Precision Making

Yokogawa AQ6361: A faster and more compact OSA for optical device production testing

by Edwin Luijks March 18, 2025

With the release of the AQ6361 optical spectrum analyzer (OSA), Yokogawa is presenting a fast, space-saving instrument for the production testing and inspecting of optical devices such as laser chips, optical transceivers, and optical fiber amplifiers. In fact, our new production-grade AQ6361 achieves up to 20 times the measurement speed of the best-selling AQ6370E model.

Latest-generation data centers are processing large volumes of information at high speeds, driving a surge in demand for optical modules and devices capable of supporting this throughput. We’ve designed our new AQ6361 as a faster, smaller, and higher performance OSA for testing optical datacom and telecom components.

As a major value-add, the introduction of a new ‘RAPID’ sensitivity mode for CW (continuous wave) light means our AQ6361 OSA delivers up to 20 times the measurement speed of the existing AQ6370E. This capability reduces test time dramatically during production operations and helps drive notable efficiency improvements.

Yokogawa AQ6361: A faster and more compact OSA for optical device production testing

To provide you with an example of fast measurement time, an application measuring the spectral distribution of a CW laser beam (span 100 nm, sampling 50001 points, noise level approximately -60 dBm), saw our AQ6361 achieve a measurement time of just 0.23 seconds.

With production space at a premium, we also developed the benchtop AQ6361 OSA with compact dimensions: it’s 50% smaller than our AQ6370E. If required, this space-saving model is also suitable for integration into laser diode chip testers and other test systems.

With two models in the series – the standard AQ6361-10 and high-performance AQ6361-20 – you can maximize optical performance in line with your specific requirements and budget. Furthermore, the selectable wavelength resolution is 0.05 to 2 nm (AQ6361-10) and 0.03 to 2 nm (AQ6361-20). The models also provide an optional (extended) wavelength range of 700-1700 nm in addition to the familiar 1200-1700 nm. The OSAs also offer high dynamic range measurements with excellent stray light suppression performance of 73 dB, delivering adaptability for the testing of various optical modules.

Adding further user value, free-space optical input makes it possible to connect both single-mode and large-core multimode to the same instrument, where small insertion loss variation at the input connector increases measurement repeatability. The absence of physical contact eliminates the possibility of damage when connecting fibers.

With our new AQ6361 OSA, any company manufacturing optical active devices, passive devices, sub-systems, or transmission systems for datacom/telecom applications, can take a major step forward in their production testing and inspection strategies.