17 Feb 2011 A new series of cube beamsplitters from REO, a leading manufacturer of high volume precision optical solutions, are specifically intended for demanding DWDM applications in telecommunications. Optimized for use in Gires-Tournois interferometer based interleavers and dispersion compensators, REO non-polarizing beamsplitters deliver broadband, polarization insensitive operation and exceptional path length matching for the reflected and transmitted beams. This consistently delivers the transmission and channel isolation characteristics required by demanding long-haul and metro network applications.
Traditional non-polarizing beamsplitters are limited by either a narrow operating band or high internal absorption, however, REO avoids these drawbacks by employing all dielectric, ion beam sputtered (IBS) coatings, together with a high index of refraction contrast material set. The result are telecom C-band (1525 – 1570 nm) and L-band (1565 – 1620 nm) beamsplitters that deliver a transmission and reflection ratio of 50% ± 1.5% over their entire operating range, with the s and p polarization components matched to within 2%. Furthermore, a series of high precision, proprietary fabrication techniques, together with our unique Activated Covalent Bonding (ACB™), adhesive-free bonding process, enable REO to consistently produce cubes with an optical path difference between the two output beams of under 3 µm, together with sub arcminute beam deviation accuracy and low wavefront distortion (surface flatness λ/20 @ 633 nm). These beamsplitters are available in the 3 mm to 12.5 mm size range, and are fabricated from fused silica substrates.
|
