N7782B PER Analyzer and N7783B Thermal Cycling Unit

Introduction

Keysight Technologies N7782B Series of polarization extinction ratio (PER) Analyzers has been designed for high speed and highly accurate testing of PER in PM fibers. The polarimetric

measurement principle guarantees reliable measurements of PER values of up to 50 dB.

The real time measurement capability in combination with automation interfaces makes this unit

ideally suited for integration in manufacturing systems, for example pig-tailing stations for laser diodes and planar wave guide components. Analog interfaces are provided for integration of the system in control loop applications.

Applications

Laser diode PMF pig-tailing

Alignment of the PM fiber during the pig-tailing process is supported by real-time display of the PER and the optical power.

PMF splicing

In order to support the alignment during the splicing process of PM fibers the Keysight N7782B provides real time display of the optical power and of the angular misalignment of the two fibers.

PM component characterization

Measurement of the PER on PM components like fiber polarizers, PMF couplers, PMF splitters, etc.

Characterization of PMF cross-coupling

Polarization crosstalk in a PM fiber is measured and displayed as PER.

PM splice characterization

The angular misalignment of a PM splice can be measured in a non-destructive way. Even multiple splices in a chain can be characterized independently.

Keysight’s software package includes drivers for most of the tunable laser sources commonly used in industry.

The heating/stretching method

The heating/stretching method provides accurate measurements of the PER at a single wavelength. This method supports in particular well the measurement using narrow-band laser sources. An optional internal laser source allows stand-alone operation of the system.

Keysight’s thermal cycling unit, N7783B, is fully controlled by the N7782B PER analyzer and allows accurate and repeatable cycling of the temperature of the fiber under test. The PER measurement system consisting of the N7782B and the N7783B shows excellent accuracy and repeatability. Ease of use and automation interfaces, such as analog output ports for active alignment, make it particularly useful for production environments.