LIM-1060-10G-PM-PM Lithium Niobate Intensity Modulator (1060 nm, 10 GHz, Polarization-Maintaining Fiber Ports)

Overview

The LIM-1060-10G-PM-PM is a high-performance, discrete lithium niobate (LiNbO₃) intensity modulator engineered for precision amplitude modulation in fiber-optic systems operating at 1060 nm—a key wavelength for ultrafast spectroscopy, optical coherence tomography (OCT), and Yb-doped fiber laser seeding. Based on the electro-optic Pockels effect in Z-cut lithium niobate crystal, this device delivers stable, linear, and low-chirp intensity modulation with high extinction ratio (>25 dB typical) and low insertion loss (<4.5 dB). Its monolithic waveguide architecture ensures excellent thermal stability and long-term polarization fidelity, making it suitable for demanding applications requiring phase coherence and polarization preservation across extended operational durations.

Key Features

• High-fidelity intensity modulation at 1060 nm with optional customization across 600–2000 nm (e.g., 780 nm for Ti:sapphire pumping, 1310/1550 nm for telecom compatibility, or 1950 nm for mid-IR pumping)
• 10 GHz analog bandwidth (3 dB point), with factory-tested flat frequency response up to 9 GHz; 20 GHz and 40 GHz variants available upon request with optimized RF electrode design
• Polarization-maintaining (PM) fiber pigtails (PANDA-type) with extinction ratio >20 dB and alignment accuracy <±0.5° relative to slow axis
• Low half-wave voltage (V_π) of ≤4.5 V @ 1060 nm (typical), enabling efficient drive with standard RF amplifiers
• Hermetically sealed TO-8 package with integrated DC bias port and SMA RF connector (female), rated for continuous operation from –5 °C to +70 °C ambient
• Compliant with Telcordia GR-468-CORE reliability standards for optoelectronic components, including thermal cycling (–40 °C to +85 °C, 500 cycles) and humidity exposure (85% RH, 1000 h)

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The LIM-1060-10G-PM-PM is designed for integration into laboratory-grade and OEM photonic systems where traceable performance and interoperability are critical. It supports single-mode PM fiber interfaces (SMF-28-compatible core/cladding, 125 µm OD) and is compatible with industry-standard polarization controllers, isolators, and fiber-coupled detectors. The device conforms to IEC 61300-2-4 (vibration), IEC 61300-2-1 (impact), and RoHS Directive 2011/65/EU. While not a medical or safety-certified device per se, its construction and test protocols align with ISO 9001:2015 manufacturing controls. For regulated environments (e.g., GLP-compliant photonics R&D labs), full traceability documentation—including wafer lot ID, waveguide etch parameters, and individual device characterization reports—is provided upon order.

Software & Data Management

As a passive electro-optic component, the LIM-1060-10G-PM-PM requires no embedded firmware or host software. However, its performance is fully integrable into automated test platforms via standard instrumentation control protocols. Users routinely interface it with Keysight PXIe-based RF signal generators (e.g., M9331A), lock-in amplifiers (Stanford Research SR830), or LabVIEW-driven DAQ systems for real-time modulation depth calibration and harmonic distortion analysis. All delivered units include a calibrated S-parameter file (.s2p) covering 10 MHz–12 GHz, enabling accurate system-level simulation in tools such as Lumerical MODE, OptiSystem, or CST Studio Suite. Traceable calibration data (including V_π, insertion loss vs. wavelength, and RF return loss) is archived for ≥10 years per internal document control SOP-OPM-007.

Applications

• Amplitude stabilization and pulse picking in mode-locked Yb:fiber lasers (1030–1080 nm)
• Carrier-envelope phase (CEP)-sensitive interferometry requiring low-chirp, high-extinction gating
• Time-resolved fluorescence lifetime imaging (FLIM) and pump-probe setups using 1064 nm excitation
• OCT light source modulation for swept-source and Fourier-domain architectures
• Quantum optics experiments involving heralded photon generation and conditional state preparation
• OEM integration into turnkey ultrafast laser systems requiring compact, fiber-pigtailed modulation stages

FAQ

Is this modulator compatible with femtosecond pulses?
Yes—the device exhibits negligible group delay dispersion (<0.1 ps/nm over 10 nm bandwidth at 1060 nm) and supports transform-limited pulse transmission when properly dispersion-compensated in the external path.
Can I request a custom center wavelength outside the standard 1060 nm option?
Yes—custom waveguide designs are available for wavelengths between 600 nm and 2000 nm; lead time and minimum order quantity apply.
What is the maximum optical input power rating?
Continuous-wave (CW) optical power handling is rated at ≤300 mW; for pulsed operation, peak power must remain below 10 kW to avoid nonlinear damage thresholds in the LiNbO₃ waveguide.
Do you provide polarization extinction ratio (PER) measurement data per unit?
Yes—each shipped unit includes a factory-measured PER value (measured at 1060 nm with a polarimeter traceable to NIST standards) in its certificate of conformance.
Is the RF port impedance matched to 50 Ω?
Yes—the integrated coplanar waveguide electrode is designed for 50 Ω characteristic impedance and includes broadband matching to minimize reflections up to 12 GHz.