Inherited the tradition of innovation, Primanex has launched a new 1x4 magneto-optical switch module. The new product is based on free-space integrated optical technology, which enables less insertion loss and more compact size compared to traditional discrete devices in a fiber-optic cascade, giving customers the freedom to loss budget and space planning. Its main performances include:

1. Classic insertion loss:                 0.8dB

2. Temperature dependent loss:     0.2dB

3. Crosstalk between channels:      40dB

4. Switching speed:                       10~30 microseconds

5. Switching frequency:                 10 KHz

6. Size:                                         75x18x8.4 (length, width, height, mm)

Primanexs microsecond series of MO switches enable optical signals to be switched between different input and output ports. The series uses the principle of electromagnetic induction and the Faraday rotation effect to change the polarization state of the incident beam. Combined with the polarization beam-splitting birefringence crystal, the beam propagation path is changed, thereby realizing the function of optical path switching. The magneto-optic switch integrates multi-disciplinary technologies such as electromagnetics, polarization optics, crystal optics and imaging optics.

Since it came out in Silicon Valley in the US in 2000, our MO switch series has never stopped the innovation, and has successfully been serving many important global customers in fiber-optic communication, fiber-optic sensing, instrumentation, renewable energy and defense military and has become the iconic product in the field of high-end optical switches, leading the worlds magneto-optical technology for more than 10 years. Our MO switch series, protected by a series of original patents in China and the United States, adopts all-solid-state crystal and unique electromagnetic design. The process of switching the optical path does not involve any mechanical moving parts, so the excellent performance is unmatched by other competitive technologies such as optical mechanical switches (MOM) and micro electro mechanical switches (MEMS): high-speed switching (10us~30us), long life (more than 30 billion switching), ultra-low power consumption (no external power required), high repeatability (+/- 0.01dB) and so on.

High-speed response and superior repeatability of magneto-optical switches

For more than ten years, Primanex’s MO switches have been continuously developed and have formed a rich product family. In order to facilitate customers to choose according to their needs, please refer to the following classification of our magneto-optical switch:

1. According to the number of ports: 1x1, 1x2, 2x2, 1x4, 1x8, and even 1x16 optical switch;

2. According to the switching speed: there are regular speed optical switch (200us~400us) and high-speed optical switch (10us~30us);

3. According to whether it is reversible: due to the irreversibility of Faradays optical rotation effect, our conventional magneto-optical switch is irreversible, that is, the incident beam can only pass through the magneto-optical switch with one-way switching. The reverse path is isolated by the MO switch and the reverse isolation is equivalent to a two-stage isolator. In order to serve the fiber optic sensing applications, we have developed a truly reversible MO switch with a unique optical and electromagnetic design that allows the optical path to travel in both directions in the MO switch. The above categories of magneto-optic switches have irreversible and reversible corresponding products;

4. According to whether or not to maintain the polarization: our conventional magneto-optical switch is polarization-independent, that is, using a conventional single-mode fiber, is not sensitive to the polarization state of incident light. Our company has also developed a polarization-maintaining MO switch, which can use the polarization-maintaining fiber with special requirements from customers to meet the specific polarization requirements of light;

5. According to whether it can withstand high-power lasers: in order to carry high-power (or high-energy) lasers in certain special fields, we have developed a high-power version of MO switches that can retain all the outstanding optical, electrical and mechanical performance of conventional power requirements.

Polarization-maintaining 1×4 integrated magneto-optical switch module