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Press Release Detail: Thorlabs Introduces New Optical Spectrum Analyzers Newton, NJ – April 15, 2012. Thorlabs, a leading worldwide manufacturer of photonics tools, recently released the first product in a planned line of Optical Spectrum Analyzers (OSA). While many commonly available OSAs are grating-based monochromators, Thorlabs’ version utilizes a Fourier transform OSA with a scanning Michelson interferometer configuration. The result is a device that operates as both a full-featured OSA as well as a high-precision wavelength meter. The recently released OSA203 features a 1000 – 2500 nm wavelength measurement range, a spectral resolution of 7.5 GHz when used as an OSA, and a wavelength meter resolution of 0.2 pm. An additional model, designed for measurements in the visible spectrum, will be available soon. All of the OSAs feature an input aperture that accepts FC/PC-terminated fibers, ideal for interfacing with Thorlabs’ tunable laser kits, pigtailed laser diodes, and fiber collimators. Thorlabs’ OSAs are provided with a laptop computer preloaded with a full software package for acquiring, inspecting, manipulating, and analyzing spectra and interferograms. The software that has a customizable graphical user interface makes it easy to identify spectral features, to measure optical output power over a wavelength range, and to track many other parameters as a function of time. The software also provides drivers and libraries to operate the OSA using C, C++, Java, or other programming languages. In addition, a set of LabVIEW routines is provided to assist with developing custom applications in that dynamic environment. With the introduction of this line of OSAs, Thorlabs is offering a versatile, high-performance measurement tool at a price point that is accessible to a large number of researchers. To meet these goals, the OSAs have undergone extensive testing to ensure that the highest quality system has been delivered. To learn more about application ideas for our OSA and to see a demonstration of its capabilities, please visit our booths at the upcoming CLEO and Optatec tradeshows. About Thorlabs: Thorlabs, an active member of the Photonics community for over 20 years, manufactures equipment for the photonics industry, including optomechanics, optics, laser diodes, tunable lasers, fiber optics, optical detectors, motion control equipment, and vibration isolation systems. In addition to core photonics equipment, we also provide system-level solutions such as our complete OCT, confocal, and multiphoton imaging systems. With over 850 employees at offices based in the US, UK, Germany, France, Sweden, Japan, China, and Brazil, Thorlabs is focused on providing fast response to customer inquiries and same-day shipment for stock items.