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Comprehensive tools for managing polarization and dispersion challenges
Keysight XP6-class optical polarization and dispersion instruments provide comprehensive control and analysis capabilities. They offer high-speed real-time polarization synthesis, analysis, scrambling, and measurement of polarization-dependent loss and dispersion, key metrics for high performance characterization and verification of optical components and sub-systems. These instruments specialize in interferometry, polarization alignment, component characterization, and transmission system testing. Select the optical polarization and dispersion instrument you need based on the functionality and input power range you require. Choose one of our popular configurations or configure one specific to your application.
Polarization control
Achieve complete polarization state control for precise testing of fibers, modulators, and photonic components.
Fast switching
Capture fast-changing polarization effects with sampling up to 1 MSa/s and state of polarization (SOP) switching speeds up to 100 krad/s for dynamic analysis.
Synchronous scrambling
Electrically synchronized SOP changes for loop-based network stress-testing with timing precision and behavior replication.
Compact and integrated
Each instrument combines multiple functions (scrambler / stabilizer, polarimeter / controller) to provide more features in fewer instruments.
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Functionality
Polarization synthesizer, Polarization analyzer, Synchronous scrambler, Polarimeter
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Input power range
-38 dBm to +19 dBm, -50 dBm to +7 dBm, < +20 dBm
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Wavelength range
1240 nm to 1650 nm
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Insertion loss
4.0 dB to 5.0 dB
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State of polarization uncertainty
1.5° to 2
Most popular configurations
XP6-class Polarization Analyzer
XP6-class Polarization Analyzer, with polarimeter
XP6-class Polarization Analyzer, with polarization synthesizer
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Frequently asked questions
Optical polarization and dispersion testing measures how light waves behave as they travel through optical fibers and components. These parameters—state of polarization (SOP), polarization-dependent loss (PDL), and polarization mode dispersion (PMD)—can significantly affect signal integrity in high-speed optical networks. Keysight solutions provide real-time polarization synthesis, scrambling, and dispersion measurement to ensure high performance in next-gen communication systems like coherent transmission and DWDM networks.
Keysight offers several types of optical polarization and dispersion test instruments, each designed for specific roles in optical component and system characterization:
Polarimeter
This instrument performs comprehensive polarization-dependent loss (PDL) and polarization mode dispersion (PMD) measurements. It’s essential for component characterization and system validation, helping engineers verify the impact of polarization impairments in coherent transmission systems, DWDM networks, and AI data center interconnects.
Polarization Synthesizer
A polarization synthesizer provides precise, high-speed control of the state of polarization (SOP). It’s used to test how devices like modulators, fiber links, and photonic components behave under specific polarization conditions. It supports repeatable SOP generation for alignment, calibration, and margin testing.
Polarization Analyzer
The polarization analyzer measures and monitors the SOP in real time, enabling dynamic polarization behavior analysis. With high-speed sampling, it's ideal for SOP tracking, component performance evaluation, and troubleshooting in both research and manufacturing environments.
Synchronous Scrambler and Polarization Stabilizer
This instrument enables loop-synchronous scrambling and fast SOP switching (up to 100 krad/s), which is critical for network emulation and closed-loop stress testing. The stabilizer function ensures a constant SOP for long-term drift testing or controlled experiments.
Each type plays a unique role in building a complete optical test solution, depending on your needs for characterization, alignment, verification, or emulation.
Polarization and dispersion instruments are used throughout the optical component and system development workflow.
- In R&D labs, they help simulate real-world polarization impairments.
- During component characterization, they measure PDL, PMD, and SOP changes.
- In system verification, they emulate dynamic polarization effects for stress testing.
Optical polarization and dispersion controllers are essential in setups involving modulators, fiber links, photonic integrated circuits, and coherent receivers.
Selection depends on your specific test objectives:
- For component testing, prioritize tools with high-accuracy PDL/PMD measurement.
- For network simulation or coherent system testing, choose high-speed scramblers with loop-synchronous operation.
- For research, opt for versatile instruments supporting real-time SOP tracking, scrambling, and control.