It also eliminates the need to optically balance the detectors, simplifying optical and electrical alignment. The user can also balance in optical and manual modes, if desired.
The auto-balancing feature and variable gain increase the receiver’s flexibility and ease-of-use, and enable the user to adjust the detector instead of having to adjust components such as optics, lasers, samples, etc. used in an application. While manually balanced and auto-balanced modes can produce similar results for slow changes in split ratio, the auto-balance feature enables measurement systems that can accommodate drift over time.
The GHz Nirvana Receiver has an operating wavelength range of 900 – 1650 nm and can cut the effects of laser noise by 25 dB, making even very small signals easy to see. Rise time is less than 1 ns and peak responsivity is 30,000 A/W.
The receiver is ideal for use in commercial systems where easy assembly and reliable performance over both time and temperature are critical. It also improves the performance of swept-source optical coherence tomography (SS-OCT) using both high-speed balanced and auto-balanced detection. In this application the balanced detection allows subtraction of all common-mode noise and improves the ability to resolve low scattering features deep in the sample.
For more information on New Focus’ GHz Nirvana Receiver, please visit: www.newport.com/Nirvana-PR03