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Paulsson, a provider of advanced fiber-optic sensing and interferometric technologies, continues to strengthen precision optical measurement applications through its extensive range of piezo-electric fiber stretchers designed for interferometric sensing, optical testing, and measurement systems. The company's fiber stretcher portfolio spans three specialized platforms, PZ1, PZ2, and PZ3, covering fiber stretch ranges from 0.14 mm to 6.40 mm, enabling engineers and researchers to address a broad spectrum of optical modulation requirements.

Designed for high-performance interferometric measurements and sensing systems, Paulsson's fiber stretchers combine enhanced modulation capabilities with high operational frequencies. A key differentiator is their ability to operate using bipolar voltage drives without requiring proprietary electronics, allowing many low-voltage applications to be driven directly by standard laboratory equipment such as signal generators and operational amplifiers. The product family includes the PZ1 High-Speed Fiber Stretcher, engineered for applications such as open-loop demodulation, sensor simulation, variable optical delay, general-purpose fiber interferometry, and large-angle interferometric phase modulation. Its compact, high-speed design makes it suitable for demanding optical sensing environments.

For applications requiring greater displacement, the PZ2 High-Efficiency Fiber Stretcher delivers the largest stretch capability within the product line. In addition to interferometric measurement tasks, the PZ2 is well suited for white-light scanning interferometry and advanced imaging applications, including Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) and Optical Coherence Domain Reflectometry (OCDR), where precise boundary and scattering measurements are critical.

Complementing the lineup, the PZ3 Mid-Range Fiber Stretcher offers a balance between modulation range and operational flexibility. The platform supports applications such as optical delay generation, sensor simulation, interferometric testing, and phase modulation while providing compatibility with a variety of fiber configurations. Across all three platforms, Paulsson supports operational wavelengths ranging from 600 nm to 1625 nm and offers multiple fiber options, including Single Mode (SM), Polarization Maintaining (PM) fibers in Panda and Bowtie configurations, and Reduced Cladding (RC) fibers for extended stretch performance. Users can select from bare-lead, FC/PC, or FC/APC terminations to simplify integration into existing optical systems.

Beyond standalone stretchers, Paulsson also provides fiber interferometer solutions based on Michelson and Mach-Zehnder architectures. These systems leverage the company's PZ1 low-profile fiber stretcher technology and are available across wavelengths from 1064 nm to 1550 nm, supporting precision test and measurement instrumentation as well as fiber sensing applications. Custom configurations are also available to address specialized research and industrial requirements.

With a combination of broad wavelength support, flexible fiber configurations, high-frequency modulation performance, and compatibility with standard laboratory electronics, Paulsson's fiber stretcher portfolio continues to serve the evolving needs of optical sensing, interferometry, and photonics research communities.

Click here to learn more about fiber interferometers.