March 24, 2003--Test equipment developer Calmar Optcom has launched an ultra-fast fiber laser that gives companies a new class of tools for exploring the performance of their optical components and communication systems. Calmar's new laser, the PSL-40, was developed in response to a renewed interest from researchers for test equipment designed for the emerging 40-Gbit/sec SONET/STM transmission speed.
The new fiber laser also provides researchers with the flexibility to rapidly tune the laser wavelength throughout the 1550-nm range, thereby eliminating the need for dozens of DWDM test sources, say company representatives. The lasers are characterized by adjustable repetition rates and low timing jitter and meet even the most stringent test requirements.
"Fiber lasers are superior to current laser technology in several areas," contends Tony Lin, Calmar's president and chief technical officer. "They have the ability to produce very short pulses, typically less than 1 picosecond. Light pulses that last for only a few picoseconds enable researchers to significantly better understand the behavior of their opto-electronic devices and communication systems," he says, adding that several of "the world's top companies" use Calmar's picosecond fiber lasers when designing their optical components.
For more information about Calmar Optcom (Sunnyvale, CA) or its products, visit the company's Web site at www.calmaropt.com.