The Keithley 2502 Dual-Channel Picoammeter provides two independent picoammeter-voltage source channels for a wide range of low level measurement applications including laser diode testing. The 2502 is also designed to increase the throughput of Keithley's LIV (light-current-voltage) test system for production testing of laser diode modules (LDMs). Developed in close cooperation with leading manufacturers of LDMs for fiberoptic telecommunication networks, this dual-channel instrument has features that make it easy to synchronize with other system elements for tight control over optical power measurements. The 2502 features a high speed analog output that allows using the LIV test system at the fiber alignment stage of the LDM manufacturing process. Through the use of buffer memory and a Trigger Link interface that's unique to Keithley instruments, the 2502 can offer the fastest throughput available today for LIV testing of laser diode modules. These instruments are ruggedly engineered to meet the reliability and repeatability demands of continuous operation in round-the-clock production environments.

Low-Level, High Speed Measurements

The 2502 combines Keithley's expertise in low-level current measurements with high speed current measurement capabilities. Each channel of this instrument consists of a voltage source paired with a high speed picoammeter. Each of the two channels has an independent picoammeter and voltage source with measurements made simultaneously across both channels.

Fiber Alignment

The 2502's built-in high speed analog output makes it suitable for precision fiber alignment tasks. This instrument combines the ability to align the optical fiber quickly and accurately with a laser diode's optimum light emitting region and the capability to make precision LIV measurements, all in the same test fixture. The 2502's wide dynamic range allows early beam skirt detection, reducing the time required for fiber alignment. An LIV sweep can be performed during the alignment process to optimize fiber location for an entire operating range. High speed feedback minimizes delays in the alignment process, so it's unnecessary to sacrifice alignment speed to ensure accurate device characterization.

Wide Dynamic Measurement Range

The 2502 offers low current measurement ranges from 2nA to 20mA in decade steps. This provides for all photodetector current measurement ranges for testing laser diodes and LEDs in applications such as LIV testing, LED total radiance measurements, measurements of cross-talk and insertion loss on optical switches, and many others. The 2502 meets industry testing requirements for the transmitter as well as pump laser modules. The extensive current measurement range provides excellent sensitivity and resolution for beam current and radiation monitoring measurements.

High Accuracy Dark Current Measurements

The 2502's 2nA current measurement range is ideal for measuring dark currents and other low currents with 1fA resolution. Once the level of dark current has been determined, the instrument's REL function automatically subtracts the dark current as an offset so the measured values are more accurate for optical power measurements.

Voltage Bias Capability

The 2502 provides a choice of voltage bias ranges: +/-10V or +/-100V. This choice gives the system integrator the ability to match the bias range more closely to the type of photodetector being tested, typically +/-10V for large area photodetectors and +/-100V for avalanche-type photodetectors. This ability to match the bias to the photodetector ensures improved measurement linearity and accuracy. Also, the 100V range provides a source voltage for an SEM target bias supply.

High Testing Throughput

The 2502 is capable of taking 900 readings/second per channel at 4 1/2-digit resolution. It supports Trigger Link (a proprietary "hardware handshaking" triggering system, unique to Keithley products) and buffer memory. When programmed to execute a sweep, Trigger Link ensures measurement integrity by keeping the source and measurement functions working in lock step while the buffer memories record the measurements. Together, source memory, buffer memory, and Trigger Link eliminate GPIB traffic during a test sweep, improving test throughput dramatically.

Ratio and Delta Measurements

The 2502 can provide ratio or delta measurements between the two completely isolated channels, such as the ratio of the back facet monitor detector to the fiber-coupled photodetector at varying levels of input current. These functions can be accessed via the front panel or the GPIB interface. For test setups with multiple detectors, this capability allows for targeted control capabilities for the laser diode module.

Programmable Limits and Filters

As with most Keithley instruments, the 2502's current and voltage limits can be programmed to ensure device protection during critical points such as start of test, etc. These instruments also provide Average and Median filters, which can be applied to the data stored in the buffer memory.

Adaptable to Evolving DUT Requirements

Unlike optical power meters with integrated detectors, the 2502 allows the user to choose from a wide range of measurement capabilities simply by selecting an appropriate photodetector and programming the calibration coefficient of this detector at the wavelength of choice.

Interface Options

To speed and simplify system integration and control, the 2502 includes the Trigger Link feature and digital I/O lines, as well as standard IEEE-488 and RS-232 interfaces. The Trigger Link feature combines six independent software selectable trigger lines on a single connector for simple, direct control over all instruments in a system. This feature is especially useful for reducing total test time if the test involves a sweep. The 2502 can sweep through a series of measurements based on triggers received from other instruments. The digital I/O lines simplify external handler control and binning operations.

The 2502 Dual-Channel Picoammeter can measure and display either photodiode current or optical power for two photodiodes with appropriate user-supplied optical power gain/wavelength calibration factors.

The 2502 includes an analog output jack on the rear panel for each channel.