Optical Circulator

Fiber Optical Circulator, 3-Port & 4-Port Polarization Maintaining & Polarization Insensitive for S Band, C Band and L Band

Optical Circulator is a passive optical component that can be used to achieve bi-directional transmission over a single fiber in WDM optical networks. It is widely implemented in equipment such as Dispersion Compensation Modules (DCMs), Optical Add-Drop Multiplexers (OADMs), Optical Time-Domain Reflectometers (OTDRs), optical amplifiers, and fiber optic sensors. FiberMart provides both polarization insensitive and polarization maintaining pm optical circulators. These optical circulators feature with high isolation, low insertion loss, and excellent environmental stability etc. Customers can buy these circulators directly in this category or Make Customized Orders.

Introduction

Fibermart Optical Circulator is a premium-grade, non-reciprocal passive device engineered for the precise and directional routing of optical signals within sophisticated networks. It enables bi-directional communication over a single fiber by ensuring light travels in a fixed, circular path from Port 1 to 2, Port 2 to 3, and so on. Available in both 3-port and 4-port configurations, and in critical Polarization-Maintaining (PM) and standard Polarization-Insensitive types, this circulator is designed to deliver exceptional signal integrity. Characterized by high isolation and low insertion loss, it is the definitive solution for enhancing performance in optical amplifiers, sensing systems, and advanced telecommunications infrastructure.

Features

● High Isolation & Low Insertion Loss: Provides excellent signal separation (isolation >35 dB typical) with minimal signal attenuation (insertion loss <0.9 dB typical).

● Polarization Management Options: Available in both Polarization-Insensitive and Polarization-Maintaining (PM) types for application-specific requirements.

● Broad Wavelength Operation: Supports key telecom bands including 980nm, 1310nm, and the C/L bands (1530-1620nm).

● High Power & Environmental Stability: Capable of handling up to 500mW of optical power with stable performance across a wide operating temperature range.

● 100% Tested with individual Testing Report, CE, RoHS, FCC, ISO9001 Certificated for each unit to ensure High performance and Zero Failure in Lifetime Warranty.

● Low Polarization-Dependent Loss (PDL): Ensures consistent performance regardless of the input signal's polarization state, with PDL as low as 0.05 dB.

● Versatile Connector Options: Can be fitted with various connector types (FC, SC, LC) in PC, UPC, or APC polish to suit system interfaces.

Principles

An optical circulator is a non-reciprocal device that directs light in a strict, one-way circular path through its ports. This function is based on the magneto-optic Faraday effect, where a magnetic field rotates the light's polarization in a direction fixed by the field itself, not the light's travel direction. This creates the essential one-way gate for separating bidirectional optical signals on a single fiber.
 

This technology comes in two main types to handle light polarization differently. The Polarization-Insensitive Circulator routes signals with minimal dependence on the incoming light's polarization state. Its design prioritizes very low Polarization-Dependent Loss (PDL), ensuring stable performance in general-purpose applications where the polarization may vary.
 

For specialized systems, the Polarization-Maintaining (PM) Circulator is used. It is engineered to rigorously preserve the linear polarization state of the light as it is routed. This requires precise alignment with the input fiber's polarization axes and delivers a high Extinction Ratio, making it critical for coherent communications, advanced sensing, and quantum optics.

Applications

● Optical Amplifier Systems: Isolating the active gain medium and recycling residual pump light in EDFA and Raman amplifiers.

● Dispersion Compensation Modules (DCMs): Facilitating bi-directional travel of signals through compensation fiber for inline chromatic dispersion correction.

● Optical Add-Drop Multiplexing (OADM): Enabling the selective routing of specific wavelength channels in WDM networks.

● Fiber Optic Sensing & Test: Used in Optical Time-Domain Reflectometers (OTDRs) and advanced sensing systems for signal separation and reflection analysis.

● Bi-Directional Signal Transmission: Allowing simultaneous transmit and receive functions over a single fiber strand in telecommunications.

Specifications