Ultrafast Fiber Optic Photodetector Modules, OEM Package

Overview
Graphs
Operation
Custom Capabilities
Feedback

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While each DX Series model is designed and intended for operation over the specified wavelength range shown by the solid colored regions above, each will respond with reduced performance to optical inputs at shorter wavelengths, as shown by the partially transparent regions. See the plots in the Graphs tab for details. Please contact Tech Support for more information.

Janis Valdmanis, Ph.D. Optics
Ultrafast Optoelectronics
General Manager

We Design, Develop, and Manufacture
Equipment up to 70 GHz

Questions?

Demo Unit Requests?

Product Suggestions?

Custom or OEM Applications?

Features

Visible, Near-Infrared, or Broadband Wavelength Ranges
Ultrafast Detectors with Smooth Frequency Response for Bandwidths up to 30 GHz
DC-Coupled Output
Hermetically Sealed GaAs or InGaAs Detector Module
SM or MM Pigtailed Fiber Options
- SMF-28 Single Mode Fiber: DX12CF, DX25CF, DX30AF, and DX20AF
- OM4 (Ø50 µm Core) Multimode Fiber: DX12DF, DX25DF, and DX30BF
RF Output Signal via SMA-Compatible 2.92 mm K Connector
Compact Package and Easy Integration Ideal for OEM Applications
Discounts for High-Volume Purchases Available; Contact Tech Support with Inquiries

The DX series of ultrafast detector modules include single-mode and multimode fiber-coupled photodetectors with wide wavelength ranges, as shown to the right. Each provides a high-fidelity electrical output pulse in response to an optical input pulse with clean impulse responses down to 15 ps (FWHM). Each detector consists of a fiber-coupled, hermetically sealed microwave detector module that enables it to be easily used for OEM applications (see the Operation tab for details). Thorlabs also offers these detectors as self-contained instruments in a rugged aluminum housing that includes a rechargeable battery with 500 mA·h capacity, current monitor circuitry, and a digital display of the DC photocurrent (click here for the full web presentation).

Our single mode detectors utilize a 9 µm core SMF-28 single mode fiber, while our multimode detectors use a 50 µm core OM4 multimode fiber. Optical input can be coupled from an FC/PC-terminated fiber via the FC bulkhead connector. Our multimode ultrafast detectors are designed to accept input from multimode or single-mode optical fiber connectors, making them a versatile measurement instrument for research and commercial applications. We offer single mode and multimode hybrid patch cables to facilitate the connection of optical cables with different connector types. The RF signal outputs via a female SMA-compatible 2.92 mm RF connector, which may be connected to a measurement instrument using suitable microwave cables or adapters.

The performance of each DX series ultrafast detector is factory tested, and the individualized test results are provided with each detector. Please contact Tech Support if you would also like to receive a data file containing these test results. A sample data sheet for the DX30BF ultrafast detector can be viewed here.

Webpage Features
	Clicking this icon below opens a window that contains full specifications and performance graphs for each item.
	Clicking this icon below allows you to download our standard support documentation for each item.

Click to Enlarge Typical Frequency Responses for the DX Series Ultrafast Detectors Please see the blue info icons below () for individual plots.	Click to Enlarge Typical Spectral Responses for the DX Series Ultrafast Detectors Measured data is shown by the solid line, while theoretical data is shown by the dotted line. Please see the blue info icons below () for individual plots
Click to Enlarge Typical Impulse Responses for the DX Series Ultrafast Detectors Please see the blue info icons below () for individual plots	Click To Enlarge Typical Electrical Return Loss for the DX Series Ultrafast Detectors Please see the blue info icons below () for individual plots

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Schematic of Pins and Connectors

Operation Guide

Please reference the drawing to the right for connection options. Unpack the unit carefully making sure to take ESD precautions.

Mount the unit using the through hole mounting features.
Attach the SMA-compatible, 2.92 mm RF output of the unit to the measurement instrument using suitable cables or adapters. The measurement instrument must have a 50 Ω input and adequate bandwidth to resolve the high-speed signal from the ultrafast detector.
Apply a 4 VDC voltage between the bias and ground pins.
Couple the optical input signal to the detector via the FC/PC connector. Ensure the average input optical power does not exceed 10 dBm.
The DC photocurrent can be monitored using a resistor in series with the bias pin and a voltmeter across the resistor. Make sure that the voltage drop across the resistor does not reduce the bias on the module below its operating voltage.

ESD Sensitive Components: Please note that the components inside the DX series units are ESD sensitive. Take all appropriate precautions to discharge personnel and equipment before making any electrical connections to the unit. This especially applies to coaxial connecting cables that can accumulate capacitive charge.

Janis Valdmanis, Ph.D. Optics
Ultrafast Optoelectronics
General Manager

Custom and OEM Options

When your application requirements are not met by our range of catalog products or their variety of user-configurable features, please contact me to discuss how we may serve your custom or OEM needs.

Request a Demo Unit

Explore the benefits of using a Thorlabs high-speed instrument in your setup and under your test conditions with a demo unit. Contact me for details.

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The MX40B Digital Reference Transmitter

Design, Manufacturing, and Testing Capabilities

Thorlabs' Ultrafast Optoelectronics Team designs, develops, and manufactures high-speed components and instrumentation for a variety of photonics applications having frequency responses up to 70 GHz. Our extensive experience in high-speed photonics is supported by core expertise in RF/microwave design, optics, fiber optics, optomechanical design, and mixed-signal electronics. As a division of Thorlabs, a company with deep vertical integration and a portfolio of over 20,000 products, we are able to provide and support a wide selection of equipment and continually expand our offerings.

Our catalog and custom products include a range of integrated fiber-optic transmitters, modulator drivers and controllers, detectors, receivers, pulsed lasers, variable optical attenuators, and a variety of accessories. Beyond these products, we welcome opportunities to design and produce custom and OEM products that fall within our range of capabilities and expertise. Some of our key capabilities are:

Detector and Receiver Design, to 70 GHz
Fiber-Optic Transmitter Design, to 70 GHz
RF & Microwave Design and Simulation
Design of Fiber-Optic and Photonics Sub-Assemblies
High-Speed Testing, to 70 GHz

Micro-Assembly and Wire Bonding
Hermetic Sealing of Microwave Modules
Fiber Splicing of Assemblies
Custom Laser Engraving
Qualification Testing

Overview of Custom and Catalog Products

Our catalog product line includes a range of integrated fiber-optic transmitters, modulator drivers and controllers, detectors, pulsed lasers, and accessories. In addition to these, we offer related items, such as receivers and customized catalog products. The following sections give an overview of our spectrum of custom and catalog products, from fully integrated instruments to component-level modules.

Fiber-Optic Instruments

To meet a range of requirements, our fiber-optic instruments span a variety of integration levels. Each complete transmitter includes a tunable laser, a modulator with driver amplifier and bias controller, full control of optical output power, and an intuitive touchscreen interface. The tunable lasers, modulator drivers, and modulator bias controllers are also available separately. These instruments have full remote control capability and can be addressed using serial commands sent from a PC.

Fiber-Optic Transmitters, to 70 GHz
Linear and Digital Transmitters
Electrical-to-Optical Converters, to 70 GHz

Modulator Drivers
Modulator Bias Controllers
C- and L-Band Tunable Lasers

Customization options include internal laser sources, operating wavelength ranges, optical fiber types, and amplifier types.

Fiber-Optic Components

Our component-level, custom and catalog fiber-optic products take advantage of our module design and hermetic sealing capability. Products include detectors with frequency responses up to 50 GHz, and we also specialize in developing fiber-optic receivers, operating up to and beyond 40 GHz, for instrumentation markets. Closely related products include our amplifier modules, which we offer upon request, variable optical attenuators, microwave cables, and cable accessories.

Hermetically-Sealed Detectors, to 50 GHz
Fiber-Optic Receivers, to 40 GHz
Amplifier Modules

Electronic Variable Optical Attenuators
Microwave Cables and Accessories

Customization options include single mode and multimode optical fiber options, where applicable, and detectors optimized for time or frequency domain operation.

Free-Space Instruments

Our free-space instruments include detectors with frequency responses around 1 GHz and pulsed lasers. Our pulsed lasers generate variable-width, nanosecond-duration pulses, and a range of models with different wavelengths and optical output powers are offered. User-adjustable repetition rates and trigger in/out signals provide additional flexibility, and electronic delay-line products enable experimental synchronization of multiple lasers. We can also adapt our pulsed laser catalog offerings to provide gain-switching capability for the generation of pulses in the 100 ps range.

Pulsed Lasers with Fixed 10 ns Pulse Duration
Pulsed Lasers with Variable Pulse Width and Repetition Rates
Electronic Delay Units to Synchronize NPL Series Pulsed Lasers
Amplified Detectors

Customization options for the pulsed lasers include emission wavelength, optical output powers, and sub-nanosecond pulse widths.

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12 GHz Photodetector Modules

Item #^a	Full Specs	Fiber Type	Bandwidth	Wavelength Range	Impulse Response	Responsivity	Conversion Gain^b	Optical Return Loss (Max)	Noise-Equivalent Power (NEP)^c	Photodiode Bias Voltage
DX12CF		SMF-28	DC - 12 GHz (at 780 nm)	700 - 870 nm	30 ps (FWHM at 780 nm)	0.60 A/W	15 V/W	-28 dB	43 pW/√Hz	4 V
DX12DF		OM4	DC - 12 GHz (at 780 nm)	700 - 870 nm	30 ps (FWHM at 780 nm)	0.55 A/W	14 V/W	-18 dB	43 pW/√Hz	4 V

All specifications are typical at 25 °C and 850 nm unless otherwise noted.
Across External 50 Ω Load
The NEP is limited by the thermal noise of the combined internal and external load resistors.

20 GHz Photodetector Modules

Item #	Full Specs	Fiber Type	Bandwidth	Wavelength Range	Impulse Response	Responsivity	Conversion Gain^b	Optical Return Loss (Max)	Noise-Equivalent Power (NEP)^c	Photodiode Bias Voltage
DX20AF		SMF-28	DC - 20 GHz (at 1560 nm)	1250 - 1650 nm	18 ps (FWHM at 1560 nm)	0.9 A/W	22.5 V/W	-25 dB	28 pW/√Hz	4 V

All specifications are typical at 25 °C and 1550 nm unless otherwise noted.
Across External 50 Ω Load
The NEP is limited by the thermal noise of the combined internal and external load resistors.

25 GHz Photodetector Modules

Item #	Full Specs	Fiber Type	Bandwidth	Wavelength Range	Impulse Response	Responsivity	Conversion Gain^b	Optical Return Loss (Max)	Noise-Equivalent Power (NEP)^c	Photodiode Bias Voltage
DX25CF		SMF-28	DC - 25 GHz (at 780 nm)	700 - 870 nm	19 ps (FWHM at 780 nm)	0.5 A/W	12.5 V/W	-25 dB	51 pW/√Hz	4 V
DX25DF		OM4	DC - 25 GHz (at 780 nm)	700 - 870 nm	19 ps (FWHM at 780 nm)	0.45 A/W	11.0 V/W	-18 dB	51 pW/√Hz	4 V

All specifications are typical at 25 °C and 850 nm unless otherwise noted.
Across External 50 Ω Load
The NEP is limited by the thermal noise of the combined internal and external load resistors.

30 GHz Photodetector Modules

Item #	Full Specs	Fiber Type	Bandwidth	Wavelength Range	Impulse Response	Responsivity	Conversion Gain^b	Optical Return Loss (Max)	Noise-Equivalent Power (NEP)^c	Photodiode Bias Voltage
DX30AF		SMF-28	DC - 30 GHz (at 1560 nm)	750 - 1650 nm	15 ps (FWHM at 1560 nm)	0.5 A/W (at 850 nm) 0.75 A/W (at 1550 nm)	12.5 V/W (at 850 nm) 20 V/W (at 1550 nm)	-18 dB (at 850/1550 nm)	32 pW/√Hz	4 V
DX30BF		OM4	DC - 30 GHz (at 1560 nm)	750 - 1650 nm	15 ps (FWHM at 1560 nm)	0.45 A/W (at 850 nm) 0.7 A/W (at 1310 nm)	11.3 V/W (at 850 nm) 17.5 V/W (at 1310 nm)	-8 dB (at 850/1310 nm)	32 pW/√Hz	4 V

All specifications are typical at 25 °C and 1310 nm unless otherwise noted.
Across External 50 Ω Load
The NEP is specified for single-mode operation at 1310 nm. It is limited by the thermal noise of the combined internal and external load resistors.

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