ID OSA Optical Spectrum Analyser for Quantum Computing

Why Quantum Computing Labs Need Spectral Checks

Photonic quantum computing research often works in the telecom band, using silicon and other integrated photonic circuits, pump lasers for photon-pair sources and filters that separate pump light from the photons being studied. Each of these depends on wavelength: a pump that drifts, a filter that has shifted or a resonance that has moved changes the result of the experiment.

When an experiment behaves unexpectedly, the first question is often whether the classical parts of the set-up are still where they should be. A quick spectrum of the pump laser and of light passed through the photonic circuit answers that, before time is spent looking for causes in the quantum part of the system.

Many quantum computing labs are also shared between groups. Lasers are retuned for one experiment and then used for another, so checking the spectrum at the start of each session saves time later.

The Optical Spectrum Analyser in a Quantum Lab

The ID OSA optical spectrum analyser from ID Photonics measures by coherent detection. Incoming light is mixed with an internal tunable laser reference and the spectrum is rebuilt from the result, instead of being scanned by a grating. The design is solid state, with no moving optical parts.

The ID OSA measures classical light, down to −60 dBm on its high-sensitivity port. It is used to check pump and probe lasers, amplified pump light and the spectral response of photonic circuits and filters with classical light, not to detect single photons.

Why Accuracy, Speed and Automation Matter

Three features decide how well the analyser fits a quantum computing lab:

• Frequency accuracy: ±1 GHz (±8 pm), to confirm pump lasers sit where the photonic circuit and filters expect them.
• Speed: a full band sweep in 0.5 s, so a check between runs costs very little time.
• Automation: SCPI commands let experiment-control software run laser checks on a schedule without an operator.

Built for Quantum Computing Research Labs

The ID OSA is a half-width 19-inch unit weighing 1.8 kg, which fits optical tables, racks and shared lab benches.

Resolution

Spectral sampling is 2.5 pm with a 1.7 GHz (13.6 pm) 3 dB bandwidth, enough to see the position of a pump laser and the shape of filter and resonance features at that scale.

Two input ports

The standard port takes −30 to +23 dBm for pump lasers and amplified light, and the high-sensitivity port −60 to +3 dBm for weak classical signals such as tapped or filtered light.

C-band and L-band

The C-band covers 1528.5 to 1567.5 nm and the L-band 1569.08 to 1609.73 nm. Quantum platforms working at visible or shorter near-infrared wavelengths fall outside this range.

Control and triggering

USB, Ethernet, a browser GUI and SCPI commands for Python, LabVIEW and MATLAB are built in, with a 3.3 V TTL trigger in and out to start sweeps in step with an experiment.

Building a Complete Quantum Photonics Bench

The Narrow Linewidth Tunable Laser Source provides a stable pump whose wavelength the optical spectrum analyser can confirm, and the Polarisation-Maintaining EDFA raises pump power in the C-band while holding the polarisation. The Compact Tunable Laser Source serves as a second, probe wavelength for checking circuit and filter response. For experiments that use the lab’s own Mach-Zehnder modulators, the Automatic Bias Control System holds them at their operating point. Scripting the laser and analyser together lets a lab log pump wavelength and power at the start of every run, building a record that can be checked when results change.

Who Uses It

• Photonic quantum computing research groups
• Integrated and silicon photonics laboratories
• Quantum light source and photon-pair research teams
• Shared photonics facilities at universities and national institutes
• Quantum technology start-ups working in the telecom band

Supply and Support in India

United Spectrum Instruments (USI), Chennai, supplies the ID OSA optical spectrum analyser in India as the distributor for ID Photonics, together with the CoBrite lasers, the automatic bias control system and the PM EDFA.

USI offers pre-purchase advice and installation guidance to quantum computing groups, and works with ID Photonics on application-specific configuration, training and after-sales support.

Request a Configuration

Download the brochure from this page, use the Enquire Now button, write to sales@unitedspectrum.in, or call +91 93631 83748 / +91 97899 04948. Please mention:

• Your pump and probe wavelengths
• The lasers, circuits or filters you need to check
• The power levels at the point of measurement
• Your experiment-control software