N4377A Lightwave Detector

Overview

The N4377A Lightwave Detector is a USB-powered optical-electrical converter with built-in optical power meter capability and a maximum frequency of 70 GHz. Available versions include a 40 GHz, 850 nm version for multimode fiber and 40 GHz and 70 GHz versions for single mode fiber (1.3 µm/ 1.55 µm windows). Calibration wavelengths for single-mode versions are 1310 nm and 1550 nm; the 40 GHz single-mode operating wavelength range is 1064 nm to 1650 nm and the 70 GHz operating wavelength range is 1200 nm to 1650 nm. The 40 GHz multimode version is calibrated at 850 nm and can be operated at SWDM wavelengths and up to 1600 nm. Average optical power measurement uncertainty: ≤ ±0.5 dB; on-board calibration data include amplitude and phase response stored on the device; fiber mode: N/A. When used with a vector network analyzer, the N4377A enables frequency-domain photonics measurements and, with its on-board amplitude and phase calibration data, allows the analyzer to de-embed the converter for accurate S21-parameter measurements of optical transmitters or modulators. When used with a spectrum analyzer, the detector's low intrinsic noise and high bandwidth support laser linewidth and modulation spectrum measurements, and the built-in calibrated optical power meter enables average power and optical insertion loss measurements while a bar-graph display indicates bent or broken fibers, bad connectors, or missing signal and helps stay within the detector's linear optical power range.