Alphanov and NKT Photonics partner to boost PCF tools

24 Apr 2013

Jointly working with various fiber interfacing solutions to meet customer needs.

A key challenge with photonic crystal fiber (PCF) lies in its fiber-end preparation such as for splicing or connectorization – to enable users to easily integrate PCF into application areas such as bio-imaging, metrology, sensing and materials processing.

NKT Photonics, a developer of commercial microstructured fibers, based in Birkerød, Denmark is aiming to continuously increase the functionality and reliability of such fiber-based systems.

Now, NKT Photonics has announced that it has chosen Alphanov, the optics and laser technology center for French cluster Route des Lasers, in Bordeaux, to be its partner for supplying end-treatment solutions for its PCF – including connectors, sealed and cleaved PCF, end-capped PCFs and PCFs with mode-adaptors.

Alphanov will address NKT Photonics’ whole product line including active double-clad large mode area fibers, such as the DC-200/40-PZ-Yb and rod-type, and passive PCFs such as hollow core fibers and nonlinear PCFs.

One of Alphanov’s main objectives is to help companies develop optics and laser innovative products. It says that introducing PCFs often gives a real advantage in terms of performance, compactness and reliability. Through this partnership, Alphanov will share its fiber handling expertise with NKT Photonics’ customers and help them develop efficient solutions.

Know-how

Pascal Dupriez, head of the Laser Department of Alphanov, commented, “With our expertise in fiber lasers and fiber components, we have developed specific know-how to ease integration of PCFs for demanding industrial and scientific applications.”

Kim P. Hansen, Global Product Line Manager of NKT Photonics added, “Interfacing is important in the fiber field so we are pleased to be working with Alphanov to ensure that our customers get not only the best performing fibers in the market but also an interfacing solution to match.”

The partners hope that the collaboration will “set new standards” in fiber laser design and fiber-based light sources, as both companies will continue to work on integrated solutions whether for special needs in demanding R&D projects or for industrial components.

About NKT Photonics

NKT Photonics A/S was formed by a merger in 2009 between Crystal Fibre A/S – then the largest commercial supplier of microstructured specialty fiber and Koheras A/S – a developer of ultra precise fiber lasers and SuperK Supercontinuum White Light Lasers.

About Alphanov

Alphanov, the technology center for Route des Lasers competitiveness cluster (Bordeaux), was established in 2007 as an association by the Regional Council of Aquitaine, the CEA (Atomic Energy and Alternative Energies), the CNRS (National Centre for Scientific Research), the University Bordeaux and the association ALPhA (Aquitaine Laser Photonics and applications). It is supported by the European Union, the French Government and the Regional Council of Aquitaine.

About the Author

Matthew Peach is a contributing editor to optics.org.