Yokogawa has announced the launch of its AQ6376 optical spectrum analyzer (OSA), which employs grating-based OSA capabilities to measure signals with a wavelength beyond 3 µm. It is designed to operate in the short-wavelength infrared (SWIR) as well as in the mid-wavelength infrared (MWIR) regions.
Terry Marrinan, VP of sales and marketing at Yokogawa Europe B.V., said, “The AQ6376 has been developed to answer customer needs for a compact, high-performance OSA that is also easy to use and maintain. We’ve worked with a number of academic researchers and optical device manufacturers in its development to focus our efforts on the features and capabilities they need most. We believe this new product reinforces Yokogawa’s leadership in the high-performance OSA market.”
The new analyzer covers wavelengths from 1,500 to 3,400 nm. It uses a monochromator design that helps to separate spectral signals in close proximity to one another, and it improves the dynamic range by reducing the influence of stray light.
The AQ6376 is aimed specifically at the needs of academic researchers and optical device manufacturers with their own in-company laboratories who are active in environmental monitoring and bio/medical industries.
Launched globally to coincide with the SPIE Photonics West show in San Francisco, the AQ6376 can handle wavelengths of up to 3.4 µm. It offers high measurement speeds of up to 0.5 s/100 nm, simple setup (the self-calibration procedure takes less than two minutes), and easy operation. For example, a data-logging function for recording analysis results such as multi-peak measurements at up to 10,000 points per channel with time stamps that can be displayed in table and graphical formats, storage of the optical spectrum of each measurement for reviewing and troubleshooting, and a Windows file sharing function in addition to Ethernet/GPIB and USB interfaces for transfer of data.
The AQ6376 is designed for measurement in many different application areas of photonic technology such as environmental monitoring for air pollution analysis, infrared (IR) spectroscopy, scientific and medical diagnostics, and the nonlinear super continuum light generation. It will therefore enable manufacturers of light sources or passive optical components to save development time and further improve the measurement precision of their devices.
Marrinan concluded, “The AQ6376 offers medical, biomedical, and environmental management experts extended analysis capabilities. This device answers the research community’s demand for a compact, all-in-one, grating-based OSA that delivers state-of-the-art performance. We hope it will therefore contribute to more cost-efficient innovation and help deliver new developments in these important research areas.”
The AQ6376 has been developed for various research applications:
- fluorescence spectroscopy,
- absorption spectroscopy,
- NIR spectroscopy,
- IR spectroscopy,
- MALDI (matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization),
- confocal laser scanning microscopy,
- laser induced fluorescence (LIF), and
- laser surgery.
