Fiber modulator: a high speed intensity modulator and optical switch

This fiber modulator is a lossless, low noise, high speed (nanosecond), high dynamic range, high extinction ratio solution available from 750 to 1700 nm.

It is a very compact SOA-based unit optimized for single-shot to CW performance with pulse width down to 1 nanosecond. This fiber modulator delivers precision pulses which are generated internally by an on-board pulse generator, or on demand from an external TTL signal. SOM (Semiconductor Optical Modulator) can be compared with AOMs, EOMs or direct laser diode modulators. It is the only solution meeting all the constraints for a reliable, stable and efficient fibered intensity modulation.

Choose your wavelength on the datasheet table or contact us for other wavelength. See our tutorial: fiber modulator basics .

These products are now offered by AeroDIODE, a new ALPhANOV spin-off company. The product manager is available to answer any technical of commercial question.

Product reference: SOM

Buy from Europe and USA

Key features

Lossless device
High dynamic range: >48 dB
High speed: down to 500 ps rise/fall
High extinction ratio: >50 dB
User design pulse shape
Very low noise and stable signals
No wavelength evolution along the pulse duration

The GUI software lets the user have total control of all module functions. It includes several libraries for software integration (Labview VIs, DLLs, Hexa etc.).

Datasheet & tutorial

FIBER MODULATOR

This fiber modulator works alone or in series with other products in our range like:

Complex systems, such as fiber lasers, can be quickly developed on this module platform.

Specifications:

Version	SOM standard	SOM HPP (High Pulse Performance)	SOM shape (user design pulse shape)
Wavelength (nm)	Any wavelength to be chosen between 700 and 1650 nm
Optical bandwidth (nm)	From 20 nm to 110 nm to be selected
Extinction ratio (dB, typ)	> 50 dB
Switching speed (ns, typical)	1 ns	1 ns	2 ns
Dynamic range	60 dB	60 dB	48 dB
Small signal gain	From 22 to 40 dB depending on the selected wavelength (see wavelength table next page)
Trigger-to-pulse jitter	< 20 ps	< 8 ps	< 2 ns
User design pulse shape	no	no	yes
Max repetition rate	10 MHz	250 MHz	20 MHz
Max output power	From 20 to 100 mW (more than 500 mW have been measured in some pulsed configuration)
Interface/compatibilities and libraries	USB - Windows 7/10 - DLLs - Hexa - Labview