Superluminescent Diode (SLD) modules

All standard products

Description

Superluminescent Diodes (SLDs) are used in various applications requiring high-power, spatially-coherent, wide-spectrum light sources. The unique characteristic of superluminescent diodes is that they combine the features of laser diodes – such as high spatial coherence and high brightness – with the very wide spectrum inherent to light-emitting diodes. The output emission is the amplified spontaneous emission of laser diode epi-structures in which lasing is suppressed by special measures.

These are light sources of choice for many disruptive technologies: optical coherence tomography, low-coherence interferometry, distributed Bragg grating sensing, speckle-free illumination and many others. The module design is Telcordia GR-468-CORE qualified.

This document describes the performance of standard products containing a single Superluminescent Diode (SLD) module:

  • Fiber-pigtailed cooled SLD modules (660 – 1200 nm)
  • Fiber-pigtailed cooled SLD modules (1300 – 1600 nm)
  • Free-space TO9-canned uncooled SLD modules

If you need more detailed specifications for any part number (P/N) in the tables below, or if you need customized specifications, please contact us at enquiries@sldsources.com.

Features

  • Wide range of products in the 670 – 1600 nm spectral range
  • Optimized combination of optical power and spectral width
  • SMF, PMF, MMF fiber output, or free-space output
  • Wide selection of module packages, cooled and uncooled, including standard hermetically sealed Butterfly package
  • Low relative intensity noise, < −135 dB/Hz
  • Easy customization to meet specific requirements

Applications

  • Optical coherence tomography
  • White light interferometry
  • Spectroscopy
  • Low-speckle illumination
  • Testing of optical components
  • Fiber optic gyroscopes

Standard fiber-pigtailed cooled SLD modules (660 – 1200 nm spectral range)

FC/APC terminated fiber pigtail with 900 µm loose tube. Hermetically sealed Butterfly package with Peltier TEC, 10 kOhm thermistor, and PD monitor.

Most standard products are listed. Much more customized products are available. Please contact us at enquiries@sldsources.com with your detailed requirements.

Products for medical Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT)

Optical performance specifically optimized for TD and SD OCT.

Table 1A

Product P/N1 Fiber optical power, mW Central wavelength, nm Spectral width (FWHM), nm Type of spectrum2
SLD670B8P10 10 670 ± 10 8 ± 1.5 Bell-like
SLD785F50P15 15 ± 5 785 ± 10 50 ± 10 Flat-top (two humps)
SLD830F60P15 15 ± 5 830 ± 10 60 ± 5 Flat-top (two humps)
SLD830F75P15 15 ± 5 830 ± 10 75 ± 10 Flat-top (two humps)
SLD840F50P8 8 ± 3 840 ± 10 50 ± 5 Flat-top (two humps)
SLD840F50P15 15 ± 5 840 ± 10 50 ± 5 Flat-top (two humps)
SLD840F50P25 25 ± 53 840 ± 10 50 ± 5 Flat-top (two humps)
SLD840B30P10 10 840 ± 10 30 ± 5 Bell-like
SLD840B30P20 20 840 ± 10 30 ± 5 Bell-like
SLD1010F100P7 7 ± 2 1010 ± 10 100 ± 10 Flat-top (two humps)
SLD1055F70P10 10 ± 2 1055 ± 15 70 ± 10 Flat-top (two humps)
1 P/Ns of fiber-pigtailed SLDs indicated in the table above do not contain information on the type of fiber. The corresponding suffix must be added to the end of the P/N to specify the fiber, as follows: S – for isotropic SM fiber; P – for PANDA PM fiber; M – for multi-mode [MM] fiber.
2 See examples of bell-like and flat-top spectra further on this page.
3 More than 30 mW on request

Table 1B

Product P/N1 SLD current, Typ / Max, mA Spectral ripple, Typ / Max, %2
SLD670B8P10 140 / 180 1 / 5
SLD785F50P15 250 / 350 1 / 5
SLD830F60P15 250 /350 1 / 5
SLD830F75P15 300 / 400 1 / 5
SLD840F50P8 200 / 250 1 / 5
SLD840F50P15 250 / 300 1 / 5
SLD840F50P25 300 / 400 1 / 5
SLD840B30P10 250 / 300 1 / 5
SLD840B30P20 250 / 300 1 / 5
SLD1010F100P7 280 / 350 1 / 5
SLD1055F70P10 220 / 280 1 / 5
1 P/Ns of fiber-pigtailed SLDs indicated in the table above do not contain information on the type of fiber. The corresponding suffix must be added to the end of the P/N to specify the fiber, as follows: S – for isotropic SM fiber; P – for PANDA PM fiber; M – for multi-mode [MM] fiber.
2 At a spectral resolution of 0.01 nm

Products with unique optical performance

Outstanding, most optically powerful and most broadband light sources.

Table 2A

Product P/N1 Fiber optical power, mW Central wavelength, nm Spectral width (FWHM), nm Type of spectrum2
SLD795B15P30 30 795 ± 5 15 ± 3 Bell-like
SLD840B25P50 50 840 ± 10 25 ± 5 Bell-like
SLD840F50P50 50 ± 5 840 ± 10 50 ± 5 Flat-top (two humps)
SLD935F100P12 12 ± 3 935 ± 10 100 ± 10 Flat-top (two humps)
SLD1185B30P1 1 1185 ± 10 30 ± 5 Bell-like
1 P/Ns of fiber-pigtailed SLDs indicated in the table above do not contain information on the type of fiber. The corresponding suffix must be added to the end of the P/N to specify the fiber, as follows: S – for isotropic SM fiber; P – for PANDA PM fiber; M – for multi-mode [MM] fiber.
2 See examples of bell-like and flat-top spectra further on this page.

Table 2B

Product P/N1 SLD current, Typ / Max, mA Spectral ripple, Typ / Max, %2
SLD795B15P30 250 / 350 1 / 5
SLD840B25P50 350 / 450 1 / 5
SLD840F50P50 450 / 550 1 / 5
SLD935F100P12 250 / 400 1 / 5
SLD1185B30P1 550 / 650 1 / 5
1 P/Ns of fiber-pigtailed SLDs indicated in the table above do not contain information on the type of fiber. The corresponding suffix must be added to the end of the P/N to specify the fiber, as follows: S – for isotropic SM fiber; P – for PANDA PM fiber; M – for multi-mode [MM] fiber.
2 At a spectral resolution of 0.01 nm

Other standard products

Other standard products are listed in the tables below.

Table 3A

Product P/N1 Fiber optical power, mW Central wavelength, nm Spectral width (FWHM), nm Type of spectrum2
SLD780B15P12 12 780 ± 5 15 ± 3 Bell-like
SLD840B16P10 10 840 ± 10 16 ± 3 Bell-like
SLD850B25P12 12 850 ± 5 25 ± 5 Bell-like
SLD960B35P20 20 960 ± 15 35 ± 10 Bell-like
SLD1065B35P20 20 1065 ± 10 35 ± 5 Bell-like
1 P/Ns of fiber-pigtailed SLDs indicated in the table above do not contain information on the type of fiber. The corresponding suffix must be added to the end of the P/N to specify the fiber, as follows: S – for isotropic SM fiber; P – for PANDA PM fiber; M – for multi-mode [MM] fiber.
2 See examples of bell-like and flat-top spectra further on this page.

Table 3B

Product P/N1 SLD current, Typ / Max, mA Spectral ripple, Typ / Max, %2
SLD780B15P12 150 / 200 1 / 5
SLD840B16P10 150 / 250 1 / 5
SLD850B25P12 150 / 200 1 / 5
SLD960B35P20 250 / 300 1 / 5
SLD1065B35P20 250 / 400 1 / 5
1 P/Ns of fiber-pigtailed SLDs indicated in the table above do not contain information on the type of fiber. The corresponding suffix must be added to the end of the P/N to specify the fiber, as follows: S – for isotropic SM fiber; P – for PANDA PM fiber; M – for multi-mode [MM] fiber.
2 At a spectral resolution of 0.01 nm

Standard fiber-pigtailed cooled SLD modules (1300 – 1600 nm spectral range, bell-like emission spectra*)

*See examples of bell-like and flat-top spectra further on this page.

FC/APC terminated fiber pigtail with 900 µm loose tube. Hermetically sealed Butterfly package with Peltier TEC, 10 kOhm thermistor, and PD monitor.

Most standard products are listed. Much more customized products are available. Please contact us at enquiries@sldsources.com with your detailed requirements.

The standard products are listed in the tables below.

Table 4A

Product P/N1 Fiber optical power, mW Central wavelength, nm Spectral width (FWHM), nm
SLD1290B40P10 10 1290 ± 10 40 ± 5
SLD1300B30P20 20 1300 ± 10 30 ± 5
SLD1555B50P5 5 1555 ± 10 50 ± 5
SLD1555B25P10 10 1555 ± 10 25 ± 5
SLD1555B35P15 15 1555 ± 10 35 ± 5
SLD1555B50P15 15 1565 ± 10 50 ± 5
SLD1555B40P20 20 1555 ± 10 40 ± 5
SLD1565B50P20 20 1565 ± 10 50 ± 5
SLD1565B25P20 20 1565 ± 10 25 ± 5
SLD1580B30P30 30 1580 ± 10 30 ± 5
1 P/Ns of fiber-pigtailed SLDs indicated in the table above do not contain information on the type of fiber. The corresponding suffix must be added to the end of the P/N to specify the fiber, as follows: S – for isotropic SM fiber; P – for PANDA PM fiber; M – for multi-mode [MM] fiber.

Table 4B

Product P/N1 SLD current, Max, mA Spectral ripple, Typ / Max, %2
SLD1290B40P10 350 2 / 5
SLD1300B30P20 400 3 / 5
SLD1555B50P5 400 2 / 5
SLD1555B25P10 400 2 / 5
SLD1555B35P15 500 2 / 5
SLD1555B50P15 550 2 / 5
SLD1555B40P20 550 2 / 5
SLD1565B50P20 650 2 / 5
SLD1565B25P20 650 2 / 5
SLD1580B30P30 900 2 / 5
1 P/Ns of fiber-pigtailed SLDs indicated in the table above do not contain information on the type of fiber. The corresponding suffix must be added to the end of the P/N to specify the fiber, as follows: S – for isotropic SM fiber; P – for PANDA PM fiber; M – for multi-mode [MM] fiber.
2 At a spectral resolution of 0.01 nm

Free-space TO9-canned uncooled SLD modules

Standard TO9 package, AR-coated glass window, PD monitor.

Most standard products are listed. Much more customized products are available. Please contact us at enquiries@sldsources.com with your detailed requirements.

Table 5A

Product P/N Free-space optical power, mW Central wavelength, nm Spectral width (FWHM), nm Type of spectrum1
SLD670B8P5F09 5 670 ± 10 8 ± 1.5 Bell-like
SLD670B8P15F09 15 670 ± 10 8 ± 1.5 Bell-like
SLD835B12P30F09 30 835 ± 10 12 ± 2 Bell-like
SLD840B18P20F09 20 840 ± 10 18 ± 3 Bell-like
SLD845B30P100F09 100 845 ± 10 30 ± 10 Bell-like
SLD880B40P20F09 20 880 ± 10 40 ± 10 Bell-like
SLD920B30P20F09 20 920 ± 10 30 ± 5 Bell-like
SLD970B30P8F09 8 970 ± 10 30 ± 5 Bell-like
1 See examples of bell-like and flat-top spectra further on this page.

Table 5B

Product P/N SLD current, Typ / Max, mA Spectral ripple, Typ / Max, %1
SLD670B8P5F09 120 / 160 1 / 5
SLD670B8P15F09 110 / 180 1 / 5
SLD835B12P30F09 200 / 280 1 / 5
SLD840B18P20F09 140 / 180 1 / 5
SLD845B30P100F09 350 / 450 1 / 5
SLD880B40P20F09 200 / 260 1 / 5
SLD920B30P20F09 150 / 200 1 / 5
SLD970B30P8F09 120 / 150 1 / 5
1 At a spectral resolution of 0.01 nm

Spectrum examples

Below are the examples of bell-like and flat-top (two humps) spectra for standard models of Superluminescent Diode (SLD) modules.

Flat-top (two humps) spectrum example (840 nm)

Flat-top (two humps) spectrum example (840 nm)

Bell-like spectrum example (840 nm)

Bell-like spectrum example (840 nm)

Bell-like spectrum example (1300 nm)

Bell-like spectrum example (1300 nm)

Bell-like spectrum example (1550 nm)

Bell-like spectrum example (1550 nm)

Product customization

We are capable to customize our products to meet any specific requirements:

1. Optical performance specifications. Various SLD products at wavelengths of 660 nm, 780 nm, 805 nm, 810 nm, 850 nm, 860 nm, 870 nm, 920 nm, 980 nm, 1000 nm, 1050 nm, and in the 1300 – 1600 nm spectral range are available.

2. Module package. The module packages available can be found below.

Standard Butterfly package
Standard Butterfly package
(FC/APC terminated fiber pigtail with 900 µm loose tube; standard package with Peltier TEC, 10 kOhm thermistor, PD monitor)
30 × 12.7 × 9.8 mm (L × W × H)
1 TEC Anode (+)
2 Thermistor
3 PD Anode (-)
4 PD Cathode (+)
5 Thermistor
6 N/C
7 N/C
8 N/C
9 N/C
10 SLD Anode (+)
11 SLD Cathode (-)
12 N/C
13 Case
14 TEC Cathode (-)
Free-space uncooled TO9 and TO56 canned packages
Free-space uncooled TO9 and TO56 canned packages
(standard package, AR-coated glass window, PD monitor)
⌀9 × 6.7 mm (D × H)
⌀5.6 × 3.6 mm (D × H)
1 SLD Anode (+)
2 Common, Case
3 PD Cathode (+)
Uncooled fiber-pigtailed MiniButterfly package
Uncooled fiber-pigtailed MiniButterfly package
(bare 250 µm optical fiber output package with thermistor and PD monitor)
14.8 × 8.5 × 4.5 mm (L × W × H)
1 Thermistor
2 Thermistor
3 SLD Anode (+)
4 SLD Cathode (-)
PD Anode (-)
Case
5 PD Cathode (+)
Peltier-cooled free-space package [TOW]
Peltier-cooled free-space package [TOW]
(AR-coated glass window,Peltier TEC, 10 kOhm thermistor, PD monitor)
22.9 × 12.7 × 11.3 mm (L × W × H)
1 PD Anode (-)
Case
2 SLD Cathode (-)
3 TEC Cathode (-)
4 TEC Anode (+)
5 SLD Anode (+)
6 Thermistor
7 Thermistor
8 PD Cathode (+)

3. Optical fiber. The standard fibers available can be found below.

SM and PM fibers:
Spectral range Single-mode (SM) isotropic fiber Polarization maintain (PM) fiber
650 – 700 nm FiberCore SM600 Corning PANDA PM63-U25D
750 – 1000 nm Corning HI780 Corning PANDA PM85-U25D
1000 – 1200 nm Corning HI1060 Corning PANDA PM98-U25D
1300 – 1600 nm Corning SMF-28 Corning PANDA PM13-U25A
MM fibers: Corning 50/125/250 µm, Corning 62.5/125/250 µm, ThorLabs GIF 625-100.

Additional Resources

Product Information Sheets

Dimensional drawings

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