RIO COLORADO Widely Tunable 1550nm Narrow Linewidth
Laser Source
Preliminary Data SheetApril 2012

Key features• Wide wavelength tuning range across Cor L- band
• Single longitudinal mode
• Low phase and frequency noise• Narrow linewidth, long coherence length• Ultra low RIN• Excellent SMSR
• PM output

Description• Fast FM modulation

The RIO COLORADO widely tunable laser sources are compact
benchtop lasers sources based on semiconductor external cavity
laser technology. Key characteristics:• Compact size, low power consumption• Easy to set-up and use• Digital controller and firmware, USB•

interface, GUI•••••••

Applications• Interferometric fiber optic sensing• Acoustic sensing• LIDAR• Laser spectroscopy• Metrology• Coherent Communication• Test & Measurement

Rev.0.0.5

Proprietary Information© Redfern Integrated Optics (RIO), Inc.
3350 Scott Blvd, Bldg 62
Santa Clara, CA 95054 USA

Tel (408) 970 3500
Fax (408) 970 3200
sales@rio-inc.com

Wavelength tuning range: C-band, 1530nm-1565nm,
including ITU wavelength
L-band availableLow phase / frequency noiseNarrow linewidth, long coherence length
Low relative intensity noise (RIN)High wavelength stability
Frequency modulation
AM trace tone

The RIO COLORADO laser source’s features provide end users
with a stable, self-contained, easy-to-use alternative tocomplicated and expensive fiber laser or SSL sources.
The RIO COLORADO laser source uses reliable, Telcordia
qualified and industry proven components, and includes low noise
laser bias current and temperature control circuitry and controllers
to set and monitor laser performance.
External monitoring and control can be employed via a standard
USB interface, using RIO-supplied software and GUI. The RIO
COLORADO laser source is an ideal source for R&D anddevelopment of advanced fiber optic sensing and metrology
applications, such as laser spectroscopy, interferometric/acoustic
sensing, coherent communications, LIDAR and others.
All preliminary information contained herein is believed to be accurate and is subject tochange without notice. No responsibility is assumed for its use. Redfern Integrated
Optics, Inc., its subsidiaries and affiliates, or manufacturer, reserve the right to makechanges, without notice, to product design, product components, and productmanufacturing methods. Some specific combinations of options may not be available.
Please contact Redfern Integrated Optics for more information. ©Redfern IntegratedOptics, Inc.. All rights reserved.

Absolute Maximum Ratings
Operation of the device beyond these maximum conditions may degrade device performance, leadto device failure, shorter lifetime, and will invalidate the device warranty.
ParameterMinMax

Unit

0+ 60°C

Laser source supply voltage

25V

ESD-susceptibility

500VStorage temperature

Optical and Electrical Specifications
SymbolCondition

MinOutput optical power

Parameter

PoutCW, adjustable

5

Optical output power setting stepsize∆PstepWavelength tuning range∆λC-tune∆λL-tune

CW, C-band

1527.60

1565.60

CW, L-band

1570.01

1608.76

Side mode suppression ratio

SMSR

CW, at specified Pout

Optical signal to noise ratio

OSNR

Relative Intensity Noise

1RIN

TypMax

Unit

20mW

0.1

1 nm RBW, 0.5 nm from peakwavelength> 10 kHz> 25 MHz to 1 GHz

dB55

dB

60

dB-140-165

dB/Hz

Optical Isolation

ISOLinewidth, FWHM∆ν1∆ν2

Operation mode 1, instantaneous25Operation mode 2, instantaneous

100

FN100

At 100 Hz

4000

FN1kAt 1 kHz

600

δf 1
δf 2

Operation mode 130

Operation mode 2
Operation mode 1, over 10 min.
at constant case temperature
Operation mode 2

400

Frequency noise
Frequency jitter

2, 5

34, 5

Wavelength stability

δλ1

5

δλ2
Warm-up time

TWM

Polarization Extinction Ratio

PER

Voltage Supply

Vcc

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

30

dB
35

Proprietary Information© Redfern Integrated Optics (RIO), Inc.
3350 Scott Blvd, Bldg 62
Santa Clara, CA 95054 USA

Tel (408) 970 3500
Fax (408) 970 3200
sales@rio-inc.com

Hz/√Hzpm+2
60

2012At 20 mW output power
As measured with self-heterodyne test setup with 25 km SMF, value from Lorentzian model
At 10 mW output power
Over 10 sec.
Operation mode1: Narrow linewidth mode, Operation mode 2: High wavelength stability mode

Rev.0.0.5

kHzMHzp-p+ 25

30Polarization and key aligned toslow axis

nmAll preliminary information contained herein is believed to be accurate and is subject tochange without notice. No responsibility is assumed for its use. Redfern IntegratedOptics, Inc., its subsidiaries and affiliates, or manufacturer, reserve the right to makechanges, without notice, to product design, product components, and productmanufacturing methods. Some specific combinations of options may not be available.
Please contact Redfern Integrated Optics for more information. ©Redfern IntegratedOptics, Inc.. All rights reserved.

min.
dB24

V

Wavelength Tuning and Frequency Modulation Specifications
Parameter

SymbolCondition

dλres

Continuous wavelength tuning range

dλ T

Thermal tuning

1dλThermal tuning

Frequency modulation bandwidth

BW FMInput from external source

Frequency modulation range∆fFMFrequency modulation voltage input

VFM

Amplitude tone modulation bandwidth

BW AM

Input from external source

Amplitude modulation voltage input

VAM

From external source, AC
coupling

Amplitude tone modulation index

MIAM

Sinusoidal input

1.

TypMax1

Wavelength tuning resolution

Continuous wavelength tuning rate

MinUnitMHz+122

Measured with sinusoidal
waveform
From external source, AC
coupling
10GHz
GHz/s

100

kHz

800

MHzp-p

10

Vp-p

1000

kHz10

Vp-p

10%

Tuning rate is dependent of tuning resolution.

Thermal Specifications
Parameter

SymbolOperating temperature range (ambient)Condition

TcMin

Typ+15

Power Consumption

Pd

Over operating temperature
range

Total current

Imax

Over operating temperature
range

Front Panel Connectors
#F-1
F-2
F-3

Description
FC/APC bulkhead connector, PM output (PANDA), narrow key (aligned to slow axis)
BNC female connector for frequency modulation, input impedance: 50 Ω
BNC female connector for AM tone, input impedance: 50 ΩBack Panel Connectors
#B-1
B-2
B-3

Description
12 ~ 24 V DC adaptor for power supply
Interface USB type B connector for external monitoring and control. Graphical User Interface (GUI)Interlock

Rev.0.0.5

Proprietary Information© Redfern Integrated Optics (RIO), Inc.
3350 Scott Blvd, Bldg 62
Santa Clara, CA 95054 USA

Tel (408) 970 3500
Fax (408) 970 3200
sales@rio-inc.com

All preliminary information contained herein is believed to be accurate and is subject tochange without notice. No responsibility is assumed for its use. Redfern IntegratedOptics, Inc., its subsidiaries and affiliates, or manufacturer, reserve the right to makechanges, without notice, to product design, product components, and productmanufacturing methods. Some specific combinations of options may not be available.
Please contact Redfern Integrated Optics for more information. ©Redfern IntegratedOptics, Inc.. All rights reserved.

MaxUnit+ 50°C

7W

1A

Outline Diagram

Dimensions
L180
W260
H55Unitsmm

Ordering Information
RIO

3235- 5 -X

Controller Interface
2USB
Fiber/Connector
5
PM/FC-APC

X-

003
04

Wavelength
C-band tunable
L-band tunable

5Output Power
20 mWAccessories•••

AC 100-240V, 1.2A – DC 12 V power supply
GUI installation CD including operational manualUSB cable

Laser Safety InformationLaser Modules are classified as FDA/CDRH Class
IIIb laser products per CDRH, 21 CFR 1040 laser
safety requirements.

DANGERINVISIBLE LASER RADIATION
BEAM

MAX. OUTPUT POWER: 20 mW
WAVELENGTH: 1.5 µ m
CLASS III b LASER PRODUCT

Rev.0.0.5

Proprietary Information© Redfern Integrated Optics (RIO), Inc.
3350 Scott Blvd, Bldg 62
Santa Clara, CA 95054 USA

Tel (408) 970 3500
Fax (408) 970 3200
sales@rio-inc.com

LASER APERTURE

All preliminary information contained herein is believed to be accurate and is subject tochange without notice. No responsibility is assumed for its use. Redfern IntegratedOptics, Inc., its subsidiaries and affiliates, or manufacturer, reserve the right to makechanges, without notice, to product design, product components, and productmanufacturing methods. Some specific combinations of options may not be available.
Please contact Redfern Integrated Optics for more information. ©Redfern IntegratedOptics, Inc.. All rights reserved.

AVOID EXPOSURE
Invisible laser
radiation is emitted
from end of fiber orconnector