Compact Tunable Laser Source
A compact tunable laser source is a small, self-contained instrument that delivers one continuous-wave laser output whose wavelength can be set anywhere within an optical...
Compact Tunable Laser Source
Single-Port Compact Tunable Laser for Coherent, DWDM and Photonics R&D — CoBrite DX1 by ID Photonics
A compact tunable laser source is a small, self-contained instrument that delivers one continuous-wave laser output whose wavelength can be set anywhere within an optical band. It gives an engineer or researcher a precise, adjustable light source on the bench without the size and cost of a rack-mounted multi-channel system.
The CoBrite DX1 from ID Photonics GmbH, Germany, is a single-port tunable laser in a benchtop housing just 32 × 82 × 150 mm and 0.5 kg. It can be ordered with a narrow linewidth laser (25 kHz typical) in the C-band or L-band, a high-power standard linewidth laser (up to 17.8 dBm), or a cost-effective general-purpose laser. Output is on polarisation-maintaining fibre, control is via USB with a Windows GUI or SCPI commands, and a built-in set-and-forget memory lets it run on its last settings without a PC.
United Spectrum Instruments is the official authorised distributor of the CoBrite DX1 in India, providing configuration guidance, quotations, delivery and after-sales technical support across the country.
The CoBrite DX1 is an ultra-compact single-port tunable laser source with 25 kHz linewidth options for coherent, DWDM and photonics R&D testing — available in India through United Spectrum Instruments.
Understanding the Compact Tunable Laser Source
What is a compact tunable laser source?
A tunable laser source emits continuous-wave (CW) light whose wavelength can be set to any value within a defined band, instead of being fixed at the factory. A compact tunable laser packs that capability into a small benchtop module powered from a desk adapter and controlled from a laptop. It is the simplest way to add a precise, adjustable laser to an optical test bench, teaching lab or prototype setup.
The CoBrite DX1 is about the size of a hardback book: 32 mm high, 82 mm wide and 150 mm deep. It contains one tunable laser module from the same CoBrite platform used in ID Photonics’ larger DX2, DX and MX systems, so its optical performance matches theirs.
Three laser types for different jobs
- N-type (narrow linewidth) — 25 kHz typical linewidth, available in extended C-band or L-band. The choice for coherent transmission, local oscillator duty, sensing and quantum optics.
- S-type (standard linewidth) — 80 kHz typical linewidth with the highest output power, up to +17.8 dBm, and fast tuning of about 1 second. Suited to DWDM channel loading and component testing.
- G-type (general purpose) — 25 kHz typical linewidth over the standard C-band at lower cost, for teaching labs and general R&D.
Where the DX1 fits in the CoBrite family
- CoBrite DX1 — one laser, benchtop, USB control, 0.5 kg. The most compact and affordable entry point.
- CoBrite DX2 — one or two lasers in a 1 HE half-width rack chassis with Ethernet and browser control. See the CoBrite DX2 dual-port tunable laser source.
- CoBrite DX — up to four lasers with a touchscreen display in a 2U half-width chassis. See the CoBrite DX narrow linewidth tunable laser source.
Because all CoBrite instruments share the same SCPI command structure, test scripts written for a DX1 carry over to the larger systems when a lab scales up.
What 25 kHz linewidth means in practice
Linewidth (Δν) sets the coherence length of the laser, the distance over which its light keeps a stable phase. For a Lorentzian line shape:
Lc ≈ c / (π · Δν)
At 25 kHz this is about 3.8 km; at 80 kHz it is about 1.2 km. Long coherence length keeps laser phase noise low in coherent receivers and extends the usable range of interferometric and FMCW sensing experiments.
Technical Specifications
| Parameter | N-Type (Narrow Linewidth) | S-Type (Standard Linewidth) | G-Type (General Purpose) |
| Frequency / Wavelength Range | C-band: 190.70–196.65 THz (1524.5–1572.0 nm) L-band: 186.00–191.10 THz (1568.8–1611.7 nm) | C-band: 191.12–196.25 THz (1527.6–1568.6 nm) | C-band: 191.10–196.25 THz (1527.6–1568.8 nm) |
| Linewidth | 25 kHz typical, <100 kHz | 80 kHz typical; <100 kHz below 16 dBm, <150 kHz above | 25 kHz typical, <100 kHz |
| Output Power | C: +10.0 to +16.0 dBm L: +9.0 to +14.5 dBm | +8.8 to +17.8 dBm | +9.5 to +15.5 dBm |
| Fine Tuning Range / Resolution | ±6 GHz / 1 MHz | ±10 GHz / 10 MHz | ±6 GHz / 1 MHz |
| Tuning Speed (typical / max) | 10 s / 15 s | 1 s / 2 s | 10 s / 15 s |
| Frequency Accuracy (24 h / lifetime) | 0.3 GHz / ±2.5 GHz | 0.3 GHz / ±1.5 GHz | 0.3 GHz / ±2.5 GHz |
| SMSR | >40 dB (55 dB typical) | ||
| Power Accuracy over Tuning Range | ±0.5 dB | ||
| Channel Spacing | Continuous (tune to any frequency in range) | ||
| Output Fibre | Polarisation-maintaining PANDA fibre, PER >18 dB (25 dB typical) | ||
| Connector | FC/APC or FC/PC | ||
| Control | USB; Windows GUI software and SCPI-style commands; front-panel laser on/off button | ||
| Set-and-Forget Memory | Restores last wavelength, power and on/off state after power cycle; runs without a PC | ||
| Dimensions (H × W × D) | 32 × 82 × 150 mm (1.3 × 3 × 6 in), benchtop | ||
| Weight | 0.5 kg | ||
| Power Supply | External adapter (included), 100–240 VAC, 500 mA, 50/60 Hz; 12 VDC at unit | ||
| Operating / Storage Temperature | 0 to 40 °C / −20 to 60 °C, non-condensing | ||
| Compliance | Class 1M laser product (EN/IEC 60825-1), RoHS | ||
| Order Code | CBDX1-1-XY-CC (X = laser type, Y = band, CC = connector), e.g. CBDX1-1-NC-FA | ||
Contact United Spectrum Instruments for the datasheet of your exact laser type and connector.
Key Features and Advantages
Ultra-Compact and Portable
At 32 × 82 × 150 mm and 0.5 kg, the DX1 fits beside a laptop on a crowded optical bench, travels in a laptop bag for field trials, and needs no rack. It brings laboratory-grade tunable laser performance to the smallest bench space.
Laboratory Performance from the CoBrite Platform
The DX1 uses the same tunable laser modules as ID Photonics’ multi-channel CoBrite systems. Its narrow linewidth N-type delivers 25 kHz typical linewidth and side-mode suppression of 55 dB typical, matching the optical performance of far larger instruments.
Choice of Laser Type and Band
Select the narrow linewidth N-type in C-band or L-band for coherent and sensing work, the S-type for the highest output power (up to +17.8 dBm) and fastest tuning, or the G-type as a cost-effective general-purpose source. You pay only for the performance the application needs.
Continuous Tuning with Fine Frequency Control
The laser tunes to any frequency within its band, not just ITU grid channels, for flexible-grid and gridless testing. Fine tuning of ±6 GHz at 1 MHz resolution (N and G types) or ±10 GHz at 10 MHz resolution (S-type) allows precise offsets, filter-edge sweeps and frequency-locking experiments. Power stays within ±0.5 dB across the tuning range.
Set-and-Forget Operation
Once configured, the DX1 stores its wavelength, power and on/off state. After a power cycle it returns to exactly those settings with no PC connected, which makes it ideal as a fixed reference source, a long-running test stimulus or a remote field node.
Simple USB Control and Automation
Plug into any PC’s USB port and control the laser from the supplied Windows GUI. For automation, SCPI-style commands over the USB COM port integrate the DX1 into LabVIEW, Python or MATLAB scripts. Several DX1 units can run from one PC, and the command set is shared with the larger CoBrite instruments.
Polarisation-Maintaining Output
Output is on PM PANDA fibre with a polarisation extinction ratio above 18 dB (25 dB typical), ready for IQ modulators, coherent receivers, silicon photonic chips and polarisation-sensitive sensors.
Low Running Cost and Easy Setup
The included external adapter accepts 100–240 VAC, so the DX1 runs directly on Indian mains. There is nothing to install beyond the GUI, and a front-panel button switches the laser on or off without software.
Applications Across Industries
See the full overview of compact tunable laser source applications, or explore the uses below.
Cost-Effective DWDM Channel Testing for Telecom Networks
Telecom engineers use the DX1 as a single tunable channel for testing transceivers, filters, ROADMs and optical amplifiers in telecommunications and optical networks. One instrument replaces a drawer of fixed-wavelength DFB lasers and covers both fixed ITU grids and flexible-grid channel plans.
Optical Carrier for Coherent Modulation Experiments
Fed into an IQ modulator or an optical multi-format transmitter, the narrow linewidth DX1 provides a low-phase-noise carrier for QPSK and QAM signal generation in research and teaching labs.
Benchtop Local Oscillator for Coherent Receivers
A 25 kHz DX1 serves as the local oscillator for a coherent optical receiver, with fine tuning at 1 MHz resolution to set the intradyne or heterodyne offset against the incoming signal.
University Photonics Labs and Quantum Optics
Its small size, low cost and narrow linewidth make the DX1 a natural first tunable laser for university labs studying quantum computing and integrated photonics: microring resonance mapping, frequency conversion and spectroscopy on silicon nitride and silicon photonic chips.
QKD Prototyping and Field-Trial Nodes
In quantum key distribution (QKD) development, the DX1’s set-and-forget memory and 0.5 kg weight suit portable trial nodes that must restart on known settings without a PC.
Wavelength-Stepped Testing on Component and Packaging Lines
In opto-electronic packaging and component production, the DX1 steps through wavelengths under SCPI control to measure insertion loss, wavelength-dependent loss and filter response on couplers, AWGs, modulators and photonic integrated circuits.
Portable Reference for Optical Ground Station Development
Teams working on satellite and space communication use the DX1 as a light, portable reference laser for terminal alignment and coherent link emulation in the lab and at test sites.
FMCW LiDAR Prototyping and Fibre Sensing
For coherent and FMCW LiDAR, the 3.8 km coherence length of the N-type laser supports long-range heterodyne detection, while fine tuning enables frequency-sweep and interferometric fibre sensing experiments.
Field-Deployable Source for Defence Photonics
For defence and secure communication programmes, the DX1 provides a compact, low-power tunable source that fits into compact field enclosures and resumes operation automatically after power interruptions.
Why Choose United Spectrum Instruments?
Official Authorised Distributor in India
United Spectrum Instruments is the authorised Indian distributor for ID Photonics CoBrite tunable lasers, so you receive a genuine instrument backed by the manufacturer.
Help Choosing the Right Laser Type
N-type, S-type or G-type; C-band or L-band; FC/APC or FC/PC. Our team reviews your application and budget and recommends the configuration that fits, including whether a single-port DX1 or a multi-port DX2 or DX is the better long-term choice.
Experience with Indian Research and Industry
We work with IITs, CSIR laboratories, defence establishments, telecom companies and photonics start-ups across India, and understand their procurement and documentation requirements.
Delivery and Local Technical Support
We deliver anywhere in India and provide after-sales support for setup, USB and SCPI integration, and troubleshooting.
A Complete Optical Test Portfolio
Alongside the CoBrite family, we supply coherent receivers, multi-format transmitters and optical spectrum analysers, so you can build a complete optical test bench with one partner.
Contact Us
Phone: +91 93631 83748 / +91 97899 04948
Email: sales@unitedspectrum.in
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FAQs
What is the CoBrite DX1 compact tunable laser source?
The CoBrite DX1 is a single-port tunable laser from ID Photonics GmbH in a benchtop housing just 32 × 82 × 150 mm and 0.5 kg. It provides one continuously tunable CW laser output in the C-band or L-band, controlled over USB, for coherent, DWDM and photonics R&D testing.
What are the three CoBrite DX1 laser types?
N-type is narrow linewidth (25 kHz typical) in C-band or L-band. S-type is standard linewidth (80 kHz typical) with the highest power, up to +17.8 dBm, and fastest tuning. G-type is a general-purpose C-band laser with 25 kHz typical linewidth at lower cost.
What is the linewidth of the CoBrite DX1?
The N-type and G-type lasers have 25 kHz typical linewidth (below 100 kHz), giving a coherence length of about 3.8 km. The S-type has 80 kHz typical linewidth, below 100 kHz at output powers under 16 dBm.
Which wavelength bands does the CoBrite DX1 cover?
The N-type covers the extended C-band from 1524.5 to 1572 nm or the L-band from 1568.8 to 1611.7 nm. The S-type and G-type cover the standard C-band from about 1527.6 to 1568.7 nm. Each DX1 has one laser, so it covers one band.
How does the CoBrite DX1 compare with the DX2 and DX?
The DX1 has one laser in a 0.5 kg benchtop unit with USB control. The DX2 holds one or two lasers in a 1 HE half-width rack chassis with Ethernet and browser control. The DX holds up to four lasers with a touchscreen. All share the same laser modules and SCPI commands.
What output power does the CoBrite DX1 provide?
Output power depends on laser type: +10 to +16 dBm for the N-type C-band laser, +9 to +14.5 dBm for the N-type L-band laser, +8.8 to +17.8 dBm for the S-type and +9.5 to +15.5 dBm for the G-type. Power accuracy across the tuning range is ±0.5 dB.
What is the tuning resolution of the CoBrite DX1?
The laser tunes continuously across its band. Fine tuning covers ±6 GHz at 1 MHz resolution on the N-type and G-type, and ±10 GHz at 10 MHz resolution on the S-type.
Can the CoBrite DX1 be used as a local oscillator in a coherent receiver?
Yes. The narrow linewidth N-type, with 25 kHz typical linewidth, polarisation-maintaining output and 1 MHz fine tuning, is well suited as a local oscillator for coherent receivers in research and test setups.
How is the CoBrite DX1 controlled?
The DX1 connects to a PC over USB and is controlled with the supplied Windows GUI or with SCPI-style commands for automation in LabVIEW, Python or MATLAB. A front-panel button switches the laser on and off. It does not have an Ethernet port.
Does the CoBrite DX1 need a PC to run?
Only for setup. Its set-and-forget memory stores the wavelength, power and on/off state, and the DX1 returns to those settings after a power cycle without any PC connected.
Who is the authorised distributor of the CoBrite DX1 in India?
United Spectrum Instruments, Chennai, is the authorised distributor of ID Photonics CoBrite tunable lasers in India, supplying research institutions, defence establishments and industry nationwide with configuration guidance and after-sales support.
How can I get a quote or datasheet for the CoBrite DX1 in India?
Use the Get in Touch form on this page, email sales@unitedspectrum.in, or call +91 93631 83748 or +91 97899 04948. Tell us your application, band and preferred laser type, and we will send the datasheet and a quotation for your configuration.
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