Articles by FOC FAQ

QUESTION: Are polymer plastics isotropic?   ANSWER: Most polymer plastics are inherently isotropic (that is, that is they have no directionality in their optical properties). However, when formed in the injection molding process the polymer is melted,...

QUESTION: What are the biggest issues you hear technicians face with the buried ducts and does fiber blowing options correct those?   ANSWER: Fiber blowing requires fairly straight ducts with close to full passage. Luckily, many blowing jobs work fine, but...

QUESTION: Is Laser cleaving suitable for every assembly operation?   ANSWER: The investment for cleaving systems is still significant and a semi-automated process might look attractive but the financial numbers need to reflect the improvements. An initial...

QUESTION: What is the primary indicator of over polished connectors?     ANSWER: Primarily, the indicator of over polished connectors is poor repeat ability in measurements of the return loss and insertion loss. For the majority of “spring loaded...

QUESTION: Are there Standards on the amount of contamination for multi-fiber end-faces? ANSWER: The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) created Standard 61300-3-35, which provides guidelines about the size and amount of dirt and contamination for single...

QUESTION: Where can I get a little bit of Teflon?   ANSWER: ÅngströmLink AL-2233 is basically that. A Teflon-like polymer dissolved in an evaporative solvent. To get a thin layer of ‘almost-Teflon’, make a thin layer of AL-2233 and let the solvent...

A dual asymmetric centrifuge is a mixer that combines centrifugal-type rotation (rotation around a point outside the sample holder) with rotation around the central axis of the sample holder.  This combination of opposing forces enables rapid mixing of the...

QUESTION: How can contamination of a fixture negatively affect precision and is this directly related to the milled ferrule holes?   ANSWER: All fixtures come from the factory with very precisely milled ferrule “bores”, tailored specifically to the...

Question: Is there a way to avoid wasted epoxy?   ANSWER: Given that 2.5 grams is the smallest size that is practicably achievable, FOC recommends saving any extra epoxy in a secondary dispensing container (like a syringe), frozen at -40°C. -40°C...

QUESTION: Why is The Phenix fibersect fiber cleaving device referred to as an ‘industry standard’ in some places?   ANSWER: Fiber Optic Center teams with quality-minded suppliers that offer cable assembly houses higher efficiencies, better quality,...