Why is 125μm the globally accepted standard for cladding diameter?
The 125μm cladding diameter has become the globally accepted standard for several key technical and practical reasons in the field of optical fiber communication:
- Mechanical Strength and Handling: A 125μm cladding provides a good balance between the fiber’s mechanical strength and its flexibility. It’s robust enough to withstand typical handling during manufacturing, cabling, and installation, while still being flexible enough for routing and coiling.
- Splicing and Interoperability: A standardized cladding diameter ensures universal compatibility for splicing and connectorization. If different manufacturers produced fibers with varying cladding diameters, it would be extremely difficult to achieve low-loss splices and reliable connections between different fiber types, leading to significant signal degradation. This standardization allows for seamless integration of components from various vendors.
- Manufacturing Consistency and Cost: Establishing a standard diameter streamlines the manufacturing process. Equipment for drawing, coating, and testing can be optimized for this specific dimension, leading to more consistent product quality and reduced manufacturing costs over time due to economies of scale.
- Optical Performance: While the core guides the light, the cladding plays a crucial role in light confinement and protection of the core. The 125μm diameter provides sufficient thickness for effective light confinement within the core while minimizing signal leakage, without making the fiber excessively bulky.
OFSCN’s optical fibers, including our OFSCN® G.652D Optical Fiber, OFSCN® G.657 Optical Fiber, and OFSCN® 120 SM High-temperature Optical Fiber, adhere to this industry standard with a 125μm cladding diameter to ensure broad compatibility and performance.
Here is an image demonstrating typical optical fiber structure:
You can find more detailed parameters for our optical fibers on our website.
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