Dec 2 2009
Yokogawa Electric Corporation announces the release on December 1 of the AQ6373 Optical Spectrum Analyzer. Designed to analyze the wavelength characteristics of light, the AQ6373 is capable of measuring wavelengths ranging from 350 nm to 1200 nm.
AQ6373 Optical Spectrum Analyzer
It will be the only benchtop optical spectrum analyzer on the market that is both equipped with a diffraction grating and able to cover the entire visible light spectrum (between 380 nm and 780 nm). With its high optical spectrum sensitivity and wide close-in dynamic range, it is suitable for measuring both laser and LED light.
Development Background
In recent years, optical technologies such as semiconductor lasers and wavelength conversion that were originally developed for use in telecommunications have entered use in a broad range of applications in fields such as medical care, biotechnology, materials processing, and home electronics. As the result of such market expansion, the research and development of related products has been very active and demand is growing for high-performance optical spectrum analyzers capable of evaluating and analyzing the optical spectrum. However, until now, the small-scale optical spectrum analyzers on the market that were capable of covering a wide wavelength range lacked sufficient optical spectrum sensitivity and close-in dynamic range, which are very important in the research and development of technologies such as semiconductor lasers. This has forced researchers to build a single large measurement system that uses a spectrometer to cover a variety of wavelength ranges.
To address this problem, Yokogawa has developed the AQ6373, which meets the market’s requirements for a single optical spectrum analyzer that can cover the entire visible light spectrum and efficiently perform measurements over a wide wavelength range.
Product Features
- High wavelength resolution and measurement sensitivity:
The AQ6373 has a high wavelength resolution of up to 0.02 nm and a wide close-in dynamic range. Furthermore, it has a minimum optical spectrum sensitivity of -80 dBm, which is one hundred millionth the intensity of a 1 mW lightwave. This gives it a high signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) in measurements of spontaneous emissions from semiconductor lasers.
- High-speed measurement and excellent operation & maintenance functions:
Yokogawa’s proprietary technology makes possible measurement times of 1 second or less over a 100 nm wavelength range. Furthermore, the AQ6373 comes with automatic optical axis alignment and wavelength calibration functions that make this instrument easy to maintain. The AQ6373 also features superior operability.
Main Target Markets
Manufacturers of optical devices and equipment used in medical care, biotechnology, home electronics, and measurement; academic and industry research institutions
Main Applications
Measurement of the light emission spectrum of lasers and LEDs; measurement of wavelength transmission and loss characteristics of optical filters and other types of passive components