Asahi Kasei TB-500 0.5 mm PMMA Bare POF for Sensing
Asahi Kasei TB-500 step-index PMMA bare POF, 0.5 mm, NA 0.5, 0.16 dB/m, 6000 m reel, for optical sensing and short signal links. Quote online.
The Asahi Kasei TB-500 is a 0.5 mm step-index PMMA bare plastic optical fiber intended for optical sensing and short visible-light signal links, supplied on 6,000 m reels. It is the same 0.5 mm PMMA POF family as the lighting grades; luminous, color-temperature and mains figures in supplier listings (6000 K, AC 165–265 V, IP68, LED) describe the illuminator, not this fiber.
Product Overview
TB-500 belongs to the Asahi Kasei PMMA (polymethyl methacrylate) bare-fiber family. Light travels by total internal reflection through a transparent PMMA core surrounded by a lower-index fluorinated-polymer cladding. At 0.5 mm with NA 0.5 it couples easily to visible LEDs used in fiber-optic sensors and short data links. The folder lists this grade as TB-500 for sensing; the supplier docx quick-details label the same 0.5 mm fiber as DB-500, and the Asahi grade table lists both rows with identical parameters. See the full range on our POF fiber optical cable category page.
Key Features
- Recognized Asahi Kasei 0.5 mm grade (TB-500 / DB-500 row in the grade table).
- NA 0.5, 0.16 dB/m attenuation, 10 mm minimum bend radius per the grade table.
- Supplied on 6,000 m reels, cut to length on request.
- Unpowered at the outlet and galvanically isolated — useful in sensing loops where copper would pick up noise.
Specifications
| Parameter | Value | Unit | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fiber grade | TB-500 (folder); docx quick details label DB-500 | – | Asahi bare-fiber grade table lists both rows with identical values |
| Fiber diameter | 0.5 | mm | per Asahi bare-fiber grade table |
| Numerical aperture (NA) | 0.5 | – | per grade table |
| Attenuation (typical) | 0.16 | dB/m | per grade table, visible wavelength |
| Minimum bend radius | 10 | mm | per grade table and docx features |
| Winding length | 6,000 | m/reel | per grade table |
| Core material | PMMA (polymethyl methacrylate) | – | Asahi POF structure sheet |
| Cladding material | Fluorinated polymer | – | Asahi POF structure sheet |
| Index profile | Step index | – | Asahi POF structure sheet |
| Core refractive index (typ.) | 1.49 | – | family-typical from TCU-1000W reference; docx lists 1.491 |
| Clad refractive index (typ.) | 1.40 | – | family-typical reference; docx lists 1.363 |
Applications
- Fiber-optic sensor heads and photoelectric sensing loops using visible LEDs.
- Short-distance signal and control data links requiring galvanic isolation.
- End-glow decorative lighting, star ceilings and light curtains where a 0.5 mm point is preferred.
Pair the fiber with a compatible LED emitter / sensor head on the source end. Browse the rest of the POF cable range for other diameters and jacketed options.
Ordering & Customization
Please confirm the grade (0.5 mm TB-500 / DB-500), required total length, bare vs black-jacketed, and the sensor-head / connector interface you intend to use. We do not list fixed pricing online; contact our sales team for a quote. More answers are on our FAQ for H-PCF and POF fiber assemblies, and you can return to the home page any time.
FAQ
Is TB-500 the same as DB-500?
The folder and product name identify this as TB-500 for sensing, while the supplier docx quick-details list the same 0.5 mm fiber as DB-500. On the Asahi grade table the TB-500 and DB-500 rows are identical (0.5 mm, NA 0.5, 0.16 dB/m, 10 mm bend, 6,000 m). Confirm the exact grade marking on the reel before large orders.
Can this fiber carry sensor signals over long distances?
At 0.16 dB/m this is a short-range medium typical of POF sensing; design to your sensor’s optical budget and use the emitter wavelength specified by the sensor manufacturer.
Is the 6000 K or IP68 rating part of the fiber?
No. Those are illuminator / enclosure ratings. The fiber itself only specifies diameter, NA, attenuation, bend radius and winding length.
Why Choose Us
We supply industrial and lighting-grade POF identified by the recognized Asahi grade number, keep the grade-table and structure-sheet data traceable, and do not mix light-engine or enclosure ratings into the fiber product page. Start from the home page or the POF category to explore related products.
Related products: You may also need Asahi Kasei MCL-1500-1.75 / MCL-2000-24 Image Fiber, Asahi Kasei TCU-1000 / TCU-1000W LSZH POF Cable (2.2 mm) and Modern Kids Sensory Room Fiber Optic Light Kit.