Qphotonics QFBGLD-980-5 Wavelength-Stabilized Single-Mode Fiber-Coupled Laser Diode

Overview

The Qphotonics QFBGLD-980-5 is a high-stability, single-mode fiber-coupled laser diode engineered for precision optical applications requiring narrow spectral linewidth and robust wavelength control. Based on fiber Bragg grating (FBG) wavelength stabilization technology, this semiconductor laser operates at a nominal emission wavelength of 980 nm with intrinsic thermal drift compensation of 0.01 nm/°C. Its design adheres to fundamental principles of distributed feedback in edge-emitting laser diodes, where the FBG acts as an external cavity reflector to enforce longitudinal mode selectivity and suppress mode hopping across temperature and current variations. The device delivers continuous-wave (CW) or nanosecond-pulsed output with a rise time of 0.5 ns—enabling compatibility with time-resolved spectroscopy, pump-probe experiments, and low-jitter optical triggering systems. Integrated thermoelectric cooling (TEC), a monitor photodiode, and a precision thermistor enable closed-loop thermal and power regulation, ensuring long-term output stability under ambient fluctuations from –40 °C to +50 °C.

Key Features

• Fiber Bragg grating (FBG)-stabilized single longitudinal mode operation at 980 nm, with typical spectral width < 0.1 nm (FWHM)
• Output power of 5 mW into single-mode fiber (Corning HI1060, NA = 0.14, mode field diameter = 5.9 µm @ 980 nm)
• Fast electrical response: 0.5 ns rise time supports high-speed modulation and pulsed operation
• Low threshold current and high slope efficiency—optimized for energy-efficient drive electronics
• Integrated TEC, thermistor, and monitor photodiode enabling real-time thermal feedback and output power monitoring
• Hermetically sealed TO-can package with fiber pigtail; optional FC/APC connector for reduced back-reflection in sensitive interferometric setups

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The QFBGLD-980-5 is compatible with standard single-mode optical fiber infrastructure used in laboratory and industrial photonics systems, including fiber amplifiers (e.g., Yb-doped or Er-doped pre-amplifiers), atomic physics setups (e.g., Rb or Cs vapor cell excitation), and biomedical optical coherence tomography (OCT) light sources. Its wavelength stability meets requirements for applications governed by ISO/IEC 17025 calibration traceability when paired with NIST-traceable power meters and wavemeters. While not certified for medical device integration per IEC 60601-2-57, its electrical and optical safety characteristics comply with IEC 60825-1:2014 Class 3B laser product requirements. No proprietary firmware or embedded operating system is present; therefore, no cybersecurity certification (e.g., IEC 62443) applies.

Software & Data Management

This laser diode operates as a hardware-level optical source without onboard digital control interface. It requires external driver electronics—typically a low-noise current source with TEC controller—for biasing and thermal management. Qphotonics provides detailed datasheets and pinout schematics supporting integration into custom or third-party control environments (e.g., LabVIEW, Python-based PyVISA instrument drivers, or MATLAB Instrument Control Toolbox). All operational parameters—including drive current, TEC setpoint, and photodiode monitor voltage—are accessible via analog signals, facilitating synchronization with data acquisition systems compliant with IEEE 1588 (PTP) or USB-TMC protocols. Audit trails for calibration and usage are maintained externally, consistent with GLP/GMP documentation practices where required.

Applications

• Pumping of erbium-doped fiber amplifiers (EDFAs) and ytterbium-doped fiber lasers in telecommunications and ultrafast optics
• Seed source for master oscillator power amplifier (MOPA) architectures requiring narrow-linewidth, low-phase-noise injection
• Atomic spectroscopy and laser cooling experiments involving alkali metal transitions near 976–980 nm
• Optical coherence domain reflectometry (OCDR) and swept-source OCT development platforms
• Calibration reference for spectrometer wavelength accuracy verification (traceable to NIST SRM 2034)
• Quantum optics experiments requiring stable, polarization-maintaining (PM) fiber coupling (when ordered with PM-HI1060 variant)

FAQ

Is the QFBGLD-980-5 compatible with standard SMF-28 fiber?
No—this model is coupled to Corning HI1060 fiber optimized for 980–1060 nm operation. Direct splicing to SMF-28 introduces modal mismatch and insertion loss >1.5 dB.
Does the built-in photodiode support real-time power stabilization?
Yes—the monitor photodiode provides proportional analog voltage output; closed-loop power control is achievable using external PID circuitry or software-defined feedback loops.
Can the laser be operated above 50 °C ambient temperature?
No—maximum case temperature must remain ≤50 °C. Operation beyond this limit risks accelerated degradation of the FBG reflectivity and facet coating integrity.
Is wavelength tuning possible via temperature or current?
Limited tuning is available: ±0.2 nm over full TEC range (–40 to +50 °C), but intentional tuning compromises mode stability and is not recommended for metrology-grade use.
What safety interlocks are included?
None onboard—the device requires external interlock circuitry connected to the enable pin per IEC 60825-1 Annex D recommendations for Class 3B systems.