Chilas COMET – Wavelength-Swept Source Laser

Chilas COMET is a swept source laser, also referred to as a wavelength-swept laser, delivering a fiber output power exceeding 20 mW and sweeping across the entire C-band at speeds up to 100 nm per second. A dedicated driver and improved calibration procedures allow for quasi-continuous sweeping across the full tuning range.

The COMET module uses an hybrid integrated external cavity laser (ECL) as optical engine. The wavelength-swept laser’s innovation lies in its fully chip-based wavelength filter, a design that eliminates the need for mechanical moving parts.

Chilas COMET - a Swept Source laser

Key features

  • C-band tunability
  • Continuously sweeping
  • Ultra-narrow linewidth
  • Low RIN
  • Excellent SMSR
  • Fully integrated with no moving parts, enabling switching between wavelengths instantly
  • Exceptional repeatability
  • Software based wavelength calibration
  • Easy to set-up and use
  • Compact size

Applications

  • Sensing market (biomedical, infrastructure and vibration)
  • Quantum Key Distribution
  • Optical device testing (optical chip inspection for both active and passive components)
  • Spectroscopy
  • OCT (optical coherence tomography)
  • Telecommunications
  • Terahertz generation

Optical specifications

ParameterSpecification
Center wavelength1550 ± 5 nm
Wavelength range*Up to 50 nm
Wavelength resolution*≤ 5 pm
Wavelength absolute accuracy± 10 pm
Wavelength repeatability^≤ 1 pm
Intrinsic linewidth< 1 kHz
Fiber output power≥ 20 mW
Sweeping speed*1 to 100 nm/s
Side-mode suppression ratio≥ 50 dB
Package100*60*20 mm
Fiber connectorPM FC/APC

*To be determined upon ordering

^Determined at 50nm/s, with 5 pm resolution

Chilas COMET - Swept Source Laser connected to Comet Adapter

Comet Adapter

To ensure seamless system integration, the base module comes equipped with a standard DE9 connector. For added convenience, we offer an add-on module featuring connectors for power, communication (USB-C), and sweep synchronization (SMA). To meet laser safety standards, this module adds key control and a remote interlock connector.

For intuitive operation and control, we provide a software interface which includes a graphical user interface (GUI) for straightforward wavelength setting and tuning, along with a Python library for advanced laser control functions.

Perfectly Linear Swept Source Wavelength

The accompanying graph illustrates the measured wavelength over several sweep cycles of Chilas Comet, the Swept Source Laser. Each cycle exhibits a perfectly linear increase in wavelength, followed by an instantaneous reset to the initial wavelength, confirming the system’s precise and consistent performance.

A graph showcasing the measured Swept Source Wavelength for a few sweep cycles. The wavelength sweep is perfectly linear and the wavelength resents instantly at the end of each sweep.

Frequently Asked Questions about COMET

The laser controller appears as a “Virtual Com Port” when connected via USB to a computer. This serial interface is also accessible via the RX/TX pins of the DE-9 connector at the laser housing. Communication is based on low-level serial commands. For convenience, we can provide a Python library which includes a wrapper for these low-level commands, as well as advanced functions such as sweeping and setting the laser wavelength.

The COMET supports both operation modes, namely the “steady” tuning mode and the “swept” mode. Using the “steady” mode, the laser can be tuned within the tuning range with step sizes specified by the resolution.

The COMET can sweep without mode hops over approximately 0.25 nm, which is limited due to the laser design and the maximum phase shift of the heater actuators. For a wide-range sweep, the laser sweeps in quasi-continuous way. After every 0.25 nm sweep the laser hops from one cavity mode to the next. The mode hop takes less than 0.5 ms, during which time the laser restarts at the next mode. The result is a continuous wavelength sweep, with power dips during the mode hops. To ensure predictability for repetitive sweeps, all modes are indexed, and the mode hops happen at fixed wavelengths.

The laser provides a trigger signal at the start and end of each sweep, from the 1st SMA connector on the COMET adapter. This trigger signal can be fed into the trigger input of an oscilloscope for sweep synchronization.

In addition, the 2nd SMA connector on the COMET adapter provides a high signal during mode hops, which can be used to mask data points measured during mode hops.

We can only calibrate the COMET for one value of the sweep rate. The sweep performance will be optimal for that sweep rate. Nevertheless, the user can configure the sweep rate using the included software. The sweep performance can be suboptimal if the configured sweep rate differs significantly from the calibration value.

The relation between resolution and wavelength range is given by the maximum number of wavelength entries. The reason is that a maximum of about 13k wavelength entries can be stored in the device memory. For example, a wavelength range of 50 nm with 5 pm resolution requires 10k wavelength entries, which fits in the device memory.


The relation between scan rate and resolution is given by the time interval per wavelength step. This time interval should be maximally 0.5 ms and preferably 0.1 ms for a smooth sweep, due to matching with the heater bandwidth. For example, 5 pm wavelength resolution with a time interval of 0.1 ms gives a sweep rate of 50 nm/s.

Yes, we offer a modulation input (SMA connector) to modulate the laser diode current. Modulating the laser current enables fine analog control of the laser frequency, within a limited frequency range (typically up to ~1 GHz). We advise to use the modulation input only for the “steady” tuning mode, but not for the “swept” mode.

Our standard product does not include an isolator, but we can offer a built-in isolator as an add-on.

It is perfectly fine to use the laser immediately after switching on. However, optimal laser stability is reached when the laser is in thermal equilibrium with its surroundings (e.g. a heat sink), which is in 1-hour after warming up.

Questions regarding the MODULATION of the laser

Yes, we offer laser drivers with a modulation input (SMA or SMB connector) to modulate the laser diode current. Modulating the laser current enables lasers frequency and amplitude modulation. This is useful, e.g., for spectroscopy and FMCW (frequency-modulated continuous-wave) technology.

The modulation bandwidth is imposed by the electronic driver. Our drivers have a typical 3-dB modulation bandwidth of a few Mhz. The modulation amplitude is limited by the laser cavity FSR, which is typically a few GHz. To avoid mode hops during modulation, we recommend modulation up to ~1 GHz.

Yes, laser frequency can be chirped when applying the desired waveform to the modulation input.

We do not offer pulsed lasers based on, e.g., mode-locking technology. We design our lasers for CW (continuous wave) emission.

Questions regarding the TUNING of the laser

To ease wavelength tuning, we deliver our COMET tunable laser with a software-based wavelength calibration, where all knobs are automatically set based on the requested wavelength. Alternatively, all tuning knobs can be controlled manually via the software. Upon request, we can provide an application note to explain tuning in more detail.

Currently, we only offer lasers based on thermo-optic tuning for the cavity phase and ring resonators by using resistive heaters placed on top of the respective waveguides.

ⓘ Blog article : Demonstration of Chilas COMET Swept Source Laser in Action


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