- Low cost
- Wide dynamic range
- Compact
The optical power meter OPM400 is designed for precise, high speed measurement of optical power in the nW to mW range. The output is a voltage linearly proportional to the input power.
The gain of the OPM400 is controlled via a hard-wire interface on the back panel.
- Interfaces: Hard-wire (DB25)
- Rise time: 1µs (G≤5×105); 4µs (higher gains)
- Bandwidth (-3dB): 350kHz
- Noise equivalent power: 0.5nW
- Gain control: 16 gain ranges in 1-2-5 pattern or
4 gain ranges in decade spacing
PRINCIPLES OF OPERATION
The OPM400 measures optical power via a photodiode. Photodiodes are useful for power measurement in the visible and near infra-red due to their inherent sensitivity and speed of measurement.
Photodiodes produce a current which is proportional to the incident light power over a wide dynamic range. The disadvantage when compared to calorimetric devices is the wavelength dependance. However, for use with monochromatic sources, the detector can be calibrated and the measured current corrected accordingly.
The current from the photodiode is converted to a voltage through a precise transimpedance amplifier. This amplifier is very linear over the full measurement range of the device.
The OPM400 amplifier employs high quality photodiodes and precision transimpedance input stages to provide for low offset and high linearity throughout the full dynamic range.
FIELDS OF APPLICATION
This optical power monitor is particularly useful for the measurement of fibre coupled sources. The output is a voltage linearly proportional to input power. The fast response time at high signal-noise ratio makes this OPM series particularly useful in systems control feedback loops.
The high sensitivity and large dynamic range allow measurement of a wide range of optical sources such as lasers and LEDs alike.
The OPM400 series is insensitive to electromagnetic interference by design, an important factor when working in “dirty” industrial environments.
These units are provided in a modular 19“ rack mount system.
| wdt_ID | wdt_created_by | wdt_created_at | wdt_last_edited_by | wdt_last_edited_at | Parameter | Conditions | Si, InGaAs | Ge | Units |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 24 | benjamin | 04/05/2026 04:07 PM | benjamin | 04/05/2026 04:07 PM | Input | ||||
| 25 | benjamin | 04/05/2026 04:07 PM | benjamin | 04/05/2026 04:07 PM | Power ranges (full scale) | Maximum range Minimum range |
4.5 (typ) 45 (typ) |
45 (typ) 450 (typ) |
mW nW |
| 26 | benjamin | 04/05/2026 04:07 PM | benjamin | 04/05/2026 04:07 PM | Noise equivalent power (NEPRMS ) | Range: 4.5mW Range: 45nW |
2.5 (max) 0.5 (max) |
25 (typ) 5 (typ) |
µW nW |
| 27 | benjamin | 04/05/2026 04:07 PM | benjamin | 04/05/2026 04:07 PM | Connectors | FC, SMA or ST | FC, SMA or ST | ||
| 28 | benjamin | 04/05/2026 04:07 PM | benjamin | 04/05/2026 04:07 PM | Output | ||||
| 29 | benjamin | 04/05/2026 04:07 PM | benjamin | 04/05/2026 04:07 PM | Function | Linear analogue : Vout = scale x I in | |||
| 30 | benjamin | 04/05/2026 04:07 PM | benjamin | 04/05/2026 04:07 PM | Output range (full scale) | 3.7 (min) | 3.7 (min) | V | |
| 31 | benjamin | 04/05/2026 04:07 PM | benjamin | 04/05/2026 04:07 PM | Output scale with 16 gain range option | Range: Si, InGaAs 4.5mW-45nW Ge 45mW-450nW |
1 (typ) 0.1 (typ) |
0.1 (typ) 0.01 (typ) |
V/mW V/nW |
| 32 | benjamin | 04/05/2026 04:07 PM | benjamin | 04/05/2026 04:07 PM | Output scale with 4 gain range option | Range: Si, InGaAs 4.5mW-450nW Ge 45mW-4.5µW |
1 (typ) 1 (typ) |
0.1 (typ) 0.1 (typ) |
V/mW V/µW |
| 33 | benjamin | 04/05/2026 04:07 PM | benjamin | 04/05/2026 04:07 PM | Connectors | BNC and DB25 | BNC and DB25 | ||
| 34 | benjamin | 04/05/2026 04:07 PM | benjamin | 04/05/2026 04:07 PM | Setting time (1%) | Source capacitance < 100pF | 2 (max) | 2 (typ) | |
| 35 | benjamin | 04/05/2026 04:07 PM | benjamin | 04/05/2026 04:07 PM | Rise / Fall time (10% – 90%) | Source capacitance < 100pF | 1 (max) | 1 (typ) | µs |
| 36 | benjamin | 04/05/2026 04:07 PM | benjamin | 04/05/2026 04:07 PM | Accuracy | ± 1 (min) | ± 1 (min) | % | |
| 37 | benjamin | 04/05/2026 04:07 PM | benjamin | 04/05/2026 04:07 PM | Output impedance | 50 (max) | 50 (max) | Ω | |
| 38 | benjamin | 04/05/2026 04:07 PM | benjamin | 04/05/2026 04:07 PM | Logic | ||||
| 39 | benjamin | 04/05/2026 04:07 PM | benjamin | 04/05/2026 04:07 PM | Current required for switching | HI=5V LO=0V |
– 100 (min) 5 (typ) 100 (max) |
– 100 (min) 5 (typ) 100 (max) |
nA |
| 40 | benjamin | 04/05/2026 04:07 PM | benjamin | 04/05/2026 04:07 PM | Switching time | 2 (max) | 2 (max) | µs | |
| 41 | benjamin | 04/05/2026 04:07 PM | benjamin | 04/05/2026 04:07 PM | Power supply | ||||
| 42 | benjamin | 04/05/2026 04:07 PM | benjamin | 04/05/2026 04:07 PM | Type | Wall plug (supplied) | Wall plug (supplied) | ||
| 43 | benjamin | 04/05/2026 04:07 PM | benjamin | 04/05/2026 04:07 PM | Dimensions | ||||
| 44 | benjamin | 04/05/2026 04:07 PM | benjamin | 04/05/2026 04:07 PM | 1 channel | 103 x 106 x 116 (B x H x L) | mm | ||
| 45 | benjamin | 04/05/2026 04:07 PM | benjamin | 04/05/2026 04:07 PM | 4 channel | 103 x 106 x 116 (B x H x L) | mm | ||
| 46 | benjamin | 04/05/2026 04:07 PM | benjamin | 04/05/2026 04:07 PM | 19″ rack modules | 3U |
- Detector: UV-Si, Ge, visible enhanced InGaAs, IR extended-InGaAs
- Input receptacle: FC-receptacle, SMA-receptacle, ST- receptacle, free beam
- Number of gains: 4, 16
- Case: gull wing, lab style, 19″ rack module
- Number of channels: 1, 2, 3, 4
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Do you need further information? Find useful links here!
Artifex Software Development Kit
The SDK is a fixed, free component when purchasing a device.
It comes with the source code of the application program (in VB.net) and a LabView VI with the basic functions of the instrument. A description of the communication with the devices and a list of the commands used is also included.
