Sapphire-Derived Fiber (SDF) is an advanced high-performance optical fiber fabricated using the rod-in-tube method with single-crystal sapphire (Al₂O₃) as the core material.

Compared with conventional silica optical fibers, SDF offers exceptional thermal stability, mechanical strength, and resistance to corrosion, radiation, and high-pressure environments. It is specifically engineered for optical sensing and signal transmission in extreme conditions where traditional fibers cannot operate reliably.

With tunable optical parameters and flexible structural design, sapphire-derived fiber is widely applied in high-temperature sensing, infrared transmission, and harsh industrial monitoring systems.

Key Features

Ultra-High Temperature Resistance
Operates up to ≤1400°C (short-term) and ≤1000°C (long-term), ensuring stable performance in extreme thermal environments.

Outstanding Mechanical Strength
Single-crystal sapphire structure provides superior hardness, wear resistance, and long service life.

Excellent Infrared Transmission Capability
Supports wide wavelength transmission (typically 1300–2000 nm), ideal for infrared sensing and spectroscopy.

Low Transmission Loss
Optimized structure ensures attenuation ≤2 dB/m @1550 nm, enabling efficient signal transmission in harsh environments.

Flexible Transmission Modes
Supports single-mode, few-mode, and multi-mode configurations to meet diverse application requirements.

Customizable Optical Design
Core diameter, cladding size, coating, numerical aperture (NA), and refractive index modulation can be tailored.

Technical Specifications

Geometric Properties

Optical Properties

Special Properties

Manufacturing Process

Sapphire-derived optical fibers are produced using advanced crystal growth and precision fabrication technologies, including:

• Rod-in-Tube Method (core structure formation)
• Laser Heated Pedestal Growth (LHPG)
• Edge-Defined Film-Fed Growth (EFG)

These processes ensure high crystal purity, uniform optical properties, and precise dimensional control. Post-processing such as polishing, coating, and precision cutting further enhances performance and durability.

Applications

• High-temperature sensing (gas turbines, furnaces, aerospace engines)
• Harsh environment monitoring (nuclear, petrochemical, oil & gas)
• Infrared optical transmission and spectroscopy
• Combustion diagnostics and flame detection
• Aerospace and defense sensing systems
• Industrial process monitoring under extreme conditions

Advantages Over Conventional Silica Fiber

Why Choose Sapphire-Derived Fiber (SDF)

SDF provides a reliable optical solution for environments where conventional fibers fail due to temperature limits, mechanical degradation, or chemical exposure.

With advanced manufacturing technology and strict quality control, this fiber ensures stable optical performance, long service life, and adaptability to customized application requirements.

FAQ

Q1: What is Sapphire-Derived Fiber (SDF)?
SDF is a special optical fiber made from single-crystal sapphire, designed for high-temperature and harsh-environment optical transmission.

Q2: Can SDF be customized?
Yes, parameters such as core diameter, NA, coating, and transmission mode are customizable.

Q3: Is sapphire fiber suitable for long-distance communication?
It is mainly used for sensing and harsh environments rather than long-distance telecom transmission due to higher attenuation.

Q4: What industries use sapphire optical fibers?
Aerospace, energy, petrochemical, defense, and scientific research industries.

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