Gpxfbt-Sft Fused Biconic Taper (Fbt) Processing Add-On Software - THORLABS Vytran GPX3400 User Manual

GPX3400 and GPX3600 Glass Processors Chapter 5: Operation

5.7.11. GPXFBT-SFT Fused Biconic Taper (FBT) Processing Add-On Software

The Fused Biconic Taper (FBT) Processing Add-On Software allows the user to perform biconic tapers, meaning
stretching the fiber by pulling outward on both fiber holding blocks while the furnace is applying heat to the fiber.
This software add-on allows the user to have control on the power distribution along the process as well as
shutoff process control. This process will allow the user to fabricate smaller diameter symmetric tapers, as well as
2x2 fused fiber couplers, with high level of control of the process leading to very high repeatability of the process.
The GUI is separated into three tabs:
Global Properties
In this window, the user sets the global parameters as shown in the Figure 21. The parameters control the device
type (taper or coupler) and the type of graphical output (power unit/scale). It also allows the user to auto-close the
GUI upon process completion and auto save the process log. This window also controls the overall parameters of
filament power, furnace scan rate, and process time limit.
Figure 21 GUI of FBT Process in Taper Mode (Left) and FBT Process in Coupler Mode (Right)
Rev B, July 24, 2017 Page 43