PolaZero DEP-003 Fiber Optic Depolarizer for Narrowband Sources

Passive fiber optic depolarizer for narrowband light sources with coherence lengths up to 300 m, delivering output DOP below 5%.

Center wavelength: 1310 or 1550 nm standard, others available
Operating wavelength range: ±50 nm
Coherence length of light source: 0 to 300 m (for narrowband sources)
Output DOP: <5%

Datasheet

Overview

The DEP-003 is a member of the Luna DEP (PolaZero) series of passive fiber optic depolarizers, originally developed by General Photonics. It is the series model for narrowband light sources, covering coherence lengths from 0 to 300 m, and reduces the degree of polarization (DOP) of the output to less than 5%.

A depolarizer introduces a differential delay between the orthogonal polarization components that is longer than the coherence length of the light. This removes the phase relationship between the two components. The internal structure and package size depend on the coherence length or spectral width of the source being depolarized, and versions for coherence lengths in the kilometer range can be custom made in a larger package.

The DEP-003 uses PM Panda fiber on the input and single-mode fiber on the output. It is passive and needs no power source. Standard center wavelengths are 1310 nm and 1550 nm, and other wavelengths are available.

Typical uses include reducing polarization sensitivity in fiber sensor systems, such as FBG-based systems and Brillouin, Raman or Rayleigh scattering distributed sensing, depolarizing pump lasers for Raman amplifiers, and reducing PDL effects in optical components and instruments.

Key Features

Low output DOP <5%
Depolarizes narrowband sources with coherence lengths from 0 to 300 m
For lasers with coherence length up to and beyond 10 m
Customizable for different wavelengths and coherence lengths
Wide operating wavelength range
Passive device, no power source required
Low insertion loss
Compact size

Specifications

Optical

Center wavelength	1310 or 1550 nm standard, others available
Operating wavelength range	±50 nm
Coherence length of light source DEP-003	0 to 300 m (for narrowband sources)
Output DOP	<5%
Insertion loss DEP-003	<1.4 dB (1.0 dB typical), excluding connectors For DEP-003 with 10 m coherence length
Residual extinction ratio	< 0.5 dB Values referenced without connectors
Return loss DEP-003	55 dB For DEP-003 with 10 m coherence length; values referenced without connectors
Optical power handling	300 mW min.

Physical

Fiber type DEP-003	Input: PM Panda fiber; Output: SM For DEP-003
Dimensions DEP-003	85 × 85 × 15 mm Standard package for DEP-003

Environmental

Storage temperature	-40 to 85 °C

Specifications are taken from the manufacturer's documentation. See the datasheet for complete and current values.

Applications

Fiber sensor systems
Communication systems
OEM modules for fiber optic sensing
FBG-based fiber sensor systems
Brillouin, Raman or Rayleigh scattering based distributed fiber sensor systems
Raman amplifier pump depolarization
Reducing polarization sensitivity of optical instruments
Reducing PDL effects of optical components

Options & Accessories

Option	Description
15	Wavelength: 1550 nm — Ordering code for the wavelength field
13	Wavelength: 1310 nm — Ordering code for the wavelength field
10	Coherence length: 10 m — Ordering code for the coherence length field; other lengths on request
FC/PC	Connector type: FC/PC
FC/APC	Connector type: FC/APC
NC	No connectors