
| Size | 0.5 x 0.16 x 0.13 m |
| Operating temperature | 15 - 30 degC |
| Performance specification validated at | 22 degC |
| Computer requirements | All systems are supplied with a computer running up-to-date Windows operating system |
| Data interface | 1 x USB 3.0 (USB A to USB B: 1 m cable supplied) |
Applications
- Verification of specialty fiber design and manufacturing processes
- Refractive index profiling of PM, octagonal and multi-core fibers
- Geometry measurement of singlemode, PM and multi-core fibers (optional plug-ins)
- Characterisation of bend-insensitive multimode (BIMM) fiber parameters (optional plug-in)
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