Keysight intros tunable laser sources for optical components test

Test and measurement instrument specialist Keysight Technologies, Inc. (NYSE: KEYS) has unveiled new tunable laser sources for the Keysight 8164B lightwave measurement system. The company describes the 81607A, 81608A and 81609A modules as "value and basic line models" that complement the Keysight 81606A tunable laser source introduced at OFC 2015 this past March (see "Keysight offers tunable laser source module for 8164B lightwave measurement system").

Despite not having the horsepower of the 81606A, the new modules still offer low spontaneous emission and narrow line width, "industry-leading" power repeatability, and long-term stability, Keysight asserts. The company positions the new modules as offering price-performance options based on output power, tuning speed, wavelength accuracy, and repeatability.

For example, the 81607A offers less output power than the 81606A. However, it offers a typical wavelength repeatability of ±1 pm, even during 200-nm/s two-way sweeps, according to the company. It therefore can be useful for high-throughput test and automated adjustment of passive optical components, Keysight says.

The 81608A features more than +12-dBm peak output power, at least 75 dB/nm above its spontaneous emission level. It offers ±1.5-pm typical wavelength repeatability at two-way sweeps up to 200 nm/s. Keysight sees the module being used for coherent transmission experiments and component testing on the manufacturing floor.

The 81609A "basic" line module is designed to step within 300 ms to discrete wavelengths with 0.1-pm resolution and ±3-pm typical wavelength repeatability; it also offers more than +12-dBm peak output power with low spontaneous emission levels, Keysight says. These features mesh well with the test requirements of broadband optical devices, according to the company. In addition, the module offers ±0.01-dB power stability over an hour and wide tuning range, which means it can also serve as a static local oscillator for receiver testing or transmission experiments.

The Keysight 81607A and 81608A tunable laser source modules are available now at a list price starting at $49,358. The Keysight 81609A basic line tunable laser source module is available now at a list price starting at $35,409. Two options provide a choice of tuning ranges: Option 216 (available for 81608A and 81609A) tunes from 1450 nm to 1650 nm, and Option 116 (available for all three products) covers 1490 nm to 1640 nm.

For more information about test instruments and suppliers, visit the Lightwave Buyer's Guide.