Single mode POF.

[dzef]

I've googled a couple of references to the existence of single mode fibre made with plastic core and would like to know if the stuff actually exists. Can purchase patch cables today?

I'm looking because I'd like to find a short patch cable that a diver can connect underwater, and I understand that glass fiber doesn't tolerate exposure to water very well (stress corrosion cracking).

The application is using 9/125 um fibre @ 1310 nm. Given the wavelength, it sounds like it requires perfluoronated plastic.

Alternatively, how long might I expect glass fibre to last in this environment? It obviously doesn't shatter on contact with water, and the cables can be replaced if they go bad occasionally.

 

[banwart]

Plasitc core has been around for a while in MM typically in very short runs due to high power losses. I have not heard much about SM plastic core (probably for the same reasons?). You might look into optical cable systems that have been used/approved by the military. I'm trying to think of a company near Atlanta that does fiber cable systems for US military... Cabletron I think.
Do you anticipate the weakness to be in the connector? Why a patch cord, is there a break where a splice cannot be made?
Good Luck.

 

[dzef]

The perfluoronated plastics I mentioned appear to have greatly reduced the absorption in the NIR. Absorption is still too high for km scale runs, but it looks fine for shorter stuff.

Why a patch cable: the patch cable will connect a CameraLink video camera to a breakout box about a mile offshore. It's not really practical to haul the cable up to service the camera, and using $15-30k worth of "traditional" pressure-balanced oil-filled diver mateable connectors seems like a pretty harsh solution, in this case.