Permanent optical fiber cable for Prime Focus Spectrograph and Subaru telescope “Cable B”

Abstract

FOCCoS, “Fiber Optical Cable and Connector System”, is a part of subsystem of Prime Focus Spectrograph”, for Subaru telescope. FOCCoS are divided in 3 different segments called Cable A, Cable B and Cable C. Multi-fibers connectors assure precise connection among all optical fibers of the segments, providing flexibility for instrument changes. Cable B is permanently installed at Subaru Telescope structure starting in a Connector Bench device and finishing at another different Connector Bench device. By this way, Cable B represent a link between the light entrance, from Cable C, and the light delivery, to Cable A. This cable will be routed to minimize the compression, torsion and bending caused by the cable weight and telescope motion. In this work, we present the current stage of development of Cable B as well as the detailing of its structures. In addition, we present the optical fiber cabling methodology and the test procedures involved in its characterization. A prototype of Cable B was constructed to help us to better understanding the real situation and was tested at Subaru Telescope.