HCXtreme® Multi-mode Step-Index 550 µm Core Optical Fibre
- Technology
- Fibre optic cables, connectors and assemblies
- Partner
- Lightera (formerly OFS)
The HCXtreme 550-22 optical fibre is a specialty multimode fibre designed for high-power laser delivery in challenging environments. Its 550 µm core supports efficient coupling of powerful laser beams and enables high optical energy transmission. The all-silica core and clad structure is paired with a hard HCS® fluoroacrylate coating for mechanical strength and resistance to bending fatigue.
A blue ETFE outer buffer adds durable protection, wide temperature tolerance, and biocompatibility for medical applications. The fibre is engineered to maintain reliable transmission even under very tight bends during use. Its low-OH silica composition helps minimise absorption in the near-infrared range up to about 2100 nm. This makes it suitable for laser delivery across visible and infrared wavelengths. Typical applications include medical laser systems and industrial equipment such as laser welding and cutting machines.
The HCXtreme 550-22 is a large-core multimode step-index optical fibre developed for reliable high-power laser delivery where durability, bend resistance, and optical performance are critical. Its construction combines a pure silica core/clad design with HCS® hard polymer cladding and a blue ETFE buffer, giving the fibre strong mechanical resilience and suitability for compact routing in medical and industrial systems.
With a 0.22 numerical aperture, low-OH silica, and broad wavelength usability from visible to near-infrared regions, this fibre is well suited for demanding laser transmission tasks where efficient coupling and dependable handling are essential.
Range features
A high level overview of what this range offers
- Large 550 µm core – Supports high laser power delivery and makes source alignment easier by capturing more light.
- All-silica core with HCS® polymer cladding – Combines strong optical transmission with improved mechanical durability and fatigue resistance.
- Blue ETFE buffer – Provides robust external protection, supports a wide operating temperature range, and offers biocompatibility for medical device use.
- High bend tolerance – Engineered to remain reliable in tightly routed systems and demanding handling conditions.
- 0.22 numerical aperture – Offers a broad acceptance angle for efficient and practical laser coupling.
- Low-OH silica composition – Reduces attenuation in the near-infrared and supports wavelengths up to approximately 2.1 µm.
- Customisable options – Available with variations such as connectors, cabling, coating choices, dimensions, and buffer colours to suit application-specific requirements.
Downloads
for HCXtreme® Multi-mode Step-Index 550 µm Core Optical Fibre
HCXtreme 550-22 Optical Fibre Datasheet
DownloadWhat’s in this range?
All the variants in the range and a comparison of what they offer
Specification | Value |
Core Diameter | 550 ± 12 µm |
Cladding Diameter | 600 ± 10 µm |
Hard Coating Diameter | 630 ± 10 µm |
Buffer Diameter | 750 ± 30 µm |
Clad/Coating Offset | ≤ 9 µm |
Crimp & Cleave Compatible | No |
Buffer Material | ETFE (blue) |
Standard Buffer Colour | Blue |
Coating Material | HCS® fluoroacrylate |
Type | Multimode Step-Index |
Numerical Aperture (NA) | 0.22 |
Attenuation @ 850 nm | ≤ 10 dB/km |
Water Content | Low OH |
Operating Temperature | –65 °C to +125 °C |
Short-Term Bend Radius | ≥ 58 mm |
Long-Term Bend Radius | ≥ 94 mm |
Proof Test Level | ≥ 100 kpsi (0.689 GPa) |
Order by Part Number | F18941 |
Product Description Code | 550-22 HCXtreme |
Options | Cabling, Carbon Coating, Clad Diameter, Connectorization, Core Diameter, Low Bioburden Packaging, Metalization, Numerical Aperture, Buffer Colors, Proof Test |
FAQs
for HCXtreme® Multi-mode Step-Index 550 µm Core Optical Fibre
Thanks to its special coating, the HCXtreme 550-22 fibre can tolerate very tight bends during use while still transmitting laser power reliably. In testing, it continued to operate at around a 2.5 mm bend radius without breaking. For maximum service life, the published specification values should still be followed in installed applications, including a short-term bend radius of at least 58 mm.
This fibre has a nominal numerical aperture of 0.22. A 0.22 NA gives the fibre a relatively broad acceptance angle, which makes it easier to couple laser light efficiently into the core. In practical terms, this helps reduce sensitivity to beam divergence and minor alignment errors.
The HCXtreme 550-22 uses low-OH silica, allowing it to transmit wavelengths from the visible into the near-infrared with low absorption. It is suitable for common laser wavelengths such as 808 nm, 1064 nm, and wavelengths up to about 2100 nm, making it useful for a broad range of medical and industrial laser systems.
Yes. The fibre is designed with materials suited to medical environments, including a biocompatible blue ETFE buffer. It is intended for medical laser delivery applications and can tolerate common sterilisation approaches such as ethylene oxide (EtO) and limited steam sterilisation exposure, although repeated high-temperature cycles should be evaluated in the final application.
Because of its large core and hard polymer cladding, this fibre is typically terminated using specialised large-core, high-power connectors such as SMA 905/906 styles or similar compatible solutions. Termination usually involves securing the fibre in a ferrule and preparing the endface by cutting or polishing rather than using telecom-style connector methods.
At 850 nm, the specified attenuation is ≤ 10 dB/km. In many high-power delivery applications, fibre lengths are relatively short, so practical transmission loss is typically very low. The low-OH composition also supports efficient transmission at longer infrared wavelengths.
