Nanosecond Pulse Shaping

MDL 300 (discontinued)

Modulated Diode Laser

  • Linear modulation, any waveform
  • Modulation frequencies up to 1.8 GHz (external source required)
  • Internal sine wave oscillator up to 250 MHz (6 predefined frequencies)
  • External Bias control/LF modulation
  • Adjustable modulation depth
  • Laser heads for wavelengths from 375 to 1550 nm
  • Power levels from 10 to 70 mW peak, 5 to 35 mW average

The MDL 300 is discontinued as of November 2018.

Please check our Nanosecond Pulse Shaping lasers as an alternative.

 

 

The MDL 300 laser systems consists of a universal driver and different laser heads for different wavelengths. It has a build-in internal sine wave generator but can also work with an external modulation signal.

Internal or external modulation

The MDL 300 permits to generate modulated laser output via internal or external modulation. At internal modulation, sinusoidal output can be generated at six user-selectable modulation frequencies of 250, 100, 25, 5, 1 and 0.25 MHz. All frequencies exhibit a high stability and are derived from a low-jitter crystal generator. For other waveforms or frequencies up to modulation frequencies of 1.8 GHz, the MDL 300 provides two connectors for external modulation signals. A synchronization output at the front panel allows the modulation signal to be monitored externally.

Modulation up to 1.8 GHz with adjustable depth

MDL 300 - Typical frequency responseThe modulation depth of the laser output can be controlled by the front panel settings for any modulation frequency. It can be varied in the range of typically 30 dB and is working as an adjustable multiplier for any waveform. The modulation depth depends on the modulation frequency and the frequency response of the modulation amplitude is different for every wavelength. Typical frequency responses are fairly flat until about 600 MHz to 900 MHz where the modulation amplitude drops to 50 % (3 dB bandwidth). Modulation (with lower gain) is still possible up to 1.8 GHz.

Regulated output power

Pulse profile of an LDH-M-C-650The average output power of the MDL 300 is regulated by a control loop that measures the optical output with a monitor photodiode. This control loop is slow enough to allow high frequency modulation via an external input signal. The corresponding RF input has a highpass behaviour and allows modulation frequencies between 100 kHz and 2 GHz.
The average output power can additionally be changed through the set-point of that control loop. Either manually by turning the bias level potentiometer or electrically through the DC/LF input. As the modulation may never work “against” the control loop, the region around its own time constant (1 kHz to 100 kHz) is blocked.

Average optical output power up to 35 mW

The laser heads of the LDH-M Series are available at various wavelengths between 375 nm and 1550 nm. The average optical output power emitted by the laser heads depends on the wavelength and is typically between 5 mW and 35 mW. At modulation depths up to 90 % around the average optical output power, this corresponds to peak powers of more than 60 mW. The laser heads include collimation optics and can optionally be fitted to single or multimode optical fibers.


The MDL 300 is discontinued as of November 2018.

Internal Clock
Modulation frequencies 250, 100, 25, 5, 1 and 0.25 MHz
Waveform sinusoidal
External RF Modulation Input
Amplitude 50 mVrms typ., 2 Vrms max.
Impedance 50 Ohms (100 kHz to 2 GHz)
  200 Ohms (static)
Frequency range 100 kHz up to 2 GHz
Connector SMA female
External DC/LF Modulation Input
Amplitude 0 to +5 Vrms max.
Impedance 10 kOhms pull up
Frequency range DC to 1 kHz
Connector SMA female
Sync Output
Amplitude 0.3 Vrms max.
Impedance 50 Ohms
Connector SMA female
Power Supply
Line Voltage 220/240 or 110/120 VAC, 50/60 Hz
Power consumption max. 45 Watts
Physical
Dimensions 237 × 310 × 97 mm (w × d × h)

All Information given here is reliable to our best knowledge. However, no responsibility is assumed for possible inaccuracies or omissions. Specifications and external appearances are subject to change without notice.

The MDL 300 is discontinued as of November 2018.

 

The table lists the available laser heads of the LDH-M Series for the MDL 300.
 

Type Wavelength
(±10) [nm]
Max. cw power
[mW]
fmax (-3 dB)
[MHz]
fmax (-10 dB)
[MHz]
LDH-M-C-375 375 5 900 1400
LDH-M-C-405 405 20* 900 1500
LDH-M-C-440 440 20 900 1400
LDH-M-C-470 470 7.5 1100 1500
LDH-M-C-485 485 4 800 1100
LDH-M-C-635 635 8 600 1200
LDH-M-C-650 660 7 600 1000
LDH-M-C-650B 660 20* 900 1300
LDH-M-C-670 670 8 800 1600
LDH-M-C-780 780 30 700 1200
LDH-M-C-805 808 30 700 1400
LDH-M-C-830** 830 15 700 1300
LDH-M-C-840 840 35 650 1100
LDH-M-C-850 850 7 800 1800
LDH-M-C-905 905 35 600 1000
LDH-M-C-930 930 30 800 1400
LDH-M-C-980 980 35 600 1200
LDH-M-C-1060 1060 35 800 1400
LDH-M-C-1310 1310 10 800 1400
LDH-M-C-1550 on request

Other wavelengths and optical power levels are available on demand. Please ask PicoQuant for more information.  
Typical output power fluctuations 3 %
*Output power fluctuations 10 %
** Transversal multi-mode structure, reduced coupling efficiency into single-mode fibers.
All measurements may be subject to a 10 % calibration error.
All laser heads include peltier cooling and collimation optics. Optionally for most wavelengths single- and multi-mode optical fibers can be fitted through appropriate fiber couplers.

Laser Class Sign

All Information given here is reliable to our best knowledge. However, no responsibility is assumed for possible inaccuracies or omissions. Specifications and external appearances are subject to change without notice.


The MDL 300 is discontinued as of November 2018.

 

The MDL 300 laser system can be used for various applications, where modulated laser output is important, such as:

  • Testing and analysis of optoelectronic components
  • Fiber Optic Communications

The MDL 300 is discontinued as of November 2018.

 

The following documents are available for download:



Latest 10 publications referencing MDL 300

The following list is an extract of 10 recent publications from our bibliography that either bear reference or are releated to this product in some way. Do you miss your publication? If yes, we will be happy to include it in our bibliography. Please send an e-mail to info@picoquant.com containing the appropriate citation. Thank you very much in advance for your kind co-operation.

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