VariDelay I VDL-001 Manual Variable Optical Delay Line
Fiber-coupled manual variable optical delay line with a free-space delay path, offering up to 600 ps single-pass or 1200 ps double-pass delay.
- Center wavelengths (λc)
- SM, single pass: 1310/1550 dual window, 1060, or 840nm; SM, double pass: 1310 or 1550nm; PM, single pass: 1310, 1550, 1060, or 840nm
- Wavelength range
- λc ±50nm
- Operating wavelength range
- SM: 1260 to 1650 nm
- Operating wavelength range
- 1310 ± 50 or 1550 ± 50 nm
Overview
The VDL-001 (VariDelay I) is a fiber-coupled manual variable optical delay line. Its delay adjustment path is in free space. In the single-pass configuration it adjusts optical path length by up to 600 ps, which is more than 18 cm of optical path variation. A double-pass configuration extends the delay range to 1200 ps.
The user sets the delay by turning a handle on one end of the device and reads the position from a vernier scale on the side, with a readout resolution of 0.05 mm. The delay line is available with either single-mode or polarization-maintaining (PM Panda) fiber pigtails.
The device suits optical path adjustments of up to several centimeters where high-speed adjustment and scanning are not required. Its compact design allows integration into network equipment, test instruments and optical coherence tomography (OCT) systems for optical path length or timing alignment.
Double-pass configuration
In a double-pass device, the input and output signals travel on the same pigtail. Some applications may therefore need a circulator or polarizing beam splitter to separate the input and output signals. Double-pass is available only with SM fiber and not for 840 nm or 1060 nm wavelengths.
Key Features
- Long delay range
- Easy to use
- Easy to read scale
- Compact
- Optical path variation of more than 18 cm (600 ps)
- High delay-to-length ratio
- Low insertion loss variation
- Rugged design
- Single mode or PM fiber pigtails
Specifications
| Center wavelengths (λc) | SM, single pass: 1310/1550 dual window, 1060, or 840nm; SM, double pass: 1310 or 1550nm; PM, single pass: 1310, 1550, 1060, or 840nm |
|---|---|
| Wavelength range | λc ±50nm |
|
Operating wavelength range
SM single-pass, 1310/1550 nm
|
SM: 1260 to 1650 nm
Measured without connectors
|
|
Operating wavelength range
PM, double-pass
|
1310 ± 50 or 1550 ± 50 nm
Other wavelengths available upon request
|
|
Operating wavelength range
840 nm, 1060 nm
|
840 ± 50 nm or 1060 ± 50 nm |
| Optical delay range |
Single-pass: 330 ps or 600 ps; Double-pass: 1200 ps
Double-pass only available with SM fiber
|
| Readout scale resolution | 0.05 mm |
|
Insertion loss
1310/1550 nm single-pass
|
1.0 dB nominal
1310/1550nm single pass
|
|
Insertion loss
840 nm single-pass, 1060 nm single-pass
|
1.5 dB nominal
840nm or 1060nm single pass
|
|
Insertion loss
double-pass
|
1.5 dB nominal
1310 or 1550nm double pass
|
|
IL variation over delay range
330 ps model
|
±0.3 dB
Over entire range
|
|
IL variation over delay range
600 ps model
|
±0.5 dB
Over entire range
|
|
IL variation over delay range
1200 ps model
|
±0.7 dB
Over entire range
|
| Return loss |
50 dB
Measured without connectors
|
|
Extinction ratio
PM
|
> 18 dB
For PM model
|
| Optical power handling | 300 mW min. |
| Fiber type |
SM or PM Panda
Ordering codes SS = SM, PP = PM Panda
|
|---|---|
|
Fiber type
1060 nm
|
HI1060 or PM Panda (1060 nm) |
|
Default pigtail configuration (PM)
PM
|
900µm loose tube jacketed |
| Operating temperature | 0 to 40 °C |
|---|---|
| Storage temperature | -40 to 60 °C |
|
Dimensions
330 ps model
|
4.2" (L) × 2.1" (W) × 1.0" (H) |
|---|---|
|
Dimensions
600 ps model, 1200 ps model
|
6.0" (L) × 2.1" (W) × 1.0" (H) |
Specifications are taken from the manufacturer's documentation. See the datasheet for complete and current values.
Applications
- Optical coherence tomography (OCT) systems
- Interferometric systems
- Fiber interferometers
- Multichannel path matching in laser systems
- Network optical length control
- Timing alignment
- Passive time division multiplexing
- TDM bit alignment
Options & Accessories
| Option | Description |
|---|---|
| 33 | Delay range: 330 ps — Single-pass |
| 60 | Delay range: 600 ps — Single-pass |
| 12 | Delay range: 1200 ps — Double-pass; SM fiber only, not available for 840 or 1060 nm |
| SS | Fiber type: SM |
| PP | Fiber type: PM Panda |
| 84 | Wavelength: 840 nm |
| 10 | Wavelength: 1060 nm |
| 13 | Wavelength: 1310 nm |
| 15 | Wavelength: 1550 nm |
| 35 | Wavelength: 1310 & 1550 nm — Dual window; available only for SM single-pass devices (330 and 600 ps) |
| FC/PC | Connector type: FC/PC |
| FC/APC | Connector type: FC/APC |
| SC/PC | Connector type: SC/PC |
| SC/APC | Connector type: SC/APC |
| NC | Connector type: no connectors |
Documents & Resources
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