Photonic sensing and analysis harnesses lasers and optics to probe materials by examining their light interactions, yielding rapid and non-destructive insights into their chemical, physical, and biological properties. This approach underpins advances in environmental monitoring, medical diagnostics, and industrial quality control.
Researchers, engineers, and professionals in these industries explore cutting-edge applications in imaging, lasers, biophotonics, and remote sensing, with focus on technology transfer to address real-world challenges in optics and photonics. In this dynamic landscape, laser manufacturers play a crucial role by developing innovative laser systems that serve as the backbone for many photonic applications.
Yokogawa supports this innovative landscape by offering a wide range of high-performance optical measuring instruments and solutions, such as optical spectrum analyzers, wavelength meters, and high resolution reflectometers. Yokogawa OSAs feature MWIR and visible wavelength measurement capabilities, with exceptional accuracy, resolution, and dynamic range.
This application note introduces free space light measurement jigs for measuring the emission spectrum of a light source that propagates in free space or the optical transmission spectrum of an optical filter. It describes four types of jigs for light sources and one type for filters.
To accurately measure pulsed light using an optical spectrum analyzer (OSA), it is necessary to understand the characteristics of the OSA and select the appropriate measurement method and settings.
We have developed the AQ6375 Optical Spectrum Analyzer grating-based desktop optical spectrum analyzer, which can measure an optical spectrum over a wide wavelength range from 1.2 to 2.4 m with high wavelength resolution at high speed. Despite the popularity of desktop optical spectrum analyzers in the telecommunication wavelength region, a large-scale optical spectrum measurement system with a monochromator has commonly been used for measuring the long wavelength region, and so there was a need for a desktop optical spectrum analyzer for long wavelengths. Deep optical absorptions appearing in the long wavelength region around 2 m caused by CO2, NOX and H2O are attracting attention in the environmental and medical fields, and thus sensitive measuring equipment by laser absorption spectroscopy using a near infrared semiconductor laser is becoming more popular. With excellent optical spectrum measurement capabilities (high resolution and high speed), operability and maintenance performance, the AQ6375 Optical Spectrum Analyzer optical spectrum analyzer will contribute to the performance improvement and spread of near-infrared semiconductor lasers used in laser absorption spectroscopy.
A new type of computer based on the theory of quantum mechanics, a quantum computer, is currently in development by researchers around the globe. The theory of quantum mechanics describes nature at the atomic and subatomic level. Quantum technology has the potential to build powerful tools that process information using the properties of atoms, photons, and electrons. These quantum computers could also address challenges of much greater complexity than what today's computers can solve, and help further advancements in science, technology, medicine, and more.
With countries spending billions of dollars, the race for who can produce the first practical, commercialized quantum computer is on. There are currently several approaches to build this sort of computer, and this all begins with creating and initializing quantum bits, also known as qubits.
In this poster session research from The European Conference on Lasers and Electro-Optics 2017, researchers from Texas A&M University, Texas A&M University at Qatar, and Florida A&M University use a Yokogawa Test&Measurement AQ6376 Optical Spectrum Analyzer to detect methane in the air.
In research published on IEEE Xplore, researchers from Harbin Engineering University, the University of Limerick, and the Technological University Dublin use a Yokogawa Test&Measurement AQ6370C Optical Spectrum Analyzer to measure wavelengths when fiber is subjected to temperature changes.
In a research paper published in Optics Letters on the Optica (OPG) website, researchers from Harbin Engineering University, the University of Limerick, and the Technological University Dublin use a Yokogawa Test&Measurement AQ6370C Optical Spectrum Analyzer to test fiber components for potential use in integrated optical sources, including lasers.
University of Central Florida researcher uses a Yokogawa Test&Measurement AQ6370B Optical Spectrum Analyzer to map the properties of a new silicon waveguide fiber.
The extreme test requirements of our research called for an OSA with extended MIR spectrum bandwidth capabilities up to 5μm, but we couldn’t find one on the market capable of measuring optical inputs at these wavelengths. Yokogawa Test&Measurement rose to the challenge and developed a new OSA model for us that would. Not only do we now have an instrument that is practically custom-made for our needs, it provides repeatable, accurate, and trusted measurement outputs and is easy to learn and use. Their equipment and ability to create a new optical measurement solution has definitely increased the overall efficiency and productivity of our research team.
— Martin Bernier, PhD, P.Eng., Full Professor, Centre de Optique, Photonique, et Laser, Université Laval
Product Overviews
Introducing the new Yokogawa Test&Measurement AQ6380 Optical Spectrum Analyzer. This new OSA includes many sought-after features including:
• An unprecedented 5 pm wavelength resolution
• ±5 pm wavelength accuracy
• 1200 nm to 1650 nm wavelength range
• 65 dB wide close-in dynamic range
• 80 dB stray light suppression
• Automated wavelength calibration
• Gas purging
• DUT-oriented interface and test apps
• Backward-compatible remote interface
• 10.4in intuitive touchscreen
• Up to 20x faster measurement
• Remote operation capabilities
From visible light to telecommunication bands and even up to applications in the 2000nm region, optical testing professionals count on the Yokogawa Test&Measurement optical testing family of products. For decades, these precision-based optical measuring instruments have met and exceeded the needs of many customers’ experimental requirements. Applicable to a range of uses in R&D, manufacturing, and academia, Yokogawa Test&Measurement OSAs, OTDRs, OWMs, modular manufacturing test systems, and more deliver quality, consistency, ease of use, and market leadership for all manner of optical test applications.
How-tos
- Span
- Sweep
- Calibration
- Analysis
- Cursors/Markers
- PC-Based Remote Viewing Software
- Span
- Sweep
- Calibration
- Analysis
- Cursors/Markers
- PC-Based Remote Viewing Software
Application Engineer Danielle walks us through how to use an optical spectrum analyzer (OSA) to measure a gas cell in just a few easy steps.
See how to use the in-built calibration on your optical spectrum analyzer in just three easy steps!
For those not able to couple light into a fiber, the use of a free space light measurement jig provides a means of measuring the properties of free space light (like wavelength, power, peaks, SMSR, noise, etc.) via an optical spectrum analyzer (OSA), something not typically viable. This video demonstrates the setup and use of an example jig to measure the output of a smartphone's LiDAR light.
We are going live on YouTube to answer your questions about the Yokogawa Test&Measurement AQ6380 high performance optical spectrum analyzer. Join us to discuss how to make the most of this award-winning instrument. During this live stream we will review the resolution and dynamic range of the AQ6380 OSA along with an example application of a 1310nm signal from an AQ1000 XFP module. Whether you’ve worked with an OSA for years or curious if it is a good fit for your work or research, this live stream can help.
Potential items for review include but are not limited to:
We are going live on YouTube to answer your questions about the Yokogawa Test&Measurement AQ6370 Series of optical spectrum analyzers. Join us to discuss how to make the most of these versatile instruments based on your optical application needs. A few examples are fiber testing, laser/LED testing, LiDAR, optical passive components (filters), and optical transmission equipment (DWDM, CWDM). Whether you’ve worked with an OSA for years or curious if it is a good fit for your work or research, this live stream can help.
Potential items for review include but are not limited to:
Webinars
- Fundamental test solution principles for challenges in demanding environments
- Ensuring flawless and reliable operation of potentially life-critical components and systems over the entire life of the equipment
- Techniques and results of signals from both LiDAR and facial recognition lasers from different smartphones
- Experience how LiDAR manages (or mismanages) navigating metropolitan city streets in a truly driverless Level 4 Robotaxi
- The what, why, and how of available options like optical spectrum analyzers, optical wavelength meters, optical power meters, variable attenuators, fixed and tunable laser sources, and more
- How to improve the quality and value of results for both active and passive optical devices
- Ways to streamline productivity and reduce costs while also achieving higher data transmission rates, longer-distance transmissions, immunity to EMI, lower signal loss, lower latency, enhanced security, and improved energy efficiency
- Trends driven by applications such as AI, quantum, and inter-satellite laser communications (i.e., space lasers!)
- Fiber identification and recommendations for routine care
- Measurement techniques for different optical measurement devices
- Example wavelength-specific applications for visible light to over 3000 nm such as telecommunications, biomedical, and atmospheric gas sensing
- Important considerations for selecting an optical spectrum analyzer
- Key test methods and technologies
- Traditional and new applications
- Common testing oversights
- Measuring against industry standards
- Ensuring network element performance and reliability
A vision of self-driving cars propels the research and development of automotive LiDAR, a vital hardware providing distance and velocity information of a vehicle’s surroundings. Some LiDAR concepts are already heading toward production for automotive ADAS and industrial markets. Two newer concepts promise the greatest potential yet: frequency-modulated continuous wave (FMCW) LiDAR and time-of-flight (TOF) flash LiDAR. However, there are engineering challenges impeding their full adoption. This webinar reviews operation principles and challenges of different LiDAR concepts, a brief discussion on the LiDAR market, and a review of critical optical components such as photodetectors and sources.
Key takeaways include:
There are countless technologies available for optical communications devices and systems validation. With so many specifics to take into consideration, it's not always easy for an engineer to determine the best networking and fiber optic measurement solution to address their measurement needs.
Key discussions in this on-demand webinar include:
Mastering the fundamentals of optical wavelength measurements and having a solid understanding of measurement principles for optical sources and devices is key to measuring with confidence. This webinar provides a thorough review of these foundational elements and concepts as well as:
Increasing demands for greater network bandwidth and expansion of 5G wireless backhaul has driven data rates to 400G, 800G, and beyond. Starting with the physical layer of the optical network stack, precision measurement of these light speed signals is crucial.
This webinar covers a range of alternatives used to evaluate test parameters for DWDM, OSNR, SMSR, and EDFA, and includes a discussion on interesting applications like the use of high-energy lasers across space satellite mesh networks.
Key topics include: