Description
The Variable Optical Delay Line (VODL) is a device that enables a very precise and stable control of an optical path length up to 12ns.
The product has one input and one output. The optical delay can continuously be tuned thanks to a micrometer head (manual option) or a motorized actuator (piloted option).
Our VODL products are athermal and don’t need any external control to stabilize the optical path delay.
Block diagram
Absolute maximum ratings
Parameter
Symbol
Min
Typ.
Max
Unit
Remarks/Conditions
Maximal optical input power
OpIn
300
mW
Storage temperature range
STR
-10
40
°C
Humidity
RH
5
85
%
Non condensing
Operating conditions
Parameter
Symbol
Min
Typ.
Max
Unit
Remarks/Conditions
Operating wavelength
OWR
1520
1625
nm
Operating temperature range
OTR
10
35
°C
Specifications
We propose three VODL product ranges:
-With 100ps optical delay range. This product is only available with manual version.
- With 300ps or 600ps optical delay range. These products are available with manual (micrometer head) or piloted (motorized actuator) versions.
- With 3ns, 6ns, 9ns or 12ns optical delay range. This product is only available with a motorized actuator.
Parameter
Symbol
Min
Typ.
Max
Unit
Remarks/Conditions
Insertion Losses1
100ps
SM
IL
0.5
1.0
dB
Over full delay range
300ps and 600ps
SM
0.5
1.0
PM
0.8
1.5
3ns, 6ns, 9ns or 12ns
SM
1.5
2.0
PM
2.0
2.5
IL uniformity1
ΔIL
0.5
dB
Over full delay range
Polarization Dependant Losses1,2
PDL
0.3
dB
Over full delay range
Polarization Extinction Ratio1,3
PER
20
dB
Optical Return Loss
ORL
35
dB
Manual VODL sensitivity
100ps
1.3
ps/turn
300ps
15
fs
600ps
30
Motorized VODL
Minimum incremental motion
300ps
3
fs
600ps
6
3ns
10
12ns
40
Relative accuracy
300ps
150
fs
The relative accuracy of the VODL is the degree to which a given displacement conforms to an agreed upon standard.
600ps
300
3ns
250
12ns
1000
Unidirectional repeatability
300ps
30
fs
The unidirectional repeatability is the ability of the VODL to achieve a commanded position over many attempts when approach from the same direction.
600ps
60
3ns
30
12ns
120
Bidirectional repeatability
300ps
40
fs
The bidirectional repeatability is the ability of the VODL to achieve a commanded position over many attempts when approach from either direction.
600ps
60
3ns
150
12ns
600
Reference Insertion Losses1
RIL
0.3
0.5
dB
Reference position accuracy4
0.5
1.0
ps
Variable Optical Attenuation5
VOA
60
dB
VOA sensitivity5
0.05
0.1
dB
Packaging size6
100ps
100 x 32 x 28
mm3
300ps
216 x 92 x 40
600ps
216 x 92 x 40
3ns to
12ns
750 x 400 x 129
1 measured over OTR and OWR for all states of polarization
2 for Single Mode VODL
3 for long free space delay option
4 for VODL option
5 for VOA option
6 excluding micrometer head or piloted actuator
Piloted versions: motorized actuator or linear stage
For 300ps and 600ps VODL, the piloted version uses a motorized actuator driven by a controller. The controller is compatible with the NEWPORT NSTRUCT Instrument Manager platform, simple and intuitive to use and conveniently accessible via USB.
The 3ns to 12ns VODLs use a motorized linear stage which is driven by a stepper motor controller/driver. Communication with the controller/driver is via an integrated RS-232-C interface, or a USB port.
All piloted VODL are delivered with a controller, a USB cable and a power supply.
Optical Reference Path (ORP) option
The optical reference path option enables to precisely control the difference between two optical paths and eventually take it down to zero.
Let us call ODR the optical delay range of the VODL (ODR can be 300ps, 600ps, 3ns, 6ns, 9ns or 10ns) and t0 the optical delay of the reference arm. By default the reference arm is set such as the optical delay of the variable arm can be adjusted in the range [t0; t0+ODR]. However, upon customer request, the reference arm can be set such as the variable arm can be tuned in the range [t0-ODR; t0] or [t0-ODR/2; t0+ODR/2] or any other set up.
The reference position accuracy corresponds to the delay difference between the VODL and the reference arm when the VODL is set to t0. This parameter is better than 1ps.
Variable Optical Attenuation (VOA) option
We propose to add a VOA (Variable Optical Attenuator) on our VODL product.
Application note
Using a VODL with ORP and VOA options will help to adjust the skew and the IL uniformity in a DPSK experimental setup:
IL uniformity measurements
Here are the IL measurements for a 300ps VODL over the wavelength range for different delays and temperatures.
Fiber type and connectors
Every VODL can be proposed either with SM or PM fiber.
The devices can be proposed with any kind of connectors (FP/UPC, FC/APC, SC/PC, SC/APC, LC/PC, E2000/PC, E2000/APC, etc…).
Wavelength range
VODL can be proposed at different wavelength range, from the visible to the IR. The device will be operational on a wavelength range of a tens of nanometers centered on the wavelength required by customer. VODL at 1300nm, 1064nm and 800nm have already successfully been manufactured.
Custom products
Thanks to our free-space technology we can easily customize most of our product and so it is for the VODL. Customer can feel free to ask for any customization they need. We will examine the request and do our best to have a positive answer.
Package layout
描述 [描述] The Variable Optical Delay Line (VODL) is a device that enables a very precise and stable control of an optical path length up to 12ns.