Multicore Fiber Fanout

MULTICORE FIBER FANOUT

As the leading manufacturer of multicore fiber fanouts for more than 10 years, Chiral Photonics has been producing low-loss Multicore Fiber Fanouts (MCFFO) for fibers ranging from 2-22 cores. Our fanouts are both Telcordia and subsea qualified and can be produced to match any multicore fiber.

Multicore Fiber Fanouts (MCFFO) enable addressing individual cores of multicore fibers with high precision and low loss. Due to the tight channel spacing in multicore fiber, addressing each core individually is challenging. Multicore Fiber Fanouts allow you to address each core and seamlessly integrate MCF with your existing single core fiber systems.

Schematic of Standard 4-channel multicore fiber fanout
Schematic of standard 4-channel multicore fiber fanout

Typical fanout specifications:

  • Average insertion loss per channel: <0.5 dB
  • Average crosstalk per channel: < -40 dB
  • Standard fanout package: ~60 mm length x 3.0 mm OD, including protective boots
Multicore fiber (MCF) is increasingly of interest for many applications including:
Subsea Telecommunications Cables

2 and 4-core multicore fibers along with CPI’s subsea qualified fanouts are currently being incorporated in new subsea cables to meet the growing bandwidth needs worldwide.

RF over fiber

Utilizing spatial division multiplexing with multicore fibers allow for compact designs with increased capacity.

Terrestrial Cables

Multicore fiber cables are increasingly being used to expand bandwidth capacity in smaller, more flexible cables. MCF cables can bend and fit into conduit space where conventional cables cannot. They also provide a solution for weight restricted locations.

PIC- MCF to chip attach

Passive PIC attach to at the chip edge allows for high data throughput utilizing minimal chip real estate, reducing energy consumption and heat emissions.

3D Shape Sensing

Multicore fiber and fanouts can track fiber in space, to micron level specificity. Current application uses include biomedical applications, strain testing, military applications and more.

Fiber Gyroscopes

Interferometric fiber optic gyroscopes (I-FOG) utilizing MCF improves sensitivity without increasing the fiber length.

Space Division Multiplexing (SDM)

Multicore fiber allows for high-bandwidth optical interconnects with greater bandwidth density, far exceeding conventional capacity limits for ultra-large capacity transmission.

Fiber Lasers

Multicore fiber allows for high performance power-scaling through channel amplification in a single fiber.

The multicore fiber (MCF) market currently lacks standardization, with each fiber manufacturer producing MCF based on their own specific application needs. Key variables include channel count, channel spacing, mode field diameter, lattice structures (hexagonal, square, circular, or custom), and wavelength parameters.

We offer tailored solutions to meet your specific needs, including customizable MCF and single-mode (SM) pigtail lengths. Additional options include fiber ruggedization, jacketing, cabling, and connectorization. Fanouts can be customized and integrated with other components as required.

Our fanouts are typically shipped as individual units to ensure detailed testing for insertion loss and crosstalk. However, paired configurations are also available upon request.

We maintain a stock of various multicore fibers (refer to the MCF Table) and can supply both MCF and fanouts. We also have access to a number of other fibers, many not commercially available. If you prefer, we are also experienced in working with and creating fanouts for customer-supplied MCF.

Let us help you find the right solution for your multicore fiber requirements.

MCF-007_2MCF-007_3MCF-004_1MCF-004_2MCF-004_4
Number of Cores:77444
Operating Wavelength (nm):1520-16501520-16501520-16501310/ 1550
Numerical Aperture (nominal):0.210.14-0.17
Mode Field Diameter (µm, @ 1550 nm):105.7-6.57.4-8.59.6
Core Diameter (µm):9
Cladding Diameter (µm, nominal):125125125125125
Multicore Fiber Lattice:HexagonalHexagonalSquareSquareSquare
Core-to-Core Spacing (µm):3735504042
Coating Diameter (µm, nominal):220245245245190
Operating Temperature (degrees C):-55 to +85-55 + 85
Orientation MarkerNoNoNoYesYes
CoatingAcrylateAcrylateAcrylateAcrylateAcrylate

We also have access to other non-commercially available fiber, so feel free to inquire about specific fiber needs.

Datasheets

Ordering Information

When purchasing a Multicore Fiber Fanout, please use the guide below to determine the best configuration for your application.

MCFFO - P - 7/45 - 02 - 1550 - SM - 01 - FC/UPC - BB - 25/75 - 01 - CL - 00 Pair or Single P= Pair S= Single Single fanouts available for select stocked fibers only Number of Channels Channel Spacing (µm) (Can be xx/ yy ) MCF Fiber Type 01= MCF - 007_1 02= MCF - 007_2 03= MCF - 007_3 04= MCF - 004_1 XX= Customer Supplied Pigtail Fibers SM= SMF28 CC= custom Wavelength (nm) Pigtail Length (meters) Pigtail Connectors 00= none FC/UCP or APC SC/UCP or APC LC/UCP or APC Breakout Box (BB) BB= Breakout Box 00= None * Required if furcation tubes are desired. MCF Length (meters) MCF Endface XX= None CL= Cleave CO= Connectorized Furcation Tube Length 1.6 mm Ø furcation tube from fanout package to breakout box (cm) Furcation Tube Length 900 µm Ø furcation tube from breakout box to pigtail end (cm) MCF connectorization 00= None FC/UCP or APC SC/UCP or APC *FC narrow key only

Exemplary configurations

Below are examples of different fanout configurations.

MCFFO-S-4/50-04-1550-SM-01-00-00-00/00-01-CL-00
Description:  Multicore Fiber Fanout, 4-core, single
  • MCF: MCF-004_1, 1 meter, no jacketing, no connector
    • Wavelength: 1550 nm
    • Channel spacing: 50 µm
    • MFD: 8 µm
  • SMF28 fanout pigtails (4): 1 meter long, no jacketing, no connectors
  • Fanout package: 60 mm x 3 mm OD
  • Insertion loss and crosstalk data provided
MCFFO-S-4/42-07-1550-SM-01-FC/APC-BB-0.5/0.5-0.5-CL-00
Description:      Multicore Fiber Fanout, 4-core, single
  • MCF: MCF-004_4, 0.5 meters, no jacketing, no connector
    • Wavelength: 1550 nm
    • Channel spacing: 42 µm
    • MFD: 10 µm
  • SMF28 fanout pigtails (4): 1 meter long, jacketed with breakout box (900 mm jacketing between fanout and breakout box, 900 µm color-coded jacketing between breakout box and connectors), FC/UPC connectors
  • Fanout package: 60 mm x 3 mm OD
  • Insertion loss and crosstalk data provided
MCFFO-S-7/37-02-1550-SM-01-00-00/00-01-CL-00
Description:      Multicore Fiber Fanout, 7-core, single
  • MCF: MCF-007_2, 1 meter, no jacketing, no connector
    • Wavelength: 1550 nm
    • Channel spacing: 37 µm
    • MFD: 10 µm 
  • SMF28 fanout pigtails (4): 1 meter long, no jacketing
  • Fanout package: 60 mm x 3 mm OD
  • Insertion loss and crosstalk data provided
MCFFO-S-7/37-02-1550-SM-01-FC/APC-00-00/00-01-CL-00
Description:      Multicore Fiber Fanout, 7-core, single
  • MCF: MCF-007_2, 1 meter, no jacketing, no connector
    • Wavelength: 1550 nm
    • Channel spacing: 37 µm
    • MFD: 10 µm 
  • SMF28 fanout pigtails (4): 1 meter long, no jacketing, FC/APC connectors
  • Fanout package: 60 mm x 3 mm OD
  • Insertion loss and crosstalk data provided
MCFFO-P-2/35-XX-1550-SM-01-00-00-00/00-10-XX-00
Description:      Multicore Fiber Fanout, 2-core, pair
  • MCF: customer-supplied, 10 meters between fanouts, no jacketing, no connector
    • Wavelength: 1550 nm
    • Channel spacing: 35 µm
    • MFD: 8 µm
  • SMF28 fanout pigtails (4): 1 meter long, no jacketing, no connectors
  • Fanout package: 60 mm x 3 mm OD
  • Insertion loss and crosstalk data provided