Introduction

In the context of optogenetics experiments with the rotary joint, a fiber optic patch cord is needed to connect the light source and the rotary joint and yet another patch cord to connect the rotary joint and the fiber-optic cannula.

Structure of a patch cord

The core and the cladding are two layers that make up the lightguide. However, the light travels inside the core of the fiber-optic, barely or not inside the cladding. For this reason, interconnected fiber-optics should have the same core diameter. Different cladding diameters have no influence on the coupling efficiency.

The buffer is a protective layer that tightly encircles the cladding. For patch cords, we usually recommend the use of another protective layer, called jacket, which is a loose tube covering the previously mentioned layers of the cable.

For a better fiber protection, we also offer larger jackets made of PVC tubing. In this case, we use the following color convention, or we can use the black jacket if preferred. Metal jackets or jackets made of other materials are also available on request.

Mono fiber-optic patch cords

The simplest form of the patch cord is a piece of fiber with buffer coating and two ferrules on its ends. So far, the msot popular fiber in optogenetics research is a fiber with a 200 um core diameter and NA=0.22.

Note 1: The fiber diameter and its numerical aperture (collection angle) limit the coupling efficiency into the fiber. Therefore, for higher coupling from sources like LEDs into an optical fiber of a specific diameter, please select a higher NA fiber an follow it all the way through to the fiber optics cannula.

Note 2: The zirconia ferrules are prefferred for being less expensive, of tighter tolerance, harder, mass produced etc. However, due to the fluorescence of the zirconia ferrules they are not recommended for applications involving fluorescence measurements.

Dual fiber-optic patch cords

A dual fiber optic patch cord has two fiber-optic strands within the jacket, where the fiber ends are inserted into the mono or dual fiber ferrules or connectors.

Some dual fiber patch cords were especially designed to easily bring the light from the two optical channels of the 1×2 rotary joint into a dual fiber cannula.

There are several types of dual fiber patch cords, depending on the type of connectors and cannulas used.

Branching fiber-optic patch cords

A branching fiber patch cord consists of multiple single fiber patch cords that are at one end joined within one connector and its ferrule, while the loose side of the patch cords ends with mono fiber ferrules or connectors.

We offer fiber-optic patch cords that branch from one input to N output connectors. These patch cords have a single FC or SMA connector on bundled fibers end, and an FC,SMA, M3, zirconia or metal ferrule for each fiber on the other end. If the source is an LED or a lamp, the optical power entering the fiber bundle is divided between the channels. In the case of a laser, please refer to the Mini Cube section. Now following we recommend you some type patch cords from our store, there are LC to LC fiber patch cable, SC to SC Fiber Optic Patch Cable.

LC-LC fiber optic patch cables are used to send high-speed data transmissions throughout your network. LC/LC fiber optic cables connect two components with fiber optic connectors. A light signal is transmitted so there is no outside electrical interference.

SC-SC fiber patch cords are primarily used in high bandwidth networks where you must send large amounts of data at high speeds. Use a SC to SC fiber jumper cable to connect two devices with SC connections. Since the data is sent via a light signal, there is no electrical interference. All of our SC fiber cables have been factory tested to ensure proper performance.

Our Fiber Optic catalogue is designed to provide you with everything you need to set up your fiber optic network, from cables to connectors to patch panels and termination boxes. Our fiber optic cables are available with combinations of LC, SC, ST, FC, and MTRJ connectors and come in 1, 2, 3, 5, and 10 meter lengths (and OM3 cables up to 30 meters). And if these parameters do not meet your fiber needs, take a look at our fiber cable Custom Calculator and create yourself a custom cable. If you have even further specific needs beyond our calculators, please call our resident fiber specialist for a fast and personalized quote on any cable or fiber accessory you require.