The Flexible One!
- Flexible setup
- Easy to use
- Powerful
The OPM500 from Artifex is a high-precision optical power meter that measures light power from picowatts (pW) to milliwatts (mW). It delivers an analog output voltage that is linearly proportional to the input power, combined with USB and hard-wire control, a 45 µs rise time and a noise equivalent current of just 30 pW (RMS). Whether you test lasers, fibers or telecom components, the OPM500 gives you fast, reliable and repeatable results.
Flexible setup. Easy to use. Powerful performance.
- Interfaces: USB and hard-wire (DB25)
- Rise time: 45µs
Noise equivalent current: 30 pW(RMS) - Gain, bandwidth and polarity control:
6 gain ranges; 4 bandwidths; polarity inversion - Auto-null function: up to 10V offset nulling
How the OPM500 Works: Principles of Operation
The OPM500 measures optical power using a photodiode. Photodiodes are the preferred choice for power measurement in the visible and near-infrared spectrum because of their high sensitivity and fast response. They produce a current that is proportional to the incident light power across a wide dynamic range.
Compared to calorimetric (thermal) detectors, photodiodes are wavelength dependent. For monochromatic sources such as lasers, however, the detector can be calibrated and the measured current corrected accordingly, which delivers highly accurate power readings.
Precision Transimpedance Amplifier
Inside the OPM500, the photodiode current is converted into a voltage by a precise transimpedance amplifier. This amplifier is highly linear over the full measurement range. Gain switching across the 6 ranges is handled by a semiconductor switch, which is free from mechanical wear and degradation, so performance stays consistent over the instrument’s lifetime.
Unique Auto-Null Function
A standout feature of the OPM500 is its proprietary auto-null function, which can null up to 10 V of offset. Use it to remove dark current or to eliminate a DC signal component so you can focus purely on signal changes. Additional functions include signal inversion and bandwidth reduction.
Digital Readout and USB Control
The analog output is available on the front-panel BNC connector and on the DB25 interface port at the back. The voltage is also digitized by a 12-bit A/D converter. A microcontroller handles conversion, calculations and PC communication.
Measurements can be started with a software trigger over USB, or you can run a continuous measurement stream at 600 samples per second. The measured photocurrent and the calibration value for a given wavelength can both be read out via USB, allowing you to calculate the exact optical power in software.
Why Engineers Choose the OPM500
The OPM500 was built for labs and production lines that need both speed and accuracy. Here is what makes this optical power monitor stand out:
- Flexible setup: Control gain, bandwidth and polarity via USB or the hard-wire DB25 interface, so the OPM500 fits seamlessly into manual setups and automated test systems.
- Easy to use: A graphical user interface (GUI) is included with every unit, plus a free Software Development Kit with VB.net source code and LabVIEW VI.
- Powerful performance: 6 gain ranges, 4 bandwidths, polarity inversion and a unique auto-null function with up to 10 V offset nulling.
- Fast response: 45 µs rise time (small signal) makes the OPM500 ideal for control feedback loops.
- EMI-resistant by design: Reliable measurements even in electrically noisy industrial environments.
OPM500 Fields of Application
The OPM500 optical power monitor is especially suited for measuring fiber-coupled sources. Its fast response time at a high signal-to-noise ratio makes it a strong choice for systems with control feedback loops.
Thanks to its high sensitivity and large dynamic range, the OPM500 handles a wide variety of light sources, from high-power lasers to low-power LEDs. Its immunity to electromagnetic interference makes it dependable in “dirty” industrial environments, and the auto-null function is ideal for component burn-in and lifetime testing, where small changes in signal matter most.
OPM500 Application Examples in Telecom Manufacturing
The OPM500 series is designed especially for the manufacturing environment of telecommunications components.
Components you can test with the OPM500:
- Lasers, ASE sources and fiber-coupled LEDs
- Fibers, connectors and couplers
- Switches, multiplexers and demultiplexers
- Isolators and circulators
- Filters and fiber Bragg gratings (FBGs)
- Optical amplifiers
Parameters you can measure:
- Output power
- Optical return loss (ORL)
- Insertion loss
- Polarization dependent loss (PDL)
- Bandwidth and crosstalk
- Transient behavior
- Polarization dependent bandwidth (PDBW)
| wdt_ID | wdt_created_by | wdt_created_at | wdt_last_edited_by | wdt_last_edited_at | Parameter | Conditions | Si, InGaAs | Ge | Units |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 29 | benjamin | 28/04/2026 10:22 AM | benjamin | 28/04/2026 10:22 AM | Input | ||||
| 30 | benjamin | 28/04/2026 10:22 AM | benjamin | 28/04/2026 10:22 AM | Wavelength range | extended InGaAs | 1000 – 2200 | 800 – 1550 | nm |
| 31 | benjamin | 28/04/2026 10:22 AM | benjamin | 28/04/2026 10:22 AM | InGaAs | 800 – 2000 | nm | ||
| 32 | benjamin | 28/04/2026 10:22 AM | benjamin | 28/04/2026 10:22 AM | visible enhanced InGaAs | 400 – 1600 | nm | ||
| 33 | benjamin | 28/04/2026 10:22 AM | benjamin | 28/04/2026 10:22 AM | UV-Si | 250 – 1000 | nm | ||
| 34 | benjamin | 28/04/2026 10:22 AM | benjamin | 28/04/2026 10:22 AM | Power ranges (full scale) | + 51 0 – 10 – 20 – 30 – 40 |
+ 15 + 10 0 – 10 – 20 – 30 |
dBm | |
| 35 | benjamin | 28/04/2026 10:22 AM | benjamin | 28/04/2026 10:22 AM | Noise equivalent power (NEPRMS ) | Range 1 – 5 Range 6 |
full scale – 45 (max) – 75 (max) |
full scale – 32 (max) – 62 (max) |
dB dBm |
| 36 | benjamin | 28/04/2026 10:22 AM | benjamin | 28/04/2026 10:22 AM | Polarization Dependant Loss (PDL) | 0.02 – 0.1 | 0.02 – 0.1 | dB | |
| 37 | benjamin | 28/04/2026 10:22 AM | benjamin | 28/04/2026 10:22 AM | Fibre type | single mode, multi-mode (core Φ ≤ 62.5 μm; NA ≤ 0.275) |
single mode, multi-mode (core Φ ≤ 62.5 μm; NA ≤ 0.275) | ||
| 38 | benjamin | 28/04/2026 10:22 AM | benjamin | 28/04/2026 10:22 AM | Receptacles | FC, SMA, free beam | FC, SMA, free beam | ||
| 39 | benjamin | 28/04/2026 10:22 AM | benjamin | 28/04/2026 10:22 AM | Output | ||||
| 40 | benjamin | 28/04/2026 10:22 AM | benjamin | 28/04/2026 10:22 AM | Function | Linear analogue : Vout = scale factor x Pin | Linear analogue : Vout = scale factor x Pin | ||
| 41 | benjamin | 28/04/2026 10:22 AM | benjamin | 28/04/2026 10:22 AM | Output scale | Range 1 Range 2 Range 3 Range 4 Range 5 Range 6 |
11 10 100 1 10 100 |
0,1 1 10 0,1 1 10 |
V/mW V/mW V/mW V/µW V/µW V/µW |
| 42 | benjamin | 28/04/2026 10:22 AM | benjamin | 28/04/2026 10:22 AM | Output range (full scale) | 10 (max) | 10 (max) | V | |
| 43 | benjamin | 28/04/2026 10:22 AM | benjamin | 28/04/2026 10:22 AM | Connectors | BNC and DB25 (Adapters for other connector systems available) | BNC and DB25 (Adapters for other connector systems available) | ||
| 44 | benjamin | 28/04/2026 10:22 AM | benjamin | 28/04/2026 10:22 AM | Rise / Fall time (10% – 90%) | Small signal (-1 → +1V) Large signal (-10 → +10V) |
45 (max) 65 (max) |
45 (max) 65 (max) |
µs |
| 45 | benjamin | 28/04/2026 10:22 AM | benjamin | 28/04/2026 10:22 AM | Accuracy | ± 5 (min) | ± 5 (min) | % | |
| 46 | benjamin | 28/04/2026 10:22 AM | benjamin | 28/04/2026 10:22 AM | Reproducibility | ± 0.5 (min) | ± 0.5 (min) | % | |
| 47 | benjamin | 28/04/2026 10:22 AM | benjamin | 28/04/2026 10:22 AM | Linearity | ± 0.1 (typ) ± 0.2 (max) |
± 0.1 (typ) ± 0.2 (max) |
dB | |
| 48 | benjamin | 28/04/2026 10:22 AM | benjamin | 28/04/2026 10:22 AM | Output impedance | BNC-Output DB25-Output |
50 0 |
50 0 |
Ω |
| 49 | benjamin | 28/04/2026 10:22 AM | benjamin | 28/04/2026 10:22 AM | Logic | ||||
| 50 | benjamin | 28/04/2026 10:22 AM | benjamin | 28/04/2026 10:22 AM | Current required for switching | – 10 (min) 0.01 (typ) 10 (max) |
– 10 (min) 0.01 (typ) 10 (max) |
µA | |
| 51 | benjamin | 28/04/2026 10:22 AM | benjamin | 28/04/2026 10:22 AM | Switching time | 1502 (max) | 1502 (max) | µs | |
| 52 | benjamin | 28/04/2026 10:22 AM | benjamin | 28/04/2026 10:22 AM | Power supply | ||||
| 53 | benjamin | 28/04/2026 10:22 AM | benjamin | 28/04/2026 10:22 AM | Type | Wall plug (supplied) | Wall plug (supplied) | ||
| 54 | benjamin | 28/04/2026 10:22 AM | benjamin | 28/04/2026 10:22 AM | Dimensions | 30 x 50 x 60 | 30 x 50 x 60 | mm | |
| 55 | benjamin | 28/04/2026 10:22 AM | benjamin | 28/04/2026 10:22 AM | Dimensions | ||||
| 56 | benjamin | 28/04/2026 10:22 AM | benjamin | 28/04/2026 10:22 AM | 1053 x 45 x 116 (B x H x L) | 1053 x 45 x 116 (B x H x L) | mm |
- Detector: UV-Si, Ge, V-InGaAs, x-InGaAs
- Input receptacle: FC-receptacle, SMA-receptacle, free beam
- Case: gull wing, lab style
- Attenuators: FC-PC, FC-APC
Application Notes
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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.
FAQs
What is the OPM500?
The OPM500 is an optical power meter from Artifex that measures light power from pW to mW using a photodiode and a precision transimpedance amplifier. Its output voltage is linearly proportional to the input optical power.
What is the measurement range of the OPM500?
The OPM500 covers optical power from picowatts to milliwatts across 6 gain ranges. For Si and InGaAs detectors, full-scale ranges go from +5 dBm down to −40 dBm.
Which wavelengths can the OPM500 measure?
Depending on the detector, the OPM500 covers 250 to 2200 nm: UV-Si (250–1000 nm), visible-enhanced InGaAs (400–1600 nm), InGaAs (800–2000 nm), extended InGaAs (1000–2200 nm) and Ge (800–1550 nm).
How fast is the OPM500?
The OPM500 has a rise time of 45 µs for small signals and 65 µs for large signals, which makes it well suited for feedback control loops and transient measurements.
What interfaces does the OPM500 offer?
The OPM500 provides USB and a hard-wire DB25 interface for controlling gain, bandwidth and polarity. The analog output is available on a BNC connector and on the DB25 port.
What does the auto-null function do?
The auto-null function removes up to 10 V of offset. It can cancel dark current or a DC signal component, so you can track small signal changes, for example during burn-in or lifetime testing.
Is software included with the OPM500?
Yes. Every OPM500 comes with a graphical user interface and a free SDK including VB.net source code, a LabVIEW VI and a full command reference.
Which fiber connectors does the OPM500 support?
The OPM500 supports FC and SMA receptacles as well as free-beam input. It works with single-mode and multi-mode fibers (core ≤ 62.5 µm, NA ≤ 0.275).
Is the OPM500 suitable for industrial environments?
Yes. The OPM500 is designed to be insensitive to electromagnetic interference, making it reliable in electrically noisy production environments.
What can I test with the OPM500?
The OPM500 is ideal for telecom component testing, including lasers, LEDs, fibers, connectors, couplers, switches, multiplexers, isolators, FBGs and amplifiers. It measures output power, insertion loss, ORL, PDL, crosstalk and more.
