An optical
fuse is a
passive component that can be
placed at the
input port of an
optical device
such as a detector, or at the
output port of a
high-power device such as a
laser or
optical
amplifier, to protect the system from
power
spikes and
surges. The typical operating power of a protected
system is roughly 3 dB below the
threshold power,
and the
insertion loss of the fuse itself is
between 0.5 and 1
dB. It is available in a patch cord style package for installation between pieces of equipment or as a bare fiber assembly for simple
fusion splice integration.
A new invention recently introduced by Molex (NASDAQ: MOLX), the device will not only
protect expensive components, it promises to
reduce system downtime, as a fuse is easier to
replace than a damaged component.
When the power is lower than a designated
threshold level, the fuse remains transparent;
and when the power exceeds the threshold level,
the fuse turns permanently opaque. An activated
fuse blocks the forward power without increasing
the reflected power, protecting both ends of the
system.