Temperature Stability of the I3000

The purposes of the following tests were to characterize the thermal stability of the Luminos I3000 CORALIGN™ Positioners. By optimizing the unit and subjecting it to a series of thermal cycles it was possible to plot the drift characteristic.

Equipment Used

  • Temperature-control chamber1
  • I3000 manual positioner
  • 1300nm LED source
  • Power meter
  • Two fibers with connectors on both sides
  • Ferrule fiber holder
  • Connector holder
  • Anti-resonance platforms
1Temperature-control chamber exhibits error of ±1°C

Procedure

I3000 Stability To ensure that only temperature stability was being measured an anti-resonance platform was constructed. Stability tests were conducted with a connector-to-connector, 9µm core, single mode fiber alignment. Positioner, power meter, and light source were arranged, as shown, on anti-resonance platform. The platform was then place inside the chamber and allowed to acclimate to a temperature of 30°C. Once the positioner was acclimated the unit was optimized and test started. Temperature and power samples were automatically collected every two minutes for three days.

Test 1 - Gradual Temperature Change

This test illustrates how gradual temperature fluctuations affect the Positioners stability. Test result, as demonstrated in the graphic below, show a maximum -0.25dBm variations when temperature is slowly increased to 36°C. Every time the temperature cycles back to the initial set point of 30°C, power returns to the reference power reading ±0.005dBm.

I3000 Stability

Test 2 - Sudden Temperature Change

Stability test two illustrates how sudden temperature fluctuations affect the stability of the I3000  manual positioners. The results, shown below, demonstrate that a sudden power fluctuations of -0.3 to -4 dBm when temperature is ramped. When unit was subjected to a temperature changed of +6°C from the initial start point of 30°C, a variance of less than 0.4dBm was evident after unit stabilized. After one cycle was completed and temperature returned to 30°C power variations were not evident.

I3000 Stability

Conclusion

Tests prove that the I3000 manual unit has virtually no hysteresis due to temperature changes. Output variations are cyclic and repeatable and there are no lasting distortions on the positioner due to temperature fluctuations. Therefore temperature changes have a predictable cyclic effect on the stability of the Luminos I3000 CORALIGN™ Positioner.