Idaho State University College of Technology receives $275,000 worth of laser equipment

Tektronix Inc., a leading innovator of test, measurement and monitoring equipment, recently donated equipment valued at more than $275,000 to the Idaho State University College of Technology electronics department.

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According to a press release from ISU University Relations, the electronics department received laser and laser test equipment worth $225,331. Because the lasers are tunable, students will learn more about tuning and setup for this type of diode laser.

"The fact that there are a number of them allows several teams of students a chance to work at the same time. The laser fiber optics source and polarization scramblers are additional equipment that we have not previously had in the College of Technology electronics department," said electronics department chair Scott Rasmussen.

A previous $50,000 donation of fiber optic equipment and test fixtures updated the fiber lab. Equipment includes a fusion splicer used to fuse pieces of fiber together and two optical time domain reflectometers that allow for testing fiber runs. A technician can use an OTDR to locate a fiber problem many miles away and within inches of where the problem lies, allowing technicians to dig up fiber right where it needs to be fixed. Fiber test fixtures allow students to measure fiber and see what actual fiber problems look like.

"This equipment had been used in Tektronix’s fiber test equipment design lab and is exactly what we need in our labs to provide up-to-date learning tools for students," Rasmussen said.

ISU also received two modules, priced at $2,495 each, which will be used in upgrading Tektronix 3034B digital scopes. These are used to test serial digital television signals and will be used in the new College of Technology digital television studio.

Donated laser equipment includes: One ILX Light wave MPS-8033 Precision Fiber Optic Source; two Advantest Q8163 Optimal Polarization Scramblers; one Velocity Tunable-Diode-Laser Controller, with Laser Model 6324; one Velocity Tunable-Diode-Laser Model 6326P; a Velocity Tunable-Diode-Laser Model 6330 (1544-1636nm); one Velocity Tunable-Diode-Laser Model 6326; one Velocity Tunable-Diode-Laser Model 6324; and one Velocity Tunable-Diode-Laser Model 6330 (1550-160nm).

This equipment will enhance and upgrade the quality of education for students enrolled in the electronic systems, electronic wireless telecommunications technology, instrumentation technology, and laser/electro-optics technology programs, Rasmussen said.