Agilent 8509B
Lightwave
Polarization Analyzer
Optical polarization
measurements of signal
and components
1200 nm to 1600 nm
Product Overview
2
The Agilent 8509B
Lightwave Polarization Analyzer
The Agilent 8509B lightwave
polarization analyzer offers highspeed, calibra-ted polarization
measurements of both optical
signals and components. These
capabilities are provided by
innovations in hardware, software,
and applications of Jones matrix
and Stokes vector mathematics.
The Agilent 8509B analyzer
facilitates a greater
understanding of the polarization
properties of lightwave signals and
materials in helping to develop
higher performance light-wave
components and systems, as well
as more effective test and
manufacturing processes. These
developments involve many types of
polarization-sensitive devices which
are used in communications, sensors,
optical computing and material
analysis; devices such as single-mode
fibers, polarization-maintaining
fibers, isolators, optical switches,
lasers, beamsplitters, modulators,
interferometers, retardation plates
and, of course, polarizers and
polarization adjusters.
Polarization characteristics affect
all lightwave transmissions. The
polarization of a lightwave signal
is defined by its E-field components.
As a signal propagates, interaction
with optical components and other
lightwave signals (in interferometric
applications) modifies the magnitude
and phase of the signal’s E-field
components. Polarization-dependent
loss, gain or even signal distortion
may occur depending on the
application.
Polarization mode dispersion is a
key hurdle limiting the transmission
of signals at 10 Gbit/s and above.
The Agilent 8509B lightwave
polarization analyzer in conjunction
with the Agilent 8168 series
tunable laser source or the Agilent
83432A temperature tuned DFB
laser can be used to measure PMD
of fiber and compo-nents down to
1 fs resolution.
Optical Source
Output
External Source
Input
External Source
Polarization
Controller
Optical
Receiver
Input
3
In order to maintain a competitive
edge, R&D and manufacturing
operations need fast, accurate,
easy-to-understand measurement
data. This reduces the time and
expense of bringing a product to
market. The Agilent 8509B can
help.
Test times are reduced by the
system’s versatile and powerful
combination of hardware and
software technology. A four-diode
detection scheme delivers real-time
polarization information by constantly
monitoring all signal polarization
states from 1200 nm to 1600 nm.
Test setup is easier with the choice
of using external lightwave sources
or using the Agilent 8509B internal
1300 nm and 1550 nm Fabry-Perot
lasers. Polarization control is available using the automatic, threestate polarization generator.
Polarization mode dispersion and
polarization-dependent loss measurements are quick and simple using
the Agilent 8509B automatic
measure-ment procedures.
Measurement accuracy is provided
by the system’s accuracy enhancement techniques. Agilent 8509B
polarization reference frames enable
accurate testing in bulk optics and
fiber cables by removing unwanted
fiber cable effects. The Agilent
Accurate, easy-to-understand
data in less time
HP 8509B
Polarization
Adjuster
1500 nm 1300 nm
Internal Lasers
Three-State
Polarization
Generator
External
Source
Input
Optical
Output
Test Device
Test Signal
Optical
Input
Photodiode Detectors
Polarization Filters
Four-Way Beam Splitter
8509B wavelength calibration
capability automatically optimizes
the system receiver for the best
performance based on the
polarization and wavelength of a
test signal.
Polarization is easier to understand
when data is presented in the
appropriate display formats. When
tuning the polarization of a lightwave signal, for example, the
Poincare sphere is the best format
because the tuning process is
visually guided by a moving
polarization trace on the sphere.
For mathematical specifications of
signal polarization, the Stokes
parameter format is best because it
is used in polarization calculations.
Whichever format is needed, the
Agilent 8509B can meet the need
with simultaneous data displays in
a variety of different formats.
In the lab and on the production
line, scientists, engineers and
technicians depend on the speed,
accuracy and convenience of the
Agilent 8509B to accurately
measure and predict the
polarization of signals and the
polarization trans-mission
properties of components.
Agilent 8509B measurement capability
and data format summary
• Polarization Ellipse
• Poincare Sphere
• Degree of Polarization
• Stokes Parameters
• Average Power
• Jones Matrix
• Polarization Mode Dispersion
• Polarization-Dependent Loss
• Polarization-Maintaining-Fiber Launch Conditions
Figure 1.
Agilent 8509B block diagram
Agilent 8509B
Loading...