Simply put, a fiber optic cage (also commonly called an optical transceiver cage or cage assembly) is a precision metal housing designed to securely hold, align, and connect an optical transceiver module to a printed circuit board (PCB). Understanding what a fiber optic cage is and its role is essential for anyone designing, deploying, or maintaining robust optical infrastructure. This guide delves deep into the purpose, function, types, and importance of these fundamental components, highlighting their synergy with optical. An optical cage system uses four rigid steel rods to mount optical components along a common optical axis. Cage systems are available with center-to-center rod spacings of 16 mm, 30 mm, or 60 mm so as to accommodate Ø1/2", Ø1", or Ø2" optics, respectively. Thorlabs provides an extensive selection. Optical Cage Systems are used to create optical setups in a variety of prototyping or university research applications.
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