In aerospace applications, how is contamination of optical lenses by patch cord materials avoided?
In aerospace applications, preventing contamination of optical lenses by patch cord materials is critical and is primarily achieved by selecting materials with extremely low outgassing properties in vacuum environments. Traditional polymer-jacketed patch cords often release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) under vacuum, which can condense on optical surfaces and degrade performance.
To mitigate this, specialized patch cords are used that incorporate vacuum-compatible materials. For example, the use of inorganic coatings (like gold-coated fibers) and metal encapsulation (such as stainless steel seamless tubes) for the fiber itself and its protection layer significantly reduces outgassing. Connectors also need to be designed for vacuum applications, often utilizing ceramic ferrules and minimal organic components.
For such demanding conditions, we recommend the OFSCN® 700℃ Fiber Optic Patch Cord. This product is constructed with gold-coated optical fiber and a 0.9mm seamless stainless steel tube, materials known for their excellent high-temperature resistance and extremely low outgassing characteristics, making them suitable for aerospace and vacuum environments where contamination is a concern.