Broadband Light Sources. Superlum BroadLighters.

Introduction

Superlum offers both custom-configured SLD and controller combinations and standard broadband light sources with up to three  SLDs inside. Depending on the design, these ready-to-use sources may contain optical isolators, variable optical attenuators (VOAs), and other optical components—all housed within a single compact enclosure.

Made-to-order single SLD light sources at 660 – 1620 nm

Superlum SLDs are highly stable and reliable, but they are also extremely sensitive to driving conditions. For optimal performance and protection, we strongly recommend using Superlum SLDs exclusively with Superlum controllers, as our warranty fully covers any drive-related issues when this pairing is used.

High-power SLDs are additionally sensitive to optical feedback, which can lead to latent or catastrophic damage. To mitigate this risk, we offer light source modules equipped with integrated optical isolators. These optically isolated sources are covered under warranty for any failure or malfunction.

To configure a suitable SLD module and controller combination, please select the appropriate SLD module (refer to the SLD Modules product page) and match it with a compatible light source series as outlined in the table below. The light source model number reflects both the product series and the selected SLD module. Output power and spectral width will vary depending on the module chosen.

Additional configurations and options are available - please visit our full product listing for details.

Product series	Picture	Description
SLD-BLL		Ultra-Compact Light Source for PCB On-Board Integration. 5 V DC powered. Any butterfly SLD with drive current up to 300 mA, fiber pigtail, UART control, 10 kHz modulation (on/off).
SLD-mCS		Miniature Broadband Light Source Modules. Miniature single-SLD light sources with analog SLD control. 9-30 V DC-powered. 50 kHz SLD modulation (faster modulation upon request). Switchable SLD control mode (ACC-APC).
SLD-cBLMD, cBLMD-D, cBLMD-T		cBLMD-series Compact Broadband Light Source Modules with up to 3 SLDs inside (OEM versions of Superlum Broadlighters). Compact broadband light sources with digital control of SLD modules. 9-15 V DC-powered (12 V DC recommended). Up to 3 SLDs inside. Allows integration of additional components like couplers, optical isolators (including bulky 850-nm ones), VOAs, and others. The best combination of power and spectrum width in multiple-SLD models. TTL control or remote operation from a PC/laptop via a USB port (UART upon request). Up to 50 kHz on/off modulation.
M-S		M-S-series Broadlighters. High-power, wide-spectrum benchtop light sources based on single SLDs. Designed for industrial and research laboratory use, these instruments can come with an integrated optical isolation for enhanced stability and protection.
M-D, M-T		M-D-, M-T- series Broadlighters. Multiple-SLD benchtop broadband light sources designed for industrial and research laboratory applications. These Broadlighters incorporate up to three SLDs, delivering the widest achievable spectrum with coherence lengths down to a few microns. They offer an optimized balance of spectral width and output power across both visible and near-infrared wavelength bands, making them ideal for demanding optical measurement and imaging tasks.

Standard single SLD and multiple SLD light sources, OEM and Benchtop BroadLighters.

Superlum offers both custom-configured SLD and controller combinations, as well as standard broadband light sources integrating single or multiple SLDs. These ready-to-use sources combine extended spectral bandwidth with built-in controllers, optical isolators, variable optical attenuators (VOAs), and other optical components—all housed within a single compact enclosure.

Center wavelength, typical 3-dB spectral bandwidth (or 6-dB bandwidth for UBB-series), and optical power values are provided in the table below. Representative examples of optical spectra and coherence functions are available for download in PDF format.

Please note: In the most of cases,  part numbers (P/N) of standard single-SLD (S-series) sources incorporate the P/N of SLD inside. Output spectrum and coherence functions of such light sources are the same as that of correspondent SLDs, which may be downloaded by clicking the icon in the last column. When checking SLD datasheets, bear in mind that the output power of the assembled light source may be lower than that of the standalone SLD, particularly when an optical isolator is included (denoted by “-I” in the P/N).

– bell-shaped spectrum, – multi-humped (“flat-top”) spectrum.

High Power MOPA SLD systems.

In MOPA SLD systems, the output of a master SLD is amplified by a spectrally matched optical booster. This architecture significantly increases output power while strongly reducing sensitivity to optical feedback.

Discontinued products.

Please click here to see the discontinued products.