Which Matters More for Optical Components: Average Power or Peak Power?

[narra]

Something that i have wondered for a long time is when an optical components power handling capability is discussed, is it the average power or peak power that is in question?

Thanks.

 

[Simon Bridge]

Depends on the context ... usually, if peak power is intended, then someone will say so.

 

[narra]

I work with fibre optic components and one of the specifications that I typically find for telecordia class components is a power handling capability of say 300-500mW. My first reaction is that a power that low must be an average power but then if you have a high power peak then why wouldn't that burn a component. In my mind I consider the absorption and heat transfer of the material and deduce that if a pulse is sufficiently narrow in time then a high peak can perhaps fail to be absorbed or rapidly dispersed through the medium to such an extent to which the impact my not be severe. Then I switch to the idea that perhaps the average power is the quantity to focus on because it's referring to, on average, how much power is incident at all time even if the heat is being transferred away by the natural properties of the material. This argument goes round in circles and I'm not fully convinced which power definition is the best to keep in mind.

 

[Simon Bridge]

An industrial specification is usually for normal operation.
If you are concerned, ask the supplier or the manufacturer.
It is usually clear after a close reading of the documentation.