• Wavelength: 1240-1380 nm or 1340-1495 nm or 1450-1650 nm or 1490-1640 nm
• Sweep speeds: up to 200 nm/s, bidirectional
• Max. power: > +12 dBm peak (Options 114, 116, 216) or > +13 dBm peak (Option 113)
• Signal to SSE ratio: ≥ 80 dB/nm typical
• Absolute wavelength accuracy: ±1.5 pm typical

The 81606A tunable laser source is the top line module for the 8164B lightwave measurement system. It has been designed to reach an accuracy level and to increase test efficiency by enabling faster swept-wavelength tests with lower cost of ownership.
This accelerates the automated adjustment of wavelength-selective devices with sub-picometer repeatability, best-in-class accuracy and the two-way sweep mode at up to 200 nm/s speed.
The 81606A Tunable Laser Source helps optical component developers, designers and manufacturers test more devices per hour and improves test margins with significantly enhanced functionality over its predecessor, the 81600B laser, the industry standard for more than a decade. It offers:

• 15 dB more dynamic range through high signal power at lowest spontaneous emission, enabled by the cavity and laser module design,
• A 4-fold improvement in absolute accuracy with increased real-time tracking speed and resolution, enabled by the novel wavelength reference unit,
• Sweeps at up to 200 nm/s without impacting the specified dynamic accuracy, enabled by enhanced feedback controls and drive mechanics.

The 81606A tunable laser source is supported by the N7700A photonic application suite software for spectral measurements of insertion loss, polarization dependent loss and dispersion in combination with power meters and polarization instruments. These provide optimal swept-wavelength accuracy and dynamic range.