3DL 12C LS2500 A1/A1M

The 3DL 12C LS2500 A1 has a relatively slow (1MHz bandwidth) pre-amplifier. This version has the smallest NEP and is the most sensitive detector version.

Some customers need A1 version but with extended bandwidth. So, ACST can modify the preamplifier and increase the bandwidth from 1MHz up to 40-50MHz. This is what is called 3DL 12C LS2500 A1M version and the price and delivery is same as for A1 version. However, it should be noted, that this detector has a little less responsivity and somehow larger noise because of amplifier modifications and larger bandwidth.

Type 3DL 12C LS2500 A1

Technical SpecificationsOptical Detectors
Lens Diameter (mm)12
Lens TypeCollimated
Antenna TypeLog-spiral
Antenna Bandwidth (GHz)50-2500
Videoamplifier Bandwidth10 Hz to 1 MHz (DC-Coupled)
Power Supply (V)+/- 12
Recommended max. Output Voltage (V)± 3
Current Consumption (mA)40 max
Responsivity (V/W)22000±1200@70GHz / 1100±120@1000GHz
Noise-equivalent Power (pW/Hz½)6 min
Responsivity Measured at (°C)25
Model NumberDelivery StatusData Sheet
3DL 12C LS2500 A1

ACST reserve the right to change the information presented here without notice.

Type 3DL 12C LS2500 A1M

Technical SpecificationsOptical Detectors
Lens Diameter (mm)12
Lens TypeCollimated
Antenna TypeLog-spiral
Antenna Bandwidth (GHz)50-2500
Videoamplifier Bandwidth10 Hz to 50 MHz (DC-Coupled)
Power Supply (V)+/- 12
Recommended max. Output Voltage (V)± 3
Current Consumption (mA)30 max
Responsivity (V/W)3500±200@70GHz / 100±30@1000GHz
Noise-equivalent Power (pW/Hz½)15 min
Responsivity Measured at (°C)25
Model NumberDelivery StatusData Sheet
3DL 12C LS2500 A1M-

ACST reserve the right to change the information presented here without notice.

Overview

Figure 1

summarises comparative measurements of three …A1 Detectors in a Photoconductive setup at Toptica Photonics AG (Germany). These three detectors are selected with maximum difference from each other. That means, the performance of detectors delivered to the customer may vary within these frames. Since measurements have been done in laboratory environment, water lines are clearly seen on the spectrum at several point frequencies starting with about 550GHz and up to about 1400GHz. This indicates that the measurements are performed correct and the detector signal indeed corresponds to the indicated frequency and are not just an artefact due to misinterpretation of the measurement results. After about 1.5THz the signal is probably lost because at higher frequencies the THz signal from the used photoconductive setup becomes very small and below the noise floor of the detector. In fact, the noise floor of this detector is about 10-15dB below 0.01nA, and water lines should be seen up to about 2THz. However, quasioptical measurements at such high frequencies are very tricky. Therefore, a good measurement setup and skilled operators are required to accurately perform such measurements. Measurement in another setup has demonstrated responsivity up to 1.7THz and that was limited by available THz power at higher frequencies.

Figure 2

shows measurement results of the GaAs photoconductive setup used in Figure 1, but using a Golay Cell detector. The Golay Cell detector is assumed to have a frequency-independent response up to several THz but is very slow and not suitable for many applications. In fact, the ACST QOD were developed to replace the Golay Cell for applications, where fast response is required. Nevertheless, the results from Figure 2 can be compared to the results from Figure 1 to roughly estimate responsivity of 3DL 12C LS2500 A1 detector. If we compare the signal level at 100GHz and at 1THz in Figure 2, we estimate the drop of the TX signal level by factor of about 15. Same comparison from Figure 1 suggest the drop of the output signal by factor of 30-35. This suggests, that the responsivity and S/N of ACST QOD drops from 100GHz to 1THz by less than 20dB! This is excellent performance for Schottky-based detectors!

Figure 1
Figure 2