In-Line Fiber Optic Polarizers

Overview
Specs
Feedback

Common Specifications^a,b
Maximum Power	300 mW
Return Loss^c	≥45 dB
Package	Ø5.5 mm x 35 mm
Fiber	PM or SM Pigtail
Pigtail Length	0.8 m +0.075 / -0.0 m on Each Side
Operating Temperature	-5 to 70 °C
Storage Temperature	-40 to 80 °C

Refer to the Specs Tab for More Information
All Specifications Include Connectors
Actual Return Loss will be Higher for FC/APC-Terminated Models than FC/PC-Terminated Models

Features

Small, Durable Package (Ø5.5 mm x 35 mm)
FC/PC or FC/APC Narrow Key (2.0 mm) Connectors
Versions with Polarization-Maintaining (PM) or Single Mode (SM) Fiber

Thorlabs' in-line fiber polarizers are designed to pass linearly polarized light while blocking the orthogonal polarization from an unpolarized (or randomly polarized) light source. They can attenuate the orthogonally polarized light with a high extinction ratio of at least 23 dB, depending on the specifics of each polarizer (refer to the Specs tab for more details). These polarizers can also be used to enhance the extinction ratio of polarized signals. For the PM versions of these devices, the output polarization and 2.0 mm narrow key of the connector are aligned to the slow axis of the fiber. For FC/APC-terminated versions, the return loss will be higher than for FC/PC-terminated versions because the angled ferrule minimizes back reflections.

In-line fiber polarizers are ideal for fiber optic networks and measurement applications, including polarization analysis, polarization monitoring and control, polarization mode dispersion (PMD) monitoring, and polarization extinction ratio (PER) improvement. They work well with polarization-maintaining fiber amplifiers, fiber lasers, and high-speed communication systems and instrumentation. We also offer PM Patch Cables, PM Pigtailed Laser Diodes, and PM Laser Sources, which are perfect for use with our fiber polarizers.

Reverse Operation
Each pigtailed end of these in-line fiber polarizers is marked as 'Input' or 'Output' to facilitate use. The polarizers may be used in reverse, but all specs, including insertion loss and extinction ratio, may vary from those given on this page and the Specs tab.

Fiber Polarization Control Selection Guide
Polarization Controllers				Linear Polarizers

Motorized Paddle Fiber Polarization Controllers	Manual Paddle Fiber Polarization Controllers	In-Line Manual Fiber Polarization Controller	Free-Space FiberBench	In-Line Fiber Polarizers	Polarizing Fiber

Item # Prefix	ILP980PM	ILP1064PM	ILP1310PM	ILP1550PM	ILP1550SM
Center Wavelength	980 nm	1064 nm	1310 nm	1550 nm	1550 nm
Bandwidth	±10 nm	±30 nm	±50 nm
Insertion Loss^a (Typ. / Max)	1.0 dB / ≤1.2 dB	0.70 dB / ≤0.90 dB	0.60 dB / ≤0.80 dB
Extinction Ratio^a (Typ. / Min)	26 dB / ≥23 dB	28 dB / ≥26 dB
Return Loss^b	≥45 dB
Power Handling	≤300 mW
Fiber Type	Fujikura SM98-PS-U25D		Fujikura SM13-PS-U25D	Fujikura SM15-PS-U25D	SMF-28e+
Pigtail Length	0.8 m +0.075 / -0.0 m on Each Side
Connectors	FC/PC for Item #'s Ending in -FC FC/APC for Item #'s Ending in -APC
Polarizer Package	Ø5.5 mm x 35 mm
Operating Temperature	-5 to 70 °C
Storage Temperature	-40 to 80 °C

Note: All Specifications Include Connectors

Specified at 23 °C and Over Entire Bandwidth
Actual Return Loss Will be Higher for FC/APC-Terminated Models than FC/PC-Terminated Models

Posted Comments:

Ali Altaher (posted 2019-04-15 03:21:30.61)

Hi How much it cost if I need you to manufacture a 640 nm wavelength of operation, and what time it take? Also, I need to know what is the kind of polarization controlling that is happening here. Thank you

YLohia (posted 2019-04-15 11:48:12.0)

Hello, thank you for contacting Thorlabs. Quotes for custom items can be requested by clicking the red "Request Quote" button above or emailing your local Thorlabs Tech Support team (techsupport.uk@thorlabs.com in your case). I will reach out to you directly to discuss the possibility of offering this.

x.a.attendu (posted 2019-03-08 08:40:48.94)

Dear Sir/Madam, I was wondering if a 1310 nm, SM pigtailed FC/APC option would be available ? Thanks in advance

llamb (posted 2019-03-13 08:23:20.0)

Thank you for contacting Thorlabs. For quote requests for custom items, you may reach out to your local Tech Support team (Europe@thorlabs.com in your case). Also, using a polarizer with single mode fiber will not maintain the output polarization, so we will reach out to you directly by email in this case to discuss your application further.

549654706 (posted 2019-01-15 17:24:38.147)

Do you have the in-line fiber polarizers whcih have the center wavelength of 2000nm ?

YLohia (posted 2019-01-15 12:43:14.0)

Hello, thank you for contacting Thorlabs. Quotes for custom items can be requested by emailing your local Thorlabs Tech Support team (techsupport-cn@thorlabs.com in your case). I will reach out to you directly to discuss the possibility of offering this.

Andrew (posted 2018-06-28 11:05:29.71)

Hi, According to Malus's Law, polarizer has to pass 0.5 or 3dB of input light. Your specification points less than 1 dB. Where is the hint? :-) Or it is necessary to add 3 dB to spec? Thanks!

YLohia (posted 2018-07-03 10:30:04.0)

Hello, thank you for contacting Thorlabs. The spec you are referring to is the insertion loss of the unit, which includes fiber-to-fiber coupling, etc.

bsslv (posted 2018-05-30 03:28:26.453)

Hi, My name is Sung, and just wanna ask about this device, ILP1550PM-FC. I already know PM means Polarization Maintaining, and what is the role of the part of 'Small in-Line package' ? AND Why this device is called likes 'polarizers' ? Is this makes some polarization? As I known by checking the spec sheet, I could not found about the information whether it makes TM or TE polarization. Is it right? Yes, That's all. Thx. Best regard,

YLohia (posted 2018-05-31 11:26:23.0)

Hi Sung, the "small in-line package" refers to the fact that the polarization module is "in-line" with the fiber and is quite small (35 mm long with a 5 mm diameter). These units can polarize light by taking in unpolarized light and only passing through one linear state (aligned to the slow axis of the fiber). TE or TM polarization only have meaning in the context of a defined reference plane. The relevant information here is that the slow axis of the fiber is aligned to the connector key, so depending on the orientation of your output fiber key, you can get a linear polarization state at any arbitrary angle.

melanie (posted 2018-01-30 15:21:48.993)

can you do these at 635 nm please as they are so very useful !

nbayconich (posted 2018-03-27 10:00:34.0)

Thank you for contacting Thorlabs. We can provide a custom in line fiber polarizer for 635nm, I will contact you directly with more information about our custom capabilities.

o.puncken (posted 2017-11-08 12:02:52.81)

Dear Sir or madam, we recently bought an in-line polarizer for 1550nm to build a linearly polarized Erbium ASE source: We pump an Er-doped non-pm fiber, to create some broad unpolarized fluorescence. We then spliced an ILP1550PM-AC to this setup and measured the PER with a combination of half waveplate and PBS, which was only 1:2. The fiber cores of the EDF and the polarizer match. An additional quarter waveplate fixes the bad PER, but in the end we need an all-fiber setup. Any ideas on this ? Best regards, Oliver Puncken Laser Zentrum Hannover e.V. Tel.: +49 511 2788 377

tfrisch (posted 2018-01-16 04:23:36.0)

Hello, thank you for contacting Thorlabs. The most common reason for a poor extinction ratio would be a significant portion of the spectrum outside the operating band of the filter (1550nm ± 50nm). I will reach out to you to discuss the source you are using and your expected output spectrum from the fiber.

user (posted 2017-01-31 17:36:56.1)

For the isolators with PM fiber patch-cords, which fiber axis is transmitted please? i.e. does it block the fast or the slow axis? Many thanks.

tcampbell (posted 2017-02-02 12:34:37.0)

Response from Tim at Thorlabs: thank you for your question. The output polarization is aligned with the slow axis of the fiber, while the fast axis is blocked. The 2.0 mm narrow key of the connector is also aligned with the slow axis of the fiber, so the orientation of the connector will indicate the direction of output polarization.

emeyersc (posted 2014-05-27 15:19:33.993)

I am interested in using the ILP1550SM to co-polarize a few different co-propagating laser fields, e.g. at 1400nm, 1550nm and 1600 nm. What happens if 1400nm light is sent through the polarizer? Does it polarize correctly but poorly, or does it transmit a different polarization than the wavelengths within spec?

myanakas (posted 2014-06-11 10:10:46.0)

Response from Mike at Thorlabs: Thank you for your feedback. It is possible to polarize the fiber at that wavelength but we cannot guarantee the extinction ratio through the fiber. Also, the fiber may propagate a second mode so the signal may not be the best. If you mandrel wrap the fiber you can possibly eliminate that second mode.

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In-Line Fiber Optic Polarizers

Features

In-Line Fiber Polarizers with PM Pigtails and FC/PC Connectors

In-Line Fiber Polarizers with PM Pigtails and FC/APC Connectors

In-Line Fiber Polarizers with SM Pigtails (FC/PC or FC/APC Connectors)