Optical spectrum analyser offers higher performance and new functions.

A new version of Yokogawa's AQ6373 optical spectrum analyser has been released It incorporates 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 350 nm to 1200 nm, 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 0.5 sec 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 0.01 nm in the 400-470 nm range, a high close-in dynamic range of up to 60 dB, and a high sensitivity down to -80 dBm in the 500-1000 nm range. It also includes a free-space optical input, enabling the instrument to accept optical fibres with core diameters from 9 µm to 800 µm, 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 700 nm) and the first window of optical communications (around 850 nm). 

In the visible spectrum, the AQ6373B can be used to test and characterise LEDs used in the lighting, automotive, consumer electronic and signage industries and LASERs used in the optical storage sector (DVD and Blu-Ray disc readers and writers), in medical applications such as ophthalmology, surgery, dental and skin treatment and thermotherapy, in computing devices such as optical mice and barcode readers, and in devices for entertainment including laser shows and games, laser beamers and laser pointers. .

In the first window of optical communications, the AQ6373B can be used to test and characterise the laser transmitters emitting around 850 nm, which are the most common transmitters installed in the multimode short-distance communication networks over glass or plastic fibres deployed in intra-building communication systems over 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.