Industrial Automation Magazine India

Polarimeter Systems with High Dynamic Range

Published on : Tuesday 30-11--0001

Thorlabs' PAX1000 Series of Polarimeters measure the state of polarization (SOP) of collimated input light using the rotating-wave-plate method. Three models cover the visible to near-infrared wavelength range.

Optical input must be monochromatic coherent light (i.e. laser light), and the light terminates inside the module. These polarimeters have a high 70 dB dynamic range, and they provide azimuth and ellipticity accuracies of ±0.25° on the Poincaré sphere.

When electrical power is supplied via the USB 2.0 port, measurements can be at rates between 50 and 100 samples/s. When the polarimeters are powered using the included DS15 power supply, they can achieve measurement rates between 50 and 400 samples/s. Software, available for download on the Software tab, enables measurements from up to five measurement heads to be simultaneously acquired. For more information, please see the Operation tab.

The measurement head accepts a free-space collimated beam up to Ø3.0 mm. Input from an FC/PC-terminated optical fiber can be coupled to the module using the included wavelength-appropriate F240FC Series Fiber Collimator, SM1M10 Lens Tube with SM1 (1.035"-40) internal threads, and KAD12F SM1 threaded adapter.

Free-space and fiber-coupled configurations are shown at the left and second left, respectively, in the above image. If you would rather receive a fiber collimator that accepts FC/APC connectors, please contact Tech Support. The F240APC series collimators for FC/APC connectors are also available separately. Accessories from Thorlabs' selection of 30 mm Cage System components can be attached using the four 4-40 threaded holes located on the front panel.

Features

• Three Wavelength Ranges Available

1. 400 nm - 700 nm
2. 600 nm - 1080 nm
3. 900 nm - 1700 nm

• Rotating-Wave-Plate-Based Measurement
• High Dynamic Range of 70 dB
• Excellent Azimuth and Ellipticity Accuracy of ±0.25°
• Sampling Rate up to 400 Samples/s
• Beam Terminates Inside the Module
• Ø3.0 mm Free-Space Beam Input or FC/PC Fiber Input
• Fully Featured Software Includes Alignment Tool and Extinction Ratio Measurement Tool

Applications

• Free-Space and Fiber-Coupled Polarimetry
• Degree of Polarization (DOP) Measurements
• Extinction Ratio (ER) Measurements
• Component for a Polarization Dependent Loss (PDL) / Polarization Mode Dispersion (PMD) Measurement System

Specifications

Item #		PAX1000VIS(/M)	PAX1000IR1(/M)	PAX1000IR2(/M)
Optical Parametersa
Wavelength Range		400 nm - 700 nm	600 nm - 1080 nm	900 nm - 1700 nm
Dynamic Range		-60 dBm to +10 dBm
Sampling Rate	Defaultb	30 Samples/s
	Maximumc	400 Samples/s
Measurable SOPd		Entire Poincaré Sphere
Azimuth Accuracye		±0.25°
Ellipticity Accuracy		±0.25°
DOPf Accuracy		±1.0%
Free Space Aperture		Ø3 mm
Input Fiber Connector		FC/PC Accepted by Included Ø12 mm Collimatorg
Included Ø12 mm Collimatorg		F240FC-A	F240FC-B	F240FC-C
Maximum Input Beam Divergence		2°
Warm-Up Time for Rated Accuracy		15 min
Additional Specifications
Command and Control Interface		USB 2.0 Mini-B
Input Power Supply		Via USB 2.0 Mini-B Interface or DS15 External Power Supplyh
DS15 Power Supply Ratings		15.0 V; 1.2 A
Operating Temperature Range		5 °C to 40 °C
Storage Temperature Range		-40 °C to 70 °C
Dimensions		51.0 mm x 55.0 mm x 56.3 mm (2.01" x 2.17" 2.22")
Bottom Mounting Features		One 1/4"-20 (M6) and Two 8-32 (M4) Threaded Holes
Weight		0.28 kg (0.62 lbs)

It is used in Process Industries.

Thorlabs, Inc. Tel: 1-973-300-3000, Email:[email protected]