Optical Polymers Laboratory

The Optic Polymers Laboratory is a part of the Department of Optical Fibre Technology at Maria Curie Skłodowska University. It takes advantage of a professional technological line for the production of conventional and micro-structural polymer optical fibres, as well as dedicated climatic test cabinets for optical fibre testing. The broad operating range of the technological line also facilitates the production of lighweight optical fibre cables. With over four decades of technological experience, the Laboratory staff are fully qualified to produce polymer optical fibres using a wide range of commercially available optical polymers, e.g. polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), polyolefin (ZEONEX), polycarbon, or polystyrene, as well as  polymer materials manufactured by the laboratory itself and offering unique qualities.

Technical specifications of the equipment:
Extruding press RES - 2PC/16 A:
- no. of screws -2
- screw diameter [mm] - Ø 16
- screw length [mm] (L/D) - 640 (40D)
- maximum screw rotational speed [rev/min] - 800
- maximum torque per screw [Nm] - 24
- max. working temperature [°C] - 400  
- temperature measurement accuracy [°C]  - ± 1
- max. working pressure [bar] - 100
- pressure measurement accuracy [bar] - ± 0,1

Climatic Test Cabinet VCL 7010
- working cabinet volume: 100L
- internal dimensions: 400mm x 470mm x 345mm
for thermal measurements:
- working temperature range: -70℃- + 180℃,
- temperature change ratio: cooling: 3.5℃/min, heating: 3.5℃,
- temperature uniformity accuracy in time: (±0.3  - ±1.0)℃,
- temperature uniformity accuracy in space: (±0.5 - ±2.0)℃,
for climatic measurements:
- temperature range: +10℃ - + 95℃,
- dew-point range: +5.5℃ - + 94℃,
- humidity range: 10% - 98%,
- humidity uniformity accuracy in time: ±1% - ±3%,
- humidity uniformity accuracy in space: ±0.5% - ±1.5%.

Climatic Test Cabinet II
- working cabinet volume : 1460L,
- forced air circulation
- internal dimensions (W/H/D): 1340/1460/750 mm,
- working temperature range: -10...+60℃,
- temperature regulation in 0.1℃ increments
- temperature stability at 25℃ and 60% humidity - 0.3℃
- humidity range: 30% - 90% (for temperatures +10 - +60℃)
- humidity stability at 25℃ and 60% humidity - 1.4%