650 and 800 MHz Balanced Optical Receivers

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Overview

Ideal for FM spectroscopy, absorption spectroscopy, or ellipsometry, these 650 and 800 MHz balanced photoreceivers can make all the difference when you’re trying to see a small signal. They can eliminate the need for lock-in ampliﬁers, enabling you to cancel out laser intensity noise in any experimental setup that produces either a reference signal or balanced optical signals.

Reduces common-mode noise by 25 dB
Large 650-MHz or 800-MHz bandwidth
Three convenient photocurrent-monitor outputs

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Products

Compare	Model	Compatibility	rankScore	Optical Input	Detector Diameter	Wavelength Range	3 dB Bandwidth	Common Mode Rejection	Availability	Price	Brand
1607-AC-FC Balanced Fiber-Optic Receiver, Silicon, 320-1000 nm, 650 MHz, FC Connector $1,960 In Stock	1607-AC-FC Balanced Fiber-Optic Receiver, Silicon, 320-1000 nm, 650 MHz, FC Connector	UNIVERSAL	1.0	Fiber-optic	0.4 mm	320-1000 nm	40 kHz to 650 MHz	25 dB	In Stock	$1,960	New Focus
1607-AC-FS Balanced Optical Receiver, Silicon, 320-1000 nm, 650 MHz, Free Space $1,960 In Stock	1607-AC-FS Balanced Optical Receiver, Silicon, 320-1000 nm, 650 MHz, Free Space	UNIVERSAL	1.0	Free Space	0.4 mm	320-1000 nm	40 kHz to 650 MHz	25 dB	In Stock	$1,960	New Focus
1617-AC-FC Balanced Fiber-Optic Receiver, InGaAs, 900-1700 nm, 800 MHz, FC Connector $1,960 In Stock	1617-AC-FC Balanced Fiber-Optic Receiver, InGaAs, 900-1700 nm, 800 MHz, FC Connector	UNIVERSAL	1.0	Fiber-optic	0.1 mm	900-1700 nm	40 kHz to 800 MHz	25 dB	In Stock	$1,960	New Focus
1617-AC-FS Balanced Optical Receiver, InGaAs, 900-1700 nm, 800 MHz, Free Space $1,960 In Stock	1617-AC-FS Balanced Optical Receiver, InGaAs, 900-1700 nm, 800 MHz, Free Space	UNIVERSAL	1.0	Free Space	0.1 mm	900-1700 nm	40 kHz to 800 MHz	25 dB	In Stock	$1,960	New Focus

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Specifications

Models	1607-AC-FC	1617-AC-FC
Optical Input	Fiber-optic	Fiber-optic
Detector Material	Silicon	InGaAs
Detector Diameter	0.4 mm	0.1 mm
Wavelength Range	320-1000 nm	900-1700 nm
3 dB Bandwidth	40 kHz to 650 MHz	40 kHz to 800 MHz
Rise Time	800 ps	800 ps
Maximum Conversion Gain	350 V/W	700 V/W
Maximum Transimpedance Gain	700 V/A	700 V/A
Peak Responsivity	0.5 A/W	1.0 A/W
NEP	40 pW/√Hz	20 pW/√Hz
Common Mode Rejection	25 dB	25 dB
Saturation Power	2 mW	1 mW
Maximum Optical Power	4 mW	2 mW
Maximum RF Power	+12 dBm into 50 Ω	+12 dBm into 50 Ω
Output Connector	SMA	SMA
Output Impedance	50 Ω	50 Ω
Thread Type	8-32 and M4	8-32 and M4
Power Requirements	±15 V DC, 200 mA	±15 V DC, 200 mA

Notes:

The -FS models feature a free space optical input but otherwise have the same specifications as their corresponding -FC fiber-optic receiver model.

Specifications

Models	1607-AC-FC	1617-AC-FC
Optical Input	Fiber-optic	Fiber-optic
Detector Material	Silicon	InGaAs
Detector Diameter	0.4 mm	0.1 mm
Wavelength Range	320-1000 nm	900-1700 nm
3 dB Bandwidth	40 kHz to 650 MHz	40 kHz to 800 MHz
Rise Time	800 ps	800 ps
Maximum Conversion Gain	350 V/W	700 V/W
Maximum Transimpedance Gain	700 V/A	700 V/A
Peak Responsivity	0.5 A/W	1.0 A/W
NEP	40 pW/√Hz	20 pW/√Hz
Common Mode Rejection	25 dB	25 dB
Saturation Power	2 mW	1 mW
Maximum Optical Power	4 mW	2 mW
Maximum RF Power	+12 dBm into 50 Ω	+12 dBm into 50 Ω
Output Connector	SMA	SMA
Output Impedance	50 Ω	50 Ω
Thread Type	8-32 and M4	8-32 and M4
Power Requirements	±15 V DC, 200 mA	±15 V DC, 200 mA

Notes:

The -FS models feature a free space optical input but otherwise have the same specifications as their corresponding -FC fiber-optic receiver model.

Features

Reduces Common-Mode Noise by 25 dB

The balanced photoreceivers work by subtracting the photocurrent from two well-matched photodetectors. Common-mode noise that is present on both the reference and signal beams (such as laser intensity noise) is cancelled out and doesn’t appear as part of the signal. Any imbalance between the photocurrents generated by the reference and signal photodetectors, whether intentional or unintentional, is amplified and is seen as the signal. This reduces common-mode noise by up to 25 dB so that you can see your signal.

Typical frequency response and noise spectrum for Model 1607-AC

Typical frequency response and noise spectrum for Model 1617-AC

Large Bandwidth

The photodetectors are carefully chosen for their well-matched frequency responses and are mounted at 90° with respect to each other (one on each side of the box versus both on the same panel). This unique packaging allows for closer photodetector spacing and, therefore, high bandwidth performance up to 800 MHz.

Convenient Photocurrent Monitor Outputs

In addition to the RF output, these balanced photoreceivers have three low-frequency monitor outputs. These monitor outputs can be used to help align light onto the photodiodes, perform low frequency diagnostics, and make manually equalizing the power between the signal and reference beams easier. The monitor outputs have SMB connectors, and an SMB-to-BNC cable is provided with the photoreceiver. All three monitor outputs have a transimpedance gain of 10 V/mA. The bandwidth of the I₂ - I₁ output is DC to 15 kHz, and the bandwidth of the I₁ and I₂ outputs is DC to 100 kHz.

Measuring Absorption Properties Application

The Model 1607-AC balanced photoreceiver is especially useful in measuring absorption properties. Here, a probe beam is focused onto one of the photodetectors while the other detects a reference beam.

Ideal for Balanced Photodetection

Newport's balanced optical receivers are ideal for optical detection applications that require sensitive measurements and increased signal-to-noise. Balanced photodetection is a method that can very effectively cancel common mode noise and detect small signal fluctuations on a large DC signal. Detection methods in the time domain (such as femtosecond ultrasonics and frequency modulation spectroscopy) and frequency domain (like absorption spectroscopy), and coherent heterodyne detection (such as optical coherence tomography) can be substantially improved by using Newport balanced photoreceivers and can allow detection of signals not otherwise possible with other means. For more information, please see our application note A Survey of Methods Using Balanced Photodetection.