DIAMOND Rugged and Reliable Hybrid Interconnect Solutions for the Military Industry
DIAMOND has been recognised as a world leader in providing high-precision, fibre-optic interconnect solutions for more than 30 years. We develop reliable and technically advanced solutions, as well as design and deliver highly customised products to the military and defence markets.
We offer a comprehensive line of rugged, high-performance and practical fibre-optic solutions specifically designed to provide maximum flexibility, modularity and durability in challenging conditions.
Advanced fibre-optic technologies for adverse military applications
DIAMOND utilises unique manufacturing techniques to provide advanced technology interconnect solutions for demanding applications.
Active core alignment to increase fibre-to-fibre eccentricity
To manufacture our high-performance connectors, we only use the highest quality materials and advanced fibre-optic component manufacturing processes, which have been developed over the last 25 years. Our target was to reduce the insertion loss values by minimising fibre-to-fibre eccentricity. The result is our patented two-part ferrule and Active Core Alignment (ACA) technology.
During this process, the end face is deformed after the fibre has been polymerised in place in order to centre its core with the mechanical axis of the ferrule.
Advantages include:
- Ultra-low insertion loss (IL)
- Unbeatable low IL for small core diameters
- High return loss (RL)
- Applicable for polarisation-maintaining (PM) fibres and outperforms the IL performance in comparison to any other technology
Polarisation maintaining fibre-optic interfaces for defence environments
The field of application of polarisation maintaining (PM) elements has expanded beyond traditional markets to brand new sectors, from research to industrial environments such as biomedicine, spectroscopy, metrology, sensorics, telecommunications, laser technology, surveillance and security, defence, and lithography.
DIAMOND supplies high-quality solutions to polarisation maintaining and polarising (PZ) fibre-optical interfaces for optimal control of the signal’s polarisation state. Low IL combined with high-polarisation extinction ratios (PER) and higher RL are achieved over broad spectral ranges due to a combination of accurate optical and mechanical design.
Features and benefits include:
- Proprietary ACA process for minimal eccentricity between a fibre’s core and ferrule to guarantee unmatched low-insertion losses
- Active polarisation orientation (APO) procedure for optimal alignment between the mechanical connector’s key and the true polarisation (fast or slow) axis to guarantee the highest PER in a mated configuration
- Optimised polishing techniques for excellent return losses values
- 100% front face inspection
Power solution contact optical interfaces
DIAMOND offers power solution (PS) optical interfaces, which expand the multi-function display (MFD) of a single-mode (SM) fibre by splicing a gradient-index (GRIN) lens at the extremity.
The MFD at the end of the connector is subsequently expanded by a factor of four to five, increasing the contact surface by a factor of 15. As a result, the heat issues decrease but cleanliness of the connectors and mating adapters is still important.
Features and benefits include:
- Improved power resistance (x16)
- Low IL
- Ultra-high polish for high-return loss
PSb (Power Solution ball lens)
The PSb arrangement is a non-contact interface that al lows for an expansion of the beam size of a MM fibre by means of an external spherical lens. The opto-mechanical alignment between fibre, ferrule, and lens relies upon the active core alignment. The size of the collimated beam in free-space is sufficient to ensure a safe handling of medium to high optical power levels even in the presence of surface contaminants.
PSb interfaces are typically encapsulated into rugged connectors such as Diamond’s X-B EAM PS, which contains up to four fibre-lens termini.
Visible / near-infrared optical interfaces for low wavelengths
Applications using non-telecom wavelength single mode and PM fibres exist in various sectors such as biomedical, measurement instruments, sensing and laser source and delivery.
DIAMOND offers the visible (VIS) / near-infrared (NIR) optical interface for low wavelengths and small core fibres on most connector interfaces.
Using Diamond ACA technology, we can achieve unrivalled low IL performances.
Benefits include:
- Extremely low lateral offset for low-insertion loss
- Ultra-high polish for high return loss
About DIAMOND
DIAMOND was first established in 1958 and is based in Switzerland. Our products and processes are all ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 compliant.
Our interconnect solutions integrate our Active Core Alignment (ACA) technology in our high-performing optical interfaces, including PS, PM, VIS / NIR, and our diamond multipurpose (DM) hybrid (optical / electrical) insert, as well as our custom optical assemblies.
DIAMOND’s X-BEAM, MIL-38999 DM and MIL-83526 DM connectors, along with the ZEUS D50 HE fusion splicer, are the most suitable and recommended for typical military and tactical applications.
We also have an independent accredited test and calibration laboratory that offers services such as fibre-optic instrument calibration, and component measurement and testing. Furthermore, DIAMOND’s ISO 7 Cleanroom (Class 10,000 per FED STD 209E) allows products to be cleaned and packaged in a controlled environment.
Make an enquiry
Via dei Patrizi 5
CH-6616
Losone
Switzerland
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Products and Services
MIL-38999 DM Fibre-Optic Connector
Diamond has developed an advanced COTS MIL-38999 connector that demonstrates exceptional performance in demanding optical applications.
MIL-83526 DM Fibre-Optic Connector
Diamond has developed the new rugged MIL-83526 Diamond multipurpose (DM) connector featuring the DM insert for superior optical performance.
X-BEAM Expanded Beam Fibre-Optic Connector
The Diamond X-BEAM is a genderless tactical fibre-optic connector that uses lens-based expanded beam technology for ease of cleaning and mating in outdoor applications.
Fibre-Optic Cleaning Kit (DiaClean)
Proper performance of a fibre-optic connection is strongly dependent on the cleanliness of the mated ferrules.
ZEUS D50 HE Fusion Splicer
The ZEUS D50 HE kit contains everything that is needed to prepare, handle and splice tough outdoor / military and industrial cables with an outer diameter of 3mm to 8mm, including a cleaver and an automated stripping machine with heated jaws.
White Papers
Active Core Alignment (ACA) Process and Evolution
Optical monitoring and specialised tools allow assemblers to centre fibre core to submicron tolerances, improving ILR loss.
Fiber Optic Components
Applications using non-telecom wavelength single mode and PM fibres exist in various sectors such as biomedical, measurement instruments, laser source and delivery, and sensing.
High-Power Connectors
The recent tendency to increase the power in optical transmission systems requires the development of connectors with a higher damage threshold power.
Characterisation of Polarisation Maintaining Fibre-Optic Components
The behaviour of the optical polarisation in fibre-based elements and the associated characterisation methods are reviewed.
Related Projects
Press Release
Regional Offices
Via dei Patrizi 5
CH-6616
Losone
Switzerland
Leinfelder Strasse 64
70771 L.-Echterdingen
Germany
85 Rangeway Road
Billerica
MA 01862
United States of America
Palmpolstraat 47
1327 CB Almere
Netherlands
Rua Pereira Landim, 54 Ramos
21.031-620 Rio de Janeiro
Brazil
