1. Product Title

PM Variable Optical Attenuator (VOA), 1CH, 780–1550 nm

2. Product Overview

GracyFiber PM Variable Optical Attenuator (PM VOA) is a single-channel polarization-maintaining optical component designed for precise adjustment of optical power while maintaining the polarization state of the transmitted light. The device uses PM Panda fiber and a precision mechanical design and supports key operating wavelengths including 780/850 nm, 980/1064 nm, and 1310/1480/1550 nm.

3. Key Features

• 1-channel PM variable optical attenuator
• 780 / 850 / 980 / 1064 / 1310 / 1480 / 1550 nm wavelength options
• Up to 60 dB attenuation depending on wavelength
• PM Panda fiber
• Low insertion loss and high return loss
• Polarization extinction ratio up to ≥20 dB depending on wavelength
• 500 mW maximum power handling
• Flexible fiber and connector options
• Compact mechanical package

The supplied product description also identifies wide attenuation range, low back-reflection, multi-wavelength compatibility, robust design, and flexible fiber/connector options as key characteristics.

4. Applications

• Laser Power Control & Stabilization
• Telecom Receiver Protection
• Optical Test & Calibration
• Quantum Optics & QKD Systems
• Industrial Laser Process Monitoring

These applications are explicitly listed in the supplied PM VOA documentation.

5. FAQ

What is a PM VOA?

A PM VOA (Polarization Maintaining Variable Optical Attenuator) is an optical component used to adjust optical power while maintaining the polarization state of the transmitted signal. The GracyFiber PM VOA uses PM Panda fiber and a precision mechanical structure for polarization-sensitive optical systems.

What wavelengths are available for this PM VOA?

The supplied configurations cover:

• 780 nm
• 850 nm
• 980 nm
• 1064 nm
• 1310 nm
• 1480 nm
• 1550 nm

What is the maximum attenuation range?

The maximum attenuation depends on wavelength:

• 1310 / 1480 / 1550 nm: 60 dB
• 980 / 1064 nm: 60 dB
• 780 / 850 nm: 50 dB

Therefore, the full product family should not be described simply as “0–60 dB" without noting the wavelength-dependent specification.

What PM fiber is used?

The supplied specification lists PM Panda Fiber for 780 nm, 980 nm, 1300 nm, and 1550 nm fiber categories.

The exact fiber model for each center wavelength is [Need confirmation].

Which connector options are available?

The supplied specification lists:

• FC/APC
• FC/UPC
• Customized connector

For other connector requirements, please provide the required interface during quotation.

6. Technical Specifications

Optical Specifications by Wavelength

General Specifications

Connectorized Device Note

The supplied specification states that the optical values above are for devices without connectors.

For connectorized devices:

• Insertion Loss increases by 0.3 dB
• Return Loss decreases by 5 dB
• Extinction Ratio decreases by 2 dB

The specification also states that the PM fiber and connector key are aligned to the slow axis, while the fast axis is blocked.

7. Configuration & Customization Options

Available Wavelength Configurations

• 780 nm
• 850 nm
• 980 nm
• 1064 nm
• 1310 nm
• 1480 nm
• 1550 nm

Fiber

Confirmed:

• PM Panda Fiber

Exact PM fiber model by wavelength:

[Need confirmation]

Fiber Coating

Available:

• 250 μm
• 900 μm blue loose tube

Fiber Length

Standard listed length:

• 100 cm

Customized fiber length:

[Need confirmation]

Connector

Available:

• FC/APC
• FC/UPC
• Customized

Package Dimensions

The supplied specification lists:

• 26 * 18 * 8 mm
• 18 * 18 * 8 mm

The mechanical drawing on page 3 also shows a compact adjustment structure with dimensional references for the package and mounting points.

8. Detailed Product Description

The GracyFiber PM VOA is designed for optical systems in which optical power must be adjusted without losing the required polarization characteristics. Unlike a fixed attenuator, a variable optical attenuator provides adjustable optical loss, allowing optical power levels to be set according to system requirements.

This PM VOA combines a single-channel attenuation mechanism with PM Panda fiber and a precision mechanical structure. Its available wavelength configurations cover several important photonics bands, including 780/850 nm, 980/1064 nm, and 1310/1480/1550 nm.

Performance is wavelength-dependent. The 1310/1480/1550 nm version is specified with maximum insertion loss of 0.5 dB, attenuation up to 60 dB, extinction ratio of at least 20 dB, and return loss of at least 55 dB. The 980/1064 nm version maintains the same 60 dB maximum attenuation with a maximum insertion loss of 0.6 dB. For 780/850 nm operation, the maximum attenuation is 50 dB, with insertion loss up to 0.7 dB and minimum extinction ratio of 18 dB.

This combination of attenuation control and polarization-maintaining transmission makes the component applicable to optical power balancing, receiver protection, laser-system adjustment, calibration setups, and polarization-sensitive research platforms.

The product is also specified for maximum optical power of 500 mW and is available with FC/APC, FC/UPC, or customized connector configurations.

9. Application Scenario

Application 1 — Laser Power Control & Stabilization

In laser systems, optical power may need to be adjusted during alignment, calibration, or operation.

The PM VOA provides controllable attenuation while maintaining polarization characteristics, allowing the optical power delivered to downstream polarization-sensitive components to be adjusted without changing the basic PM fiber architecture.

Laser power control and stabilization are explicitly identified in the supplied documentation.

Application 2 — Optical Test & Calibration

Optical test systems often require adjustable attenuation to simulate different optical power levels or verify receiver and component performance.

The PM VOA can provide variable optical loss while maintaining polarization, making it suitable for test environments involving PM fiber devices.

Application 3 — Quantum Optics & QKD

Quantum optical and QKD systems may require controlled optical power together with polarization-sensitive transmission.

The supplied product information specifically identifies Quantum Optics & QKD Systems as a target application for the PM VOA.

10. Why GracyFiber

GracyFiber supplies passive optical components for optical communication, photonics, polarization-maintaining systems, and fiber interconnection applications.

The GracyFiber PM product portfolio includes related polarization-maintaining components such as:

• PM VOA
• PM Fiber Coupler / Combiner
• PM PBS / PBC
• PM Fiber Collimator
• PM DWDM
• PM Isolator
• PM Fiber Array

For project-specific PM VOA requirements, customers can provide the operating wavelength, attenuation requirement, PM fiber type, connector, fiber length, package, and target optical specifications for technical evaluation.

11. Related Products

12. Call to Action

For a PM VOA quotation or technical evaluation, please provide:

• Center wavelength
• Required operating bandwidth
• Required attenuation range
• Maximum insertion loss
• Minimum return loss
• Minimum extinction ratio
• PM fiber type
• Fiber coating
• Fiber length
• Connector type
• Package dimension
• Optical power
• Application

GracyFiber can review the required optical and mechanical configuration for your polarization-maintaining attenuation application.