High-precision photocurrent amplifiers

Photonic integrated circuits (PICs) are gaining traction as their potential to create compact, cost-effective and robust photonic devices is apparent. As PICs gain popularity in telecom applications, data centres, and various types of sensors, the need for advanced testing equipment becomes critical.

A key part to any new device is characterisation and validation, and for PICs, this requires highly accurate instruments capable of creating and measuring the intricate photonic signals used. Photodiodes are typically integrated within a PIC, and their output when absorbing photons is a small current. This current requires amplification to be accurately measured, without introducing significant levels of noise or additional errors to the measurement.  The specific requirements for such a system vary, in certain cases, ultra-fast signals need to be detected reaching up to GHz bandwidths. In others, the noise needs to be extremely low, down to femtoampere levels. Regardless of your requirements, LASER COMPONENTS has a solution to offer thanks to its extensive catalogue of trans-impedance amplifiers.

This includes the new PCA series high-precision photocurrent amplifier from Quantifi Photonics, which is purpose-built to meet the rigorous testing demands of the industry, providing the confidence to accurately measure the performance of photonic components.