ALM5R 1550 nm 10 mW 1 GHz Butterfly Analogue DFB Laser
- Technology
- Analogue fibre optical devices
- Partner
- AGx Technologies
The ALM5R is an analogue DFB laser module designed for precision optical transmission at the 1550 nm wavelength. Housed in a hermetic 14-pin butterfly package, it integrates a thermoelectric cooler and optical isolator to ensure stable wavelength and power output over varying temperatures. This laser source offers up to 10 mW of single-mode optical power with a narrow spectral linewidth and high side-mode suppression, making it suitable for demanding fibre-optic systems. With an analogue modulation bandwidth of approximately 1 GHz, the ALM5R can carry broadband RF signals or complex modulated analog waveforms over fibre without significant distortion.
It is ideally suited for engineers developing RF-over-fibre links, distributed antenna systems, CATV networks, and optical sensor systems that require a stable, linear light source. The module’s built-in monitor photodiode facilitates closed-loop power control for long-term stability, and the standard single-mode fibre pigtail with SC/APC connector supports straightforward integration. Overall, ALM5R provides a convenient and reliable laser solution for analog optical communication and instrumentation tasks where spectral purity and linearity are critical.
The ALM5R is engineered for analogue optical links that demand stable wavelength control, good linearity, and dependable output power. Its 1550 nm DFB architecture supports single-frequency operation with high spectral purity, while the hermetic 14-pin butterfly package integrates key control and protection elements for practical system use.
Typical applications include RF-over-fiber, CATV transport, distributed antenna systems, and optical sensing setups where low distortion and stable optical performance are essential.
Range features
A high level overview of what this range offers
- 1550 nm DFB laser: Single-frequency distributed feedback design delivers narrow-linewidth output for stable, precise optical transmission.
- Analogue modulation up to ~1 GHz: Supports broadband RF and analogue waveform transport for RF-over-fiber and CATV-style applications.
- Up to 10 mW optical output: Provides useful launch power for fiber links while maintaining high linearity.
- 14-pin butterfly package: Hermetic construction with integrated TEC and isolator supports reliable operation in demanding environments.
- Integrated monitor photodiode: Enables closed-loop optical power control for improved long-term stability.
- High spectral purity: SMSR > 40 dB helps minimise side modes for cleaner analogue transmission and sensing performance.
- Single-mode fiber pigtail: Standard SMF-28 output with SC/APC connector simplifies optical integration.
- High-linearity behaviour: Optimised for analogue signal fidelity and reduced distortion in broadband links.
Downloads
for ALM5R 1550 nm 10 mW 1 GHz Butterfly Analogue DFB Laser
What’s in this range?
All the variants in the range and a comparison of what they offer
Parameter | Value |
Laser type | DFB semiconductor laser (single-mode) |
Center wavelength | 1550 nm (C-band center), ±1 nm tolerance |
Optical output power | Up to 10 mW (CW, typical) |
Analogue bandwidth | ~1 GHz (-3 dB direct modulation bandwidth) |
Spectral linewidth | Narrow (single-frequency, few MHz typical) |
Side-mode suppression |
|
Fiber pigtail | 1 m SMF-28 single-mode fiber, SC/APC connector (standard) |
Integrated components | Thermoelectric cooler (TEC), thermistor, isolator, monitor photodiode |
Package | 14-pin butterfly module, hermetically sealed |
Operating mode | Analogue direct modulation (1 GHz); CW bias with high-frequency overlay |
FAQs
for ALM5R 1550 nm 10 mW 1 GHz Butterfly Analogue DFB Laser
It means the module can directly modulate optical output with analogue or RF signals up to about 1 GHz. In practice, this allows broadband signal transport over fiber for applications such as CATV, wireless distribution, and RF-over-fiber links, provided a suitable high-speed driver or bias-tee arrangement is used.
The integrated TEC stabilises laser temperature, which helps maintain wavelength and output power over changing environmental conditions. The internal optical isolator reduces the impact of back-reflections, lowering the risk of noise, instability, or mode hopping in the optical system.
The standard configuration uses a single-mode SMF-28 fiber pigtail of about 1 meter with an SC/APC connector. This angled connector style helps minimise reflections and supports easier integration into telecom and sensing setups.
Yes. The module includes an integrated monitor photodiode that can be used for feedback-based power control. This supports automatic power control schemes and helps maintain output stability over time and temperature.
Yes. The ALM5R is designed for analogue optical transmission and is well suited to RF-over-fiber, CATV distribution, distributed antenna systems, and similar broadband links. Its combination of approximately 1 GHz bandwidth, good linearity, and up to 10 mW optical output makes it a practical choice for these use cases.
Yes. To achieve modulation performance up to 1 GHz, you should use a suitable high-speed laser driver or a bias-tee based drive arrangement with proper RF design practices. Stable biasing, impedance matching, and short RF paths are important for best results.
