INT-MZI-850-SP5 In Stock

The ThorLabs INT-MZI-850-SP5 is a high-performance Mach-Zehnder Interferometer (MZI) Clock Box subassembly designed to meet the needs of swept source OCT systems and other synchronization applications. Enclosed in a rugged 120 mm x 80 mm x 16 mm shielded aluminum casing with a 6 mm deep thread, the INT-MZI-850-SP5 can be easily attached to the side surface with 6-32 screws, ensuring a secure and stable connection.

The INT-MZI-850-SP5 features a fusion coupler network and ultralow noise, high-speed transimpedance amplifiers with low output impedance to provide both a Power Monitor signal and a k-Clock signal. These signals are used to monitor the output power and wavelength of a swept laser source, providing precise measurements and feedback to ensure optimal performance. The fusion couplers used in the INT-MZI-850-SP5 are optimized for flat wavelength response and very low PDCR (polarization dependent coupling ratio change), making the Power Monitor signal nearly independent of input polarization changes.

The INT-MZI-850-SP5 is equipped with two output SMA connectors that carry monitoring signals of the Power Monitor and the k-Clock signal (MZI Output). The internal fiber network is used to tap approximately 5% of the input light to generate Power Monitor and k-Clock signals, while the remaining light is transmitted to the Output pigtail. The tap coupler is designed for nearly flat transmission wavelength response, ensuring accurate and consistent measurements. The sophisticated design of the 50/50 fusion coupler provides a Power Monitor output signal with flat wavelength response, which is nearly insensitive to input polarization changes.

Power is supplied to the INT-MZI-850-SP5 by the included external mains power supply (12 V, 250 mA) via a PICO M8 power connector. INPUT and OUTPUT pigtails with FC/APC connectors are also provided to ensure seamless integration with the user’s application. It is important to note that saturation of the electrical outputs may occur at optical input power > 50 mW, and the optical damage threshold is 250 mW. Exceeding the damage threshold value has the potential to permanently destroy photodetectors. The INT-MZI-850-SP5’s MZI Output generates a periodical signal if the wavelength of the INPUT signal is changing. This signal shows maxima and minima which are equally spaced in the optical frequency domain. The difference between two maxima is defined by the FSR. As a practical application, the zero-crossing MZI Output signal can be used to detect (trigger) a change of input frequency, equal to the FSR.