The FGC range is the complete solution for measuring the dimensions of standard and specialty fiber in both production and R&D environments. FGC-GS – fiber glass geometry for fibers up to 1000 µm diameter.
Darkfield Illumination
The Arden Photonics darkfield illumination system allows the software to show a clear live image of the end face of the fiber by illuminating the end face of the fiber and imaging the reflected light. This allows users to inspect the end face of the fiber whilst taking geometry measurements. The darkfield method of fiber geometry measurement is supported by both NPL in the UK and NIST in the USA.
Efficient Software
The FGC comes with an efficient software package containing controls to switch between reflection and transmission mode. This allows users to quickly and easily get both core and cladding geometry measurements including diameter, non-circularity and concentricity. The software contains measurement templates for all standard telecoms fibers, however users can also create their own. This allows the measurement of many special fiber types including dual clad fiber, bend insensitive fiber, multicore fibers, polarisation maintaining fibers and many more.
After sales services
Contact Arden Photonics for information on our comprehensive packages (extended warranties, calibration programs, software upgrades, etc.) and per-incident services (repair, calibration, etc.).
Images
Fibre Gallery
Latest Software
Technical Specification
Documents
Ordering Information
Images
Fibre Gallery
| PM fiber |  | Octagonal fiber |  | Dual clad fiber |  |
| Micro-structured fiber |  | Multimode fiber |  | Multicore fiber |  |
Latest Software
Release v5.0 of FGC software is applicable to the FGC-GT, GS and GA optical units.
| Feature | Benefit |
|---|---|
| MT Ferrule measurement | Enables measurement of core positioning in MT ferrules using the FGC-GA |
| Capillary Measurement | Enables measurement of small glass capillaries |
| Core-Inner Cladding Concentricity | Enables measurement of Core-Inner Cladding Concentricity of double clad fibers |
Screen shots
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 FGC v5.0 showing octagonal fiber |
 FGC v5.0 showing PM fiber |
 FGC v5.0 showing multi-fiber array |
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FGC v5.0 in “Reflection” mode
FGC v5.0 showing dual clad fiber
FGC v5.0 showing fiber templatesSoftware Version Feature Guide
User manual issue #
V 2.0 – 2
V 3.0 – 3
V 4.0 – 6
V 4.5 – 6
V 4.9 – 6
V 5.0 – 7
| Feature | Version and Release Date |
|---|---|
| Line Profile | Support for V 2.0 – V 5.0 (March 2016 – June 2020) |
| False colour display | Support for V 2.0 – V 5.0 (March 2016 – June 2020) |
| User Definable Fiber Spec Templates | Support for V 2.0 – V 5.0 (March 2016 – June 2020) |
| 12-bit data analysis | Support for V 2.0 – V 5.0 (March 2016 – June 2020) |
| Password protection for config mode | Support for V 2.0 – V 5.0 (March 2016 – June 2020) |
| Automatic exposure control | Support for V 2.0 – V 5.0 (March 2016 – June 2020) |
| Support Windows 8 | Support for V 2.0 – V 5.0 (March 2016 – June 2020) |
| Support 32-bit and 64-bit processors | Support for V 2.0 – V 5.0 (March 2016 – June 2020) |
| Customizable Excel format report | Support for V 2.0 – V 5.0 (March 2016 – June 2020) |
| One click export of FGC data | Support for V 2.0 – V 5.0 (March 2016 – June 2020) |
| Keyboard shortcuts | Support for V 2.0 – V 5.0 (March 2016 – June 2020) |
| Auto-focus | Support for V 3.0 – V 5.0 (March 2016 – June 2020) |
| Auto-centre display | Support for V 3.0 – V 5.0 (March 2016 – June 2020) |
| Pm Measurement | Support for V 4.0 – V 5.0 (August 2017 – June 2020) |
| Polygonal Measurement | Support for V 4.0 – V 5.0 (August 2017 – June 2020) |
| Multicore measurement | Support for V 4.0 – V 5.0 (August 2017 – June 2020) |
| Standard deviation displayed | Support for V 4.0 – V 5.0 (August 2017 – June 2020) |
| Support Windows 10 | Support for V 4.0 – V 5.0 (August 2017 – June 2020) |
| HD Edition | Support for V 4.0 – V 5.0 (August 2017 – June 2020) |
| Fibre Array measurement | Support for V 4.5 – V 5.0 (March 2018 – June 2020) |
| Scanning stage support | Support for V 4.5 – V 5.0 (March 2018 – June 2020) |
| Fibre Array measurement | Support for V 4.5 – V 5.0 (March 2018 – June 2020) |
| High resolution camera support | Support for V 4.5 – V 5.0 (March 2018 – June 2020) |
| Bright field focus for connector | Support for V 4.5 – V 5.0 (March 2018 – June 2020) |
| Imaging tools | Support for V 4.5 – V 5.0 (March 2018 – June 2020) |
| Saturated Image Mode | Support for V 4.5 – V 5.0 (March 2018 – June 2020) |
| CCC Angle | Support for V 4.5 – V 5.0 (March 2018 – June 2020) |
| Dual Wavelength Support | Support for V 4.9 – V 5.0 (March 2020 – June 2020) |
| PM Illuminator support | Support for V 4.9 – V 5.0 (March 2020 – June 2020) |
| MT Ferrule measurement | Support for V 5.0 (June 2020) |
| Capillary Measurement: | Support for V 5.0 (June 2020) |
| Core-Inner Cladding Concentricity | Support for V 5.0 (June 2020) |
Technical Specification
| Optical | FGC-GT |
|---|---|
| Max Field of View | 1200 µm |
| Fiber Illumination – Reflection* | Darkfield illumination, 850nm LED |
| Fiber Illumination – Transmission* | Multiple LED array, 850nm |
| Repeatability** | |
|---|---|
| Core Diameter | < 0.1 µm |
| Cladding Diameter | < 0.15 µm |
| Core Non-Circularity | < 0.5% |
| Cladding Non-Circularity | < 0.1% |
| Core-To-Cladding Concentricity | < 0.15 µm |
| Measurement Capability | |
|---|---|
| Measurement Time | < 10 seconds (excluding fiber prep) |
| Fiber Diameter | up to 1000µm |
| Special Fibers | Dual clad, Octagonal, PM, Multicore, PCF, etc. |
| Physical | |
|---|---|
| Weight | 11kg (with carry case 33kg ) |
| Size | 0.5 x 0.5 x 0.2 |
| Operating Temp | 10 – 30° C |
| Computer Requirements | All FGC systems are supplied with a computer running up-to-date Windows operating system. |
| Data Interface | 1 X USB 3.0 (USB B to USB A: 1m cable supplied) |
*May be fitted with other customized wavelengths.
**Repeatability is measured on the FGC-GS using a single 20/400 µm fiber without removing it from the unit at 22°C.
Documents
Ordering Information
| Part number | Description |
|---|---|
| FGC-GS | Fiber Glass Geometry System for measurement of optical fibers with diameters up to 1000 µm. Including optical unit, fiber handling bench, cables, software package; desktop computer; pair of Arden holders suitable for 400 µm diameter coated fiber. |
| Holders | |
| FG-H-250 | Pair of Arden FGC fiber holders with 250 µm V-groove, suitable for 250 µm diameter coated fiber |
| FG-H-400 | Pair of Arden FGC fiber holders with 400 µm V-groove, suitable for 400 µm diameter coated fiber |
| FG-H-600 | Pair of Arden FGC fiber holders with 600 µm V-groove, suitable for 600 µm diameter coated fiber |
| FG-H-800 | Pair of Arden FGC fiber holders with 800 µm V-groove, suitable for 800 µm diameter coated fiber |
| FG-H-1000 | Pair of Arden FGC fiber holders with 1000 µm V-groove, suitable for 1000 µm diameter coated fiber |
| FGC-GUEW3 | FGC-Glass geometry system, extended warranty covering parts and labour for 3 years from purchase, return to base. Cover excludes camera. |
| FGC-GUEW5 | FGC-Glass geometry system, extended warranty covering parts and labour for 5 years from purchase, return to base. Cover excludes camera. |
| FGC-PMI-850 | PM illuminator, 850 nm, for measuring dimensions of 125 and 80 µm diameter PANDA fibers. Optional plug-in unit for all models of FGC. |
| FGC-PMI-525 | PM illuminator, 525 nm, for measuring dimensions of 125 and 80 µm diameter PANDA fibers. Optional plug-in unit for all models of FGC. |
