Fiber Optic Light Sources
Light sources are used to inject electromagnetic radiation into optical fibers for testing purposes, such as detecting breaks and microbends or characterizing link-loss. They come in multiple wavelength options, including multimode and single-mode.
Optical fibers designed for lighting can be end-emitting, with the light focused into the end, creating a small spotlight effect, or side-emitting, which scatters light along the length of the strand giving it a neon or fluorescent tube look. Either type requires a bright light source called an illuminator.
Simpler Installation
Light sources used with fiber optic lighting can be simpler to install and operate than traditional fixtures. Unlike electrical cables that require connections to the fixture, light-source connections are made with optical fibers and a connecting node, which is typically a small LED emitter. This makes it possible to connect multiple fibers to a single light source, making them easier to install in difficult-to-reach locations.
Optical-fiber lights come in two basic varieties: ones that emit light from their end (also known as end glow) and those that emit along their length, like a neon or fluorescent tube (also called side glow). The type you choose depends on your application and installation location.
While both types of fiber-optic lighting have their uses, side-light fibers tend to be the choice for decorative applications. fiber-optic-light-source They’re also safer, since they are low-voltage and don’t pose a risk of shock.
A fiber light-source’s wattage determines how much power it injects into a light-emitting diode (LED) or laser-based transmitter. The power coupling is a function of the LED or laser, included filters (IR and/or UV), the reflectance on the fiber’s end face and cross-sectional area.
Optical-loss test equipment, which includes power meters and light sources, is used to verify the continuity and loss of optical fiber cable systems. The light-source feature is particularly important in testing for end-to-end performance, because if it’s not working properly, the signal will be too weak to travel the full distance of the fiber. Many manufacturers now add light-source and power-meter functions to their more sophisticated OTDRs as part of a complete fiber-optic-loss test set.
Easy Maintenance
Fiber optic light sources are much easier to maintain than standard electrical lights. This is because they do not require installing electrical cables from a source to the location. Instead, a light is attached to one end of a plastic fiber and the other end of the fiber is pointed at the source. This makes changing bulbs and refocusing the light much simpler.
Fiber-optic lighting is also useful in areas where a light source can’t be easily accessed, like a high ceiling or tight space. For example, some museums use fiber-optic lighting to illuminate delicate objects. This is because the fiber isolates the heat of the light source from the object, preventing it from damaging them. This is also useful for underwater illumination or when working in hazardous atmospheres.
The type of fiber used for lighting is different than the glass fiber bundles that transmit data quickly over long distances, but they both work on the same principle. Light shining in one end of the fiber travels down the strand and out the other, giving off illumination.
GAOTek’s fiber optic light sources are designed specifically to be used with optical fiber systems. They are comprised of a light generation element, electrical driver circuitry, wavelength control, optical fiber interface, power supply and display. They are perfect for a variety of applications, from testing continuity and end-to-end loss to troubleshooting installed fiber that’s not performing up to expectations.
Heat-Free
Fiber optic lighting can be an excellent alternative to traditional electrical lighting. It allows you to use your light in places where it would be difficult or impossible to run electrical wires, like high ceilings or small spaces. Additionally, you can save money on your electricity bill by using a light source that uses less power than a standard bulb.
In lighting applications, fibers are usually designed to emit light from the end in a spotlight effect (also known as “end glow”) or along the entire length of the fiber, creating a neon or fluorescent tube look (also called side glow). This type of lighting is commonly used in displays and water features to channel the light to specific areas.
To allow this type of lighting to work, optical fibers are encased in plastic or plastic-coated materials to protect the inner core from damage and to keep the light from heating up too much. As light is transmitted down a fiber, it bounces off of the outer cladding and back into the core through a process called total internal reflection. This allows the light to travel great distances, even around curves, and emerge at the other end as bright as it was at the beginning.
Simple battery powered LEDs such as the standard 5mm diffused LEDs that are sold on Adafruit and other websites are easy to attach to a bundle of fibers with some heat shrink tubing and glue. However, to take full advantage of the potential of fiber optics for dynamic lighting, you will need a RGB addressable LED light that can be controlled programmatically.
Electrical Safety
Due to the delicate strands that make up fiber optic cables, any breakages will result in minuscule, almost invisible shards. If left unattended, these can become airborne and inhalation or ingestation hazards, or can even penetrate the skin. A clean workspace minimizes the risk of accidental mishandling, as well as ensuring that all cut fiber pieces are immediately disposed of in designated disposal units.
These systems are also ideal for hazardous industrial environments, as they can be made explosion-proof. In addition, fiber optic solutions offer high bandwidth capabilities that facilitate real-time fiber optic cable assembly industry communication across large facilities. They are also immune to electromagnetic interference (EMI), which can disrupt signal transmission and cause costly downtime.
Lighting with fiber optics can be used in a variety of applications, from decorative displays to water features. Because they don’t conduct heat, they are safer to use than traditional cords and are a good option for illuminating delicate or historic objects that would be damaged by direct light sources. However, like any installation project, working with fiber optic cabling has its own set of unique safety issues that should be considered and adhered to. Besides the usual OSHA rules for construction, these include eye safety, chemicals, sparks from fusion splicing and shard disposal. It’s a good idea to post a safety poster in the lab or on the job site and discuss the specific issues with all onsite personnel.