Models 1544-A, 1554-A, and 1580-A are ideal for applications that require high sensitivity, high speed, and clean responses. In particular, their clean responses and 35-ps rise times make them especially well-suited for time-domain characterization of 10-Gbit/s components. The high gain and gradual, well-behaved roll-off of the frequency response also make them useful for frequency-domain measurements.
To simplify your test setup, these photoreceivers offer a low 10-kHz cutoff. For DC-coupled versions, please see 3.5 and 4.5 GHz Photoreceivers. We offer free-space versions, as well as single-mode and multimode fiber-coupled versions. Multimode versions have 50-µm-core fiber inputs and internal GRIN lenses to focus onto the photodetectors. All versions use Wiltron® K connectors for the electrical output.
These photoreceivers consist of InGaAs or silicon photodiodes with GaAs heterojunction-bipolar-transistor (HBT) transimpedance amplifiers. Keep in mind that the negative conversion gain inverts the signal from the photodiode (to view a positive output, use the inverting feature on your oscilloscope). Every photoreceiver comes equipped with a convenient DC-bias monitor that has a transimpedance gain of 1 mV/µA and a bandwidth of 50 kHz.
Each photoreceiver is individually tested and shipped with its own impulse- and frequency-response plots.
10-Gbit/s data generated with a Model 1544-A photoreceiver. Both the photoreceiver and the transmitter contribute to the observed transition times. Because the Models 15X4 are 50% faster than typical 10-Gbit/s photoreceivers, a more accurate measurement of the transmitter response is achieved. NOTE: Eye-diagram performance for the Model 1580-A is similar to that of Model 15X4-A.
Applications
- Characterizing 10-Gbit/s components, including BER testing and generating eye diagrams
- Characterizing the frequency and/or time responses of pulsed lasers, modulators, transmitters, and other lightwave components
- RIN measurements (Laser Intensity Noise Measurement)
- Heterodyne experiments
- Characterizing pulse propagation through dispersive optical systems
- Precision timing/triggering
Typical responsivity of Model 1580-A .
Typical frequency response of Model 1580-A .
Typical step response of Model 1580-A .
Typical responsivity for Model 1544-A and Model 1554-A .
Typical frequency response for Model 1544-A and Model 1554-A .
Typical pulse and step response (inverted) for Models 15X4. NOTE: Pulse response measured on a 20-GHz oscilloscope with a 100-fs optical pulse. Step response calculated from pulse response.
