The AQ6375E Standard has a wavelength range of 1200-2400nm; the AQ6375E Extended Wavelength version has a wavelength range of 1000-2500nm; the AQ6375E Limited version has a wavelength range of 1200-2400nm (with reduced wavelength resolution); and the AQ6376E Standard has a wavelength range of 1500-3400nm.
The choice of available wavelengths gives developers greater flexibility to apply OSA in a wide range of applications.
These include environmental measurement and gas detection, where the AQ637xE can be used in measuring gas absorption spectra and characterizing light sources used in laser absorption spectroscopy.
Other important uses of the new OSAs are in healthcare and laser applications in biotechnology and industrial applications.
Typical applications include the development and measurement of lasers; the characterization of broadband light sources such as supercontinuous light sources; optical passive devices; and optical fibers.
The AQ637xE incorporates numerous features that contribute to achieving maximum accuracy. The free-space optical input offers single-mode fiber for both SWIR and MWIR regions, and up to 400 µm of MMF in the same OSA. The minimal variation in insertion loss at the input connector increases measurement repeatability, while the lack of physical contact with the connecting fibers ensures they remain undamaged.
Also included is an integrated calibration light source for optical alignment and wavelength calibration.
This maintains high optical performance by compensating for deviations in the optical axis caused by vibrations and shocks, and wavelength deviation caused by changes in ambient temperature.
The AQ637xE also uses an air purge function to compensate for another potential source of error. In the SWIR and MWIR regions, there are wavelengths where light exhibits strong absorption due to the presence of water vapor and carbon dioxide, which can disrupt spectral measurements.
By continuously supplying pure purge gas, such as nitrogen, to the monochromator through dedicated connectors on the rear panel, the AQ637xE can reduce the influence of light absorption on the measurement.
High-order diffracted light is also compensated for via a built-in cutoff filter in all versions except the AQ6375E-01 Limited model. This is necessary because the monochromator generates high-order diffracted light, which has wavelengths equal to integer multiples of the input wavelength. The built-in filters reduce this higher-order diffracted light, minimizing its impact on measurement accuracy.
To analyze the results, the AQ637xE has built-in analysis functions to characterize the optical spectrum of a variety of optical systems and devices, such as WDM, DFB-LD, EDFA, and filters. The analysis functions include: DFB-LD; FP-LD; LED; Spectral Width (Peak/Notch); SMSR; Optical Power; WDM (OSNR); EDFA (Gain and NF); Filter (Peak/Background); and WDM Filter (Peak/Background).
To improve the efficiency and productivity of measurements, the AQ637xE features an application mode (APP), which transforms a versatile OSA into a dedicated device under test (DUT) machine.
The APP mode provides a dedicated DUT user interface that allows users to navigate from configuration settings to test results without needing to understand the extensive OSA settings. The AQ637xE comes pre-installed with several basic applications, including WDM test, DFB-LD test, and FP-LD test.
A wizard guides users through an easy setup process for specific measurements and analyses.
New or additional test applications will be available for download from the Yokogawa website and can be added to the AQ637xE via future firmware updates.
Enhanced ease of use is achieved with the unit's responsive, high-resolution 10.4-inch capacitive LCD touchscreen, making the device even simpler and more intuitive to operate.
Users can change measurement conditions, perform analyses, and switch between optical spectrum views as easily as using a tablet.
The AQ637xE's screen design and intuitive operation are inherited from Yokogawa's best-selling optical spectrum analyzer. This proven interface has met the needs of thousands of users worldwide in R&D and manufacturing testing.
Ease of use is further enhanced by the addition of frequently used keys to the front panel hardware keys. These include keys for sweep control (Auto/Single/Repeat/Stop), resolution settings, and sensitivity settings.
The AQ637xE also features USB ports that support a storage device, mouse, and keyboard. Data and screenshots can be saved to internal memory or USB storage for creating test reports, while connecting a mouse or keyboard to the USB port allows the AQ637xE to be operated like a PC.
The standard LAN port allows access to files stored in internal memory, as well as remote firmware updates from a PC. The APP function also supports a fiber optic inspection probe, allowing users to visualize the surface quality of the fiber connector.
