Special Optical Cable · Optical Components & Connectors
Panda-Type Polarization-Maintaining Fiber Jumper
A high-precision Panda PM fiber patch cord engineered for coherent communication, interferometric sensing, and high-speed optical fiber communication, with FC/PC and FC/APC connector options.
Product Description
A Panda-type polarization-maintaining (PM) fiber jumper — also called a PM fiber patch cord or PM fiber patch cable — is built from PANDA polarization-maintaining fiber to keep light locked into a single, stable polarization state across the full length of the cable. We manufacture this PM fiber jumper with precision axial alignment and high-quality FC/PC or FC/APC connectors, so it holds a high extinction ratio and low insertion loss even after repeated mating cycles.
The polarization-maintaining fiber jumper uses panda-type polarization-maintaining fiber and undergoes a special process of alignment and adhesive curing to ensure minimal radial and torsional stress on the polarization-maintaining fiber during the jumper's manufacturing process, resulting in excellent polarization-maintaining characteristics. It is equipped with high-precision FC/PC or FC/APC connectors, offering excellent insertion and extraction repeatability.
Product Features
- High extinction ratio of 22~35dB;
- Insertion loss ≤0.3dB;
- Axial deviation ≤3°;
- Excellent compatibility with standard connectors;
- FC/APC high-return-loss connectors available;
- Axial angles can be customized based on customer requirements: fast axis, slow axis, adjustable, and other options for various types of polarization-maintaining fiber jumpers at 980nm, 1310nm, 1550nm, etc.
Product Application
- Coherent Communication
- Interferometric Sensing
- High-Speed Optical Fiber Communication
Panda Fiber Alignment Key Reference
Product Specification
| Characteristics | Unit | Product Specifications | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 980nm | 1310nm | 1550nm | ||
| Connector Type | / | FC/PC, FC/APC, LC/PC, LC/APC | ||
| Mode Field Diameter | μm | 6.5±1 | 6.0±1 | 6.5±1, 10.15 |
| Cladding Diameter | μm | 125 | 80, 125 | 80, 125 |
| Operating Wavelength | μm | 980 | 1310 | 1550 |
| Operating Temperature | °C | -40~+85 | ||
| Sheath Size | mm | 0.9, 2.0, 3.0 Loose Tube, 0.9 Tight Buffer, Others | ||
| Code | Meaning | End Face Schematic | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| F (Free) | Free Adjustable | The positioning key on the FC connector is non-fixed assembly, therefore, it can freely rotate when matched with equipment. This is especially suitable for laboratory or scientific research applications, where it allows for flexible adjustments of the connector's orientation and angle as needed, meeting the requirements of experiments or research projects. This flexibility ensures the accuracy and stability of fiber optic connections for precise optical measurements or experiments. | |
| X (Fast) | Fast Axis Alignment | The line formed by the centers of the two stress regions and the fiber core is perpendicular to the centerline of the positioning key. | |
| Y (Slow) | Slow Axis Alignment | The line formed by the centers of the two stress regions and the fiber core is parallel to the centerline of the positioning key. The polarization direction of most polarized light source equipment also aligns with this direction. | |
| O (Other) | Customer-specified angle | The angle between the line formed by the centers of the stress region and the fiber core and the centerline of the positioning key is specified by the customer. |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Panda-type polarization-maintaining (PM) fiber jumper?
A Panda-type polarization-maintaining (PM) fiber jumper is a fiber optic patch cord built from PANDA-style PM fiber, which uses two stress-applying rods on either side of the fiber core to create strong birefringence. This birefringence keeps light locked into a single polarization state as it travels through the cable instead of drifting, as it would in standard single-mode fiber. The jumper is manufactured with a precision alignment and adhesive-curing process that minimizes radial and torsional stress on the fiber, then terminated with high-precision FC/PC or FC/APC connectors.
What is the difference between fast axis and slow axis alignment on a PM patch cord?
Fast axis and slow axis refer to the two orthogonal polarization axes inside a PANDA PM fiber, which propagate light at different speeds due to the fiber's built-in birefringence. The connector key can be aligned to either axis: slow axis alignment (code Y) places the line through the two stress regions parallel to the connector key, while fast axis alignment (code X) places that line perpendicular to the key. A free/adjustable option (code F) leaves the ferrule unlocked for rotation, and a customer-specified angle (code O) sets any angle required.
What extinction ratio and insertion loss does this PM fiber jumper achieve?
This Panda-type PM fiber jumper achieves a high extinction ratio of 22~35dB and an insertion loss of ≤0.3dB, with axial deviation held to ≤3°. These figures show how well the patch cord preserves the input polarization state and how little optical power is lost across the connection, both critical for coherent communication and interferometric sensing applications.
Which connectors are available for this polarization-maintaining fiber patch cord?
This PM fiber jumper is available with FC/PC, FC/APC, LC/PC and LC/APC connectors, all offering excellent insertion and extraction repeatability. FC/APC high-return-loss connectors can also be supplied for applications that are especially sensitive to back-reflection, such as narrow-linewidth lasers and coherent detection systems.
What operating wavelengths does this PM fiber jumper support?
This Panda PM fiber jumper is available for 980nm, 1310nm and 1550nm operating wavelengths, with mode field diameter and cladding diameter matched to each wavelength band. The wavelength version selected should match the laser source or system operating wavelength to maintain the specified extinction ratio.
Where are Panda PM fiber patch cords typically used?
Panda PM fiber patch cords are widely used in coherent optical communication, interferometric sensing, fiber optic gyroscopes and other high-speed optical fiber communication systems where the polarization state of light must stay stable and predictable. They are common in research laboratories, photonics instrumentation and telecom system integration projects.
Need a Custom Polarization-Maintaining Fiber Jumper?
Connector type, axis alignment, operating wavelength, sheath size and cable length can all be tailored to your setup — from fast-axis or slow-axis key alignment to a fully customer-specified angle.
Request a QuoteSpecifications on this page are provided by the manufacturer and subject to change without notice. Page last updated: July 2026.