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Photo: SPG-V500 (InGaAs type)

Shimadzu Corporation will launch a new optical spectrum analyzer, the Laser Spectrum Analyzer SPG-V500 (InGaAs type), in China, India and the EU in summer 2026. This model inherits the strengths of the SPG-V500 (released November 2020), which measures laser spectrum (light intensity by wavelength) at high speed, and expands its capabilities to cover wavelength bands used in optical communications.

An optical spectrum analyzer measures the spectrum of light. In recent years, rising demands for higher speed, larger capacity and lower latency in optical communications have increased the need to improve the quality of active optical devices such as laser light sources and optical transceivers, and to shorten inspection times in mass-production processes. In optical measurement fields, eye-safe wavelengths (infrared above 1.4 μm) are increasingly used in applications such as LiDAR for autonomous driving. As a result, demand for optical spectrum analyzers has been expanding across laser light-source development and evaluation through to manufacturing and inspection.

The Laser Spectrum Analyzer SPG-V500 (InGaAs type) is a polychromator-type optical spectrum analyzer that supports wavelength bands used in optical communications and offers the wavelength resolution required for laser spectrum analysis. Its greatest strength is high-speed spectral measurement, contributing to improved efficiency in a wide range of settings from research and development to manufacturing. In R&D, visualization of spectral behavior such as mode hops helps improve laser source performance; in manufacturing, the ability to view spectra in real time enables smooth adjustment work and makes 100% inspection (previously constrained by inspection time) feasible.

• Notes:
• 1. LiDAR: a technology that measures the distance to objects and their position by detecting reflected laser light.
• 2. Laser spectrum analysis: detailed measurement of a laser’s spectrum to evaluate characteristics such as peak wavelength and intensity.

Features

1. Capture instantaneous spectral behavior

By using an image sensor to simultaneously capture the spectrum over a selected wavelength range, the SPG-V500 enables high-speed measurements and visualizes spectral behavior. It supports a wavelength range of 950–1700 nm, assisting improvements in laser source quality.

2. Simple light input while maintaining high wavelength resolution

Measurements can be made with single-mode fiber and with multimode fiber while retaining high wavelength resolution of 0.05 nm or better. Because the multimode fiber can simply be pointed toward the light source, the need for precise optical alignment is eliminated, shortening total measurement time.

3. Control software that visualizes spectral behavior

In addition to a spectral monitor, the software includes an intensity map and trend graphs that visualize temporal changes in the spectrum. Users can observe spectral behavior using a variety of indicators to support evaluation of laser light sources. Furthermore, by adding an optional high dynamic range measurement function, a side-mode suppression ratio (SMSR) of up to 60 dB can be measured in 1 second or less.

Photo: New control software "SPG for Laser" — screen image

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SPG-V500 (InGaAs type)