Keysight (Agilent) 86038B Photonic Dispersion and Loss Analyzer

The Keysight (Agilent) 86038B Photonic Dispersion and Loss Analyzer characterizes optical fibers and components with precision measurement of chromatic dispersion, polarization mode dispersion, and insertion loss. Built for high-speed telecommunications and data communications systems operating at 10 Gb/s and 40 Gb/s, it employs the industry-standard Modulation Phase Shift (MPS) method with modular customization for specific test requirements.

– Technical Specifications

• Measurement Wavelength Range: 1250 nm to 1650 nm with tunable wavelength steps of 0.1 pm
• Chromatic Dispersion Accuracy: ±0.1 ps/nm/km
• CD Resolution: 0.001 ps/nm
• Loss Accuracy: ±0.01 dB/km
• Input Power Range: -30 dBm to +10 dBm
• Input Polarization Sensitivity: 45 dB
• Dynamic Range: Up to 60 dB
• Modulation Frequency Range: 5 MHz to 2.5 GHz

– Key Features

• Measures chromatic dispersion (CD), polarization mode dispersion (PMD), and second-order PMD
• Insertion loss and gain characterization
• Polarization dependent loss (PDL) analysis
• Group delay (GD) and differential group delay (DGD) computation
• GD ripple and zero-dispersion wavelength determination
• CD slope characterization
• Direct fiber or device length measurement
• Single laser enables up to 200 nm sweep range
• Configurable modulation frequencies optimize dispersion measurement and wavelength resolution

– Typical Applications

• Fiber characterization in telecommunications R&D
• Manufacturing quality assurance for optical components
• High-speed optical system validation
• Cable and device loss profiling

– Compatibility & Integration

Modular architecture permits tailored configurations to match specific testing workflows and measurement priorities.