High-Speed, Fiber-Optic, Linear Reference Transmitters


  • Linear Reference Transmitters with 35 - 100 GHz Analog Bandwidth
  • Integrated Linear RF Amplifier and Modulator with Bias Control
  • Integrated C-Band Tunable, L-Band Tunable, or Fixed-Wavelength Laser
  • Support PAM4 Modulation up to 115 Gbaud/s

MX100E-1310

100 GHz Reference Transmitter, 1310 nm Internal Laser

MX35D

35 GHz Reference Transmitter, C-Band Internal Laser with Differential Signal Input

56 Gbaud/s PAM4 Eye Diagram from
MX65E Series

MX50E-850

50 GHz Reference Transmitter, 850 nm Internal Laser

Related Items


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Table 1.1  Key System Specificationsa
Item # MX35 Series MX50E-850 MX65E Series MX100E MX100E-1310
Amplifier Type Linear (Analog)
Bandwidth 35 GHz 50 GHz 65 GHz 100 GHz
Typical Frequency Response
(Click Icon to View Graph)		 MX35E Frequency Response MX50E-850 Frequency Response MX65E Frequency Response MX65E Frequency Response
Internal Laser Wavelength C-Band,
L-Band,
or 1310 nmb		 852 nm C-Band,
L-Band,
or 1310 nm		 C-Band 1310 nm
Internal Laser Output Power 13.5 dBm 10 dBm 13.5 dBm 17 dBm
External Input Laser
Wavelength Rangec		 1250 nm - 1610 nm N/A 1250 nm - 1610 nm 1525 nm - 1575 nm 1260 nm - 1360 nm
RF Amplifier Gain 10 dB to 23 dB 11 dB 11 dB 11 dB
Low Frequency Cutoff 200 kHz 70 kHz 70 kHz 100 kHz (Max)
Modulator Type Intensity
  • For additional specifications, see the Specs tab and the manuals. All values are typical unless stated otherwise.
  • Please contact Tech Sales to order an MX35 transmitter with an 850 nm fixed-wavelength internal laser.
  • User-Provided

Adam Knapp
Ultrafast Optoelectronics
General Manager

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Linear Reference Transmitter PAM4 Multi-Level Eye Diagram
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Figure 1.2  25 Gbaud/s PAM4 Eye Diagram from MX35E Series
Linear Reference Transmitter Eye Diagram
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Figure 1.3  40 Gb/s NRZ Eye Diagram from MX35E Series

Features

  • Turnkey Reference Transmitter Solution
  • Linear RF Amplifier
  • Integrated Laser, Intensity Modulator, and Optical Power Control
  • External Loop-Back Cables Support Custom Configurations
  • 35 GHz Models with Differential Signal Input
  • Control via Intuitive Touchscreen Interface or Remotely Using USB or RS-232 Connections
  • Custom Systems Available by Contacting the Ultrafast Optoelectronics Team

Thorlabs' all-in-one linear reference transmitters are based on proven lithium niobate (LiNbO3) modulator technology driven by high-fidelity RF amplifiers. They are designed for high-speed fiber optic test and measurement applications. These user-configurable systems integrate a Mach-Zehnder intensity modulator (MZM) with fully featured bias control, a tunable or fixed-wavelength laser source, RF amplifier, and variable optical attenuator. These instruments are ideal for use in either an R&D laboratory or in a manufacturing environment for linear applications that require frequency responses up to 35 GHz (MX35 series), 50 GHz (Item # MX50E-850), 65 GHz (MX65E series), or 100 GHz (MX100E series), including high bit-rate modulation schemes that rely on multi-level encoding, such as PAM4. The MX35D series of linear transmitters feature differential signal inputs, which enable the use of low-noise differential sources.

The transmitters on this page are based on the use of an RF amplifier that provides a linear relationship between the input and output voltages. Note, however, that the linear range of the whole system is still limited by the non-linear response of the lithium niobate (LiNbO3) modulator. As a result, large RF output signals will experience some compression, which can be advantageous in some applications.

Internal Laser
Each reference transmitter has a built-in telecom-grade laser. The MX35 and MX65E series transmitters are available with an internal C-band tunable external cavity laser, L-band tunable external cavity laser, or fixed-wavelength 1310 nm distributed feedback (DFB) laser, the MX100E series transmitters are available with either a C-band tunable external cavity laser or fixed-wavelength 1310 nm DFB laser, while the MX50E-850 transmitter includes an 852 nm fixed-wavelength DFB laser. MX35E and MX35D series reference transmitters with an integrated 850 nm fixed-wavelength laser are also available upon request (contact Tech Sales).

The internal C- and L-band lasers are tunable on the ITU 50 GHz grid and incorporate a frequency offset option for fine tuning by ±30 GHz in increments of 1 MHz. A dither feature for wavelength stabilization is available in both tunable internal laser options (see the Operation tab for more information). An external laser source can also be used to provide the optical input for the MX35, MX65E, and MX100E series transmitters, see Table 1.1 for the compatible wavelength ranges.

System Connections
The laser input port on each reference transmitter (excluding Item # MX50E-850) uses PM fiber with light linearly polarized along the slow axis (aligned to the connector key) and can accept a maximum input power of 20 dBm (100 mW) for the MX35 and MX65E series or 17 dBm (50 mW) for the MX100E series. The MX50E-850 transmitter does not provide a laser input port. Instead, the internal 852 nm fixed-wavelength DFB laser is spliced directly to internal optical components because at shorter wavelengths, it is critical to maintain perfect core to core alignment of the fibers to limit insertion loss and maintain a high polarization extinction ratio (PER).

Each fiber bulkhead accepts FC/PC connectors. The amplifier RF port connectors type are either SMA, 1.85 mm (V), or 1.0 mm (W) depending on the frequency response of the device; torque wrenches with the correct preset torque values are available for use with these connectors. See the Front & Back Panels tab for more information.

We offer a selection of microwave cables and adapters for incorporating these transmitters into a system.

Control
These reference transmitters can be controlled in two ways. The simplest method is using the intuitive touchscreen interface, which gives the user complete control over all instrument functionality. These instruments can also be operated remotely via the RS-232 or USB ports on the back panel. The Operation tab describes the graphical user interface (GUI) and user-customizable features, and we provide a remote control user guide and a remote control software tool (see the Software tab) for download.

We also offer digital reference transmitters with speeds up to 40 Gb/s and optical transmitters based on phase modulators. Please see the Selection Guide tab for all of our transmitter instruments.

Reference Transmitter Block Diagram
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Figure 1.4  A block diagram showing the internal setup of the MX35, MX65E, and MX100E Series high-speed, linear reference transmitters. See the Operation tab for details.
Reference Transmitter Block Diagram
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Figure 1.5  A block diagram showing the internal setup of the MX50E-850 high-speed, linear reference transmitter. See the Operation tab for details.

"Linear
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Figure 2.2  This plot demonstrates the usable bandwidth provided by each series of linear reference transmitters.
Linear Reference Transmitter Eye Diagram
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Figure 2.3  Linear amplifiers provide a linear relationship between voltage input and output. Different line slopes indicate different gain settings in the MX35 series. Gain is user-adjustable in 1 dB increments.
Linear Reference Transmitter Eye Diagram
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Figure 2.4  Linear amplifiers provide a linear relationship between voltage input and output. The MX50E-850, MX65E, and MX100E series transmitters have a constant gain of 11 dB, which is not user adjustable.
Input Swing
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Figure 2.6  The typical input swing vs. modulation depth for the MX65E-1310 and MX100E-1310 instruments is shown. The solid line indicates the input swing range for linear operations, while the dashed line indicates the input swing that will typically result in non-linearities in the optical output.
C-Band Laser Frequency Noise Spectrum
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Figure 2.7  Frequency noise spectrum of the integrated C-band and L-Band tunable lasers. The dither function helps stabilize the wavelength but increases noise.
Table 2.1  System Specifications
Item # MX35 Series MX50E-850 MX65E Series MX100E MX100E-1310
Amplifier Type Linear (Analog)
Small Signal Bandwidtha 35 GHz 50 GHz 65 GHz 100 GHz (-6 dB)
Internal Laser See Table 2.5
External
Laserb		 Wavelength Rangec 1250 nm - 1610 nm N/A 1250 nm - 1610 nm 1525 nm - 1575 nm 1260 nm - 1360 nm
Optical Input Power 20 dBm (Max);
22 dBm (Abs. Max)		 N/A 20 dBm (Max);
22 dBm (Abs. Max)		 17 dBm (Max);
20 dBm (Abs. Max)
Optical Output Powerd 8.5 dBm at 1550 nm
6.5 dBm at 1310 nm		 4.5 dBm at 852 nm 8.5 dBm at 1550 nm
6.5 dBm at 1310 nm		 6 dBm
Power Calibration Points 1310 nm, 1550 nm,
and 1590 nm		 850 nm 1310 nm, 1550 nm,
and 1590 nm		 1550 nm 1310 nm
RF Optical Extinction Ratio 13 dB (at 32 Gb/s) 13 dB (at 56 Gb/s) 13 dB (at 32 Gb/s) - -
DC Optical Extinction Ratio - - - 20 dB 13 dB
Modulator Type Intensity
Modulator Drive Voltage (Vπ) 5.5 Vppe 4.8 Vppe 5.5 Vppe 3.7 Vppf 2.8 Vppf
Optical Insertion Lossg 5 dB (1550 nm);
7 dB (1310 nm)h		 5.5 dBi 5 dB (1550 nm);
7 dB (1310 nm)h		 11 dBh
Low Frequency Cutoff 200 kHz 70 kHz 70 kHz 100 kHz (Max)
System Linearity <3.5% THDj
(<500 mV Input at 1 GHz, <5.0 V Output)		 <3.5% THDj
(<750 mV Input at 1 GHz)		 <3.5% THDj
(<500 mV Input at 1 GHz)		 <3.5% THDj
(<500 mVpp Input at 1 GHz;
<600 mVpp Input at 10 GHz)
Amplifier RF Input 250 mVpp (Typical)
500 mVpp (Max)
700 mVpp (Abs. Max)		 500 mVpp (Typical)
2 Vpp (Abs. Max)		 500 mVpp (Typical)
2 Vpp (Abs. Max)		 500 mVpp (Typical)
1 Vpp (Abs. Max)
RF Amplifier Gain (Small Signal) 10 dB to 23 dB
(User Adjustable)		 11 dB 11 dB 11 dB
  • Linear, Analog Response
  • User Provided
  • Using the modulator at wavelengths outside this range may cause an increase in insertion loss and will void the warranty.
  • MX35, M65, and MX100E Series: specified when using internal laser and supplied loopback cable. For all items: bias is set for peak optical output. The output power is typically 3 dB lower when bias is set at quadrature point and output power can be further reduced by using the internal VOA.
  • At 1 GHz
  • At 2 GHz
  • At Peak Bias
  • Laser IN to Optical OUT
  • From Internal Laser Output to Laser Aperture
  • Total Harmonic Distortion
Table 2.5  Internal Laser Specificationsa
Item # MX50E-850 MX35E-1310
MX35D-1310
MX65E-1310		 MX100E-1310 MX35E
MX35D
MX65E
MX100E		 MX35E-LB
MX35D-LB
MX65E-LB
Laser Type Fixed Wavelength,
DFB		 Fixed Wavelength,
DFB		 Fixed Wavelength,
DFB		 C-Band Tunable,
External Cavity		 L-Band Tunable,
External Cavity
Wavelength Range 852 nm 1310 nm 1310 nm 1527.6 - 1565.5 nm 1570.0 - 1608.8 nm
Frequency Range - - - 191.50 - 196.25 THz 186.35 - 190.95 THz
Optical Output Power 10 dBm 13.5 dBm 17 dBm 13.5 dBm;
Item # MX100E: 17 dBm		 13.5 dBm
Frequency Accuracy - - - ±1.5 GHz ±1.5 GHz
Tuning Resolution N/A N/A N/A 50 GHz 50 GHz
Fine Tuning Resolution N/A N/A N/A 1 MHz 1 MHz
Tuning Speed
(Between Wavelengths)		 N/A N/A N/A 10 s 10 s
Fine Tuning Speed N/A N/A N/A 1 GHz/s
Fine Tuning Range N/A N/A N/A ±30 GHz ±30 GHz
Side Mode
Suppression Ratio		 35 dB (Min) 35 dB (Min) 45 dB 55 dB 55 dB
Optical
Signal-to-Noise Ratio		 - - - 60 dB 60 dB
Intrinsic Linewidth 2 MHz 2 MHz 10 MHz (Max) 10 kHz 10 kHz
Relative Intensity Noise - - - -145 dB/Hz (Max) -145 dB/Hz (Max)
Back Reflection - - - -14 dB (Max) -14 dB (Max)
Polarization
Extinction Ratio		 20 dB 20 dB 20 dB 18 dB (Min) 18 dB (Min)
  • Values are typical unless otherwise stated.
Table 2.8  Power Monitor and VOAa Specifications
Power Monitor Accuracyb ±0.5 dBm at Power Calibration Points
Power Monitor Resolutionb 0.01 dBm
Power Monitor Insertion Loss 0.1 dB (Typical) per Monitor
VOA Attenuation Range 1 dB - 20 dB
VOA Response Time 1 s
  • Variable Optical Attenuator
  • Applies to each of the three internal power monitors.
Table 2.9  Power and Environmental Specifications
Parameter Min Max
Main AC Voltage 100 VAC 250 VAC
Power Consumption - 60 VA
Line Frequency 50 Hz 60 Hz
Operating Temperature 10 °C 40 °C
Storage Temperature 0 °C 50 °C
Humiditya 5% Relative Humidity 85% Relative Humidity
  • Non-Condensing Environment

System Overview

These Linear Reference Transmitters are fully integrated and contain both the laser source and the lithium niobate (LiNbO3) Mach-Zehnder intensity modulator; the only required external input is the signal source to the Amplifier RF In port. A differential input is available on our MX35D series of linear reference transmitters through the Data and /Data ports. Either the internal laser or an external laser source may be coupled to the Laser In port, which can be seen at the bottom-left corner of Figure 3.1. This port uses polarization maintaining (PM) fiber with light linearly polarized along the slow axis, as shown on the front panel of the instrument. Note that this loop-back is not available for the MX50E-850 linear transmitter; see Figure 3.2. Optical power is monitored in three places (Monitor 1, Monitor 2, and Monitor 3) for the purpose of enabling bias and power control. These power values are also available at the I/O port. Monitor 1 is at the laser input, Monitor 2 is at the output of the modulator, and Monitor 3 is at the final optical output.

Reference Transmitter Block Diagram
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Figure 3.1  A block diagram showing the internal setup of the MX35, MX65E, and MX100E Series high-speed, linear reference transmitters.
Reference Transmitter Block Diagram
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Figure 3.2  A block diagram showing the internal setup of the MX50E-850 high-speed, linear reference transmitter.

Instrument Control

The graphical user interface (GUI) gives the user complete control over all instrument functionality. It is a resistive touchscreen display sensitive to both finger pressure and taps from a plastic stylus. The knob on the front panel of the housing can be used in place of the on-screen arrow buttons for quickly changing set-point values. Pressing (clicking) the knob will confirm a new set-point value. Additionally, the instruments can be driven using serial commands delivered via connectors on the rear panel.

The home screen is shown in Figure 3.3. It is organized into three main sections:

Linear Reference Transmitter Main Menu
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Figure 3.3  Home Screen of the MX35 Series
  • Left Column:
    • Buttons show the on/off status of the different instrument functions.
    • Tap a button to toggle the function on/off.
  • Middle Column:
    • Current operating parameters of each control function are shown.
    • Tap in this column to access the Settings page for each function.
  • Right Column:
    • Buttons provide access to various utility and help functions.
    • Tap to review and customize system settings.

The green dot that appears in the upper-right of the center column panels indicates that those functions are stable. The dot will blink if that function is still stabilizing. 

Functions and controls enabled by the GUI are further discussed in the following sections.

Laser Settings

Reference Transmitter System Wavelength Selection Screen
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Figure 3.5  System Wavelength Selection Screen
Reference Transmitter Laser Settings GUI
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Figure 3.4  Laser Settings Screen

Note: This section does not apply to the MX35E-1310, MX35D-1310, MX50E-850, MX65E-1310, and MX100E-1310 linear reference transmitters, which contain only fixed-wavelength lasers that do not have configurable settings.

The laser setting screen shown in Figure 3.4 is accessed directly from the home screen. Each instrument includes a C- or L-band telecom-style laser that is tunable on the ITU 50 GHz grid. The C-band and L-band lasers support a fine tuning frequency offset feature, allowing the frequency to be adjusted by an offset from -30.000 GHz to +30.000 GHz in increments of 1 MHz. ITU Channel wavelengths are indexed for convenience; use the arrow buttons to step through the indices to select the desired wavelength.

This screen also allows the user to control whether or not the dither feature (available for tunable C- and L-band lasers only) is used to stabilize the wavelength. Turning dither off results in lower phase and intensity noise (see the Specs tab for a representative plot), but doing so may also result in the wavelength drifting slightly over time. If an external laser is used, the internal laser can be turned off by tapping the laser button on the home screen.

System Wavelength Settings

Note: This section does not apply to the MX50E-850, MX100E, or MX100E-1310 transmitters. The MX50E-850 transmitter has a single calibration wavelength of 850 nm and no external laser input. The MX100E and MX100E-1310 transmitters have single calibration wavelengths of 1550 nm and 1310 nm, respectively.

If an external laser is used, it may be necessary to change the power monitor calibration settings. These instruments can be used at wavelengths anywhere between 1250 nm and 1610 nm, and calibration settings are supplied for three wavelengths: 1310 nm, 1550 nm, and 1590 nm. These wavelengths represent the centers of the O-Band, C-Band, and L-Band. The default calibration setting corresponds to the wavelength range of the internal laser. If operating outside that wavelength range, change the power monitor calibration settings by tapping the Menu button on the home page. Select the System Wavelength setting, shown in Figure 3.5, to change the power monitor calibration wavelength to the value closest to the wavelength of the laser source being used.

Reference Transmitter Linear Amplifier Voltage In vs. Voltage Out
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Figure 3.7  Linear amplifiers provide a linear relationship between voltage input and output. Different line slopes indicate different gain settings in the MX35 series. Gain is user-adjustable in 1 dB increments.
Reference Transmitter Linear Amplifier Settings Screen
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Figure 3.6  Amplifier Settings Screen for MX35 Series

Linear RF Amplifier

The amplifier used in these reference transmittes is a linear amplifier that accurately reproduces the input signal with minimal distortion. In addition, the MX35E and MX35D series have adjustable gain that can be controlled from the Amplifier Settings page shown in Figure 3.6. This allows for linear amplification for a wide range of input signal levels before being applied to the RF input port of the modulator. Figure 3.7 shows how the gain setting changes the slope of the output vs. input signal relationship. Note, however, that the linear range of the whole system is still limited by the non-linear response of the lithium niobate modulator. For signal limitations in this regard, see the specifications in the Specs tab and manual, which can be accessed by clicking on the red document icons () below.

Modulator Bias Controller

Intensity Modulator Bias Control Settings
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Figure 3.9  Bias Settings Screen
LiNbO3 EO Modulator Transmission Function
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Figure 3.8  Bias Points for an Intensity Modulator, in which Vπ is the Half-Wave Voltage

There are four bias control modes, which provide the option of operating with fully automatic bias control or under manual control. Three of the four automated operating modes, Peak, Quadrature, and Null, reference the regions labeled on the modulation transmission function, which is illustrated in Figure 3.8. When one of these modes is selected, a dither tone is used to hold the modulator at the respective bias point. The dither tone is part of a lock-in approach that maintains a stable bias point by compensating for modulator drift, which occurs over time due to the temperature sensitivity of the modulator. The dither tone can be set to a frequency between 1 and 10 kHz, and the amplitude of the tone can also be selected. Quadrature mode gives the option of operating on either the positive or negative slope of the function.

Note: The Quadrature bias mode of the MX100E series of transmitters does not have a dither option and operates similarly to the Constant Ratio mode described below, except the setpoint is calculated during the calibration routine and is not user adjustable.

For those applications that require an automated, but ditherless, approach to maintaining a stable bias set point, select the Constant Ratio mode. It is enabled by tapping the MAN function on the right of the screen shown in Figure 3.9 and configuring the Ratio Set Point and Slope values. This mode adjusts the bias voltage to maintain a chosen ratio between the intensity values reported by Monitor 1 and Monitor 2. The Slope setting allows the user to choose whether increasing voltage on the modulator increases or decreases the optical output power.

It can be useful to operate for brief periods of time at a bias fixed voltage and without a dither tone. A fixed bias voltage can be applied in one of two ways. When operating in Quadrature, Peak, or Null modes, tapping the value of Dither will toggle it between on and off states. When dither is toggled off, the value of the fixed bias voltage is held at the most recent automated bias voltage. This enables the user to make quick measurements, without the dither tone present, while the modulator is biased at one of the common modulator transmission function set points. The Constant Bias mode can also be accessed by tapping the Mode value and then the MAN function on the right of the screen. This page allows either the automated Constant Ratio or fixed-voltage Constant Bias modes to be enabled and configured.

Variable Optical Attenuator

Reference Transmitter Variable Optical Amplifier Settings
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Figure 3.10  VOA Settings Screen

The VOA provides the means for adjusting and stabilizing the modulated optical output power. The VOA settings screen, which is shown in Figure 3.10, allows the user to choose between and adjust the parameters of the two operational modes. In Constant Attenuation mode, the attenuation level between the Return from Modulator input port and the Final Optical Output port is fixed, which allows power fluctuations at the input of the power controller to be transferred to the output. In Constant Output Power Mode, the final optical output power is held constant independent of the input fluctuations. In this mode, the VOA is effectively used as a power stabilizer. Tap the Step function button at the right of the screen to change the step size by which the arrows increment or decrement the set point values.

The VOA settings screen also allows the user to select the units used to report the power readings and parameters on all pages. Use the Power Units field to choose whether power values are reported as mW or dBm.

Rear Panel

The rear panel provides additional safety and utility functions such as the laser safety interlock and the power monitor output, RS-232, and USB ports. Both the USB and RS-232 interfaces can be used for remote control operation of the transmitter. The serial commands and control features available are fully described in the Remote Control User Guide. The USB interface is also used for installing firmware upgrades as they become available.

All units are shipped from Thorlabs with a shorting device that is already installed in the interlock connector, thus allowing the instrument to be operated normally right out of the box. To make use of the interlock feature, a 2.5 mm plug can be wired to the remote interlock switch and plugged into the back-panel interlock jack in place of the shorting plug. Electrical specifications for this function are provided in the manual, which can be accessed by clicking on the red document icons () below.

MX65E and MX35E Reference Transmitter Front Panel
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Figure 4.1  MX35E and MX65E Linear Reference Transmitters Front Panel
MX40B and MX35E Reference Transmitter Front Panel
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Figure 4.2  MX35D Reference Transmitter Front Panel
Front Panel of the MX35E and MX65E Series
Callout Description
1 Touchscreen Display and Control
2 Value Adjustment Knob
3 Key Switch and Indicator Light for Internal Laser
4 Earth Ground Port for ESD Wrist Strap Banana Plug
5a Laser Out for Internal Laser Source,
Accepts PM Fiber with FC/PC Connector (Narrow Key)
6a Laser In to Modulator,
Accepts PM Fiber with FC/PC Connector (Narrow Key)
7b Optical Out: Final Output from Modulator
FC/PC Connector (Narrow Key)
8c Amplifier RF In: Signal Input to Amplifier
SMA Femaled (MX35E)
1.85 mm Femalee (MX65E)
9 On/Standby Button
  • Uses PM PANDA Fiber for Internal Connection
  • Uses SMF-28-Compatible Fiber for Internal Connection
  • On the MX35E series housing, this connector is located next to the On/Standby button.
  • The TQW5A preset torque wrench is available for use with this connector.
  • The TQW8A preset torque wrench is available for use with this connector.
Front Panel of the MX35D Series
Callout Description
1 Touchscreen Display and Control
2 Value Adjustment Knob
3 Key Switch and Indicator Light for Internal Laser
4 Earth Ground Port for ESD Wrist Strap Banana Plug
5a Laser Out for Internal Laser Source,
Accepts PM Fiber with FC/PC Connector (Narrow Key)
6a Laser In to Modulator,
Accepts PM Fiber with FC/PC Connector (Narrow Key)
7b Optical Out: Final Output from Modulator
FC/PC Connector (Narrow Key)
8 Amplifier RF In: Data Signal Input to Amplifier
SMA Femalec
9 Amplifier RF In: Data Signal Input to Amplifier
SMA Femalec
10 On/Standby Button
  • Uses PM PANDA Fiber for Internal Connection
  • Uses SMF-28-Compatible Fiber for Internal Connection
  • The TQW5A preset torque wrench is available for use with this connector.
MX65E and MX50E Reference Transmitter Front Panel
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Figure 4.3  MX50E-850 Linear Reference Transmitter Front Panel
MX65E and MX50E Reference Transmitter Front Panel
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Figure 4.4  Linear Reference Transmitters Back Panel
Front Panel of the MX50E-850
Callout Description
1 Touchscreen Display and Control
2 Value Adjustment Knob
3 Key Switch and Indicator Light for Internal Laser
4 Earth Ground Port for ESD Wrist Strap Banana Plug
5 Laser Aperture with Screw-On Cap,
Accepts Fiber with FC/PC Connector (Narrow Key)a
6 Amplifier RF In: Signal Input to Amplifier
(1.85 mm Female Connectorb)
7 On/Standby Button
  • Uses 780HP Fiber for Internal Connection
  • The TQW8A preset torque wrench is available for use with this connector.
Back Panel of all Reference Transmitters (Except MX100E Series)
Callout Description
1a DB15 Female Connector, I/O Control Port
Outputs from Three Integrated Power Monitors
2 Laser Interlock Jack, 2.5 mm Mono Phono
3a DB9 Male Connector, RS-232 Control Port
4 USB Port (Type B)
5 AC Power Cord Connector
6 Fuse Tray
7 AC Power Switch
  • See the Pin Diagrams tab for pin assignments.
MX100E Reference Transmitter Front Panel
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Figure 4.5  MX100E Linear Reference Transmitter Front Panel
MX100E Reference Transmitter Front Panel
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Figure 4.6  MX100E Linear Reference Transmitter Back Panel
Front Panel of the MX100E Series
Callout Description
1 Touchscreen Display and Control
2 Value Adjustment Knob
3 Earth Ground Port for ESD Wrist Strap Banana Plug
4 Key Switch and Indicator Light for Internal Laser
5a Laser Out for Internal Laser Source,
Accepts PM Fiber with FC/PC Connector (Narrow Key)
6a Laser In to Modulator,
Accepts PM Fiber with FC/PC Connector (Narrow Key)
7b Optical Out: Final Output from Modulator
FC/PC Connector (Narrow Key)
8 Amplifier RF In: Signal Input to Amplifier
1.0 mm Femalec
9 On/Standby Button
  • Uses PM PANDA Fiber for Internal Connection
  • Uses SMF-28-Compatible Fiber for Internal Connection
  • The TQW4A preset torque wrench is available for use with this connector.
Back Panel of the MX100E Series
Callout Description
1a DB15 Female Connector, I/O Control Port
Outputs from Three Integrated Power Monitors
2 Laser Interlock Jack, 2.5 mm Mono Phono
3a  DB9 Male Connector, RS-232 Control Port
4 USB Port (Type B)
5 AC Power Cord Connector
6 Fuse Tray
7 AC Power Switch
  • See the Pin Diagrams tab for pin assignments.

 I/O DB15 Connector

I/O DB15 Connector
The I/O connector provides analog outputs from the three power monitors.
Pin Description Pin Description
1 Power Monitor 1 9 Analog Ground
2 Power Monitor 2 10 Analog Ground
3 Power Monitor 3 11 Reserved for Future Use
4 Reserved for Future Use 12 Reserved for Future Use
5 Analog Ground 13 Monitor 1 Gain Indicator
6 Analog Ground 14 Monitor 2 Gain Indicator
7 Analog Ground 15 Monitor 3 Gain Indicator
8 Analog Ground - -

RS-232 Connector

RS-232 Connector
The RS-232 connector is included to support remote operation.
Pin Description
1 Not Connected
2 RS232 Input
3 RS232 Output
4 Not Connected
5 Digital Ground
6 Not Connected
7 Not Connected
8 Not Connected
9 Not Connected

USB Type B Connector

USB Type B Connector
The USB connector is provided for firmware upgrades and remote operation.
High-Speed Reference Transmitter
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Figure 6.1  Each reference transmitter offers the option to customize the color of the underbody accent lights or turn them off.

Included with Thorlabs' High-Speed Reference Transmitters:

  • Optical Transmitter Main Unit
  • Power Cord According to Local Supply (Determined by Ordering Location, Not Shown)
  • PM Loop-Back Fiber Optic Cable (Not Included with Item # MX50E-850)
  • Interlock Keys for Front Panel
  • 2.5 mm Interlock Pin (Pre-installed in Back Panel, Not Shown)
  • 1.25 A, 250 VAC Fuse (Not Shown)
  • USB Type A to Type B Cable, 6' Long (Not Shown)
  • SMA 50 Ohm Terminator (For MX35D and MX35E Series Amplifier RF Inputs, Not Shown)
  • 1.85 mm Shorting Dust Cap (For the MX50E-850 and MX65E Series Transmitters, Not Shown)
  • 1.0 mm Non-Shorting Dust Cap (For the MX100E Series RF Connector, Not Shown)
Screen Capture of the Remote Control Tool Software
Click to Enlarge
Figure 7.1  The GUI of the Remote Control Software Tool

Software for the MX35E, MX35D, MX50E, MX65E, and MX100E Series of Linear Reference Transmitters

Control Our Reference Transmitters Remotely via Serial Commands
Serial commands sent to the MX35E, MX35D, MX50E, MX65E, and MX100E series of reference transmitters can control the functionality of the internal laser, RF amplifier, bias controller for the built-in modulator, and variable optical attenuator (VOA), as well as general system parameter settings. The commands can be sent from a computer running any operating system to the RS-232 port on the back panel of the reference transmitter. Computers running Windows® 7, or later versions of the operating system, can send serial commands to the USB port on the back panel of reference transmitter. The touchscreen interface remains active while the reference transmitter is controlled remotely. Descriptions of how to connect a controlling computer to the reference transmitter, the serial command set, and descriptions of each command are included in the Remote Control User Guide.

Application Demonstrating GUI-Based Remote Control of Our Reference Transmitters
The Remote Control Software Tool, which is available for download, is an example graphical user interface (GUI) provided for testing, demonstrating, and exploring the use of the different serial commands. This program is not required to operate the reference transmitter remotely. It opens a connection to the laser source and sends commands in response to buttons clicked by users. Commands sent to the reference transmitter, responses from it, and status information messages are logged to the three rectangular fields located beneath the buttons. Please see the Remote Control User Guide for more information. This program can be used as a basis for the development of custom applications. Please contact us to request the source code.

Software

Version 1.8.9 (August 2, 2024)

Click on the link below to download the Remote Control Software Tool.

Software Download

Firmware Update

Version 1.8.3 (January 13, 2020)
Version 1.9.7 (May 13, 2022)
Version 2.0.6 (October 3, 2024)

Click on the link below to download the latest firmware. Version 1.8.3 is for all models except Item # MX50E-850, which uses Version 1.9.7 and Item #s MX100E and MX100E-1310, which use Version 2.0.6.

Firmware Download

Laser Safety and Classification

Safe practices and proper usage of safety equipment should be taken into consideration when operating lasers. The eye is susceptible to injury, even from very low levels of laser light. Thorlabs offers a range of laser safety accessories that can be used to reduce the risk of accidents or injuries. Laser emission in the visible and near infrared spectral ranges has the greatest potential for retinal injury, as the cornea and lens are transparent to those wavelengths, and the lens can focus the laser energy onto the retina. 

Laser Glasses Laser Curtains Blackout Materials
Enclosure Systems Laser Viewing Cards Alignment Tools
Shutter and Controllers Laser Safety Signs

Safe Practices and Light Safety Accessories

  • Laser safety eyewear must be worn whenever working with Class 3 or 4 lasers.
  • Regardless of laser class, Thorlabs recommends the use of laser safety eyewear whenever working with laser beams with non-negligible powers, since metallic tools such as screwdrivers can accidentally redirect a beam.
  • Laser goggles designed for specific wavelengths should be clearly available near laser setups to protect the wearer from unintentional laser reflections.
  • Goggles are marked with the wavelength range over which protection is afforded and the minimum optical density within that range.
  • Laser Safety Curtains and Laser Safety Fabric shield other parts of the lab from high energy lasers.
  • Blackout Materials can prevent direct or reflected light from leaving the experimental setup area.
  • Thorlabs' Enclosure Systems can be used to contain optical setups to isolate or minimize laser hazards.
  • A fiber-pigtailed laser should always be turned off before connecting it to or disconnecting it from another fiber, especially when the laser is at power levels above 10 mW.
  • All beams should be terminated at the edge of the table, and laboratory doors should be closed whenever a laser is in use.
  • Do not place laser beams at eye level.
  • Carry out experiments on an optical table such that all laser beams travel horizontally.
  • Remove unnecessary reflective items such as reflective jewelry (e.g., rings, watches, etc.) while working near the beam path.
  • Be aware that lenses and other optical devices may reflect a portion of the incident beam from the front or rear surface.
  • Operate a laser at the minimum power necessary for any operation.
  • If possible, reduce the output power of a laser during alignment procedures.
  • Use beam shutters and filters to reduce the beam power.
  • Post appropriate warning signs or labels near laser setups or rooms.
  • Use a laser sign with a lightbox if operating Class 3R or 4 lasers (i.e., lasers requiring the use of a safety interlock).
  • Do not use Laser Viewing Cards in place of a proper Beam Trap.

 

Laser Classification

Lasers are categorized into different classes according to their ability to cause eye and other damage. The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) is a global organization that prepares and publishes international standards for all electrical, electronic, and related technologies. The IEC document 60825-1 outlines the safety of laser products. A description of each class of laser is given below:

Class Description Warning Label
1 This class of laser is safe under all conditions of normal use, including use with optical instruments for intrabeam viewing. Lasers in this class do not emit radiation at levels that may cause injury during normal operation, and therefore the maximum permissible exposure (MPE) cannot be exceeded. Class 1 lasers can also include enclosed, high-power lasers where exposure to the radiation is not possible without opening or shutting down the laser.  Class 1
1M Class 1M lasers are safe except when used in conjunction with optical components such as telescopes and microscopes. Lasers belonging to this class emit large-diameter or divergent beams, and the MPE cannot normally be exceeded unless focusing or imaging optics are used to narrow the beam. However, if the beam is refocused, the hazard may be increased and the class may be changed accordingly.  Class 1M
2 Class 2 lasers, which are limited to 1 mW of visible continuous-wave radiation, are safe because the blink reflex will limit the exposure in the eye to 0.25 seconds. This category only applies to visible radiation (400 - 700 nm).  Class 2
2M Because of the blink reflex, this class of laser is classified as safe as long as the beam is not viewed through optical instruments. This laser class also applies to larger-diameter or diverging laser beams.  Class 2M
3R Class 3R lasers produce visible and invisible light that is hazardous under direct and specular-reflection viewing conditions. Eye injuries may occur if you directly view the beam, especially when using optical instruments. Lasers in this class are considered safe as long as they are handled with restricted beam viewing. The MPE can be exceeded with this class of laser; however, this presents a low risk level to injury. Visible, continuous-wave lasers in this class are limited to 5 mW of output power.  Class 3R
3B Class 3B lasers are hazardous to the eye if exposed directly. Diffuse reflections are usually not harmful, but may be when using higher-power Class 3B lasers. Safe handling of devices in this class includes wearing protective eyewear where direct viewing of the laser beam may occur. Lasers of this class must be equipped with a key switch and a safety interlock; moreover, laser safety signs should be used, such that the laser cannot be used without the safety light turning on. Laser products with power output near the upper range of Class 3B may also cause skin burns.  Class 3B
4 This class of laser may cause damage to the skin, and also to the eye, even from the viewing of diffuse reflections. These hazards may also apply to indirect or non-specular reflections of the beam, even from apparently matte surfaces. Great care must be taken when handling these lasers. They also represent a fire risk, because they may ignite combustible material. Class 4 lasers must be equipped with a key switch and a safety interlock.  Class 4
All class 2 lasers (and higher) must display, in addition to the corresponding sign above, this triangular warning sign.  Warning Symbol

Adam Knapp
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.

Contact Me

MX40B with cover removed
Click to Enlarge
Figure 162A  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 110 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 110 GHz
  • RF & Microwave Design and Simulation
  • Design of Fiber-Optic and Photonics Sub-Assemblies
  • High-Speed Testing, to 110 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 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 110 GHz
  • Linear and Digital Transmitters
  • Electrical-to-Optical Converters, to 110 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.

Choose Optical Transmitter by Application

  1. Beginning at the left side of Table 136A, choose your desired system characteristics.
  2. Follow the table to the right and continue to select characteristics from the options within the same row as your previous selection.
  3. After reaching a Base Item #, choose a laser type. Your system's item # will be your base item # combined with the suffix for your laser type, e.g. MX40B-1310.
Table 136A  Optical Transmitter Selection Guide
Start Here Follow the Table to the Right and Choose From These Options Find Your System Here
Modulator Type Primary Application Modulation Format Speed RF Input Base Item # Item # Suffix:
Laser Type
Amplitude Time Domain / Eye Diagram Linear / 4-Level PAM4 32 GBaud Differential MX35D No Suffix:
C-Band Tunable Laser

-LB:
L-Band Tunable Laser

-1310:
1310 nm Fixed Laser

-850:
850 nm Fixed Lasera,b
Single Ended MX35E
56 GBaud → MX65E
115 GBaud → MX100E
Digital / 2-Level NRZ / OOK 10 Gbps → MX10B
40 Gbps → MX40B
56 Gbps → MX50E
56 Gbps → MX65E
115 Gbps → MX100E
Frequency Domain / VNA → 40 GHz → MX40G
70 GHz → MX70G
110 GHz → MX110G
Phase → → 10 Gbps → MX10C
40 Gbps → MX40C
  • The 850 nm fixed laser is not available for the following base item #s:
    • MX10C
    • MX40C
    • MX65E
    • MX70G
    • MX100E
    • MX110G
  • The MX40G-850 transmitter is available through the website. For other systems with an 850 nm fixed laser, excluding those listed in footnote a, please contact Tech Support.

Choose Optical Transmitter Instrument by Features

Table 136B  Transmitter Instruments and Tunable Lasers
Item # Speed Internal Laser Internal Modulator
(Type)		 RF Amplifier
(Type)		 Bias
Controller		 Variable Optical
Attenuator (VOA)		 Block
Diagram
Automatic Bias Controller
MBX2
(770 - 980 nm)		 N/A - - - yes yes
MBX3
(980 - 1310 nm)		 N/A - - - yes yes
MBX
(1250 - 1610 nm)		 N/A - - - yes yes
Tunable Telecom-Grade Laser Sources
TLX1 N/A C-Band, Tunable - - - yes
TLX2 N/A L-Band, Tunable
High-Speed Modulator Drivers
MX10A
(1250 - 1610 nm)		 12.5 Gb/sa - - Digital yes yes
MX40A
(1250 - 1610 nm)		 40 Gb/sa
High-Speed Optical Transmitters
MX10B 12.5 Gb/sa C-Band, Tunable Intensity Digital yes yes
MX10B-LB 12.5 Gb/sa L-Band, Tunable
MX10B-1310 12.5 Gb/sa 1310 nm, Fixed
MX10C 12.5 Gb/sa C-Band, Tunable Phase Digital - yes
MX10C-LB 12.5 Gb/sa L-Band, Tunable
MX10C-1310 12.5 Gb/sa 1310 nm, Fixed
MX35E 35 GHzb C-Band, Tunable Intensity Linear yes yes
MX35E-LB 35 GHzb L-Band, Tunable
MX35E-1310 35 GHzb 1310 nm, Fixed
MX35D 35 GHzb C-Band, Tunable Intensity Linear with
Differential
Input		 yes yes
MX35D-LB 35 GHzb L-Band, Tunable
MX35D-1310 35 GHzb 1310 nm, Fixed
MX40B 40 Gb/sa C-Band, Tunable Intensity Digital yes yes info
MX40B-LB 40 Gb/sa L-Band, Tunable
MX40B-1310 40 Gb/sa 1310 nm, Fixed
MX40C 40 Gb/sa C-Band, Tunable Phase Digital - yes
MX40C-LB 40 Gb/sa L-Band, Tunable
MX40C-1310 40 Gb/sa 1310 nm, Fixed
MX50E-850 50 GHzb 852 nm, Fixed Intensity Linear yes yes
MX65E 65 GHzb C-Band, Tunable Intensity Linear yes yes
MX65E-LB 65 GHzb L-Band, Tunable
MX65E-1310 65 GHzb 1310 nm, Fixed
MX100E 100 GHzb C-Band, Tunable
MX100E-1310 100 GHzb 1310 nm, Fixed
E-O Converters for VNA Applications
MX40G 40 GHzb C-Band, Tunable Intensity - yes yes
MX40G-LB 40 GHzb L-Band, Tunable
MX40G-850 40 GHzb 850 nm, Fixed
MX40G-1310 40 GHzb 1310 nm, Fixed
MX70G 70 GHzb C-Band, Tunable Intensity - yes yes
MX70G-LB 70 GHzb L-Band, Tunable
MX70G-1310 70 GHzb 1310 nm, Fixed
MX70G-DB1 70 GHzb C-Band, Tunable Intensity - yes yes
1310 nm, Fixed
MX110G 110 GHzb C-Band, Tunable Intensity - yes yes
MX110G-1310 110 GHzb 1310 nm, Fixed
  • Maximum Supported Digital Bit Rate
  • Maximum Analog Bandwidth

The capabilities of Thorlabs' extensive range of transmitter instruments are summarized in the text and Table 136B. All members of this product series share a similar interface, as well as a common remote control command set.

Automatic Bias Controller
Thorlabs' fully-featured automatic bias controllers provide complete and precise control of DC bias and optical output power for any fiber-coupled LiNbO3 EO intensity modulator, regardless of signal speed. Automatic bias controllers are ideal for use within a customized setup that uses an external laser, intensity modulator, signal source, and RF amplifier. Options are available for wavlengths from 770 nm up to 1610 nm.

Tunable Telecom-Grade Laser Sources
Emitting in the C-band or the L-band, these lasers have narrow typical linewidths of 10 kHz. A frequency dither option aids in stabilizing the laser wavelength, and the integrated variable optical attenuator (VOA) provides optical output power control. These lasers are tunable in 50 GHz steps across the ITU frequency grid, and feature a 1 MHz step size fine-tune capability, as well.

High-Speed Modulator Drivers
With an operational wavelength range of 1250 nm to 1610 nm, each modulator driver provides control for an external fiber-coupled LiNbO3 EO modulator. Each modulator driver includes an RF amplifier with amplitude and eye-crossing controls and accepts an external drive signal source. Models with integrated automatic bias controllers are offered for use with intensity EO modulators.

High-Speed Optical Transmitters
Designed to provide fully-integrated solutions for high-speed light modulation, these systems are built around a LiNbO3 intensity or phase modulator. The MX10B, MX40B, MX10C, and MX40C series of systems include a digital (limiting) RF amplifier, which offers fixed gain and an adjustable output voltage swing. The MX35E, MX50E, MX65E, and MX100E series include a high-bandwidth linear (analog) RF amplifier, making it well suited for pulse amplitude modulation and related applications.

E-O Converters for VNA Applications
With our MX40G, MX70G, and MX110G series of E-O converters, any E-E vector network analyzer can be used to perform optical testing up to 40 GHz, 70 GHz, and 110 GHz respectively. The E-O converter is a fully-integrated solution that includes a laser, a modulator, and bias control.


Posted Comments:
婧 张  (posted 2021-11-30 11:11:46.167)
您好，我希望能够得到贵公司的MX65E设备的相关使用文件，非常感谢
YLohia  (posted 2021-11-30 02:41:01.0)
Thank you for contacting Thorlabs. An applications engineer from our team in China (techsupport-cn@thorlabs.com) will discuss this directly with you.

35 GHz Linear Reference Transmitters

Key System Specificationsa
Item # MX35E MX35E-LB MX35E-1310
Small Signal Bandwidth
 35 GHz
Internal Laser Typeb C-Band Tunable, External Cavity L-Band Tunable, External Cavity Fixed Wavelength, DFB
Internal Laser Wavelengthb 1527.6 - 1565.5 nm 1570.0 - 1608.8 nm 1310 nm
RF Amplifier Gain 10 dB to 23 dB (User-Adjustable)
Low Frequency Cutoff 200 kHz
  • For complete specifications, see the manual.
  • An 850 nm fixed-wavelength laser is also available upon request. Please contact Tech Support for details.
  • 35 GHz Analog Bandwidth
  • User-Adjustable RF Amplifier Gain
  • Integrated Internal Laser Options:
    • C-Band Laser Tunable on ITU 50 GHz Grid
    • L-Band Laser Tunable on ITU 50 GHz Grid
    • 1310 nm Fixed-Wavelength Laser
    • Contact Tech Support for Integrated 850 nm Laser

The transmitters are designed for linear applications that require frequency response up to 35 GHz, which makes them compatible with high bit-rate modulation schemes that rely on multi-level encoding, such as PAM4.

The RF amplifier has user-adjustable gain from 10 dB to 23 dB, which changes the slope of output versus input voltage curves. The adjustable gain control allows the output of the amplifier to remain linear across a broad range of input signal levels.

Please note: Due to a component outage, the MX35E series linear reference transmitters will be unavailable once current stock is depleted. We are actively searching for a replacement and expect to resume order fulfillment in October 2025.
Based on your currency / country selection, your order will ship from Newton, New Jersey  
+1 Qty Docs Part Number - Universal Price Available
MX35E Support Documentation
MX35E35 GHz Linear Reference Transmitter, C-Band Laser, Linear Amplifier
$34,379.10
Today
MX35E-LB Support Documentation
MX35E-LB35 GHz Linear Reference Transmitter, L-Band Laser, Linear Amplifier
$34,379.10
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MX35E-1310 Support Documentation
MX35E-131035 GHz Linear Reference Transmitter, 1310 nm Laser, Linear Amplifier
$34,379.10
Lead Time

35 GHz Linear Reference Transmitters with Differential Signal Input

Key System Specificationsa
Item # MX35D MX35D-LB MX35D-1310
Small Signal Bandwidth
 35 GHz
Internal Laser Typeb C-Band Tunable, External Cavity L-Band Tunable, External Cavity Fixed Wavelength, DFB
Internal Laser Wavelengthb 1527.6 - 1565.5 nm 1570.0 - 1608.8 nm 1310 nm
RF Amplifier Gain 10 dB to 23 dB (User-Adjustable)
Low Frequency Cutoff 200 kHz
  • For complete specifications, see the manual.
  • An 850 nm fixed-wavelength laser is also available upon request. Please contact Tech Support for details.
  • 35 GHz Analog Bandwidth
  • User-Adjustable RF Amplifier Gain
  • Differential RF Signal Input
  • Integrated Internal Laser Options:
    • C-Band Laser Tunable on ITU 50 GHz Grid
    • L-Band Laser Tunable on ITU 50 GHz Grid
    • 1310 nm Fixed-Wavelength Laser
    • Contact Tech Support for Integrated 850 nm Laser

The transmitters are designed for linear applications that require frequency response up to 35 GHz, which makes them compatible with high bit-rate modulation schemes that rely on multi-level encoding, such as PAM4.

The RF amplifier has user-adjustable gain from 10 dB to 23 dB, which changes the slope of output versus input voltage curves. The adjustable gain control allows the output of the amplifier to remain linear across a broad range of input signal levels. Differential input signals can be sent to the amplifier using the Data and Data ports on the front panel. To send a single input signal, cover one port with the included SMA 50 Ω terminator.

Please note: The MX35D series linear reference transmitters are currently unavailable due to a component outage. We are actively searching for a replacement and expect to resume order fulfillment in October 2025.
Based on your currency / country selection, your order will ship from Newton, New Jersey  
+1 Qty Docs Part Number - Universal Price Available
MX35D Support Documentation
MX35DCustomer Inspired! 35 GHz Linear Reference Transmitter, C-Band Laser, Linear Amplifier with Differential Input
$36,671.04
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MX35D-LB Support Documentation
MX35D-LB35 GHz Linear Reference Transmitter, L-Band Laser, Linear Amplifier with Differential Input
$36,671.04
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MX35D-1310 Support Documentation
MX35D-131035 GHz Linear Reference Transmitter, 1310 nm Laser, Linear Amplifier with Differential Input
$36,671.04
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50 GHz Linear Reference Transmitter

Key System Specificationsa
Item # MX50E-850
Small Signal Bandwidth
 50 GHz
Internal Laser Type Fixed Wavelength, DFB
Internal Laser Wavelength 852 nm
RF Amplifier Gain 11 dB
Low Frequency Cutoff 70 kHz
  • For complete specifications, see the manual.
  • 50 GHz Analog Bandwidth
  • Designed for 56 Gbaud/s Applications
  • Integrated 852 nm Fixed-Wavelength Laser

These transmitters have a usable bandwidth of 50 GHz, which makes them compatible with high bit-rate modulation schemes that rely on multi-level encoding, such as PAM4. The system has a smooth response over its entire frequency range (see Figure 2.4 on the Specs tab). The RF amplifier has a fixed gain of 11 dB.

Based on your currency / country selection, your order will ship from Newton, New Jersey  
+1 Qty Docs Part Number - Universal Price Available
MX50E-850 Support Documentation
MX50E-850Customer Inspired! 50 GHz Linear Reference Transmitter, 852 nm Laser, Linear Amplifier
$57,844.20
Lead Time

65 GHz Linear Reference Transmitters

Key System Specificationsa
Item # MX65E MX65E-LB MX65E-1310
Small Signal Bandwidth
 65 GHz
Internal Laser Type C-Band Tunable, External Cavity L-Band Tunable, External Cavity Fixed Wavelength, DFB
Internal Laser Wavelength 1527.6 - 1565.5 nm 1570.0 - 1608.8 nm 1310 nm
RF Amplifier Gain 11 dB
Low Frequency Cutoff 70 kHz
  • For complete specifications, see the manual.
  • 65 GHz Analog Bandwidth
  • Designed for 56 Gbaud/s Applications
  • Integrated Internal Laser Options:
    • C-Band Laser Tunable on ITU 50 GHz Grid
    • L-Band Laser Tunable on ITU 50 GHz Grid
    • 1310 nm Fixed-Wavelength Laser

These transmitters have a usable bandwidth of 65 GHz, which makes them compatible with high bit-rate modulation schemes that rely on multi-level encoding, such as PAM4. The system has a smooth response over its entire frequency range (see Figure 2.4 on the Specs tab). The RF amplifier has a fixed gain of 11 dB.

Based on your currency / country selection, your order will ship from Newton, New Jersey  
+1 Qty Docs Part Number - Universal Price Available
MX65E Support Documentation
MX65ECustomer Inspired! 65 GHz Linear Reference Transmitter, C-Band Laser, Linear Amplifier
$69,904.17
Lead Time
MX65E-LB Support Documentation
MX65E-LB65 GHz Linear Reference Transmitter, L-Band Laser, Linear Amplifier
$69,904.17
Lead Time
MX65E-1310 Support Documentation
MX65E-1310Customer Inspired! 65 GHz Linear Reference Transmitter, 1310 nm Laser, Linear Amplifier
$69,904.17
Lead Time

100 GHz Linear Reference Transmitters

Key System Specificationsa
Item # MX100E MX100E-1310
Small Signal Bandwidth (-6 dB)
 100 GHz
Internal Laser Type C-Band Tunable, External Cavity Fixed Wavelength, DFB
Internal Laser Wavelength 1527.6 - 1565.5 nm 1310 nm
RF Amplifier Gain 11 dB
Low Frequency Cutoff 100 kHz (Max)
  • For complete specifications, see the manual.
  • 100 GHz Analog Bandwidth
  • Designed for 115 Gbaud/s Applications
  • Integrated Internal Laser Options:
    • C-Band Laser Tunable on ITU 50 GHz Grid
    • 1310 nm Fixed-Wavelength Laser

These transmitters have a usable bandwidth of 100 GHz, which makes them compatible with high bit-rate modulation schemes that rely on multi-level encoding, such as PAM4. The system has a smooth response over its entire frequency range (see Figure 2.4 on the Specs tab). The RF amplifier has a fixed gain of 11 dB.

Based on your currency / country selection, your order will ship from Newton, New Jersey  
+1 Qty Docs Part Number - Universal Price Available
MX100E Support Documentation
MX100E100 GHz Linear Reference Transmitter, C-Band Laser, Linear Amplifier
$123,050.00
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MX100E-1310 Support Documentation
MX100E-1310100 GHz Linear Reference Transmitter, 1310 nm Laser, Linear Amplifier
$123,050.00
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Additional Transmitters
  • Fiber-Optic Digital Reference Transmitters

  • Fiber-Optic Linear Reference Transmitters

  • Optical Transmitters with Phase Modulators

  • Calibrated Electrical-to-Optical Converters

  • C-Band and L-Band Tunable Lasers, Benchtop

  • O-Band and C+L Band Tunable Lasers, Rack-Mounted

  • EO Modulator Drivers

  • Modulator Bias Controller