Yokogawa has introduced a new version of its successful AQ6373 optical spectrum analyser incorporating a new monochromator with a sharp passband filter edge plus a number of new features including a double-speed measuring mode, a multipeak/bottom search function and a data-logging function.
The new AQ6373B is designed for measurements in the short-wavelength region, from 350nm to 1200nm, and is based on the same proven platform of the AQ6373, featuring a fast start-up time - about two minutes including self-calibration - and fast measurements, with only 0.5s for a measurement covering a 100-nm span. The sharper passband filter edge of the new monochromator is helpful for clearly separating spectral signals in close proximity to one another.
Like the AQ6373, the AQ6373B offers a high resolution of up to 0.01nm in the 400-470nm range, a high close-in dynamic range of up to 60dB, and a high sensitivity down to -80dBm in the 500-1000nm range. It also includes a free-space optical input, enabling the instrument to accept optical fibres with core diameters from 9µm to 800µm, and a colour analysis function for determining the exact colour of the input light, as experienced by the average human eye sensitivity (according to the CIE 1931 XYZ standard). Wavelength calibration on the AQ6373B can be performed using the emission line of a common low-cost xenon lamp.
The AQ6373B is ideally suited to testing optical devices and systems over the visible spectrum (from 380 to 700nm) and the first window of optical communications (around 850nm).
In the visible spectrum, the AQ6373B can be used to test and characterise LEDs used in the lighting, automotive, consumer electronic and signage industries, lasers used in optical storage and medical applications, and in computing devices such as optical mice and barcode readers.
In the first window of optical communications, the AQ6373B can be used to test and characterise the laser transmitters emitting around 850nm, which are the most common transmitters installed in multimode short-distance communication networks over glass or plastic fibres deployed in intra-building communication systems over fibre-to-the-home (FTTH) networks.
The AQ6373B should also be very useful for the R&D activity associated with new technologies for optical communications based on wireless transmission, including visible light communication (VLC), Light Fidelity (Li-Fi) or free space optical (FSO) communication.