ePTFE and Fiber Optics
When compared to alternative fiber optic products, GORE® Mil-Aero Fiber Optic Products offer improvements in operating temperature range, vibration, mechanical shock, tension, minimum bend radius, chemical resistance, and overall ruggedness without compromising size or flexibility.
Microbending Loss
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Microbends are typically nanometer displacements of the fiber axis correlated over millimeter lengths.
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Loss is due to the coupling of light from high order modes to “lossy” modes.
Thermal Expansion Mismatch Causes Microbending Loss in Cable
Microbending Loss can be very significant, as seen below:
- The Gore design maintains good optical performance throughout the temperature range.
- The "Brand X" design demonstrates significant insertion loss.
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ePTFE buffer is an open cell structure, 75% air and 25% PTFE.
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This layer significantly mitigates the CTE effects of all of the materials in the cable.