Specifications^a

Item #	SOA1013SXS	BOA1004PXS
Operating Wavelength	1528 - 1562 nm	1500 - 1600 nm
Optical Isolation (P_IN / P_OUT)^b	≥45 dB	≥40 dB
Extinction Ratio^c	60 dB	70 dB
Switching Speed	1 ns	1 ns
Max Output Power for CW Input Signal	17 dBm	18 dBm
Max Output Power for Modulated Input Signal	9 dBm	10 dBm

^aTypical values. For complete specifications, please see Specs tab.
^b At 0 mA and 1550 nm
^c At P_IN = -20 dBm and 1550 nm

Shutter Performace

SOA1013SXS Shutter Performance

Features

High Switching Speed of <1 ns
FC/APC Connectors with Key Aligned to
Slow Axis on BOA1004PXS
Typical Applications Include LIDAR Systems, Remote Sensing Systems, and Cavity Ring-Down Sensors

The SOA1013SXS and BOA1004PXS Optical Switches are designed specifically for applications requiring an optical shutter in the 1530 to 1570 nm range. Both the polarization independent SOA1013SXS and the polarization dependent BOA1004PXS provide an extiction ratio greater than 60 dB. The devices are based on our semiconductor amplifier platform consisting of a highly efficient InP/InGaAsP Multiple Quantum Well (MQW) layer structures grown on an InP wafer and processed into a proven reliable ridge waveguide. The device can operate as a lossless, high-speed, optical isolation switch, a full-range variable optical attenuator (VOA), or an optical shutter for protection of delicate optical equipment.

The SOA1013SXS polarization-independent switch features the right combination of low polarization sensitivity, wide optical bandwidth, and high extinction ratio for an optical isolation switch. Using the gain/absorption properties of the MQW structure, the device can function as an optical blocking shutter with no reflections. In addition, the switch is also designed to support the highest gain and signal levels, allowing it to function reliably at signal levels of 15 dBm and above. The SOA1013SXS is also ideal for applications where the input signal polarization is unknown or fluctuates. The device comes in an industry-standard 14-pin butterfly package with SMF pigtails that are terminated with FC/APC connectors.

The BOA1004PX S polarization-dependent switch offers the user full control of the power level making it ideal for high-power laser pulse generation systems like cavity ring-down sensors and LIDAR systems. The device comes in an industry-standard 14-pin butterfly package with PMF pigtails that are terminated with FC/APC connectors and key aligned to the slow axis. The BOAs can be customized upon request to have isolators on the input, output, or both. Please contact Tech Support for help customizing a device for your application.

Driver Option
For information on compatible drivers, please contact Tech Support.

Item #	SOA1013SXS			BOA1004PXS
Parameter	Min	Typical	Max	Min	Typical	Max
Operating Current	-	500 mA	600 mA	-	600 mA	750 mA
Operating Wavelength	1528 nm	-	1562 nm	1500 nm	-	1600 nm
Optical Isolation (P_IN/P_OUT)	45 dB	-	-	40 dB	-	-
Extinction Ratio (On/Off @ P_IN = -20 dBm and 1550 nm)	-	60 dB	-	-	70 dB	-
Switching Speed	-	1 ns	-	-	1 ns	-
Max Output Power for CW Input Signal	-	17 dBm	-	-	18 dBm	-
Max Output Power for Modulated Input Signal	-	9 dBm	-	-	10 dBm	-
Saturation Output Power (@ -3 dB)	12 dBm	14 dBm	-	13 dBm	15 dBm	-
Noise Figure	-	8.0 dB	9.5 dB	-	8.0 dB	9.5 dB
Small Signal Gain Across BW (@ P_IN = -20 dBm)	10 dB	13 dB	-	25 dB	28 dB	-
Polarization Dependent Gain	-	1 dB	1.8 dB	-	-	-
Forward Voltage	-	1.6 V	1.8 V	-	1.6 V	1.8 V
TEC Current*	-	0.23 A	1.5 A	-	0.23 A	1.5 A
TEC Voltage*	-	0.5 V	4 V	-	0.5 V	4 V
Thermistor Resistance*	-	10 kΩ	-	-	10 kΩ	-
Chip Length	-	1.5 mm	-	-	1.5 mm	-
Waveguide Refractive Index	-	3.2	-	-	3.2	-
Fiber Type	SMF-28-J9			PMF-1550
Fiber Length	1.5 ± 0.1 m			1.5 ± 0.1 m
Fiber Connector	FC/APC			FC/APC, Key Aligned to Slow Axis

*TEC Operation (Typ/Max @ TCASE = 25/70 °C)

SOA1013SXS Charts

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Posted Comments:

Poster: biver

Posted Date: 2012-12-04 08:21:12.973

Hello, I would like to know if the same device is available for UV wavelength! I am working with a fast UV pulsed laser (wavelength: 343nm; repetition rate: 200kHz-2MHz; beam size: ~3mm) and want to be able to discriminate between pulses. The idea is to have a sequence of 3 pulses, the first acting as a trigger to open a shutter and let the 2 following pulses pass (the first pulse triggers also an imaging system to visualize the impact of the 2 pulses on a given substrate). Mechanical shutters seem to be too slow for this application, and I am considering using an optical shutter, a Pockels cell or an acousto-optic modulator. Thank you in advance, Emeric Biver

Poster: tcohen

Posted Date: 2012-07-03 10:56:00.0

Response from Tim at Thorlabs: The semiconductor optical amplifiers (SOAs/BOAs) that we currently provide are all single-mode devices. The optical amplifier semiconductor chip itself is a single-mode waveguide device. So, the input optical coupling efficiency to a multi-mode fiber would be very poor. We could make a multi-mode semiconductor optical amplifier chip and couple it to large-core, multi-mode fiber. This would work, however, multi-mode optical amplifiers have a higher noise figure than single-mode amplifiers (the noise figure is directly proportional to the number of modes). The noise figure may or may not be important depending on the application.

Poster: roger.pilkington

Posted Date: 2012-07-01 04:32:23.0

Can this be done for larger fibers as well. Such as a 200um core?

Poster: bdada

Posted Date: 2011-03-04 18:46:00.0

Response from Buki: The semiconductor optical amplifier operates as a classic intensity amplifier, with a minimum theoretical noise figure of 3 dB. The statistics of the coherent stimulation process as well as the presence of spontaneous emission at the signal wavelength would make it impossible to be used with a single-photon input. A phase sensitive, parametric amplifier, which does not have spontaneous emission at the signal wavelength and can have 0 dB noise figure would be more appropriate for single photon. In terms of wavelength range, our existing product lines covers from 1 um to 2 um. We are working on expanding to wavelengths shorter than 1 um. We will contact you directly to learn more about your wavelength needs.

Poster: till.weinhold

Posted Date: 2011-03-03 23:05:09.0

Two questions regarding the SOA1013SXS unit. Can it be operated with gated single photon inputs or does it require a minimum input power. What is the loss through the system? And any view to expanding the wavelength range? Cheers Till

Poster: Adam

Posted Date: 2010-05-13 10:32:33.0

A response from Adam at Thorlabs to Pascal: At this time, we do not work with the material system that would allow us to make a custom semiconductor optical amplifier at 670nm. Therefore, we cannot produce custom versions at this time. I will make a suggestion to our engineers for this customer inspired new product idea. I will contact you directly to find out your exact application.

Poster: pascal.deladurantaye

Posted Date: 2010-05-13 08:54:02.0

Could you provide a custom version that would work at 670 nm?

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