Advantest Launches TAS5500 Terahertz Power Meter

TOKYO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Leading semiconductor test equipment supplier Advantest Corporation (TSE:6857)ATE announced today that a new terahertz power meter, the TAS5500 is available for purchase.

The TAS5500 is a basic measurement instrument that computes the strength of terahertz waves by detecting the heat generated when these waves are absorbed by matter. This enables input power to be measured to ±8% accuracy.*¹

The unprecedented measurement accuracy of the TAS5500 is based on the Japanese national standard for infrared power measurement*², recalibrated for the terahertz region with measurement data accumulated by Advantest during the company's years of developing terahertz analysis equipment. With national and international standards for terahertz wavelengths and energies yet to be established, researchers and developers in the terahertz arena have had difficulty ascertaining the reliability and accuracy of measured values. Advantest's new power meter provides a solution to this challenge. Featuring the robust performance and cutting-edge functionality that Advantest is known for, the TAS5500 will be an indispensable asset to R&D professionals in the fields of high-performance terahertz sources, terahertz communications, and many others.

The TAS5500 will ship in June 2014 at a projected price of \1.8 million.

^*1 The measurement accuracy of the TAS5500 has been calculated with reference to an in-house terahertz power standard developed by Advantest on the basis of the NMIJ national standard for infrared waves (see below).

^*2 The National Metrology Institute of Japan (NMIJ), a part of the National Institute of Advanced Science and Technology (AIST), maintains an infrared power standard of 10.6um.

Product Features

• A New Terahertz Standard Based on Infrared Power Standard, Developed by Advantest

The TAS5500 has been calibrated with reference to the AIST national power standard for infrared waves of 10.6um. Advantest has expanded the measurement range of this standard to the terahertz region by calculating the difference in heat generated when terahertz waves vs. infrared waves are absorbed. This precise calibration enables the TAS5500 to deliver highly accurate power measurement.

• Highly Accurate Heat Measurement

The amount of heat absorbed by a calorimeter varies depending on the type of electromagnetic wave absorber used and the wavelength of the input waves, potentially creating measurement uncertainty. The TAS5500 utilizes an absorber with a steady absorption ratio, and relies on abundant absorption data for each specific wavelength accumulated by Advantest during the company's terahertz analysis system R&D activities, improving measurement stability and accuracy.

• Desktop Form Factor, Easy PC Connection

The TAS5500 boasts a portable, compact form factor (115mm W x 67mm D x 79mm H) and weighs just 900 grams. It connects to the user's PC via USB port for ease of usability.

• Calibration Service Ensures Continuous Accuracy

Advantest offers TAS5500 users a semiannual calibration service (separate fees apply) to ensure continuous measurement accuracy .

Key Specifications
Optical input			10 mm active diameter with manual shutter
Frequency range			0.3 ~ 10 THz
Measurement range			100 mW ~ 20 uW
Response time			30sec or less
Operating temperature			+10℃ ~ +30℃
Dimensions			115 (W) x 67 (D) x 79 (H) mm
			(Sensor unit, protruding parts not included)
Weight			900g or less

About Advantest Corporation

A world-class technology company, Advantest is the leading producer of automatic test equipment (ATE) for the semiconductor industry and a premier manufacturer of measuring instruments used in the design and production of electronic instruments and systems. Its leading-edge systems and products are integrated into the most advanced semiconductor production lines in the world. The company also focuses on R&D for emerging markets that benefit from advancements in nanotech and terahertz technologies, and has introduced multi-vision metrology scanning electron microscopes essential to photomask manufacturing, as well as a groundbreaking 3D imaging and analysis tools. Founded in Tokyo in 1954, Advantest established its first subsidiary in 1982, in the USA, and now has subsidiaries worldwide. More information is available at www.advantest.com.

All information supplied in this release is correct at the time of publication, but may be subject to change.

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