Optical delay line

General Photonics’ motorized variable optical delay line provides precision optical path length adjustment of up to 560 ps. Driven by a DC motor with an integrated encoder, the MDL-002 has a delay resolution of less than 0.3µm (1 fs), and an extremely low backlash of less than 8 fs. In addition, its advanced motion design guarantees longevity for long-term continuous operation. Low insertion loss and high reliability make this device ideal for integration in optical coherence tomography (OCT) systems, network equipment and test instruments for precision optical path length control or timing alignment. The MDL-002 is available in two configurations: with a separate control unit and optical head for incorporation into other equipment, or as an integrated unit for use as a bench-top instrument for laboratory applications. The motorized delay line can be remotely controlled by a PC through an RS-232 interface or locally controlled using the case-top keypad. It generally comes with single mode or PM fiber pigtails, although a free-space version is also available.