Luna VDL-004 Miniature Variable Optical Delay Line
Compact, fiber-coupled, manually adjusted free-space optical delay line with 130 ps single-pass range and a position lock.
- 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
- Optical delay range, single-pass
- 130 ps (40 mm)
- Optical delay range, double-pass
- 260 ps
Overview
The VDL-004 is a small, short-range manual variable optical delay line. The user sets the delay to the required position and then locks it in place. The device is fiber coupled, and the delay is adjusted along a free-space path.
The delay is set by turning a dial on one end of the device, and the position is read from a scale on the front. A locking screw holds the position setting. Adjustment is continuous, with zero backlash and good thermal stability.
Mounting brackets allow the unit to be mounted in any orientation. Several units can also be fitted on a base plate to form an array. The delay line is available with either single-mode or PM fiber pigtails.
The VDL-004 is designed for OEM applications that need short-range optical path adjustment to find an optimal position and then lock it, especially for multichannel path matching. Luna has discontinued this product. The listed replacements are the VDL-002 Manual Optical Delay Line and the VDL-001 Manual Variable Optical Delay Line.
Key Features
- Compact
- Zero backlash
- Thermally stable
- Position locking mechanism
- Can be mounted in any orientation
- Available with single mode or PM fiber pigtails
- Continuous delay adjustment by manual dial with position scale
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 |
| Optical delay range, single-pass | 130 ps (40 mm) |
| Optical delay range, double-pass | 260 ps |
| Optical delay resolution | Continuous adjustment; 3.34 ps (1mm) per full turn |
| Delay temperature stability |
(0.52+0.008*delay) µm/°C
where “delay” = optical delay in mm
|
| Delay repeatability | <20 µm |
| Zero point delay offset |
230 ps
excluding caps, boots, and fiber pigtails
|
| Insertion loss (IL) |
<0.8 dB
excluding connectors
|
| IL variation over delay range | <0.4 dB |
Specifications are taken from the manufacturer's documentation. See the datasheet for complete and current values.
Applications
- Multichannel optical path matching
- Phased array antennas
- Microwave photonics
- Coherent detection systems
- Optical time domain multiplexing (OTDM)
- Optical coherence tomography (OCT)
- Optical interferometry
- Optical Fourier spectrum analysis
- Fiber sensors
Documents & Resources
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