Gould 44-10355-02-11201 5/95 Low-Polarization C-Band Fiber Optic Tap Coupler

Gould 44-10355-02-11201 5/95 Low-Polarization Fiber Optic Tap Coupler

The Gould 44-10355-02-11201 is a low-polarization fiber optic tap coupler designed for optical power sampling in erbium-doped fiber amplifiers, C-band telecommunications equipment, optical monitoring assemblies, and other polarization-sensitive single-mode systems. Its passive optical design divides an incoming signal between a primary through path and a lower-power tap path without requiring electrical power or active control electronics.

This Gould 44 Series coupler operates from 1530 nm to 1565 nm, covering the principal C-band wavelength region used by many EDFAs, WDM systems, optical transmitters, tunable lasers, and photonics test systems. The 5/95 coupling configuration directs approximately 5% of the optical signal to the tap path while allowing approximately 95% to continue through the primary path.

The coupler is designed to provide low through-path insertion loss and reduced sensitivity to changes in the input state of polarization. These characteristics help the tap output provide a stable representation of optical power when polarization changes because of fiber movement, temperature, mechanical stress, or other components in the optical system.

Features and Benefits of the Gould 44-10355-02-11201

• 5/95 optical tap ratio: Directs approximately 5% of the input power to the monitoring path while preserving approximately 95% in the through path.
• Low-polarization design: Typical polarization sensitivity of 0.2 dB or less helps reduce polarization-related changes in the tap output.
• C-band operation: Designed for optical wavelengths from 1530 nm to 1565 nm.
• EDFA monitoring: Developed for use with erbium-doped fiber amplifiers and related optical power-control systems.
• Low through-path loss: The 5/95 configuration provides maximum through-port insertion loss of 0.35 dB under the documented conditions.
• Controlled tap output: Maximum tap-port insertion loss is specified at 13.5 dB for the 5/95 configuration.
• Stable tap response: Published tap-leg variation includes the effects of wavelength and all states of polarization.
• Thermal stability: Typical optical variation is 0.2 dB or less from 0 °C to 65 °C.
• Single-mode construction: Uses Corning SMF-28 9/125 µm optical fiber.
• Passive operation: Requires no electrical power, firmware, software, or active control system.
• Compact system integration: Suitable for optical amplifier assemblies, monitoring modules, laboratory systems, and production equipment.
• Professional optical applications: Supports photodiode monitoring, source supervision, feedback control, and automated optical testing.

5/95 Optical Power Sampling

The Gould 44-10355-02-11201 separates an incoming optical signal into a main transmission path and a monitoring path. Its 5/95 split directs a nominal 5% of the optical power to the tap output and a nominal 95% to the through output.

This ratio provides more monitoring power than lower-percentage 1/99 or 2/98 tap couplers while preserving most of the original signal in the primary path. The configuration is useful when the monitoring detector requires a stronger optical input but the main system must retain the majority of the available power.

The actual power measured at either output depends on input power, wavelength, polarization state, internal insertion loss, connector or splice loss, fiber condition, and the measurement setup. The nominal ratio should be verified with calibrated optical equipment when precise system-level values are required.

Designed for Erbium-Doped Fiber Amplifiers

Gould Low-Polarization Tap Couplers were specifically developed for use with erbium-doped fiber amplifiers and other polarization-sensitive optical applications. In an EDFA system, the coupler can be installed at the input, output, or another suitable point in the optical path.

The primary output carries most of the optical signal to the next component or network interface. The tap output delivers a smaller sample to a photodiode, optical power meter, feedback controller, protection circuit, or monitoring receiver.

The resulting monitoring signal can support amplifier output supervision, gain-control functions, source stabilization, fault detection, and alarm generation. The coupler itself does not detect or regulate optical power. It provides the passive optical sample required by a separate monitoring or control system.

1530 nm to 1565 nm C-Band Operation

The coupler operates across wavelengths from 1530 nm to 1565 nm. This range covers the primary C-band region used in many optical amplification, WDM, DWDM, telecommunications, laboratory, and photonics applications.

The published insertion-loss and tap-leg variation specifications include wavelength-dependent effects across the complete 1530 nm to 1565 nm operating range. This supports systems carrying one or more optical channels within the specified band.

Performance outside the documented C-band range should not be assumed. Systems operating near 1310 nm, 1490 nm, 1625 nm, or other wavelengths require a coupler designed and characterized for those wavelength regions.

Low Polarization Sensitivity

The state of polarization in single-mode fiber can change because of temperature, mechanical stress, fiber routing, vibration, patch-cord movement, and upstream optical components. A polarization-sensitive coupler may produce changes in tap output even when the actual input power remains stable.

The Gould Low-Polarization Tap Coupler is designed to reduce this effect. Typical polarization sensitivity is specified at 0.2 dB or less. The published component specifications include performance across all states of polarization and wavelengths from 1530 nm to 1565 nm.

Low polarization sensitivity is especially useful when the tap signal is employed for calibrated optical monitoring, EDFA feedback, automatic power control, source stabilization, or comparative measurements.

Low Through-Path Insertion Loss

The 5/95 coupling configuration provides a maximum through-port insertion loss of 0.35 dB under the documented conditions. Low through-path loss helps preserve the optical power budget when the coupler is added to an amplifier, transmission, monitoring, or test system.

The specified component loss does not include every possible external system contribution. Connector pairs, fusion splices, adapters, patch cords, fiber routing, and other passive components can introduce additional attenuation.

The complete optical system should be referenced or tested after installation to determine the actual end-to-end loss. A stable C-band source and calibrated optical power meter can be used to measure the installed through path.

Tap-Port Performance

The maximum tap-port insertion loss for the 5/95 configuration is 13.5 dB. This value represents the lower-power output used for optical monitoring or feedback.

The monitoring receiver should be selected according to the expected tap power. Input power, tap loss, connector loss, splice loss, monitoring detector sensitivity, and maximum detector input should be considered together.

When the coupler is connected to a high-power optical amplifier, the 5% tap output may still be too strong for a sensitive photodiode or optical power meter. Additional optical attenuation may be required to protect the connected monitoring equipment.

Tap-Leg Stability

Maximum tap-leg variation depends on the Gould performance series. For the 5/95 configuration, the published maximum variation is 0.4 dB for Series 1 and 0.6 dB for Series 2.

These values include changes related to wavelength across 1530 nm to 1565 nm and all states of polarization. Tighter tap-leg variation can be valuable when the monitoring output forms part of a calibrated measurement or feedback system.

The complete part number and available component documentation should be reviewed to verify the applicable series and performance limit for the individual coupler.

Thermal Stability

The Gould 44 Series specification identifies operation from 0 °C to 65 °C with typical thermal stability of 0.2 dB or less. This supports use in controlled laboratory, production, telecommunications, and optical amplifier environments.

Temperature changes can affect fiber stress, internal coupling, connector performance, and overall optical loss. The coupler’s documented thermal stability helps limit changes in optical response across the supported range.

The component should be protected from localized heat sources, rapid thermal cycling, excessive mechanical stress, moisture, and operating conditions outside its specified range. Application-specific environmental qualification may be required for demanding systems.

Corning SMF-28 Single-Mode Fiber

The Gould Low-Polarization Tap Coupler family uses Corning SMF-28 9/125 µm single-mode fiber. This construction supports compatibility with C-band telecommunications fiber, optical amplifier components, and laboratory patching systems using corresponding single-mode fiber.

The documented family includes 100 kpsi and 200 kpsi proof-tested fiber options. The exact proof-test configuration of the individual Gould 44-10355-02-11201 should be verified from the component documentation or product markings.

Fiber pigtails should be routed with an appropriate bend radius and protected from pulling, twisting, crushing, pinching, and sharp enclosure edges. Mechanical stress near the component package or fiber exits can increase optical loss and affect long-term reliability.

Passive Optical Component Operation

The Gould 44-10355-02-11201 is a passive optical device. It requires no external electrical power, software, communication interface, or active control electronics.

Optical performance is determined by the internal coupler structure, connected fibers, wavelength, polarization state, temperature, and installation quality. Once installed, the component continuously divides the optical signal according to its designed coupling characteristics.

The absence of active electronics makes the coupler suitable for integration into compact optical assemblies, amplifier modules, test fixtures, and monitoring systems where simple and continuous operation is required.

Typical Applications

• Erbium-doped fiber amplifier output monitoring
• EDFA input-power sampling
• Optical amplifier feedback systems
• C-band optical power monitoring
• Photodiode monitoring assemblies
• 1550 nm optical source supervision
• Automatic optical power control
• WDM and DWDM system development
• Telecommunications component manufacturing
• Optical component characterization
• Laboratory photonics systems
• Automated optical test equipment

Product Overview

Brand	Gould
Part Number	44-10355-02-11201
Product Series	44 Series
Product Category	Low-Polarization Fiber Optic Tap Coupler
Nominal Coupling Ratio	5/95
Operating Wavelength Range	1530 nm to 1565 nm
Fiber Type	Corning SMF-28 9/125 µm single-mode fiber
Primary Application	Low-polarization C-band optical power sampling and monitoring

 

5/95 Optical Performance

Specification	Series 1	Series 2
Nominal Coupling Ratio	5/95	5/95
Maximum Through-Port Insertion Loss	0.35 dB	0.35 dB
Maximum Tap-Port Insertion Loss	13.5 dB	13.5 dB
Maximum Tap-Leg Variation	0.4 dB	0.6 dB

 

General Optical Specifications

Specification	Details
Operating Wavelength Range	1530 nm to 1565 nm
Typical Polarization Sensitivity	0.2 dB or less
Documented Temperature Range	0 °C to 65 °C
Typical Thermal Stability	0.2 dB or less
Typical Directivity	At least 50 dB for documented 1x2 configurations
Specification Coverage	Includes wavelength effects from 1530 nm to 1565 nm and all states of polarization
Operation	Passive and bidirectional within the applicable port arrangement

 

Gould 44 Series Coupling Options

Coupling Ratio	Maximum Through-Port Loss	Maximum Tap-Port Loss
1/99	0.15 dB	21 dB
2/98	0.2 dB	18.0 dB
5/95	0.35 dB	13.5 dB
10/90	0.7 dB	10.5 dB

 

Fiber and Packaging Options

Option	Details
Fiber Code 03	Corning SMF-28 9/125 µm fiber with 100 kpsi proof test
Fiber Code 32	Corning SMF-28 9/125 µm fiber with 200 kpsi proof test
Standard Package Style	Style 12
Available Repackaging	Styles 22, 25, and 31
Additional Packaging	Modular box configurations
Connector Configuration	Dependent on the individual component configuration

 

Port Identification

The optical input, through output, and tap output should be identified before installation. Incorrectly connecting the through and tap paths can produce unexpected optical levels and may prevent the monitoring or primary transmission circuit from functioning correctly.

If the fiber leads are labelled or colour coded, their identification should be recorded before installation. When port markings are missing, a stable C-band source and calibrated optical power meter can be used to identify the higher-power through path and lower-power tap path.

For a 5/95 configuration, the through output should carry substantially more power than the tap output. Actual measured values will include the coupler insertion loss and any additional losses from connectors, splices, adapters, and reference cables.

Installation and Fiber Handling

The optical pigtails should be routed with a suitable bend radius and protected from tensile force, sharp bends, crushing, pinching, twisting, and abrasion. Mechanical stress should not be applied to the fiber exits or the coupler package.

If the coupler is supplied with unterminated pigtails, fusion splicing should use a program appropriate for Corning SMF-28 single-mode fiber. The fibers should be stripped, cleaned, cleaved, aligned, fused, and protected according to professional fiber optic practices.

Completed fusion splices should be tested at an appropriate wavelength within the 1530 nm to 1565 nm operating range. Protection sleeves, splice trays, and enclosures should not force the fiber below its acceptable bend radius.

Connector Considerations

If connectors are installed, each connector end face should be inspected and cleaned before use. Contamination can increase insertion loss, reduce return loss, create unstable monitoring results, and damage optical interfaces in higher-power systems.

The connector type and polish must match the connected equipment. UPC and APC connectors should not be directly intermated because the different ferrule geometries can produce excessive loss, poor return loss, and physical damage.

Connector type, connector polish, pigtail length, and port labelling should be confirmed from the individual product and photographs because these details can vary within the Gould 44 Series.

System Integration Considerations

The monitoring detector must support the optical power expected at the 5% tap output. A high amplifier output can still produce enough tap power to overload a sensitive photodiode or optical power meter.

The system power budget should include the coupler’s through-port insertion loss together with connector loss, fusion-splice loss, patch-cord loss, and attenuation from other optical components.

If the tap signal is used in a feedback loop, the control system should be calibrated using the installed coupler and monitoring detector. The relationship between tap power and through power should be characterized under the required wavelength, polarization, and temperature conditions.

Comprehensive Functional and Performance Testing

The Gould 44-10355-02-11201 receives comprehensive functional and performance testing before shipment. Evaluation may include inspection of the package, optical pigtails, fiber coatings, strain relief, connectors, protective caps, port markings, and identification labels.

Optical testing may include continuity through all available paths, identification of the through and tap outputs, coupling-ratio verification, through-port insertion loss, tap-port insertion loss, and measurement repeatability.

When suitable equipment is available, the coupler may be evaluated at representative wavelengths within the 1530 nm to 1565 nm range using a stable C-band source and calibrated optical power meters. Polarization testing may be performed using a compatible polarization controller to compare the tap and through outputs across different polarization states.

The exact testing scope depends on the component’s package style, port configuration, connector or pigtail arrangement, fiber condition, available optical access, test wavelengths, polarization equipment, and calibrated reference instruments.

Buyer Considerations

Buyers should confirm the complete part number as Gould 44-10355-02-11201 and review the component label, photographs, fiber leads, and available test data. The exact performance series, port arrangement, fiber proof-test rating, package style, connector type, polish, and pigtail length should be verified from the individual component.

The coupler package and fiber leads should be inspected for cracks, crushing, bends, coating damage, stretched pigtails, loose strain relief, contaminated connectors, or other conditions that may affect optical performance.

Only the tap coupler, optical pigtails, connectors, protective caps, mounting hardware, enclosure, optical test data, calibration records, and accessories specifically identified in the product listing should be considered included.

Why Buy from AssetRelay?

AssetRelay supplies professional equipment and product solutions for fiber optic, telecom, laboratory, production, optical test, inspection, cleaning, electronic test, RF/microwave, and photonics applications. The Gould 44-10355-02-11201 provides low-polarization C-band optical power sampling for optical amplifier manufacturers, telecommunications laboratories, photonics developers, system integrators, research organizations, and production facilities.

Buyers should review the complete part number, product photographs, coupling ratio, port configuration, package style, optical fiber condition, connector configuration, functional test results, and included accessories before purchase.