Agilent / Keysight 81960A 1505-1630nm Tunable Laser Source

The Keysight 81960A is a fast-swept tunable laser source delivering precise wavelength control across the C-band and L-band spectrum. Operating from 1505 nm to 1630 nm, this compact instrument generates output power from +6 dBm to +14 dBm with ±10 pm wavelength accuracy during dynamic sweeps. Built for high-repetition-rate applications, the 81960A achieves scan speeds up to 200 nm/s (1528–1608 nm range) and supports bidirectional sweeping at better than 2 Hz repetition rates, enabling rapid real-time adjustments in production and development environments.

Technical Specifications

• Wavelength Range: 1505 nm to 1630 nm (C-band and L-band)


• Output Power: +6 dBm to +14 dBm, adjustable


• Scan Speed: Up to 200 nm/s (sweep range 1528–1608 nm)


• Repetition Rate: Better than 2 Hz with bidirectional sweeping


• Wavelength Accuracy: ±10 pm during sweeping


• Wavelength Resolution: 0.1 nm


• Fiber Interface: Keyed angled polarization-maintaining (PM) fiber with Option 072 Panda-type PM fiber for APC connectors (E-2000 APC, SC/APC, FC/APC)

Key Features

• Fully specified bidirectional swept measurements with dynamic sweep specification for enhanced repetition rates


• Built-in coherence control and Stimulated Brillouin Scattering (SBS) suppression


• Output on/off control via front panel, GUI parameter, or remote GPIB commands with 'Active' LED indicator


• Housed in Agilent 8136B mainframe; performance depends on mainframe environmental specifications

Typical Applications

• DWDM component characterization, including add-drop filter testing and adjustment


• Optical transceiver testing for telecommunications systems requiring single-mode, high side-mode suppression sources


• Optical sensor applications demanding narrow linewidth performance


• Passive fiber optic component testing

Compatibility & Integration Fully compatible with N7700A measurement engines, 816x Plug&Play driver, and N4150A Photonic Foundation Library. Supports direct SCPI commands and integrates with N7700A software suite, including the N7700A-102 fast spectral loss engine for power and insertion loss measurements with N7744A or N7745A multiport power meters. Suitable for PMD and DGD characterization via N7788B component analyzer.