Thorlabs' optical spectrum analyzers are used in laboratory and industrial settings for telecom signal analysis, Fabry-Perot mode analysis and photonic integrated circuit output testing. The company's two product lines cover routine spectral measurement and higher-resolution research applications. Both use scanning Michelson interferometer technology and Fourier-transform processing to obtain spectral data.
Measurement technology and selection criteria
Thorlabs' optical spectrum analyzers use a scanning Michelson interferometer to acquire spectral information through Fourier-transform processing. The approach is intended to provide high wavelength measurement accuracy and support broadband spectral measurement.
The general-purpose OSA20xC series is designed for routine applications that require faster update rates and moderate resolution. The Redstone OSA30x series is intended for precision research that demands higher optical resolution, a lower noise floor and greater dynamic range.
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Parameter
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OSA20xC series
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Redstone OSA30x series
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Maximum spectral resolution
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7.5 GHz (0.25 cm⁻¹)
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1.9 GHz (0.063 cm⁻¹)
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Spectral accuracy
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±2 ppm
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±0.2 ppm
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Reference laser
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632.9918 nm HeNe
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1532.8323 nm locked laser
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Beam input diameter
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Up to Ø6 mm
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Up to Ø10 mm
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Optical suppression ratio
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30 dB
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40 dB
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Applications and operating limits
The instruments are optimized for continuous-wave sources and are intended for standard spectral analysis. They are not designed for specialized applications that require recovery of extremely small signals, such as fluorescence detection or Raman spectroscopy. Pulsed sources can be used in some applications, but the core optimization remains continuous-wave light.
Each unit is supplied with a Windows laptop preloaded with professional software that supports functions ranging from basic analysis to complex spectral processing. These include a wavemeter mode for narrowband sources with linewidth below 10 GHz and a coherence length tool for broadband sources.
Precision and input configuration
The OSA20xC offers a maximum spectral resolution of 7.5 GHz (0.25 cm⁻¹) and spectral accuracy of ±2 ppm. It uses a 632.9918 nm helium-neon reference laser and accepts free-space beams up to 6 mm in diameter.
The Redstone OSA30x provides a maximum resolution of 1.9 GHz (0.063 cm⁻¹) and spectral accuracy of ±0.2 ppm. It uses a 1532.8323 nm locked laser, accepts beams up to 10 mm in diameter, and offers an optical suppression ratio of 40 dB, compared with 30 dB for the OSA20xC.
Frequently Asked Questions
How should the wavelength measurement mode be selected according to linewidth?
For sources with linewidth below 10 GHz, the built-in wavemeter mode is recommended. It provides high center-wavelength measurement accuracy of ±1 ppm for the OSA20xC and ±0.5 ppm for the Redstone series, with 0.1 ppm resolution.
Do Thorlabs optical spectrum analyzers support free-space beam input?
Yes. All models are compatible with FC/PC-terminated fiber patch cords and also support collimated free-space beam input. The OSA20xC accepts beams up to 6 mm in diameter, while the Redstone OSA30x accepts beams up to 10 mm.
Why might these analyzers not be recommended for some applications?
The instruments are designed primarily for high-precision spectral measurement. Applications involving recovery of extremely small signals, such as Raman spectroscopy or fluorescence detection, may require instruments specifically designed for high-sensitivity detection. Thorlabs' standard optical spectrum analyzer series does not cover such extreme weak-signal detection requirements.
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