HP / Keysight / Agilent 71451B Overview
With its unique operating modes, the HP 71451B is the one OSA that can fully characterize your optical devices. In addition to optical sources, the HP 71451B can characterize optical-to-optical devices such as couplers, filters, isolators, switches, and wavelength division multiplexers. Through the use of the transimpedence input, the HP 71451B can also measure the responsivity of your photo diodes as a function of wavelength. The HP 71451B measures insertion loss, filter bandwidths, cross talk, and (with Option 003) polarization dependent loss of optical-to-optical components, as a function of wavelength. By accessing the transimpedence input, found only on the HP 71451B, the electrical output of your photo diodes can be measured, as a function of wavelength, to determine their responsivity. Use the optional programmable current source to bias your photo diodes and characterize the responsivity as a function of bias current. The combination of monochromator output and photo diode input, as found only on the HP 71451B, allows you to filter a broadband light source before applying it to your active device under test. The filtered light is swept so that all wavelengths of interest are evaluated without overloading your device and causing it to behave non-linear. The monochromator output allows the OSA to selectively preselect the optical source signal by giving the user full control over wavelength position, resolution bandwidth, and sweep speed, while preserving the input signal's state of polarization.
