Simple. Scalable. Powerful PIC control.
At Qontrol, we’re committed to equipping the photonics community with tools that are not just powerful, but intuitive, reliable, and scalable. Today, we’re excited to announce the launch of our latest and most advanced driver module yet: the Q8a 8-channel photonics control module.
The need for better control in photonics
As photonic integrated circuits (PICs) become increasingly central to applications ranging from telecommunications to quantum computing, precise and responsive electrical control becomes essential. Researchers and engineers have long struggled with the limitations of modules that only allow current or voltage drive, suffer from slow protection response times, or compromise on channel scalability.
We built the Q8a to solve these challenges—head-on.
Meet the Q8a driver module
The Q8a is a precision 8-channel photonics driver that offers true simultaneous current and voltage control, enabling better performance and stability for photonic devices like:
- SiN/SiOxNy thermal modulators
- On-chip lasers
- High-speed photodetector bias
- Large-scale PIC test systems
Whether you’re running experiments, automating tuning flows, or developing new integrated platforms, the Q8a delivers the power and flexibility you need in a compact, high-performance module.
What Makes it different?
- Simultaneous current & voltage control – Drive, measure, and limit both parameters on every channel in real time.
- Fast hardware-level protection – Overvoltage and overcurrent response in just 50 microseconds, protecting sensitive photonic components.
- Scalable, high-precision drive – Each of the 8 channels can source up to 100 mA at 12 V, with full-range linearity and perfect zero crossing.
- Seamless integration – Fully compatible with Qontrol’s hardware and software ecosystem. Same communication protocol, plug-and-play operation. No drivers, no nonsense.
- Designed for research labs and OEM systems – From academic PIC research to industrial photonic systems, the Q8a can meet your needs.
Why it matters
We know researchers and product developers alike are under pressure to move faster, scale up, and reduce risk—all without compromising on accuracy. The Q8a was designed with your workflow in mind, offering more control and confidence over every channel.
And with improved power delivery, a rugged all-metal enclosure, and integrated thermal monitoring, it’s ready for lab benches and commercial deployment alike.
See the Q8a in action
We’ve prepared a detailed breakdown of performance comparisons (vs. our own Q8iv), example test results, and application scenarios on the Q8a product page:
📧 Contact us at [email protected]
Powering the future of integrated photonics
We’re proud of the Q8a — and excited to see what you’ll do with it. Whether you’re developing cutting-edge photonic integrated circuits or scaling optical systems in production, Qontrol is here to support your journey.
Explore more. Control more. Achieve more—with the Q8a.
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