HP / Agilent 81480A Tunable Laser Source Range: 1370nm to 1480nm Power: + 5.5dBm

The HP/Agilent 81480A is a tunable laser source for precision optical testing across the S-band (1370 nm to 1480 nm). It delivers +5.5 dBm maximum output power with mode-hop-free tuning, dual optical outputs, and integrated wavelength control and metering. The instrument excels at DWDM component characterization, optical amplifier testing, and crosstalk measurement applications requiring high wavelength accuracy and low source spontaneous emission.

Technical Specifications

Wavelength Range: 1370 nm to 1480 nm

Maximum Output Power: +5.5 dBm

Wavelength Accuracy (Absolute): ±0.01 nm

Wavelength Repeatability: ±0.5 pm typical

Spectral Linewidth: 100 kHz (coherent control off); >50 MHz at 1420–1470 nm with coherent control on

Output 1 (Low SSE): −13 dBm with ≥63 dB/nm signal-to-SSE ratio (1520–1570 nm)

Output 2 (High Power): −3 dBm

Optical Power Stability: ±0.01 dB (1420–1480 nm)

Tuning Velocity: 40 nm/sec, 5 nm/sec, or 0.5 nm/sec selectable

Built-in Wavelength Meter: Real-time measurement with control loop

Operating Temperature: 10 °C to 35 °C

Storage Temperature: −40 °C to +70 °C

Humidity: 45% duty cycle, 15% modulation depth)

Polarization-maintaining fiber option available with 16 dB extinction ratio (typical)

External wavelength locking: >70 pm at 10 Hz; >7 pm at 100 Hz

Typical Applications

Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing (DWDM) component testing

Optical amplifier characterization

Passive optical component evaluation

Fiber Bragg Grating analysis

Compatibility & Integration The 81480A integrates into the Agilent 8164A mainframe for versatile optical test platform configurations.