Keopsys CEFA-C-PB-HP High-Power Continuous-Emission C-Band Erbium-Doped Fiber Amplifier

Overview

The Keopsys CEFA-C-PB-HP is a high-performance, continuous-wave (CW), polarization-maintaining erbium-doped fiber amplifier (EDFA) engineered for precision optical signal boosting in demanding C-band applications. Based on proven cladding-pumped EDFA architecture, it operates within the standard telecommunications C-band (1527–1566 nm) and delivers saturated output power up to +42 dBm (15.8 W), enabling robust amplification of low-input-power signals without significant distortion or nonlinear degradation. Its design integrates a low-noise前置 pre-amplifier stage followed by a high-efficiency power amplifier section—ensuring high small-signal gain (>30 dB typical), excellent noise figure (<5.5 dB), and near-quantum-limited noise performance under optimized operating conditions. The amplifier supports narrow spectral linewidth operation (<100 kHz), making it suitable for coherent transmission systems, fiber sensing, interferometric metrology, and seed-source boosting in ultrafast laser pump chains.

Key Features

• High saturation output power: up to +42 dBm (15.8 W) in CW mode
• Integrated low-noise pre-amplifier stage for sensitivity down to –30 dBm input
• Polarization-maintaining (PM) output fiber option with extinction ratio >20 dB
• Narrow instantaneous linewidth: <100 kHz (ideal for phase-sensitive applications)
• Compact, conduction-cooled OEM module form factor (1U rack-mountable or benchtop integration)
• Flexible control interface: analog voltage, TTL, RS-232, or optional Ethernet-based system controller
• Low power consumption: typically <60 W at full output, with intelligent thermal management
• High reliability: MTBF >100,000 hours per Telcordia GR-468-CORE qualification
• Compliant with IEC 60825-1 (laser safety Class 1M when enclosed)

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The CEFA-C-PB-HP is compatible with standard single-mode (SMF-28) and polarization-maintaining (PANDA or Bowtie) input fibers (FC/APC or FC/PC connectors). It accepts input signals with wavelengths between 1527 nm and 1566 nm and supports both free-running and externally modulated inputs—including CW, pseudo-random bit sequence (PRBS), and low-duty-cycle pulsed signals (provided average power remains within specified limits). The unit conforms to key international standards including IEC 61300-2-4 (fiber optic connector durability), EN 61326-1 (EMC for laboratory equipment), and RoHS 2015/863/EU. For regulated environments, its firmware architecture supports audit-ready operational logging, and optional configurations include timestamped event logging aligned with GLP/GMP traceability requirements.

Software & Data Management

Keopsys provides the KEOPSYS Control Suite—a cross-platform (Windows/Linux/macOS) application enabling real-time monitoring of output power, pump current, case temperature, and alarm status via USB or Ethernet. All critical parameters are accessible through SCPI-compliant commands, facilitating seamless integration into LabVIEW, Python (PyVISA), MATLAB, or custom industrial automation frameworks. Firmware supports non-volatile parameter storage, user-defined power ramps, and configurable safety interlocks (e.g., automatic shutdown upon temperature excursion or loss of input signal). Optional SNMP v3 support enables centralized network supervision in multi-amplifier deployments, while web-server functionality (on selected controller variants) allows remote configuration and health diagnostics via HTTPS with TLS 1.2 encryption.

Applications

• Boosting seed lasers for high-energy ultrafast amplifier systems (e.g., Yb- or Tm-pumped OPCPA front-ends)
• Coherent optical communications testbeds requiring stable, narrow-linewidth, high-SNR amplification
• Fiber-optic sensing platforms including distributed acoustic sensing (DAS), interferometric hydrophones, and gyroscopes
• Free-space optical links requiring polarization-preserving amplification over atmospheric channels
• Scientific instrumentation such as cavity-enhanced absorption spectroscopy (CEAS) and frequency comb amplification
• OEM integration into turnkey photonic subsystems for defense, aerospace, and quantum technology infrastructure

FAQ

What is the maximum safe input power before gain compression occurs?

For optimal linearity and minimal distortion, input power should remain below –10 dBm; operation above –5 dBm may induce measurable gain saturation depending on wavelength and polarization alignment.
Can this amplifier be used with pulsed sources?

Yes—provided the average power stays within the specified input range and peak power does not exceed +23 dBm to avoid nonlinear effects in the gain fiber.
Is factory recalibration required after extended operation?

No routine recalibration is needed; the amplifier features thermally compensated pump diode drivers and embedded photodiode feedback loops ensuring long-term power stability within ±0.2 dB over 12 months.
Does the unit support dual-wavelength or WDM input?

It is optimized for single-wavelength amplification; for WDM applications, consider the CEFA-C-WDM-LP variant, which offers gain flatness of ±0.5 dB across the full C-band.
What cooling method is employed?

Passive conduction cooling via aluminum baseplate; forced-air cooling is optional for high-ambient-temperature environments (>40 °C).