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Cleaning Connections for Accurate Measurements
Setting Up the 86122A
Figure 1 Basic components of a connector.
Over the last few years, the FC/PC style connector has emerged as the
most popular connector for fiber-optic applications. While not the highest
performing connector, it represents a good compromise between
performance, reliability, and cost. If properly maintained and cleaned, this
connector can withstand many repeated connections.
However, many instrument specifications require tighter tolerances than
most connectors, including the FC/PC style, can deliver. These
instruments cannot tolerate connectors with the large non-concentricities
of the fiber common with ceramic style ferrules. When tighter alignment is
required, Agilent Technologies instruments typically use a connector such
as the Diamond HMS-10, which has concentric tolerances within a few
tenths of a micron. Agilent Technologies then uses a special universal
adapter, which allows other cable types to mate with this precision
connector. See
Figure
2.
Figure 2 Universal adapters to Diamond HMS-10.
The HMS-10 encases the fiber within a soft nickel silver (Cu/Ni/Zn) center
which is surrounded by a tough tungsten carbide casing, as shown in
Figure
3.
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Agilent 86122A Multi-Wavelength Meter, Second Edition
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