PolaMix PCD-104 Benchtop Polarization Scrambler
Benchtop all-fiber polarization scrambler that gives uniform Poincaré sphere coverage, with output DOP below 5% when averaged over 2 ms.
- Output DOP
- <5%
- Center wavelengths
- λ range 1: 1310, 1480, 1550, 1600nm; λ range 2: 980, 1060, 1310nm
- Wavelength range
- λc ±50nm
- Insertion loss (IL)
- < 0.05 dB (without connectors); < 0.6 dB (with connectors)
Overview
The Luna PCD-104 is a polarization scrambler. It randomizes the instantaneous polarization state of the output light so that, averaged over time, the light is effectively depolarized. The instrument was originally developed by General Photonics and is sold under the PolaMix name.
The PCD-104 pairs a fiber squeezer polarization controller with dedicated driver electronics, and covers the Poincaré sphere uniformly within a few milliseconds. It drives the polarization controller at its resonance frequencies, so the scrambling rate is fixed.
The all-fiber construction gives low insertion loss and low back reflection, with very little residual phase and amplitude modulation. Built-in RS-232, Ethernet and GPIB ports allow remote operation.
The PCD-104 suits any application that needs a quasi-depolarized signal. Examples include removing measurement uncertainty caused by the polarization sensitivity of a device under test, suppressing polarization-dependent gain in optical amplifiers, and simplifying PMD monitoring.
Key Features
- Fast, uniform sphere coverage (DOP<5% when averaged over 2 ms)
- Low IL, RL, PDL, and PMD
- Minimal insertion loss and back reflection
- Low residual phase and amplitude modulation
- Built-in RS-232, GPIB and Ethernet ports
- Remote operation wavelength control
Specifications
| Output DOP |
<5%
Averaging time ≥2ms; at 500Hz detection bandwidth (datasheet)
|
|---|---|
| Center wavelengths | λ range 1: 1310, 1480, 1550, 1600nm; λ range 2: 980, 1060, 1310nm |
| Wavelength range |
λc ±50nm
Datasheet lists operating wavelength range > 100 nm
|
| Insertion loss (IL) |
< 0.05 dB (without connectors); < 0.6 dB (with connectors)
For SMF-28 compatible fiber
|
| Average PMD | <0.05 ps |
| Intrinsic PDL |
<0.05 dB
Excluding connectors
|
| Return loss (RL) |
>65 dB
Excluding connectors
|
| Optical power handling | > 1000 mW |
| Residual amplitude modulation | <±0.01 dB |
| Residual phase modulation | <0.1π |
| Communication interfaces | RS-232, Ethernet, GPIB |
|---|---|
| Power supply | 100 – 240 VAC, 50 – 60 Hz |
| Power consumption | 12 W typical |
| Operating temperature | 10 to 45 °C |
|---|---|
| Storage temperature | -10 to 50 °C |
| Dimensions | 2U, 19" half rack width, 14" (L) x 8.5" (W) x 3.5" (H) |
| Connector type | FC/PC, FC/APC, SC/PC, SC/APC; others specify |
|---|---|
| Wavelength range | 1 = 1260 - 1620nm; 2 = 980 - 1310nm |
Specifications are taken from the manufacturer's documentation. See the datasheet for complete and current values.
Applications
- Manufacturing test of fiber optic assemblies
- PDG mitigation
- Elimination of polarization sensitivity
- Facilitating PMD emulation
- Facilitating PMD compensation
- Facilitating PDL measurement
Options & Accessories
| Option | Description |
|---|---|
| RCK-001 | Rack Mount Kit |
Documents & Resources
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